12-20-2021
PERSISTENT FAITH
- This season, time of year
- Excess carnality
- The gifts
- The food
- Being around unsaved family
- Relapse is never far from my mind
- But it's been in my prayers this week
- Then in my Bible reading this morning
- Paul is writing to the church at Corinth
2 Corinthians 11:2
- Second service yesterday
- Paul’s responsibility
- Our Pastor’s responsibility
- My responsibility
- Our Responsibility to each other
- Paul feared “relapse”
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
2 Corinthians 11:5-6
- They aren’t any smarter than I am
- Paul has a “can do it” attitude
2 Corinthians 11:22-33
- Paul rants about his struggle
- Proves his persistence
Proverbs 24:16 KJV
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Matthew 15:21-28
- Boldness, persistence, and faith earn her blessings
- Faith tested by silence (vs. 23)
- Faith tested by 2 discouraging replies (vs. 24,26)
- The outcome was the miracle that she desired.
Psalm 138:3 KJV
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Luke 18:1 KJV
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
- Pray and not lose heart
- This woman persisted through four rebuffs
- Jesus ignored her
- Disciples against her
- She wasn’t a Jew
- Didn’t have the opportunity
- Jesus delays response to strengthen our faith and resolve
- Delay checks our sincerity and forces the hand of fervency
- Be encouraged when you think God isn’t listening
- Our friends and family may discourage us
- Our position
- Well i’m new to this
- I didn’t grow up pentecostal
- We can never allow ourselves to be satisfied
- Even the dogs eat bread
- Lack of opportunity doesn’t matter
- God designed it that you would take it or make your own
Matthew 11:12 KJV
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
