Faith Under Fire: Trusting God When It Doesn’t Make Sense

GREETING:

GRACE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU, ST. LUKE HOLINESS CHURCH!

TO PASTOR ELDER MICHAEL MCKINNIS, LADY MCKINNIS, AND THIS DYNAMIC CONGREGATION—I BRING YOU WARM GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

I COUNT IT AN HONOR TO STAND BEHIND THIS SACRED DESK ON THIS FINAL NIGHT OF REVIVAL.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION, THE HOSPITALITY, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR FAITHFUL WITNESS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I BELIEVE GOD IS DOING SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY IN THIS HOUSE.

TO THE OFFICERS, MEMBERS, MUSICIANS, AND FRIENDS OF ST. LUKE HOLINESS CHURCH, GRACE AND PEACE BE MULTIPLIED UNTO YOU.

TO ALL CLERGY AND MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL….

TO THE BEST CHURCH ON THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN……FBC

I SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST….. BUT CERTAINLY IS NOT THE LEAST……MY LOVELY WIFE…..

TONIGHT, THE LORD HAS LED ME TO REVISIT A FAMILIAR PASSAGE, BUT WITH FRESH FIRE AND FOCUS.

ON THIS FINAL NIGHT OF REVIVAL, I BELIEVE THERE IS STILL FRESH OIL AND A WORD FROM HEAVEN. AMEN?

Genesis 22:1 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Hebrews 11:8–11 NKJV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:17–19 NKJV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

FAITH UNDER FIRE: TRUSTING GOD WHEN IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

INTRODUCTION:

HOW MANY KNOW THAT FAITH SOUNDS EASY UNTIL IT’S TESTED?

WE SHOUT ABOUT IT.

WE SING ABOUT IT.

WE QUOTE THE SCRIPTURES.

BUT WHEN OUR BACKS ARE AGAINST THE WALL…..

WHEN THE JOB DRIES UP……

WHEN THE CHILD WON’T CHANGE……

WHEN THE DIAGNOSIS COMES BACK…..

WHEN THE MONEY RUNS OUT—FAITH GETS REAL.

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EVER HAD YOUR FAITH TESTED?

NOT JUST TRIED, NOT JUST CHALLENGED

BUT FLAT-OUT TESTED?

I’M TALKING ABOUT THE KIND OF TEST THAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT……

HAS YOU QUESTIONING YOUR CALLING…..

YOUR DECISIONS…….

YOUR FUTURE—EVEN YOUR GOD.

AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR: THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT GOING THROUGH HARD TIMES.

THIS IS ABOUT THE KIND OF TEST WHERE GOD SEEMS SILENT......

AND YOU HAVE TO WALK FORWARD ON A PROMISE WITH NO DETAILS….

THERE ARE MOMENTS IN OUR WALK WITH GOD WHEN EVERYTHING WE BELIEVE IS PUT ON THE LINE….

AND JUST LIKE ABRAHAM, WE WILL EXPERIENCE FAITH UNDER FIRE.

BIBLICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT (GENESIS 22 & HEBREWS 11):

ABRAHAM WAS NO STRANGER TO TESTS. HE WAS 75 WHEN GOD TOLD HIM, “PACK YOUR BAGS AND GO TO A PLACE I’LL SHOW YOU.”

HE DIDN’T GET A MAP.

HE DIDN’T GET A GPS LOCATION.

ALL HE HAD WAS A PROMISE.

THEN, AFTER WAITING 25 YEARS, ISAAC—THE CHILD OF PROMISE—IS BORN.

IMAGINE THE JOY, THE LAUGHTER, THE RELIEF. BUT THEN COMES GENESIS 22: “AFTER THESE THINGS…GOD TESTED ABRAHAM.”

THIS WAS NOT A POP QUIZ.

THIS WAS A SOUL-STRETCHING, MIND-BENDING, HEART-BREAKING TEST.

TO OFFER ISAAC.

THE VERY THING GOD PROMISED... NOW GOD IS ASKING FOR IT BACK.

1. THE CALL TO OBEY WITHOUT CLARITY (HEBREWS 11:8–10)

Hebrews 11:8–10 NKJV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

“BY FAITH ABRAHAM OBEYED… NOT KNOWING WHERE HE WAS GOING.”

