Phil read from 1 Peter 1 and Matthew 7, reminding us about the need for genuine faith and for our foundations to be in God.
Introduction
• Before the pandemic took its effect in the UK we were looking at what it meant to be strong in the Lord and his mighty power
• Then since we first went into lock down we have been considering how we live in the midst of a difficult situation.
We have been encouraged to strengthen ourselves and to be strong and look to God.
We have made references to Davids life who knew from a young age how to find strength in and from God.
Last week Neal looked at how David exercised that strength through his faith in God when he defeated Goliath.
Let's look at how we can do the same :-
1 Peter 1:6-7
It's when difficulties come we find out whether what we have is real or not.
When things are good and well life is sweat, carefree and all is well, we don't have to exercise too much faith.
So if we consider Job who had life pretty good he was blessed with a wife and Children 7 sons 3 daughter livestock 7000 sheep, 3000 camels 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys and wealth the richest person in the entire area.
As we read the book of job we learn that God allows Job to be tested and he loses everything and while he doesn't understand and wrestles with what did he do wrong why has this happened he is found to be a man who will not deny God or turn away from him
This faith and relationship with God was genuine. It was real and he couldn't turn away.
Jesus in his treated recorded preach - the sermon on the mount finished his teaching with this parable of the wise man building his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24-27
Bible characters like David and Job had built their life on a good foundation that is their relationship with God
What foundation are you building on?
I'm putting in a new shed and the foundation for this shed is like this
You may say that's over the top for just a shed to store the lawn mower and garden tools
Some of the stone has got to be changed because they aren't the right fit what might you need to change?
What we build on is an example to others particularly if we have children
What have you built your life on
Family
Money for Security
Career
Pleasures of life,
Or as a Christian
Have you built on church attendance alone
Serving
Ministry
It's when those things are stripped away we find out if what we have built is it solid ground or sand
At the beginning of the lockdown I had a strong sense that God is working in this situation allowing people to the opportunity to refocus and see what really matters, I believe we will see many people turn to Jesus and for those who know Jesus a returning to what matters in the kingdom.
It felt God was pressing the reset button
Conclusion
During this time have you discovered what you have been building on to be solid rock or soft sand?
Is your faith Genuine or superficial?
In the end what really matters is that we Love God and love one another.