Unshakeable Truth
Unshakeable Faith • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Big Idea: Unshakeable faith is based on unshakeable truth. We must live in the truth of the spiritual reality that surrounds us. There is a higher and deeper truth the believer must live by. Dead religion will not do.
Unshakeable Faith
1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Introduction:
Introduction:
Introduction:
Opening Thought: There is an attack on truth which ultimately an attack on faith. If the enemy can get people into doubt he doesn’t have to destroy them. They will destroy themselves. They will attach to no faith or lukewarm faith either of which will separate us from God.
There is an attack on truth which ultimately an attack on faith. If the enemy can get people into doubt he doesn’t have to destroy them. They will destroy themselves. They will attach to no faith or lukewarm faith either of which will separate us from God.
The church to which Paul is speaking, has been infiltrated by outside worldly philosophy and methods. Although many of them support Paul, there were some that would challenge his spiritual authority at every turn.
Paul reminds him that what we are up against those far deeper than self help and philosophy can fix. There is a much deeper spiritual battle contending for the souls and destiny of men.
At the end of the day, the approval of God will prove more valuable than the approval of men.
Accreditation is a form of approval from a higher institution that something or someone has received approval from an established authority in a matter. There is a standard a set to determine the quality and level of standards that must be met.
Paul let’s us know that:
Divine power is more effective than the power of persuasion, intellect or any other worldly solution.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Paul is saying the accreditation we speak with doesn’t come from an earthly institution. However, it is effective.It has the authority of heaven. Unshakeable Faith is forged with the power of heaven.Paul let’s us know that we should use the right weapons.
A. You have to use the right weapons
You can’t fight a grease fire with water and you cannot fight the demonic with self help, and man made remedies ( Sons of schiva )
There are many people that are seeking strength through faith. But just like in Paul’s day they find a church that is watered down by philosophy and worldly methods. They live in a word where we don’t offer freedom from some strongholds they offer sin management. But today we need a church that proclaims freedom.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
We don’t want to manage strongholds. We want to destroy them. It is time the church return from management back to deliverance.
I. What are these strongholds?
I. What are these strongholds?
Some are mental and spiritual prisons inspired by darkness and the sin nature.
They are entrenched patterns of thinking and beliefs systems that are contrary to God’s truth.
Examples: Examples include:
Thoughts Contrary to God’s Truth
“God doesn’t love people like me.”
“I can’tchange.”
“I’ll be secure when I have more money.
God is not something I really “need”. I have a pretty a decent life.
“Sin is a made up construct. It isn’t that serious.” All you have to do is be a good person.
These things can surround someone’s heart and minds until they entrapped. God’s truth is the only thing that can set them free.
Vs 4. These strongholds of doubt and unbelief can affect the church.Doubt and unbelief cause us to over rationalize and doubt what God said. One can begin to water down teachings in the word until they seem normal, acceptable and more “mainstream” to us.
Some Deny miracles
Some explain away the supernatural
We keep remolding truth until we feel it is acceptable to others but we end up with a Watered Down Weapon”.
Many believers care about looking normal in a “broken” world that is anything but normal according Gods original plan and design.
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Vs5. The weapons the believer fights with are the weapons that tear down barriers . Those weapons tears down pretension ( People that claim higher, knowledge, higher education, but have no power.
There are those who can quote scripture and dead theologians but are ineffective in the realm of the spirit.
29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7:29 people were amazed Jesus did not speak like a normal rabbi. He didn’t spend his time quoting and citing sources because he was the source.
The Solution
II. How we fight
II. How we fight
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Power Principle: We must identify,expose and arrest error in our lives and bring it under subjection to the word of God
A. Our faith can be shaken because the truths we uncover do not meet the accreditation or approval of worldly standards. Our standards for holiness and holy living seem to high to some. BUT WHENEVER DETERMINE THE CEILING BY THE FLOOR. We do not allow broken creation and tainted religious beliefs determine what our standard should be.
What are our weapons Part I
What are our weapons Part I
1. Prayer
1. Prayer
Scriptures
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Prayer is where spiritual battles are won before they are ever seen physically.
Faith in Practice
Faith in Practice
Pray before making major decisions.
Pray over your family every day.
Intercede for those under spiritual attack.
Pray Scripture back to God.
** Don’t just complain about the problem. Pray about the solution.
2. Holiness and Righteous Living
2. Holiness and Righteous Living
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Scripture
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
A holy life protects the believer.
Sin opens doors to guilt and spiritual weakness.
Faith In Practice
Faith In Practice
Repent quickly.
Walk in integrity.
Refuse hidden compromise.
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
3. The Holy Spirit
3. The Holy Spirit
Scriptures
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The Spirit:
Gives wisdom
Produces discernment
Convicts of sin
Gives power
Leads believers
Faith In Practice
Faith In Practice
Yield to His conviction and leading.
Ask for wisdom daily.
Walk in obedience to his leading.
A Strategy for Daily Spiritual Warfare
Start the day with prayer. The length will vary. Use time to seek God for Direction, wisdom and strength. Allow Holy Spirit to reveal all things to you. This is not just to cast off cares for relief but to receive Spirit led direction
Consume and meditate on Scripture. Pause and let scripture minister to you. Avoid rushing just to accomplish goal. Reflect on what Holy Spirit is revealing through scripture.
Reject personal thoughts and beliefs that you received and want to hold onto contradict God’s truth.
Live and intentional life of repentance and submission through obedience.(Without holiness, be holy)
Share the GospelConsistently.
End the day with thanksgiving and worship.
