Do You Know Where Your Faith Is

Matthew 21:1-11 – 1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” 4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, 5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ” 6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” 10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (New Living Translation)

Luke 19:39-40 – 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” (New Living Translation)

What’s It Mean to Have a Committed Faith?

▸ A committed faith is not self-centered but _____________ - ______________________

Proverbs 18:1 – 1 It’s selfish and stupid to think only of yourself and to sneer at people who have sense. (Contemporary English Version)

Jeremiah 9:23-24 – 23 This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! (New Living Translation)

▸ A committed faith is __________________________ driven

John 12:42-43 – 42 On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn’t come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place. 43 When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory. (The Message)

Ephesians 1:11 – Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (New Living Translation)

▸ A committed faith is not ________________________ by personal trials and crises

1 Peter 1:5-7 – 5 God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all – life healed and whole. 6 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. 7 Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. (The Message)

1 Corinthians 7:24, 30 – 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you. . . . 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. (New Living Translation)