September 6, 2020

A BOLD FAITH
September 06, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Lately we’ve heard much about the “silent majority.” Who does that apply to, and if we are the majority, why are we silent? What could we do if we pulled together?

Open:

The past many months have been strange and difficult. Loved ones in hospitals without family visitation, no school activities, and so much more. Now small changes are taking place, but there’s a long way to go before we are back to normal. The writer to the Hebrews encourages us in today’s sermon to be bold in our faith, not silent, not fearful, not afraid that God is going to fail us!

Focal Passage: Hebrews 10:19-25

The Confidence of a Believer

  • Read Hebrews 10:19. We all know what it’s like to lack confidence in life; can you give an example, and explain why you lacked confidence? If you knew you couldn’t fail, how would you react? What does the blood of Jesus enable us to do?
  • Read verse 20. What was the significance of the veil in the temple being torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus was crucified? Why did the writer to the Hebrews stress the fact that the new way was “living”? Jesus called Himself the ___, the truth and the life. What was the significance of the “way”? Why were the new Christians called people of the “Way”?

The Closeness of the Believer

  • Read verse 22. What are the two best ways to draw near to God? What keeps the fellowship between you and God open? Read James 4:8a. Is this a promise?
  • How would you describe a “true heart”? What will God do if we have a true heart and draw near to Him? How do we keep our conscience “sprinkled” and our bodies clean? Why is it so important that the moment a sinful thought enters our mind, we confess it? What are some ways we can immediately threaten Satan’s kingdom as soon as we have confessed?

The Consistency of the Believer

  • Read verse 23. Can you give some examples of things you hold to tightly? How can we hold so tightly to our faith that no one can doubt that we believe in Jesus Christ? What about our language-does it contain profanity?
  • Read James 1:5-8. How does God view our wavering when we are asking Him for something? What does being “double-minded” mean?
  • Read 1 Corinthians 1:9. How do you stake your life on the word of God?
  • Pastor read a thought-provoking quote today: “Faith reposes completely in the love of God: Hope vividly anticipates that God will fulfill His promises in a particular way.” Can you have some discussion how this brings a feeling of joy to your heart when you meditate on these words?

The Commitment of the Believer

  • Read verse 24. What are some ways which you’ve found that encourage others to serve with love and good works? How can you do these two duties with joy, rather than wishing you hadn’t committed to doing them?
  • Read verse 25. Putting Covid to the side, what are some reasons people stay at home and watch church on the tv? Why is that the wrong way to participate in a service if you’re able to go to a local church? When God said not to forsake the gathering together with other believers, was that a command or a suggestion? Read Prov. 18:1a. Why is isolation wrong? Can you fulfill the commandment to love, if you isolate yourself?
  • What Day is the writer speaking of in Hebrews? Is 1 Thess. 4:16-18 the Day the Hebrews writer meant? How can our own particular “day” come sooner?

Close:

We have entered a new phase in living the past 9 months. We began hearing about Covid 19 months before it reached the point of isolation and quarantine. Now we are seeing those in power making decisions that are against the rights available to American citizens through the Constitution. We seem to sit and wait for the next law to be enacted, rather than cohesively rising up against such actions.

How does this relate to our salvation and eternal life? In our sermon today, we find we are to be bold as we come before the throne of God, imploring Him on behalf of our country. We are His children and should all be seeking Him!! We don’t have to quake and fear as we see our rights taken away—God is much stronger than the evil around us. But how many of us plead for revival in our land?

We also are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves with other believers. God said do that, period. Do it. We get encouragement and strength from being with other Christians. We can’t do this life on our own—as much as the government tries to impose laws to isolate us. Would that those in power could see the armies of the Living God encircling our country and the believers! Be bold, share your faith, and love even those in authority.