Go Deeper in Faith

The title of the sermon today is, “ Go Deeper - In Faith, In Community”

We are beginning this new season by Deepening your faith.

This is done by seeing what God has done in the past (His Faithfulness), and

finding the foundation of our faith - Jesus

Next week we will look at Going Deeper in Community.

“Rock Story”

When I was a kid, I loved swimming with my brothers and sisters at the beach.

I am not talking about

a pool or

a lake or

a pond

I am talking about the Pacific Ocean!

One of the scariest things was when we would swim, there were large rocks we would stand on even pretty far from shore.

But when the waves came in, the water would lift me up off the rock and cause me to slosh around in the water

I was looking for that rock that held me above the water

I would kick and swim and (even panic),

until my feet brushed the rock and I was again restored to the safety I held onto

>>This year, many of us have felt like the wave came in, and swept us off our foundation.

We have lost loved ones

We have lost jobs

We have struggled in our marriages

Life has been hard in so many ways, and we are looking for the foundation to plant our feet upon.

Hebrews 11:1–3 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Today, my prayer is that you will find your faith deeper than ever before, on Jesus Christ as your foundation.

Open your Bibles with me to James 1:2-4:

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2–4 NIV

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

NIV

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The NIV uses the word mature rather than perfect. Do you see how that is deeper than simply getting through 2020 (I mean, trials)?

Let’s look at Hebrews together Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 6:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Hebrews 6:1–3 NIV

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

Again, the NIV uses the word maturity in the place of perfection. Why is this?

The word perfection used here, is referring to being as originally intended

So:

Trials produce Patience, which brings maturity, aligning us closer to that state of being God intended for us when He made Adam and Eve in the garden. AND

In Hebrews we see, that we are not meant to stay in the elementary things of the faith,

but rather to go on -

to progress

to advance

beyond where we were

toward a place of maturity to be as God intends for us to be

We don’t want anyone entering 2021 - without having grown in patience and maturity.

HOWEVER, We cannot leave elementary principles if we do not know them first.

For this, I would like to go through our Church’s Statement of Faith with you:

Church of God of Prophecy Statement of Faith - DECLARACIÓN DE FE

WE BELIEVE in the Holy Trinity—one God, eternally existing in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe in one God, the Father, creator of heaven and earth, of all things seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father.

All things were made through Him and for Him. He is true God and true man.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin, Mary.

He suffered, died, was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead.

He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and He will return to judge the living and the dead.

His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who eternally proceeds from the Father.

He is Teacher, Comforter, Helper, and Giver of spiritual gifts.

Through Him the saving and sanctifying works of Jesus Christ are applied to the life of believers.

He is the empowering presence of God in the life of the Christian and the church.

The Father has sent His Son to baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues and bearing the fruit of the Spirit are New Testament signs of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross and that He died in our place.

The believer’s sins are forgiven by the shedding of His blood.

We believe that healing of mind, body, soul, and spirit is available to the believer through the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe in one baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that the grace of God brings forgiveness and reconciliation to those who repent, as well as transformation in holiness, enabling them to live a Christ-like life.

Sanctification is both a definite work of grace and a lifelong process of change in the believer brought by the blood of Jesus, the Word of God, and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe in one holy, universal church, composed of all true believers in Jesus Christ, offering fellowship and calling for service to men and women of all peoples, nations, cultures, and languages.

We believe in the spiritual and ultimate visible unity of the church.

We believe that the Bible—both Old and New Testaments—is the inspired Word of God.

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and His will to humankind, sufficient for instruction in salvation and daily Christian living.

The Bible is the Christian’s rule of faith and practice.

We believe that God will ultimately reconcile all things in heaven and earth in Christ.

Therefore, we look forward to new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

*****************************

This is what we believe!

It is not only the elementary principles, it is also the foundation on which everything else is built.

Now, other organizations may word their Statement of Faith slightly different, and may view some specifics a bit different in their doctrine.

BUT THE WHOLE BODY OF JESUS BELIEVES THE CORE - ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF JESUS and when we stray from them, we are on sinking sand and our faith will be washed away by the smallest storm.

I would like to share three things to Deepen Your Faith as you look back on this last year:

1. KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE

Truth is the beginning of the whole armor of God and needs to be the starting point for deeper faith.

Knowing the truth - dispells the lies of the devil and our own evil desires

This is the building block for faith itself (believing in God even when it doesn’t make sense)

2. LIVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE

Action is the proof behind belief.

It is easy to say you believe something

It is proven only when it is tested [HOIST STRESS TEST EXAMPLE]

Living your beliefs, is FAITH IN ACTION and that makes it stronger

Real-life faith brings questions,

Questions bring Answers (from the Bible)

Answers increase knowledge and experience

Which increases our faith

3. SHARE WHAT YOU BELIEVE

Jesus said He is building His Church

(kingdom of believers)

(You and me)

What you know and experience (live) can help others in their life to know Jesus better

You have something to share with others

Others have something to share with you

Application

If you do not know Jesus as Your Lord and Savior - or if you want to re-commit your life to Jesus

I want you to pray this with me right now:

Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I have broken your commands.

I know the consequence of sin is death

Please save me from my sins

I confess that You are Lord and

I believe God raised You from the dead

Be my Lord - and my Savior

Help me to live the way You want me to

In Jesus’ name - Amen.

If you have been swept away by the waves and storms of life, and you are looking for that foundation, JESUS IS THAT FOUNDATION and He is faithful. We would like to pray over you as we close

BENEDICTION - BENDICIÓN

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;