63rd Street Christian Congregation

Don't Lose Your Faith Don't Lose Your Faith
Hebrews 10:32-39
by
Gary Barrett

There are different issues of life that can cause one to lose his or her faith. Matt.13:19 sometimes the "Devil snatches away God�s word from the heart."Sometimes it�s because of tribulation and persecution that one "gives up." And sometimes it�s because of the "care of the world and deceitfulness of riches." Whatever your problem, don�t lose your faith!

Mrs. Charles Cowman said, "you will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. God gives us the promises in the quit hour, he seals our covenants with great and precious promises then steps back and waits to see how much we believe. Then he lets the tempter come and the test may seem to contradict all he has spoken. It is then that faith wins the crown." That is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened seamen�s cry, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told to me (Acts 27:25)."

I. Don�t lose your faith because many won�t hear God�s word.
a. John 6:66 From that time many of his (Jesus) disciples went back and walked no more with him.
b. Matt. 7:13 �wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many there be that go in thereat.

II. Don�t lose your faith because the church is attacked by enemies.
a. Rev.12:1,6) the Devil tried to destroy the church.
b. Matt. 16:18 Jesus said, "the gates of hell would not prevail against it."
c. Acts 8:1 �there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem and they were scattered abroad�

Some Issues That Cause Christians To Lose Their Faith Today

III. Don�t lose your faith because of "false doctrine."
a. Acts 15: 23,24 circumcision demanded by brethren but not commanded by the Apostles.
b. 1 Tim. 4:1,3 Brethren forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats.

IV. Don�t lose your faith because some of God�s people do hypocritical things.
a. Gal.2:11,13 Peter�s hypocrisy
b. Gal.2:4 Paul references "false brethren"came in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us into bondage.

V. Don�t lose your faith because some may try to usurp authority over the Lord�s church.
a. 3 John mentions a "Diotrephes"who wanted preeminence.
b. 2 Cor.1:24 Paul said, "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy, for by faith you stand.

VI. Don�t lose your faith because some of the brethren "run under fire."
a. Matt. 26:56 Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
1. Matt. 26:33 Peter said, "though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended."(Peter might have been the first to depart under fire!)
b. 2 Tim.4:16 Paul said, "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:"

VII. Don�t lose your faith because brethren "fight each other."
a. Rom.14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth; for God has received him.
b. Sometimes brethren are "carnal."- 1 Cor.3:3 For ye are yet carnal: there is among you envy, strife, and divisions are ye not carnal and walk as men?

VIII. Don�t lose your faith because some Christians "won�t meet their Christian duty."
a. Matt. 25:42,43 I was hungry and you gave me no meat, thirsty and you gave me no drink, stranger and you took me not in, naked and you clothed me not, sick and in prison and you visited me not.

Closing: What Can We Do About These Problems?

1. Because some won�t listen to God�s word "you listen even if others don�t."
2. If some do hypocritical things "don�t you be one of them."
3. If some are striving for "authority and control over the church like Diotrephes"don�t you do it and at the same time try to discourage it.
4. Because some Christians may run under fire don�t you be one of them. (2 Tim.4:16) Paul said, "no man stood with me."Paul "stood"while others ran.
5. When church members are "fighting"don�t be one who joins in the fight and because some members are "carnal"you strive to be "spiritual."
6. And if some of God�s people won�t meet their responsibility you continue to do what is right�visit the sick and stand behind God�s work.

Don�t Lose Your Faith Because:

Heb.11:6 But without "faith"it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
John 8:24 "If you believe not that I am he you will die in your sins."
Rev. 2:10 "Be thou faithful unto death and I�ll will give thee a crown of life."
Heb.10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction).

I Believe God That It Shall Be Even As It Was Told To Me!