09/10/2023 Keep The Faith

Keep the Faith Jonathan Lonon / General Faith Keep the Faith Keep the Faith Jude 3 CSB 3 Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. This scripture is a warning to the believer for reasons we will examine in more depth, but for now, the crux of the matter is in the phrase “contend for the faith” voiced by Jude. We in a Christian faith that is based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross often use the words and phrases from songs to encourage us in this charge. Though they don’t have the depth of meaning by themselves per song to express the grave importance and necessity of heeding Jude’s words, their melodies may yet remind us to dig in our heels and get on our knees as we see the end days coming. Days which the writer of Jude went on to describe by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in great detail, and that we can attest are quite present today! For example, we sing, “I’m holding, I’m just holding on, holding, I’m just holding on, holding, I’m just holding on; holding on and I won’t let go my faith, go my faith.” The verses clarify that we believe in the Father, and we believe in the Son, and all that God’s favor and redemption encompasses, despite the world’s disregard - or even its blasphemy - against these persons of the Godhead bodily and their truths. Page 1. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. We might also sing (to a slower beat to express a sincere desire to endure in the battle for our soul), “If I can hold out, if I can keep the faith, in God’s own time, my change will come.” We ramp it up as we know God hears our cry to sing, “Hold out, just a little while longer, keep the faith, just a little while longer, ...”. Later we sing that it will soon pass over. We know that we have been issued a challenge by God through Jude to contend for the faith. It was delivered once for all, so there is no redo! The work of Christ was a finished work and the acceptance of that work by faith is either true or false. Either you have faith, or you don’t. You were sincere when you took on this Christian walk, or you had something else in mind BEFORE the heat was turned up and you had to defend your choice and its significance. We have been inspired by the Holy One and like Walter Hawkins sang, “…it won’t let me, hold my peace. What is this!?” So let’s answer Walter’s question with reference to faith! A. What is Faith? Of course, we know there are worldly and somewhat spiritual definitions, and then there is the biblical definition provided by the Spirit of God. Hebrews 11:1 CSB 1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Some may be more familiar with the KJV version. Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Bible versions that lead us to the same conclusions are a great way of utilizing the scripture itself when it guides us to “…study to show ourselves approved of God to rightly divide His Word of truth.” I may on occasion switch from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB or Holman’s CSB) to the King James Version (KJV or NKJV) during this encouraging examination of the faith. Page 2. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. Notice that there are two things that define faith in this passage: Reality or substance, and proof or evidence. From the Greek definitions we quickly learn that reality or substance is referring to the concept of confident expectation. In other words, my faith in Christ, when strong, is confident in Christ and expects of Christ certain things. Of course, these are things we have hoped for, right? The verse is open-ended about those “hoped for” things. Why? Because our changed hearts should now be hoping in things that deepen our faith and empowers us to spread the Good News! Sure we have other less critical-to-eternity hopes, and those are also a part of our faith walk, but our primary substance goals are for His glory and for man’s discovery of redemption. The proof or evidence, from the original Greek wording, refers to the concepts of reproof and conviction. So, the entrance of faith comes with a confident expectation (in the One we believe has the power to do it); but the exit or result of that faith is a “proving by result” (performed by the same One in which that faith lies to perform it). Reproof is a settling of any outstanding doubt in, or any charge against, the One upon whom our faith is built. (repeat definition) Conviction has two outcomes: Like reproof, conviction also shuts down all the prosecutors against it (from unbelievers to Satan and all those he has deceived who bad-mouth us and God). Conviction shuts down excuses to doubt. Conviction is also a boomerang into our own hearts, like the cardio for this muscle, that hits us with the realness of God’s ability to perform exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or think. This conviction builds our faith AND informs unbelievers as we see in the Hall of Faith of the remainder of Hebrews 11. The remaining verses from verses 2 onward, bear out this substance and evidence concept that appears over and over again as we continue to fight the Page 3. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. fight of faith, grow in our faith, and go from victory to victory in our faith. These verses start theme or template for the Hall of Faith inductees that we can clearly see. “For by it...”; or “by faith...”; or “through it...” some confident expectation and reproof or conviction exposes a connection to God! Speaking of connections, which is ultimately what God wanted again with us, and what we should want with Him as his prize creation, here is a crude example of what our faith connection to God looks like from a technology perspective. Y’all know I had to go there!! Faith, in a computer programmer’s world, might fit what is known as the Application Programmer Interface (or the API). Before I explain, just keep in mind how we have defined faith, well the Bible has declared that… Faith is the substance of what you hope for and the evidence of what you don’t see. Stated another way, it might be a sort of unlimited access to necessary results and outcomes (substance and evidence) after an input of trust (faith) in the provider for every possible circumstance. So, an API is a connector. [Examples of connectors might be hoses, pipes, glue, etc.] For our example, the API connects one piece of coded software to another piece of uniquely different coded software. It is essentially an independent computer program that accepts certain inputs from the first coded software program, does some stuff, and then outputs results (based on the logic coded into the API). That output flows into the uniquely different software program. It joins the two programs so that a complete solution is possible. The API connector is sort of like our faith which connects us to God for inputs from Him and outputs proving He works to do that thing we needed. Without the API (i.e., faith), there is no solution because the original program (think “man in sin”) does not have the answer to the problem. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God! To connect to the One who has unlimited power to output a solution to the problem requires a properly coded API that has been tested to give specific outputs. In our case, Jesus has authored and finished (fully tested to perfection) an API that we can use to connect us to Him AND see Page 4. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. unlimited winning outcomes. Evidence that is true BEFORE we see it just as the API will do what it was designed to do even BEFORE you install it. It’s ready! Unlike the limited man-made API, through or by our faith (which God Himself authored/coded), our faith API is unlimited. This is only meant to be an example, but we know that by faith we can “connect” to the Almighty God and access substance and evidence that produces halls of faith outcomes that attract both ourselves and others to God. The man-made API is limited and can only provide outcomes based upon the logical “if this then that” coding it has within it as a connector object. However, our faith is unlimited because the limit-maker is limitless. The difference is that the illogical is also possible with our faith! Your faith connector is more sophisticated than an atom bomb. Need an example? Let’s say you’re sick and doctors can’t figure it out (i.e., their manufactured pills, treatments, machines loaded with API’s, consultations, etc.), they just don’t seem to give the results or outcomes that we need. So, you’re keeping the faith forefront in all of your decisions. You activate your faith (connector) and you pray by faith to the Almighty God (in Jesus’ name, of course), and what happens? The API produces evidential proof of God to heal you. You win as you keep the faith and your win is recorded in the proverbial Hall of Faith. It is important to keep in mind the following: We may have the faith, but He gave it to us - it is not your faith or ideologies. (He is the author and finisher of it!) We may use the faith, but His power performs the wins. (The Hall of Faith is filled with God’s handiwork!) Galatians 3:23 CSB 23 Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. Oh, by the way, it’s not magic or an illusion. It’s not Artificial Intelligence (or AI), it is faith that is connected to the immeasurable power of the Almighty God. You can exercise it in full confidence! Page 5. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. So, we have defined lightly, or at least started to define, what is faith. Let’s cover another angle on faith. B. How to Keep the Faith? (How to Exhibit Faith?) As opposed to falling away from God or doubting because of so much false doctrine and self-pleasing rhetoric, you should follow Jesus’ answer to what the law entails: Matthew 22:37 NKJV 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Jesus added, ‘…love your neighbor as yourself’, to answer their original question. Here are some ways to Keep the Faith: · Grow in Grace Together – hide the word in your hearts and rest in Him. Psalm 119:11 NKJV 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Acts 16:5 NKJV 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. That is because they grew in grace together, had all things common, and they loved God AND their neighbors just as Jesus had commanded. 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. We cast our worries and cares upon Him to get out, or stay out, of the thorns where the sown word can be choked. Worry leads to fear and lack of faith. Ok, so we can Grow in Grace Together to Keep the Faith – what else? Page 6. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. · Avoid Temptations (Run like Joseph!) 2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Avoid temptations to doubt God, or to have youthful lust, or to grow weary in well doing, or to be wealthy at the expense of reliance upon He who shall supply all your needs according to His riches! This can also choke the word according to Mark 4:18,19. Without reliance on money, you can have a fruitful faith if you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Luke 8:14 NKJV 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. To keep the faith, you may have to sacrifice some pleasures of this life at times. I realize that this is a hard saying, but I’ve got to tell you the truth since faithbuilding requires teamwork! 2 Peter 1:4 NKJV 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. · Be an example – in word and in deed 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Page 7. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. · Recognize the enemy and fight back – put on the whole armor and sit (yes, sit still) under teaching. Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The whole armor eliminates a compromised defense system. Satan has “wiles” of attack – not just one easy-to-see approach! Wiles is from the Greek word “methodeia”, which means he has attacks that are not haphazard, but rather systematic, planned, ordered, structured, and following a technical process and… wait for it… rules! What??!! I know you always count Satan as “unruly”! Nevertheless, the whole armor of God counters these rules of engagement! Learning the rules of engagement requires sitting under teaching and shepherding. The Word of God is your only hope against the enemy of your very soul! We’ll say more on the advantages of the whole armor in helping you to keep the faith in a bit. Stay tuned! · Anticipate being in the presence of the Lord one day! Excitement about His return will help you to keep the faith. He really is coming back you know! Notice the fulfillment of the signs in the scripture. Be ready and watching (with lamps trimmed). Realize that a crown of righteousness is laid up for you! Get set for the casting of crowns that will occur in heaven! Now, Elder Lonon, you told me a little of what faith is, and how to keep it, but… C. What if I don’t have faith? Ok, no faith yet? I suggest you “have it!” Accept Jesus by faith. I believe that in the measure we are all given, there is enough for no excuse to accept Him. Stop, look around and see the glory of God as He yet dispenses grace (including to Page 8. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. you). That period of grace is just that, a period. And just like in a sports period, it has a time limit. The old folks would say, “Just try Him!” You will either recognize and start the faith journey, or reject and set your own fate. The old folks had a song for everything (and I’m not quite the old folks yet, in case you noticed a gray hair or something like that – I don’t know what old people look like! At least, I couldn’t find one in the mirror this morning!) Anyhow, the old folks would sing, “Don’t let it be said, too late, too late, to enter at the golden gate.” You should look around at the signs of the times and recognize the cunning hand of the enemy. A quote from a recent sermon by Gary Hamrick, senior pastor of Cornerstone Chapel Church in Leesburg, Virginia, titled ‘A Biblical Response to the “Trans[gendering]” of America, was based upon Romans 1:1828. He stated that Satan is going after biological sex, going after marriage, going after children. Recognizing that these things are true around you should encourage you to ask Jesus into your heart so that He can impart to you the faith connector for your journey going forward. (This is an in-message altar call by the way.) Gary was right, so some of the points that I will now give on how to keep the faith are derived from his message on this dilemma and how we overcome the advances of Satan. Satan is SLICK (that’s the description my dad would have given). Satan is a liar and a deceiver too. In fact, he is the father of lies. You best be aware and beware. D. How do I keep the faith? Resist him. Tell Satan, or sing it to him, that “you can’t make me doubt Him…”! Ok, it takes a lot more than singing or even serving. You must keep your ears trained on the Truth. Set Your Focus! (Now I know I heard that somewhere recently! Oh, yes, Pastor Mack’s recent series!) Set Your Focus! Page 9. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. So what do you do to Keep the Faith in the fight against the enemy who works around-the-clock to keep you disconnected from God? Let’s use some of the same scriptures from the message by Hamrick. 1. Live a Holy Life (2 Peter 3:10-12) 2 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Don’t just yell at the darkness [in the world], walk in the light [beautiful light, come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright, shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world – another oldie but goodie]! Thank you, Lord! Thank you for those old saints who sacrificed everything to pull us out of the fire, singing all along their way! Hebrews 13:7 NKJV 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Many of the old saints we knew in our experience were already in bondage of slavery, and many more suffered the aftereffects of slavery, but they were free through Christ and they yelled from the depths of their hearts, as they kept the faith, ‘Holiness or Hell’! By the way, as we heard from Brother Neal in this week’s Bible Study, Walk in Humility as you live this holy life of faith! Thank you, master teacher! Now, to keep the faith and live a holy life requires a few things: a. Lay aside every weight and the sins easily besetting us. Page 10. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. b. Avoid heated conflict. Remember to remove the log from your own eye before the speck in the eye of the other person. c. Confess and stay aligned with the Spirit. Remember judgement begins at the house of God. Grieving the Holy Spirit is counterintuitive! d. Don’t fret. Yes, there will be struggles and suffering, but James 1:3 has given us the reason for it. James 1:3 NKJV 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 2. Have a spiritually healthy home (Deuteronomy 6:7) Deuteronomy 6:7 NKJV 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Talk constantly with children, especially starting with young children and grandchildren, about the Bible and what it says, using every opportunity. Quantity and quality are both important. Getting in their business is your business. Don’t fear finding out what they are thinking or doing! First, we said that you should live a holy life, and then we agreed with having a spiritually healthy home. Finally, to keep the faith, you must… 3. Take a Strong Stance (II Timothy 1:12 and Hebrews 12:2) 2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Page 11. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. Hebrews 12:2 CSB 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Above all, keep your eyes on Jesus! This will eliminate many distractions and continually focus your mind and heart on what the initial purposes of God was to bring you to this faith in Him. You also see that he remained focused with joy, endured the suffering, despised the shame that was opposite the worldly fame others sought for (or expected of) Him, and only then rested. Just like after creating the world and man He rested, after redeeming the world and man, he rested. Stand strong, it is fixed, done, kaput! Nothing can stop you now in your trek to glory! 1 Corinthians 16:13 CSB 13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 1 Timothy 6:12 CSB 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 2 Timothy 1:12 CSB 12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. In continuing the discussion on how to keep the faith, you may have noticed that I had lots of oldie song references in this message. Why is that? I found that all saints should keep the faith by putting the Word to song. The scripture tells us to sing with melody in our hearts to the Lord (hymns and spiritual songs). That is just another way to keep the faith and block the outside influences of the enemy. Page 12. