GETTING IT ALL Part 5 “Faith Builders”
1 Corinthians 10:1–13
(NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I
do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all
passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the
sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink.
For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was
Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well
pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
The children of Israel
could not enter into their inheritance because of unbelief. The faith that
brought them out of Egypt could not bring them into Canaan. What had
happened? They had faith. Yes, but they
did not develop the faith that would allow them to conquer. They needed to
build up their faith. We need to also!
Jude 1:20 (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith…
The word ‘building’
here means: to build upon, to erect a superstructure, to build on something, to
build further…
Used in the following
passages…
1 Corinthians 3:9–15
(NKJV) For we are God’s fellow
workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God, which was given to
me, as a wise master
builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take
heed how he builds
on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear;
for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire
will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which
he has built
on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he
will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
We have the
responsibility to build. How do we build? What can we do to increase our faith?
How can we cooperate with the Spirit of grace to become all we can be and get
all God has for us?
To build upon we must first get established on
the right things.
Colossians 2:6–7 (NKJV) As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the
faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-8 (TLB) And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him,
too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. 7 Let your
roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on
growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were
taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.
Get rooted; dig deep footings…
1 Corinthians 3:11
(NKJV) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Get the right foundation: a relationship with Jesus Christ…
Luke 6:46–49 (NKJV)“But why do you call Me
‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to
Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against
that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49
But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth
without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately
it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Once the footings and foundation are in, we can begin to
build.
Not all things build you
up…
I Corinthians 10:23 (NKJV) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are
helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Colossians
2:8 (TLB) Don’t let others spoil your faith and
joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men’s
thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said.
What tools do we use?
1. The Word of God
Acts 20:32 (NKJV) “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His
grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all
those who are sanctified.
Hebrews 4:11-12 (NKJV) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest
anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God
is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to
the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2. Prayer
Jude 1:20 (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Spirit,
What is ‘praying in the
Holy Spirit’?
Romans 8:26-27( NKJV) 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. Now He who searches
the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession
for the saints according to the will of God.
I Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) pray without ceasing,
3. Church leadership
Ephesians 2:20 (NKJV) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
Hebrews 13:7 (NKJV) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word
of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
4. Fellowship with other believers
Ephesians 2:21–22 (NKJV) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy
temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God
in the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV) Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as
you also are doing.
Illustrated in early church…
Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the
breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:46–47 (NKJV) So continuing daily with one accord in the
temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food
with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Practical application
1.
Daily quiet time: Word
and Prayer
2.
Involvement in a local
church
a.
Church leadership
b.
Fellowship
3.
Ministry to others
a.
Sharing your faith
b.
Sharing your gifts
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