PASTOR JOHN COWLES
BRIDGE CHURCH
A LEGACY OF FAITH
Mother’s Day
2 Timothy 1:5 ESV – I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Their faith was a living, active reality that sparked their daily existence.
Could someone say that about your faith?
Acts 16:1-3 ESV – Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
What does REAL FAITH Look like?
FAITH MUST BE
CONSTANT FEEDING!
2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
REAL FAITH BEHAVIOR
Is your faith sincere enough to take root deep in your life and real enough to be noticed by others especially those who know you best?
Will your faith outlive you?
HOW DO WE LIVE A LIFE OF FAITH?
Acts 16:2 ESV – He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 NIV – I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.
Luke 1:38 ESV – Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
They’re ordinary decisions made day after day that collectively create a pattern—a pattern that silently but powerfully communicates what you truly believe.
RESILIENT THROUGH LIFE’S
Genesis 18:12-14 ESV – So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
FAITH THAT IS
Philippians 2:19-22 NLT – If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
CREATE CONSISTENT PATTERNS of SPIRITUAL GROWTH!
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV – And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
CREATE CONSISTENT PATTERNS of SPIRITUAL GROWTH!
FAITH GROWS THROUGH HONEST CONVERSATIONS!
FAITH GROWS THROUGH COMMUNITY!
FAITH MUST BE OWNED!