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. I promised to return to how the whole armor of God fit into this effort of Keeping the Faith. I won’t display or read the entirety of Ephesians 6:10-18, but it gives us clear battle gear in readiness for keeping the faith and defending or contending for it as instructed in Jude 3. Jude 3 NKJV 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Recognize that the battle is spiritual and not simply in your mind. There are real factors at work in the atmosphere! Notice that the whole armor starts with truthfulness, sincerity, and a good conscious, and then righteous works. Your feet must be shod with the gospel of peace. Let’s pause there for a moment. What does it mean to have your feet shod? It means that you have studied the handbook, practiced any drills, and that you are now ready for marching orders, but not to war against the devil directly. You are leaving the rebuking of Satan to the Lord, like the archangel Michael was smart enough to do! You are being offensive to pull others out of the fire by fulfilling the Great Commission, but you are also being defensive in your push to hold to your faith. Your offensive posture is to bring the peace and victory of the gospel to men. You have this peace by faith, not of yourselves but it is that same gift that God will grant to those who stop and listen with open hearts to your message and testimony. This peace surpasses all understanding and shows readiness to answer all who ask a reason of the hope within you because of a grounding in God’s Word, AND is not swayed by the conflicts or enticements of the world! After marching orders, you are to mount the shield of faith. It is a shield, that’s why you need it. It’s a defensive piece of equipment that is followed by the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word (the Truth, the Son, the very breath) of God! This is not detailed lesson on this armor, but you must get dressed and stay dressed if you want to keep the faith! Page 13. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. E. Why is Faith so Important? With the shield of faith, you “shall” be able to quench (or intercept) and dismantle ALL the fiery darts of the wicked. Satan isn’t just tossing darts, but those with fired ignition with the plan of causing massive damage on contact! Faith conquers the wicked one! Remember, faith is only part of a whole armory outfit. It is important because without it you are vulnerable in that attack zone. You know, I always said I would never wrestle, whether it was fake or not! But guess what, the Christian walk involves this sport – though not for pleasure or fun! The wiles of Ephesians 6:11 that we defined earlier warn us that Satan will not face us in a ring for an easy take down (you know, the way the villain meets the hero in the movies)! Oh no, he has a mix of unseen weapons that he launches from high and low hideouts that are strategically aimed at the vulnerable places - places that the whole armor is designed to protect! 1 Peter 5:9 NKJV 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 John 5:4 NKJV 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:18 NKJV 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. Closing If you are taking an exam, you may have noticed the following for multiple choice questions: Page 14. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. Multiple choice with the circle is exclusive. You can only check off one answer that applies. Multiple choice with the square is non-exclusive. You can check-off multiple answers that apply. The Parable of the Sower, whether in Matthew, Mark, or Luke, hit especially odd for me while preparing this message because I always put myself in the category of the “good ground” fourth person of Jesus’ multiple choice parable! You see, I got it! I’m saved! Oh, wonderful me! But I am realizing in the fight of faith that the battle can wear on you. The onslaught of the enemy can put you in one of those other multiple-choice categories of Word delivery. You made the test exclusive with four circles (with your saved self!). But I now believe those categories of Word delivery are nonexclusive checkbox squares. Any one or more of them can be checked at anytime (even for saved, sanctified, filled-with-the-Holy Ghost folks – even with the mighty burning fire)! • The wayside. The rocks. The thorns. • Good ground. Sometimes you are not paying attention as God is speaking His Word and it falls on the way side. Go ahead check that first box too!! I know what you’re saying. Elder Lonon, I’m not attending Bible Study (or very infrequently attending) because I get the Word all the time – in my car, online, from the Christian bookstore, etc., etc. Yeah, yeah. And you may be a church baby or a preacher’s boy or girl who heard these parables and teachings for so long that you now have AUTOMATIC Word knowledge! I go into auto-sanctification mode sometimes, Elder Lonon. It just kicks in because me and God are tight like that! Page 15. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023. No! No! Sanctification and the building of faith to produce fruit is engaging, it’s laborious, and it’s long-term! A lapse in building your faith can quickly put you in the other three categories causing post-salvation unfruitfulness. Don’t be on auto-pilot while coasting toward heaven, but shift into low gear, take the wheel, put the pedal to the metal, and start planting that Word deeper into your heart. That way the harvest will be rich, your joy will be full, and your place in the halls of faith can be assured. Finally, my brethren, I leave these Holy Spirit-inspired words from Paul, to encourage your journey of Keeping the Faith: 2 Timothy 4:7 CSB 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. If Paul could do it, so can you. Keep the Faith. Page 16. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:01 PM September 9, 2023.