THAT PHRASE ALONE IS ENOUGH TO PREACH FOR 25 MINUTES: "NOT KNOWING WHERE HE WAS GOING."

AND IF I CAN BE REAL WITH YOU TONIGHT…..

WE LIVE IN A GENERATION THAT WANTS FULL CLARITY BEFORE COMMITMENT.

WE DON’T EVEN DRIVE ACROSS TOWN WITHOUT CHECKING GOOGLE MAPS.

WE WANT TO KNOW THE DESTINATION, THE DURATION, AND THE DETOURS BEFORE WE SAY YES.

WHAT WE MUST UNDERSTAND IS……FAITH DOESN’T COME WITH GPS.

SOMETIMES GOD SAYS, "GO," AND DOESN’T TELL YOU WHERE.

SOMETIMES HE SAYS, "TRUST ME," AND DOESN’T GIVE YOU DETAILS.

RELEVANT CONTEXT: ABRAHAM IS 75 YEARS OLD WHEN HE RECEIVES THE CALL.

HE’S GOT A SETTLED LIFE.

HE’S GOT STATUS.

HE’S GOT POSSESSIONS.

BUT GOD INTERRUPTS HIM. "LEAVE IT ALL. GO TO A PLACE I’LL SHOW YOU."

IT’S LIKE GOD IS SAYING: "PACK YOUR BAGS, BUT I WON’T TELL YOU THE ADDRESS UNTIL YOU GET IN THE CAR."

LET ME MAKE THIS PLAIN IN 2025 TERMS:

IT’S LIKE LEAVING A STEADY JOB TO START A MINISTRY THAT DOESN’T HAVE A BUDGET.

IT’S LIKE APPLYING TO A SCHOOL BEFORE YOU KNOW HOW YOU’LL PAY FOR IT.

IT’S LIKE MARRYING SOMEONE BY FAITH, BELIEVING IN THE PERSON THEY ARE BECOMING.

POINT: FAITH ISN’T ABOUT KNOWING THE DESTINATION; IT’S ABOUT TRUSTING THE DIRECTOR.

OBEDIENCE IS NOT ABOUT FULL UNDERSTANDING; IT’S ABOUT FULL SURRENDER.

SOMETIMES GOD WILL ASK YOU TO TRUST HIM WITHOUT THE DETAILS.

TO WALK WHEN IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE.

TO GIVE WHEN IT’S TIGHT.

TO SERVE WHEN YOU’RE TIRED.

CAN YOU OBEY GOD WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW THE OUTCOME?

LIKE ABRAHAM, FAITH MEANS GOING WITHOUT SEEING.

AND THIS GENERATION NEEDS TO KNOW: FAITH IS NOT FEELINGS—IT’S OBEDIENCE IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTY.

2. THE TEST OF SACRIFICE (GENESIS 22:1–2; HEBREWS 11:17–19)

Genesis 22:1 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Hebrews 11:17–19 NKJV

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

GENESIS SAYS: "AFTER THESE THINGS, GOD TESTED ABRAHAM."

AFTER WHAT THINGS?

AFTER LEAVING HOME.

AFTER WAITING 25 YEARS FOR THE PROMISED CHILD.

AFTER HAGAR AND ISHMAEL.

AFTER WATCHING THE MIRACLE BIRTH OF ISAAC.

THEN COMES THE TEST.

LET ME PAUSE HERE AND PREACH TO SOMEBODY WHO THOUGHT YOUR TEST WOULD BE BEFORE THE PROMISE.

SOMETIMES YOUR TEST COMES AFTER THE BREAKTHROUGH.

GOD SAYS: "TAKE YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON, WHOM YOU LOVE… AND OFFER HIM AS A BURNT OFFERING."

NOW LISTEN: THIS IS NOT JUST A SON. THIS IS THE PROMISE.

THIS IS THE MIRACLE CHILD.

THIS IS THE EVIDENCE THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL.

AND NOW GOD SAYS: "SACRIFICE HIM."

LET’S MAKE IT PLAIN:

GOD IS ASKING HIM TO GIVE UP THE VERY THING HE WAITED DECADES FOR.

GOD IS ASKING HIM TO SURRENDER WHAT HE CELEBRATED.

GOD IS SAYING: "WILL YOU TRUST ME ENOUGH TO LET IT GO, IF I ASK FOR IT BACK?"

