Faith is The Victory

Luke 18:8

English Standard Version Chapter 18

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

INTRO

The story told in Luke 18:1–8

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?””

What the woman wanted

Justice

What the Judge wanted

To be left alone in peace

Outcome

Judge gave in

He has promised to answer us and speedily but do we believe that?

Do we believe that he will answer or do we doubt?

If we do doubt, why?

Why do we not see great miracles that we did in the 1st century?

Could it be that we as the Children of God no longer have faith?

If so why?

Could it be that there have been too many fakes and phonies to make us cynical?

TV Evangelists

Photoshop / AI

Staged healings

Could it be that in this modern age we no longer feel the need for true miracles?

Massive advancements in Medicine

Many sources for support of our physical needs

Living in a country that you can have just about anything you want for a few dollars

Does all of this make us forget to be dependent upon who provided all of it?

Or could it be that we don’t feel important enough for God to do it for us?

GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT HE HAS NOT CHANGED AND YOU ARE THAT IMPORTANT TO HIM!

Hard times are coming and for some are already here and you need to be prepaired

Loss or limitation of physical needs

Loss of Food stamps / snap

Loss of Jobs

Loss of Homes

Physical issues

Medical

Age

Attacks

Internal conflict with Sin

Spiritual attacks

Attacks (verbal or physical) from others

Ephesians 6:16 “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

There is a reason Faith is regarded as a Shield

Faith requires action

You use it to actively protect unlike armor which protects passably

If you don’t lift your shield you will be unprotected

Faith like any other skill gets stronger the more it is applied

We apply it when we are tested

We apply it when we are in need

We apply it when we are concurred for others

We apply it and give it strength when you Read your Bible

We apply it when we act on Faith

We apply it when we pray

Faith will protect you even when you do not know the answer

If I am behind the shield you can not hit me unless you can get around it

Faith can be used to protect others

Shield wall - The 600

When you stand together in protection of one another you are much stronger than alone.

CONCLUSION

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

James 5:16–18 “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”

Philippians 4:5–7 “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”