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Introduction.
1. A disturbing trend seen too often
in many Christians
a. They may attend services, but it
appears that they are only going through the motions
b. Their singing, their praying,
their Bible Study, their zeal, seems listless
c. To rephrase Thoreau:
"The
mass of [Christians] lead lives of quiet desperation."
-- CERTAINLY GOD
DESIRES MORE FOR HIS CHILDREN!
2. I suspect the problem is one akin
to an athlete or a sport team which is in a slump
a. Such a person or team goes through
the motions, but they are not performing up to their true potential
b. The solution in sports: Work on
the fundamentals
3. The same is true with Christians;
when we find ourselves "in a slump"...
a. We need to stress the fundamentals
- Revelation 2:4-5
b. We need to get Back To The Basics!
Body.
I. Energizing Faith.
A. Defining Faith
1. A Scriptural definition of faith
is found in Hebrews 11:1
2. This is one place where the NIV is
helpful:
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see."
3. VINE'S describes faith as "a
firm conviction"
4. I like to think of faith as
confident trust
B. Importance of Faith
1. Faith in God is essential to
pleasing Him - Hebrews 11:6
2. Faith in Jesus is essential to
finding forgiveness and eternal life - John
8:24; 20:30-31
3. Without faith, the only
alternative is doubt accompanied with fear - cf. Matthew 14:30-31
C. Energizing Your Faith
1. The Word of God is designed to
produce faith - cf. Romans
10:17; John 20:30-31
2. Through diligent reading of the
Bible, we can energize our faith!
II. Fortifying Hope
A. Defining Hope
1. VINE'S says that it involves the
happy anticipation of good
2. It is NOT wishful thinking, or an
insecure "I hope so"
3. But as VINE'S describes it
further, it is a confident expectation
4. A common definition of hope is "desire plus expectation"
B. Importance of Hope
2. Hope is necessary for our
motivation to become pure - 1
John 3:2-3
3. Hope is necessary to increase
opportunities to evangelize - 1 Peter 3:15
4. Without hope, we not only lose our
souls, we won't be any good for saving others!
C. Fortifying Your Hope
1. The Word of God was written to
produce hope - Romans 15:4
a. Through its revelation of God's
dealings with man in the past, we know God keeps His promises
b. This encourages us to expect Him
to deliver on His promises for the future
2. Peter encourages us to rest your
hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ - 1 Peter 1:13
a. Where do read of the grace that is
to come when Christ is revealed?
b. In the Scriptures, of course!
c. Nothing fortifies our hope better
than those wonderful passages that reveal the eternal destiny of the saints!
III. Enhancing Joy
A. Defining Joy
1. The Greek word is CHARA, and is
closely related to the word CHARIS
a. CHARIS (grace) is undeserved favor
which in turn gives joy, pleasure, delight
b. CHARA (joy), then, is the response
we have to undeserved favor
2. I like to think of joy as the
delightful response to the grace we receive from God
B. Importance of Joy
1. Joy is an essential element of
what constitutes the Kingdom of God - Romans 14:17
3. It is often the loss of this
virtue that is most evident in the lives of many Christians!
C. Enhancing Your Joy
1. Both Jesus and His apostles gave
us words so our joy might be full - John
15:11; 1
John 1:4
a. Once again we see the value of
daily Bible study
b. Just as the Bible can
1) Energize your faith
2) Fortify your hope
3) Activate your love
4) So it can enhance your joy!
2. Jesus also stressed the importance
of PRAYER in regards to joy - John 16:24
a. Answered prayer certainly excites
the Christian, and increases joy!
b. So to the practice of daily Bible
study, a key to getting Back To The Basics! is the habit of regular prayer
IV. Enjoying Peace
A. Defining Peace
1. VINE'S describes peace as
harmonious relations
2. It is used to describe such
harmony between
a. Men
b. Nations
c. God and man
d. One's own self
3. A lack of peace often contributes
to the spiritual doldrums that afflict many Christians
B. Importance of Peace
1. Another crucial element
constituting the Kingdom of God - Romans 14:17-19
2. Peace with brethren contributes to
receiving peace from peace from God - 2 Corinthians 13:11
3. And having peace with God has a
positive effect in our peace with our enemies - Proverbs 16:7
C. Enjoying Your Peace
1. Peace with God begins with
justification found only in Christ - Romans 5:1
2. It continues in response to
fervent prayer - Philippians 4:6-7
a. Just as prayer can
"enhance" our joy
b. So can prayer help us to enjoy our
peace that surpasses all understanding!
Conclusion.
1. Faith,
Hope, Love, Joy, Peace
Simple words, yet so essential to the "abundant life" Jesus has to
offer those who come to Him
2. Why are they often in short supply
in the lives of many Christians?
a. Because they neglect two
fundamental tools God provides for them
b. These tools? The Word of God and
Prayer!
3. Brethren, whenever you find
yourself in a spiritual "slump", let these two avenues of
communication with God be the key to:
a. Energize your faith!
b. Fortify your hope!
c. Enhance your joy!
d. Enjoy your peace!
4. Restoring the basic elements of
the abundant life found only in Christ is not a mystery:
a. Receive the implanted Word of God!
- James 1:21
b. Continue earnestly in prayer! - Colossians
4:2
It's just that simple!
-- Don Treadway, January 2002 --
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