Why do some people lose their faith? Today’s message is not intended to answer that question, but rather to ask the question, “How Can I Have Fireproof Faith! Our sermon verse reflects the foundation of this strength
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. —Romans 12:2
Today, I want to explore the three most obvious factors in Believers leaving their faith.
1. SIN is the first and foremost factor. I am thinking of the person who willfully and intentionally continues to sin against God. One such example is the friend of the Apostle Paul, Demas.
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me. —2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas, the lure of sin was so strong that he left Paul’s side to continue in whatever worldly practices to which he was lured. That temptation overcame him and he left God for self pleasure and self focus… it still happens… every day.
2. PERSECUTION or TRIALS are other reasons that some people walk away from faith.
Jesus spoke of this and used the image seen in
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. —Matthew 13:20–21
Notice the critical time here, immediate joy in meeting Jesus, but no roots put down. Then the challenges come. Any wonder why the scriptures teach and prepare us for suffering and trials??? THEY ARE REAL.
3. Third, some fall away from WORLDLY PRESSURE.
This is what we want to focus on today. How can I keep my faith from faltering when there is so much pressure from the worldly culture?
The Pressure can be GREAT! You remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They experienced a tremendous amount of pressure to bow down and worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar.
Their dilemma is similar to the pressure that we are facing today. No one is asking us to bow down to a gold statute. No, we are just asked to bow down to the thinking and practices of the culture around us.
In America, the pressure is to conform to the culture. But in other parts of the world, Christians are facing the threat of death if they insist on remaining faithful to Christ.
SOMALIA, Nov. 2009 A 23-year-old Christian convert, Mumin Yusuf, was murdered by Islamic militants for converting to Christianity.
The worldly gods cry out to be embraced by our minds and in our actions. The gods of:
Tolerance… no matter how deviant the behavior.
Self-worship…it’s all about ME
Victimization… its not my fault
Unrestrained sexual fulfillment… inside or outside of marriage
Secularism…anything but God
To help us in this onslaught, let’s consider some Characteristics of FIREPROOF FAITH.
Fireproof Faith Begins with a COMMITMENT to CHRIST. I love the response the Hebrews men gave to bowing to Nebuchadenezzers statue
(They) answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. —Daniel 3:16–18
There was NO DEBATE: They made a commitment to God that was unshakable.They knew that death was real. BUT IF NOT!
Second, Fireproof Faith is COURAGEOUS.
Others gave in when confronted with worshiping the golden idol, but they did not. Those who gave in, lost the reward of faithfulness. When the Bible says, “All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21), the price of faith means that we believe those words.
Third, Fireproof Faith is CONFIDENT The Hebrew men said concerning going into the furnace
If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. —Daniel 3:17
Even though they didn’t know God’s plan, they knew the Scriptures which promised that God will deliver His children from death. Promises like
(Psalm 23:4) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
We know scriptures like (2 Timothy 4:18) “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Fireproof faith is possible because of CHRIST, not because of you!
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. —Jude 24–25
Ultimately, we are not kept because of our obedience, we are kept because of Christ’s faithfulness.
LAST, Fireproof Faith is REWARDED.
Christ was with them in the fire, remember the account seen in Daniel 3:25
He ( Nebuchadnezzar) answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt —Daniel 3:25
That was Jesus! Not being burned up was a miracle, but their clothes were not burned, and they did not even smell of fire! Nebuchadnezzar was amazed “no other god can save in this way”
The GREATEST REWARD in your spiritual life lies just beyond your greatest trial! Don’t Quit!!! Can I ask what is your greatest trial today?
Shadrach, Meeshach and Abednego show us a powerful story of faithfulness in the face of great pressure and threat. It centers on their confession that God had the power to deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar’s hand.
They knew that God could deliver them from this trial, but that even if they had to endure the trial, God’s promises to give them eternal life were still sure. That’s why they said, “But if Not.”
What about you? Is your faith fireproof?