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GROWING IN THE FAITH
Jude 1:20-23
Jesus said “…If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move…” (Matthew 17:20)
There is nothing bad in starting small, but we must all grow in the faith.
Having laid our foundation in the faith of the Son of God, we must build on it…
However, we must be mindful of the materials we use in building on the foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-13).
The Bible calls this faith, most holy faith (Jude 1:20). It’s also referred to as the like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1). It is of greater value than gold (1 Peter 1:7). It is tried, proven and purified by God, through trials and tribulations.
We sometimes experience delays in different aspects of our lives, these are some of the ways through which God builds our faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12)
People of God, it’s time to build up! It’s time to grow in the faith…
If you want to live a life of significance, you must increase in the faith
How unfortunate will it be when we meet with the Master and get a shocking revelation that all through our lives, we had run our race with a different faith, from the faith that had been once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3)
Why do we need to grow in the faith?
1. Faith is the bedrock of Christianity; it’s the basis of our walk with God.
‘I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail…..’ (Luke 22:32)
By faith, you stand (2 Corinthians 1:24)
We walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Faith is the victory (1 John 5:4-5)
2. Faith builds our character.
It strengthens us in the inner man. We are in a time and season in which we preach the gospel of Christ, not only with words, but more importantly through character (2 Corinthians 4:2; Galatians 4:19)
It strengthens us in the inner man. We are in a time and season in which we preach the gospel of Christ, not only with words, but more importantly through character (2 Corinthians 4:2; Galatians 4:19)
3. For the proclamation of God’s glory in this end time, there is much emphasis on the lives of the proclaimers of the glory. God is interested in their lives. There must be a divine concentration upon their lives (Malachi 3:3-4)
4. Increasing in the faith is the only way we can keep and maintain an uninterrupted relationship with God. You can start small, but you must grow (Proverbs 4:18).
We can’t box God in a corner. His attributes never change, yet His ways are past finding, dynamic and unsearchable. We must ‘step up’ our faith level, in order to measure up with God’s ways.
5. The world system is becoming more hostile to the faith of the Son of God. The people of the world are getting more dynamic/strategic in their own ways, there are more seducing spirits and false prophets now, than ever before. Hence, we need to increase in the knowledge of God (Daniel 12:4).
How can I grow in the faith?
1. Holding fast to the Word of life (thirsting for righteousness – Matt 5:6, looking on to Jesus – Heb. 12:2)
2. Praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27)
3. Abiding continually in God’s love (Jude 1:21; Matt 22:37-40)
4. Abiding in mercy unto eternal life (Jude 1:21; Romans 9:15-16)
5. Rising up for the salvation and building of others. This involves committing oneself to building up others spiritually, particularly the weak ones, and the erring brethren.
More importantly, winning souls for Christ, pulling as many as possible out of the danger of eternal damnation (Jude 1:22-23; Hebrews 12:12)
More importantly, winning souls for Christ, pulling as many as possible out of the danger of eternal damnation (Jude 1:22-23; Hebrews 12:12)
6. Subduing or putting off the influence of the flesh (human nature)
This involves fleeing every appearance of evil; abstaining from fleshly lusts (Romans 13:14)
PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
Resident Pastor
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