HOW TO FORTIY YOUR FAITH
Live Your Calling – Part 7
Series Conclusion
Steve Gallimore | pastorsteve@tvcc.us
November 24, 2019
Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and PURPOSE OF LIFE but as those who do… “FIT IN WITH” each other, because of your common reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15 (Phillips NT)
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV)
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to GROW UP in every way INTO HIM who is the head, into Christ, Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
A great
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Every follower of Christ has been called…
• To “Love God with all your heart” =
• To “Love your neighbor as yourself” =
• To “Go and make disciples” =
• To “Baptize them into…” =
• To “Teach them to do all things” =
Do not live as people who “do not know the MEANING and PURPOSE of life but as those who do.” Ephesians 5:15
Seven Supplements That Fortify Your Faith
For if you have THESE THINGS in good measure, they will make you fertile and full of fruit in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8 (BBE)
For this reason I will be ready at all times to keep your memory of THESE THINGS awake, though you have the knowledge of them now and are well based in your present faith. 2 Peter 1:12
And it seems right to me, as long as I am in this tent of flesh, to keep your minds awake by working on your memory (THESE THINGS); 2 Peter 1:13
14 For I am conscious that in a short time I will have to put off this tent of flesh, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will take every care so that you may have a clear memory of THESE THINGS after my death. 2 Peter 1:14-15
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith… 2 Peter 1:5
Supplement your faith with…
1 .
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, 2 Peter 1:5 (NLT2)
2 .
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 (ESV)
3 .
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)
4 .
And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4 (CSBBible)
5 .
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21 (ESV)
6 .
This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to LIKE THEM… 2 Peter 1:7 (TLB)
7 .
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5 (NLT2)
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5
“(Jesus)…for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame…” Hebrews 12:1
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:20-21
PURPOSE DRIVEN COVENANT
Today I am stepping across the line. I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, my decision is irrevocable, and there’s no turning back now.
I will give the rest of my life to serving God’s purposes, with God’s people, on God’s planet, for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God’s name, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me,” character over comfort, service over status, and God’s purposes over possessions, positions, popularity, and pleasure. I know what matters most, and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get though, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven, and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I nish the race. I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.
Because I know Jesus and his Church are the HOPE of the world, I will not despair, no matter how bad things may seem. Instead, I’ll dare to live with hope, care for those without hope, share the source of hope, offer prayer for those needing hope, and declare the word of hope to everyone, everywhere.
So today, I join the fellowship of the purpose-driven - those who, like David, “served God’s purpose in his generation.” I’ll serve my eternal Savior in the age and culture he’s placed me. I’ll share his timeless message in timely ways, and in a changing world, I’ll trust his unchanging Word.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: “However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Any time. Any way. Anywhere. I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day, I’ll hear you say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!’”