CULTURAL CONNECTION: THAT’S HARD IN OUR MODERN CULTURE.

WE IDOLIZE SUCCESS, POSSESSIONS, EVEN RELATIONSHIPS.

WE’LL SAY GOD GAVE IT TO US, BUT WE WON’T GIVE IT BACK IF HE ASKS FOR IT.

GOD ASKED ABRAHAM FOR ISAAC—THE PROMISE, THE JOY, THE FUTURE.

BUT HERE'S THE TENSION:

“HE CONSIDERED THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO RAISE HIM UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD.”

THAT’S WHAT FAITH UNDER FIRE LOOKS LIKE.

FAITH SAYS, “EVEN IF I LOSE IT ALL, GOD IS STILL ABLE.”

YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE UNTIL YOUR FAITH HAS BEEN TESTED BY FIRE.

FAITH IS NOT PROVEN IN THE SANCTUARY—IT’S PROVEN ON MOUNT MORIAH.

AND SOME OF US ARE CLIMBING OUR OWN MOUNT MORIAH RIGHT NOW:

– A SICK LOVED ONE. – A FINANCIAL CRISIS. – A SEASON OF SILENCE FROM HEAVEN.

BUT I CAME TO REMIND YOU: THIS TEST IS NOT TO KILL YOU; IT’S TO CONFIRM YOU.

SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST TEST IS: CAN YOU RELEASE WHAT YOU RECEIVED?

AND HERE'S THE REALITY FOR MANY OF US: SOMETIMES FAITH IS FORGED IN THE FIRE.

BUT LET’S BE REAL TONIGHT

SOMETIMES YOU FIND YOURSELF SURROUNDED BY FIRE ON EVERY SIDE.

WE’RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE HEAT—

I’M TALKING ABOUT FIERY TRIALS: – A FURNACE OF FINANCIAL STRAIN. – A BLAZE OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS. – FLAMES OF FRUSTRATION ON THE JOB. – THE HEAT OF HEALTH CHALLENGES. – FIRES THAT RAGE IN YOUR MIND AND SPIRIT.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THERE?

WHEN EVERY DIRECTION YOU TURN—NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST—IT SEEMS LIKE THE FIRE IS CLOSING IN?

BUT CAN I REMIND YOU TONIGHT, YOU’RE NOT THE FIRST ONE TO WALK THROUGH FIRE?

COME HERE, SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO.

THEY HAD FAITH IN THE FIRE.

THEY TOLD NEBUCHADNEZZAR, “WE BELIEVE OUR GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER US, BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN'T, WE STILL WON'T BOW.”

NOW THAT’S FAITH UNDER FIRE.

AND WHAT HAPPENED? THEY WERE THROWN INTO THE FIRE… BUT WHEN THE KING LOOKED IN, HE SAID:

“DIDN’T WE THROW IN THREE MEN? BUT I SEE FOUR… AND THE FOURTH LOOKS LIKE THE SON OF GOD!”

🔥 HERE’S THE SHOUT: THE FIRE DIDN’T BURN THEM—IT JUST BURNED OFF THE ROPES.

LET ME RUN THIS RIGHT QUICK:

THE FIRE DIDN'T DESTROY THEM.

THE FIRE DIDN'T CONSUME THEM.

THE FIRE JUST FREED THEM!

CAN I TELL SOMEBODY TONIGHT—SOMETIMES GOD DOESN’T PULL YOU OUT OF THE FIRE—HE JUST GETS IN IT WITH YOU.

YOU MIGHT FEEL THE HEAT, BUT YOU WON’T BE HARMED.

YOU MAY BE SCORCHED BY SORROW, BUT YOU WON’T BE SWALLOWED BY IT.

THE FLAMES MAY RISE, BUT FAITH STILL WORKS IN THE FIRE.

🔥 CULTURAL TIE-IN

WE’VE SEEN FIRES BURNING IN OUR COMMUNITIES TOO. – THE FIRE OF INJUSTICE. – THE FIRE OF GENERATIONAL TRAUMA. – THE FIRE OF BROKEN SYSTEMS. – THE FIRE OF RACISM AND REJECTION.

AND YET—OUR PEOPLE HAVE HAD FAITH IN THE FIRE.

THAT’S WHY BIG MAMA PRAYED ON THE PORCH WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT.

