Title: Resolute Faith
Contents
※ Bible: Luke 9:23-27, 57-62
Resolute faith does not hold back or hesitate to save lives because of fear, but boldly puts it into action. Also, resolute faith is not about backing down from saving lives or staying in thoughts in your head, but doing and acting no matter how difficult it is. So, belief is not just a thought. Faith is what we do and what we do. Please remember that this kind of faith in action is pleasing to God, and that faith that is put into practice will make God's will come true on this earth.
Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” In faith, the object of faith must be clear. The object of our faith is God. “Whether that person has faith or not” does not depend on the number of years or positions of faith, but depends on how much you trust God, the object of your faith. No matter how much you have faith, if you do not trust the object of your faith, you have no faith. Faith is the object of faith, trusting our God clearly and obeying the word of the Lord is faith. I hope you will keep this in your heart.
Second, “without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” Without faith we cannot please God with anything. What pleases God is not to please God because we have a pretty face, or because we have money. Please believe that God is pleased when we trust Him.
Third, “He who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder.” When we come to Jesus, we receive a reward from heaven. It is true faith to believe that God will surely reward those who come to Him.
Jesus has called us all to reward us and to give us great blessings from heaven. You must have confidence in your reward. Why did you come to church today? He came to church to receive a great reward from heaven. This award is something the world cannot give. I bless you in the name of the Lord that many members of the church must have this assurance.
With this belief, we must lead a determined life of faith. The first part of today's text reads, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." In other words, when we say we follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves. To follow Jesus is to put aside our stubbornness, my experiences, and my philosophy, and to obey Jesus' will is to follow Jesus.
To follow Jesus with resolute faith is to abandon our will and follow Jesus, and to follow Jesus with a proud heart. We should not be in the least ashamed of our faith in Jesus. A person who is ashamed can never be a strong believer. Be proud of your faith in Jesus.
From today's text verse 28, Jesus took Peter, John, and James to the Mount of Transfiguration. But Jesus' face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. The image of Jesus was transformed into the image of God. A voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples came to know Jesus clearly. To have resolute faith, we need to know the Jesus we believe in accurately and clearly. When we know exactly who Jesus is, we can boldly follow Him without fear. I hope you all do your best to know for sure who Jesus is.
Today's Bible teaches us a good lesson. Those who are determined to follow Jesus and ask, “Who is greater?” We are fighting each other for height. Ladies and gentlemen, only God can judge our faith.
There are also people who want to follow Jesus blindly. Then Jesus said, “Do you know what it means that you follow me? Foxes have dens and birds have places to lay their heads, but the Son of Man has no place to lay their heads.” You say. Another man said, “Follow me,” and the man said, “I will follow Jesus, but I will bury my father first and follow him.” Another said, “I will greet my family first and follow.” Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” He says.
There are fears and worries about our following Jesus. But when you follow Jesus, you shouldn't put conditions on it. We must fully trust Almighty God and obey and follow the words of Jesus as those who have resolute faith. I pray in the name of the Lord that you may know Jesus, the object of our faith, fully trust, obey Jesus' words to save lives, please God, and be used meaningfully as God's instrument.
2007-02-15 16:59:30