Growing in Faith when it Storms

Faith… Heb 11:1 “Faith makes us sure of

what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.” (CEV)

Many of life’s circumstances can disrupt our faith.

Satan hates our faith. ***Even though our faith is shaken at

times, even though our faith is disrupted, we must understand that

behind it all, God is at work!

2 Pet 1:1-9 1. Peter was writing to those who had obtained faith (v1) 2. Grace & peace is multiplied when we know God (v2) 3. God’s power has given us everything we need pertaining to life (v3) 4. He has given us great and precious promises to help us partake of His nature & to help us overcome the world and our carnal nature.

A Paraphrase: “You have faith! Your intimacy with

God increases grace and peace in your life. The power of God helps you to live your life in victory. His promises help you to become like Him, and to avoid the worldly things. And, because of these things, be diligent. Since you already have faith, add the following…..› Moral excellence Perseverance› Knowledge Godliness &

love

Moral excellence & knowledge

Since you have a relationship with God, be a person of character.

Character: Who you are when no one’s looking; what you do even if no one will ever know about it.

Notice that character precedes knowledge

Pressing on in faith during life’s storms requires that we KNOW our God.

Perseverance & Godliness

Perseverance: To endure under pressure

Phil 3:13,14 “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet…I press on toward the goal for prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.”› Charlie Brown story

Godliness understands that God is holy and Sovereign.

We reverence God and desire purity of heart.

Love… Agape love: a love that doesn’t add

requirements to it – unconditional Faith & love go hand in hand: 1 Thes 5:7 “But since we are of the

day, let us be sober, having put on the breatplate of faith and love…”

According to 1Pet, faith is “fueled” with our moral excellence, our knowledge of God and His Word, persevering under pressure, godliness in our lives, and loving God and one another.

Without faith…

Character without faith is a cheap veneer.

Knowledge without faith is useless information.

Perseverance without faith is empty at the end.

Godliness without faith is mere religion Love without faith is not true love. Without faith it is impossible to please

God.

And finally, beloved… 1Jn.5:4 “Whatever is born of God

overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith!”

Heb 12: 1b,2 “…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…”