THAT’S WHY DADDY WORKED THREE JOBS AND STILL TITHED EVERY SUNDAY. THAT’S WHY WE SANG “WE’VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH” THROUGH TEARS, TRAUMA, AND TRIALS.

THEY DIDN’T HAVE MUCH… BUT THEY HAD FIREPROOF FAITH.

SOME OF US IN HERE ARE ONLY STANDING TONIGHT BECAUSE WE HAD FAITH WHEN FIRE WAS ALL AROUND US.

GOD DOES HIS BEST WORK IN FIERY PLACES.

FAITH DOESN’T JUST SURVIVE THE FIRE—IT MATURES IN IT.

FAITH DOESN’T JUST WALK THROUGH FIRE—IT COMES OUT REFINED.

FAITH UNDER FIRE MEANS TRUSTING WHEN THERE’S HEAT ON EVERY SIDE—BUT STILL SAYING: "THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST HIM!"

3. THE WORSHIP IN THE WILDERNESS (GENESIS 22:5)

Genesis 22:5 NKJV

5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

“STAY HERE… THE BOY AND I WILL GO OVER THERE TO WORSHIP…”

ABRAHAM TELLS THE SERVANTS: "THE BOY AND I ARE GOING OVER THERE TO WORSHIP."

WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS ISN’T A PRAISE BREAK.

THIS ISN’T A CHURCH SERVICE WITH LIGHTS, DRUMS, AND KEYS.

THIS IS A MOUNTAINTOP WITH WOOD, FIRE, AND A KNIFE.

BUT ABRAHAM CALLS IT WORSHIP.

BECAUSE WORSHIP IS NOT A MOOD.

WORSHIP IS NOT A STYLE.

WORSHIP IS A DECISION TO TRUST GOD WHEN IT COSTS YOU EVERYTHING.

CAN YOU WORSHIP WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND?

CAN YOU STILL LIFT YOUR HANDS WHEN YOUR HEART IS BREAKING?

CAN YOU STILL TITHE WHEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IS IN THE RED?

CAN YOU STILL PRAISE WHEN THE HEALING HASN’T COME?

ABRAHAM TEACHES US: OBEDIENCE IS WORSHIP.

WORSHIP ISN’T JUST SHOUTING ON SUNDAY. IT’S SAYING “YES” TO GOD WHEN IT COSTS YOU.

WAIT A MINUTE!

ABRAHAM TELLS HIS SERVANTS:

“STAY HERE WITH THE DONKEY; THE BOY AND I WILL GO OVER THERE. WE WILL WORSHIP, AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.”

ABRAHAM IS HEADED UP THE MOUNTAIN… WITH WOOD IN ONE HAND AND A KNIFE IN THE OTHER… WITH FIRE IN HIS HEART AND QUESTIONS ON HIS MIND… KNOWING WHAT GOD TOLD HIM TO DO…

…AND YET HE SAYS, “WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.”

Y’ALL MISSED YOUR SHOUT!

THAT’S NOT A MISTAKE—THAT’S A DECLARATION.

THAT’S NOT DOUBT—THAT’S CONFIDENCE.

THAT’S FAITH TALKING IN THE FACE OF FIRE.

BECAUSE ABRAHAM WAS SAYING:

· I MAY NOT KNOW HOW…

· I MAY NOT KNOW WHEN…

· I MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE METHOD…

· BUT I DO KNOW THE CHARACTER OF MY GOD.

🎯 “WE WILL COME BACK” IS PROPHETIC PRAISE BEFORE THE PROVISION SHOWS UP.

🎯 “WE WILL COME BACK” IS DECLARING VICTORY WHILE WALKING IN UNCERTAINTY.

🎯 “WE WILL COME BACK” IS TRUSTING THAT IF GOD GAVE ME ISAAC, HE WON’T TAKE HIM WITHOUT PURPOSE.

SOMEBODY IN HERE TONIGHT NEEDS TO LIFT UP YOUR OWN “WE WILL COME BACK”:

· WE WILL COME BACK FROM THIS DIAGNOSIS.

· WE WILL COME BACK FROM THIS DEPRESSION.

· WE WILL COME BACK FROM THIS DIVORCE.

· WE WILL COME BACK FROM THIS DRY SEASON.

· WE WILL COME BACK FROM THE TEST, FROM THE TEARS, FROM THE TRIAL…

BECAUSE FAITH SAYS, “I’M COMING OUT OF THIS!”

