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April 24-25, 2004 FAITH QUEST! Matthew 8:5-10; Proverbs 16:20 FAITH FOLLOWS GOD’S DIRECTIONS! *** Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” [New International Version] *** Matthew 8:5-10 *** James 2:17 “So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.” [NLT] › GREAT FAITH IS CHARACTERIZED BY OBEDIENCE!*** Romans 1:5 “We received grace and apostleship to call people…to the obedience that comes from faith.” [NIV] › GOD HAS LINKED FAITH AND OBEDIENCE TOGETHER SO THAT HIS PROMISES ARE CONDITIONED UPON US FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS HE HAS GIVEN TO US!*** Proverbs 16:20 “God blesses those who obey him; happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord.” [Living Bible] & Deut. 28:2 “You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord,,,.” [NLT]& Psalm 7:10 “God is my protector; he saves those who obey him.” [TEV]& Psalm 33:18 “The Lord watches over those who obey him….” [Today’s English Version]& Psalm 37:18 “The Lord takes care of those who obey him….” [TEV]& Psalm 7:9 “You…help all those who obey you.” [NLT]& 1 John 3:22 “God gives us what we ask for because we obey God's commands….” [NCV]& Proverbs 28:14 “Always obey the Lord and you will be happy.” [TEV]& Proverbs 19:16 “Keep God's laws and you will live longer….” [TEV]& Psalm 34:10 “Those who obey the Lord lack nothing good.” [TEV]& Psalm 34:9 “Those who obey him have all they need.” [TEV]“…live in perfect freedom.” Ps. 119:45 [TEV]“…have greater wisdom.” Ps. 119:100 [TEV] “…dwell in security and peace.” Proverbs 1:33 [NASV] “…be prosperous and successful.” Josh. 1:8 [TEV] “…be great in the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:19 [NCV] “…be rewarded.” Prov. 13:13 [NCV] › OBEDIENCE IS A DEMONSTRATION OF MY FAITH AND GOD’S CHOSEN PATHWAY TO HIS BLESSINGS!I DEMONSTRATE MY FAITH AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR BLESSINGS: 1. BY OBEYING GOD IMMEDIATELY! *** Psalm 119:32 “I will quickly obey your commands, because you have made me happy.” [NCV] *** Psalm 119:60 “I will hurry, without lingering, to obey your commands.” [NLT] *** Deut. 28:2 “You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God….” [NLT] 2. BY OBEYING GOD COMPLETELY! *** Psalm 119:4 “Lord, you gave your orders to be obeyed completely.” [NCV] TWO IMPORTANT TRUTHS: A. GOD’S STANDARD OF MORALITY HASN’T CHANGED! B. GOD’S PERSPECTIVE IS MUCH GREAT THAN MINE! *** James 4:11 “Your job is not to decide whether this law is right or wrong, but to obey it.” [Living Bible] *** Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding….” [NIV] 3. BY OBEYING GOD JOYFULLY! *** Psalm 100:2 “Obey him gladly….” [LB] *** Psalm 119:16 “I enjoy obeying your demands….” [NCV] *** Psalm 119:47 “I find pleasure in obeying your commands….” [TEV] THREE WAYS TO JOYFULLY OBEY: A. BY KNOWING I’LL HAVE FEWER PROBLEMS! B. BY ANTICIPATING MY REWARDS IN HEAVEN! *** Rev. 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” [NIV] C. BY DEMONSTRATING MY LOVE ON EARTH! *** 1 John 5:3 “Loving God means keeping his commandments….” [NLT] *** John 14:15 "If you love me, obey my commandments.” [NLT] *** Proverbs 8:32 “And so…listen to me, for how happy are all who follow my instructions.” [LB] 4. BY OBEYING GOD CONTINUALLY! *** Psalm 119:112 “I am determined to obey you until I die.” [LB] *** Psalm 119:33 “Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey.” [LB] *** Phil. 3:16 “We must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already.” [NLT] MY FAITH QUEST ACTION PLAN! Ý By faith I will expect the best in: _____________________________________!Ý By faith I will let God use me by: _____________________________________!Ý By faith I in the Resurrection I will change: _____________________________!Ý By faith I will make a fresh start by: __________________________________!Ý By faith I will obey God: ____________________________________________!*** James 2:26 “Just as a person's body that does not have a spirit is dead, so faith that does nothing is dead!” [NCV] *** Matthew 7:21 “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.” [NLT] |