Faith that Stands

FAITH THAT STANDS

Romans 5: 1–5

Introduction:

Faith has become a buzzword for the modern Christian in our society today. Many teachers and evangelists will tell you that if you have enough faith you can be rid of any hindrance or problem in your life, you can be rich or famous, you can have whatever your heart desires, it only takes faith. But, faith in what? From the above examples you would think faith in faith; that if I can just stir up enough of what’s inside I can get it done. But then, where is the source, unfortunately it begins and ends with I. That is not the faith that stands the tests of time. If what we believe in and hope in does not begin and end with God then we will never build upon a foundation that will stand against the storms of life. In the Epistle of James we are told to: Consider it all joy, when you encounter various trials. Joy! Is God crazy or what, how can I have joy when the whole world is crashing down around me? The answer is not in you, it is in God; that no matter what the circumstances may be you know in whom you have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what you have entrusted to Him until that day. (2 Tim 1:12)

4 Keys to Faith that Stands

1. Learn to rejoice during times of trouble.
2. When the going gets tough, suck it up.
3. No matter the circumstances, do the right thing.
4. Know that what God promises he will fulfill.

 I.  Learn to rejoice during times of trouble.

Faith that stands is not built overnight but is developed over time and by testing.

James 1:2-4:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Break the habit of always saying, Woe is me, life is the pits, I might as well crawl in a hole and die. Instead learn to say Whoa, me, Hold on here a minute is this God trying to teach me something. Praise the Lord, God thinks I’m ready to for another lesson; he must have something good in store for me and wants me ready to receive it.

We must remember that as a Child of God, the trials in our lives have a purpose and are not just to beat us down. God gets no pleasure from toying with us but is always pleased to see us grow and that growth many times comes through God given trials. We must learn to recognize them and rejoice when they come looking to the end result and not the present distress.

Illustration: Nathan’s Ranger training experience.

II. When the going gets tough, suck it up.

The word perseverance in my text (patience in the KJV) is actually better translated from the Greek as endurance.

Merriam-Webster - en•dur•ance

·         the ability to withstand hardship or adversity esp : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity (a marathon runner’s endurance)

·         the act or an instance of enduring or suffering (endurance of many hardships)

A tenet of Karate – dojo kune #3: To cultivate a spirit of perseverance.

Lance Armstrong is a Champion in the sport of cycling and in 1996 was ranked no. 1 in the World. Then Lance’s career came to a halt as he was literally forced off of his bike because of extreme pain caused by testicular cancer which had spread to his lungs and brain. Many would have just given up hope but Lance Armstrong sucked it up and prepared to fight for his life. Facing odds of recovery far less than 50-50 he proceeded to endure an aggressive form of chemotherapy and a course of treatment that gave him a better chance of full recovery with less lung damage. The results were miraculous and though the cancer left him scarred both physically and emotionally he now maintains that “it was the best thing that ever happened to him” for it gave him new purpose in learning what it is to help and care for others through his cancer foundation. In 1999, cancer survivor Lance Armstrong won the first of what would become 7 Tour de France victories a feat that has no equal.

Perseverance, Endurance doesn’t dwell on the present situations but looks expectantly to the future results. It doesn’t give up in the face of difficulty but sucks it up and moves forward taking the fight to the enemy with victory always in view.

Matt 24:13 - But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

III.             No matter the circumstances, do the right thing.

The choices made during times of trouble show who or what we really are.

It is said that a person character is revealed by the choices they make and the things they do when no one is looking.

Merriam-Webster defines character as - one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual

This is the first usage in this verse, the second uses a qualifier in the Greek which more accurately renders it as proven character.

To be proven is to learn or find out by experience: to test the truth, validity, or genuineness.

The trials we endure build within us character that will stand the test of time.

Do not confuse character with reputation, character comes from within, reputation from without.

Reputation & Character

Character is the one thing we make in this world and take with us into the next. The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation; the truth you believe determines your character.

•  Reputation is what you are supposed to be; Character is what you are.

•  Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; Character is what you have when you go away.

•  Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime.

•  Reputation grows like a mushroom; Character grows like an oak.

•  Your reputation is learned in an hour; Your character is does not come to light for a year.

•  A single newspaper report gives your reputation; a life of toil gives you your character.

•  Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor; Character makes you happy or makes you miserable.

•  Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone; Character is what angels say about you before the throne of God. 

•  Your character is what God knows you to be. Your reputation is what men think you are.

Build Godly character.

IV.             Know that what God promises he will fulfill.

The one who learns to laugh in the midst of trials with patient endurance building Godly character knows that the blessings of God waiting at the finish line and he puts his hope in the faithfulness of God. And we like Abraham can be fully assured that what God has promised, He is able also to perform.

Hope gives purpose to life

 1 Timothy 4:10

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

If we keep our hope set upon heavenly things, things that are eternal and not on temporal earthly things then we will not be disappointed. We will be content with the hope of eternity and not be lured away by the pleasures of this world.

Conclusion:

If you cannot pass through the fire with the hope that victory lies on the other side then you will never stand when your faith is truly tested. How can you make the hard decisions that can only be made by faith if you do not know how to trust almighty God with your life. If you are in the midst of a struggle right now begin today by looking up to heaven and saying Lord I’m ready to rejoice in my sufferings and ask that you teach me to endure this trial that my character can be molded into what you desire and that I can find hope and solace in this world and the world to come. May my faith ever be in you my Lord.