SHOUT RIGHT NOW—NOT BECAUSE YOU’RE ALREADY OUT—BUT BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE GOD ENOUGH TO DECLARE IT ON THE WAY UP THE MOUNTAIN!

THE TEST REVEALED WHAT WAS IN ABRAHAM'S HEART—BUT IT ALSO REVEALED WHAT WAS IN GOD'S.

THE RAM WAS ALREADY CAUGHT IN THE THICKET.

GOD HAD ALREADY PROVIDED.

I NEED SOMEONE TO DECLARE TONIGHT: THE PROVISION IS ALREADY WAITING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR OBEDIENCE.

IV. THE PROVISION IN THE THICKET (GENESIS 22:13-14)

JUST AS ABRAHAM IS ABOUT TO SACRIFICE ISAAC, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD STOPS HIM. AND BEHOLD—A RAM IN THE BUSH.

HERE’S YOUR SHOUT: GOD HAD ALREADY PROVIDED.

THAT MEANS THE PROVISION WAS THERE BEFORE ABRAHAM PASSED THE TEST.

HE JUST COULDN’T SEE IT UNTIL HE OBEYED.

GOD WILL NEVER CALL YOU TO SACRIFICE WHAT HE HASN’T ALREADY MADE A WAY TO REPLACE.

HE’S JEHOVAH JIREH—THE LORD WHO SEES AND PROVIDES.

AND THE HEBREW TENSE SUGGESTS: "ON THE MOUNT, IT SHALL BE SEEN/PROVIDED."

THAT MEANS PROVISION IS REVEALED AT THE PLACE OF OBEDIENCE.

V. THE GOSPEL CONNECTION (HEBREWS 11:19)

Hebrews 11:19 NKJV

19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

HEBREWS SAYS ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD COULD RAISE ISAAC FROM THE DEAD. HE HAD RESURRECTION FAITH BEFORE CALVARY.

BECAUSE THIS STORY ISN’T JUST ABOUT ABRAHAM— IT POINTS US TO ANOTHER FATHER.

THERE WAS ANOTHER FATHER WHO WOULD OFFER HIS ONLY SON.

BUT THIS TIME, THE KNIFE WOULD NOT BE STOPPED.

THIS TIME, THE SACRIFICE WOULD GO THROUGH.

ON A HILL CALLED CALVARY, GOD GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.

HE DIDN’T STOP THE CRUCIFIXION.

HE DIDN’T CALL FOR A RAM.

HE GAVE US THE LAMB.

AND BECAUSE JESUS PASSED HIS TEST—WE CAN PASS OURS.

CONCLUSION / CALL TO ACTION:

TONIGHT, YOU MAY BE IN A TEST.

YOU MAY FEEL LIKE ABRAHAM CLIMBING THAT MOUNTAIN.

YOU MAY BE STARING AT THE KNIFE, THE WOOD, AND THE FIRE.

BUT I CAME TO TELL YOU: FAITH UNDER FIRE IS NOT FAITH UNDER FAILURE.

IF YOU TRUST HIM, HE WILL PROVIDE. IF YOU OBEY HIM, HE WILL SHOW UP.

IF YOU WORSHIP HIM, HE WILL MEET YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.

THIS IS NOT THE END. THIS IS YOUR DEFINING MOMENT.

THIS IS NOT PUNISHMENT—THIS IS PREPARATION.

THIS IS NOT FAILURE—THIS IS FAITH UNDER FIRE.

GOD IS PROVING YOU, SO HE CAN PROMOTE YOU.

HOLD ON, ST. LUKE, STAY FAITHFUL. BECAUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TEST IS A TESTIMONY.

CELEBRATION: HE’S STILL THE ONE YOU CAN TRUST (7-FOLD RUN):

1. HE’S STILL THE ONE YOU CAN CALL ON IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR!

2. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO STEPS IN RIGHT ON TIME!

3. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO PROVIDES A RAM IN THE BUSH!

4. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO WALKS WITH YOU THROUGH THE FIRE!

5. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO KEEPS EVERY PROMISE!

6. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO WIPES EVERY TEAR!

7. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO GOT UP ON THE THIRD DAY WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS!

8. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO WALKS WITH YOU IN THE FURNACE.

9. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO SHOWS UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLAME.

10. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO LETS THE FIRE PURIFY BUT NOT DESTROY.

11. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO KEEPS YOU COOL IN THE HEAT OF THE STORM.

12. HE’S STILL THE ONE WHO TURNS FIRE INTO YOUR FREEDOM.

SAINTS OF ST. LUKE HOLINESS CHURCH, BEFORE I TAKE MY SEAT, I NEED SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE “FAITH UNDER FIRE” TO HELP ME LIFT THIS UP IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

1. FAITH UNDER FIRE STILL PRAYS WHEN IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. WHEN OTHERS STOP TALKING TO GOD, YOU KEEP PRAYING THROUGH YOUR TEARS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW PRAYER STILL WORKS—EVEN IN THE FURNACE.

2. FAITH UNDER FIRE KEEPS WALKING WHEN THE PATH IS UNCLEAR. YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING, BUT LIKE ABRAHAM, YOU KEEP MOVING BECAUSE FAITH IS NOT ABOUT SIGHT—IT’S ABOUT TRUST.

3. FAITH UNDER FIRE STILL WORSHIPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEPING. YOU CAN BE CRYING AND STILL LIFTING YOUR HANDS. YOU CAN BE BROKEN AND STILL BOWING. WORSHIP ISN’T ABOUT COMFORT—IT’S ABOUT COMMITMENT.

4. FAITH UNDER FIRE SAYS, “EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, HE’S STILL ABLE!” LIKE THE HEBREW BOYS, YOU DON’T NEED GUARANTEED OUTCOMES—YOU JUST NEED A GOD WHO IS STILL GOD IN THE FIRE.

5. FAITH UNDER FIRE DECLARES, “THE FIRE WILL NOT DEFINE ME—IT WILL REFINE ME!” YOU DON’T COME OUT BITTER—YOU COME OUT BETTER. YOU DON’T COME OUT SMELLING LIKE SMOKE—YOU COME OUT SHINING LIKE GOLD!

6. FAITH UNDER FIRE REMEMBERS THAT THE FOURTH MAN IS STILL IN THE FIRE! JESUS NEVER LEFT YOU. HE WAS WITH YOU IN THE COURTROOM, IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM, IN THE JOB INTERVIEW, IN THE MIDNIGHT BREAKDOWN—HE WAS THERE!

7. FAITH UNDER FIRE SHOUTS: “THIS FIRE IS NOT MY FINISH LINE—IT’S MY LAUNCHPAD!” BECAUSE AFTER THIS TEST… COMES THE TESTIMONY. AFTER THIS PAIN… COMES THE PROMISE. AFTER THIS FIRE… COMES THE FAVOR!

🔥 CLOSE IT WITH THIS DECLARATION:

SOME TRUST IN HORSES, SOME IN CHARIOTS—BUT I WILL TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! BECAUSE I’VE GOT FAITH THAT WALKS THROUGH FIRE... FAITH THAT DOESN’T FOLD UNDER PRESSURE... FAITH THAT HOLDS ON WHEN I FEEL LIKE LETTING GO... FAITH THAT SURVIVES THE FURNACE AND SHOUTS ON THE OTHER SIDE!

LOOK AT SOMEBODY AND TELL ‘EM: “I’VE GOT FAITH UNDER FIRE—AND I’M STILL HERE!”

FINAL PUSH:

ABRAHAM GAVE UP HIS ONLY SON ON MOUNT MORIAH… …BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER FATHER… …ON ANOTHER HILL… …WHO ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH WITH THE SACRIFICE.

HE DIDN’T STOP THE KNIFE. HE DIDN’T CALL FOR A RAM. HE GAVE HIS SON. HE GAVE JESUS—OUR REDEEMER, OUR ROCK, OUR RAM CAUGHT IN THE THICKET.

IF GOD WOULD SACRIFICE HIS SON FOR YOU, WHAT TEST CAN YOU NOT TRUST HIM WITH?

CLOSING APPEAL:

SAINTS, DON’T QUIT. DON’T FOLD. DON’T DOUBT. YOU’RE JUST IN THE FIRE— BUT THE FIRE DOESN’T DESTROY—IT REFINES.

TELL SOMEBODY TONIGHT: “THIS IS NOT THE END—THIS IS JUST MY FAITH UNDER FIRE.”

AND IF GOD BROUGHT ABRAHAM THROUGH… HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH TOO.