Faith is the Victory

This morning. I'm going to show you two pictures.

And I don't want to ask you some questions. Number one.

if your 40 years old.

He was the most decorated soldier in World War II.

He received the Medal of Honor. Frisk. For the event that occurred.

The second picture.

if you're 40 years old or older,

Who is this, man?

Desmond, Doss. Okay. Who's at wedding?

President Truman.

Desmond. Doss receive the Medal of Honor.

Audie Murphy's medal of honor was awarded. Because he jumped on the back of a burning tank.

And usually 50 caliber machine gun on the tank and single-handedly held off a German advance.

Takes a lot of Courage for that.

Desmond. Doss didn't do that.

When Desmond Doss, join the Army. He joined as a conscientious objector.

He refused to carry a weapon due to his religious beliefs.

So, you chose to be a combat medic.

Now, as you can imagine, that didn't set well with a lot of people.

Conscientious objectors were thought to be coward.

They were looked down on.

When you look and you read about Desmond Doss, you'll find out. Do Desmond fought or was in the Pacific?

He received two bronze stars for courage Under Fire. While he was on the island of Guam.

He also was awarded three purple hearts.

Then is unit. Went to Okinawa.

but some of, you know, Hollywood made a movie About Desmond Doss, it's called hacksaw Ridge.

In Okinawa. when the Army attacked the Japanese position up on this Ridge, many Americans were wounded and killed. They had to withdraw.

The Desmond stayed behind.

Head, over the coming hours.

He rescued around 75 wounded soldiers.

No, he had to drag them from where they were take him to the edge of the Ridge and using a rope, he lured them down. Two soldiers who were down at the bottom.

When he was interviewed about this.

he shared that after the first man, rescued

He asked. Lord help me get one more.

Desmond. Doss was the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor.

But I believe Desmond's Story.

Was more about faith in God. There was courage.

In Hebrews 11. We get a definition of faith.

Now, Faith is confidence in what we hope for. And Assurance about what we do not see.

I'd like to read a few examples. Strong faith.

This is found in Hebrews 11.

By faith, we understand that the Universe was formed at God's command. So that what is was not made out of what was a visible.

My phased Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. My face. He was commended his righteous. When God spoke, well of his offering. And by faith Abel. Still speaks even though is he he is dead.

My face Enoch was taken from this life. So that they did not experience death. He could not be found because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended on one who, please God.

Noah. when warned about things not yet seen in holy fear, built an ark to save his family. Why is Faith? He condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

My faith. Abraham. When called to go to a place, he would later receive as inheritance obeyed and went even though he did not know where he was going.

We have many great examples of faith in the Old Testament.

Course, we can't talk about faith without talking about Joe.

Satan attack job. Waterbury bad circumstances.

Yep. Joe Murray remained faithful to God.

I sometimes wonder. If God was showing Satan. With strong face. Satan doesn't have any power.

But what about us?

We live in a chaotic world seems like bad things happen. Everyday.

Some of us go through bad experiences.

I would like to go over for things. Nothing can help us all. With having a strong faith.

The first thing. Is we can stay focused on Jesus.

From Hebrews 12. therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus. The Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross. Scorning its shame and sit down at the right hand of the Throne of God.

The second thing. We need to remember what Jesus has done for us.

In Ephesians 2. For it, is by Grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork created in Christ. Jesus to do, good works. Which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I want to highlight that last part. God prepared Us in advance.

Now, I don't, I don't know if that means before. We were born. When we were born.

But we're part of his plan.

The third thing. I'd like to mention. Cuz remember we are setting an example.

To the world. Because we're Christians. In Titus 2.

Is everything set them an example by doing what is good. And you're teaching show integrity, and seriousness. And soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. So that those who oppose, you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

And the fourth thing. Remember what Jesus taught us about faith.

This from Matthew 17.

when I came to the crowd, the man approached Jesus and knelt before him. Lord have mercy on my son. He said he has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples but they could not heal him.

You unbelieving and perverse generation Jesus replied. How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me. Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. And he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples. Came to Jesus and private and ask. Why couldn't we drive it out?

He replied because you have so little faith. Truly, I tell you. if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, You can say to this mountain move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

So our faith is not based on quantity.

It's based on being genuine.

We have to be careful not to be caught up. So much in the things of the world that we allow it to affect our faith.

I thought about how to finish this.

And I thought I would read a verse from the song that we sing.

To him that overcomes the pho. White raiment shall be given. Before the angels, He shall know his name confessed in heaven. Then I'll work from the hills of life. Our hearts with the love of flying. Will Vanquish all the host of night in Jesus. Conquering name. Faith is the victory. Faith is the victory. Oh, glorious victory that overcomes the world.

Let us pray.

Father. We thank you so much for the blessings that you give us each and every day.

Father, we thank you for your Plan of Salvation. Through your son, Jesus Christ.

Father, we ask that you help us. Develop. And maintain a. Genuine faith in you.

And father help us to be good examples to the world.

Father, we thank you so much for your love.

It's in your son's. Glorious name I pray. Amen.

This morning. We're going to offer an invitation. This isn't my invitation, this is the invitation of Jesus Christ.

If you need prayers. if you want to become a Christian,

if you have needs, but the church can help with please come forward as we stand and sing.