Battling Unbelief Together - Revision history

Pcain at 15:10, 6 October 2011

Pcain — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:10:14 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 6 October 2011
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	I got a post card from a brother in the ministry a week or so ago that built my faith and gave me hope and encouragement to press on. It was not addressed to me. It was addressed to Christ. It was prayer.		I got a post card from a brother in the ministry a week or so ago that built my faith and gave me hope and encouragement to press on. It was not addressed to me. It was addressed to Christ. It was prayer.
-		+	<blockquote>
	Dear Lord,		Dear Lord,

	Glorify yourself, our Savior, by moving us as a family of believers to pray as never before. May we find delight and enrichment in new intimacy of conversation with you. May our churches experience new health and vitality. And grant to us, by a fuller liberation of your power through mighty, multiplied intercession, to capture the strongholds of darkness in our country and around the world. That your name will everywhere be esteemed and revered. Give special guidance to your servant, John, as he wrestles with the discernment of urgent issues for Bethlehem's future. Even in uncertainty provide such inner confidence of your ultimate leading that his peace will be unshakable.		Glorify yourself, our Savior, by moving us as a family of believers to pray as never before. May we find delight and enrichment in new intimacy of conversation with you. May our churches experience new health and vitality. And grant to us, by a fuller liberation of your power through mighty, multiplied intercession, to capture the strongholds of darkness in our country and around the world. That your name will everywhere be esteemed and revered. Give special guidance to your servant, John, as he wrestles with the discernment of urgent issues for Bethlehem's future. Even in uncertainty provide such inner confidence of your ultimate leading that his peace will be unshakable.

-	Your servant Bill	+	Your servant Bill
-		+	</blockquote>
	It can happen through the mail. God means it to happen in person even more often. That's what we want to look at this morning.		It can happen through the mail. God means it to happen in person even more often. That's what we want to look at this morning.

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	You might get the idea that Paul's faith (and the faith of other ministers) was never in need of human reinforcement. But listen to 2 Corinthians 7:5–7,		You might get the idea that Paul's faith (and the faith of other ministers) was never in need of human reinforcement. But listen to 2 Corinthians 7:5–7,
-		+	<blockquote>
-	For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he told us of your longing.	+	For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he told us of your longing.
-		+	</blockquote>
	Paul needed the partnership of close friends who could strengthen his faith when fear was beginning to get the upper hand in his life. We need that same partnership. That is what lies behind the 20:20 Vision.<br>		Paul needed the partnership of close friends who could strengthen his faith when fear was beginning to get the upper hand in his life. We need that same partnership. That is what lies behind the 20:20 Vision.<br>

	'''Five Points on Hebrews 10:24–25'''<br>Now let's look at our text in Hebrews 10:24–25. I want to make five brief points from these two verses.		'''Five Points on Hebrews 10:24–25'''<br>Now let's look at our text in Hebrews 10:24–25. I want to make five brief points from these two verses.
-		+	<blockquote>
-	Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.<br>	+	Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.<br>
-		+	</blockquote>
	'''1. Meeting Together'''		'''1. Meeting Together'''

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	Look finally at 3:12–13.		Look finally at 3:12–13.
-		+	<blockquote>
-	Take care, brethren, lest there be in you an evil unbelieving heart [literally: "an evil heart of unbelief"] leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.	+	Take care, brethren, lest there be in you an evil unbelieving heart [literally: "an evil heart of unbelief"] leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
-		+	</blockquote>
	Notice carefully: the target of our exhorting one another is twofold. First, in verse 12 it is the evil heart of unbelief. We should do all we can to help each other battle unbelief in our heart. It is evil and it can lead us to fall away from the living God. Second, in verse 13 the target of our exhorting is the deceitfulness of sin: " . . . that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.		Notice carefully: the target of our exhorting one another is twofold. First, in verse 12 it is the evil heart of unbelief. We should do all we can to help each other battle unbelief in our heart. It is evil and it can lead us to fall away from the living God. Second, in verse 13 the target of our exhorting is the deceitfulness of sin: " . . . that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

	The relationship between these two is plain. A heart of unbelief gives rise to sin. And sin is the opposite of love. So our basic agenda in small groups is clear. We must help each other BATTLE UNBELIEF. We must help each other fight the fight of faith. None of us is above this need. I certainly need it.		The relationship between these two is plain. A heart of unbelief gives rise to sin. And sin is the opposite of love. So our basic agenda in small groups is clear. We must help each other BATTLE UNBELIEF. We must help each other fight the fight of faith. None of us is above this need. I certainly need it.

-	And I would ask you to bow your head now and ask the Lord to reveal your need of it too, and how you should go about meeting that need.	+	And I would ask you to bow your head now and ask the Lord to reveal your need of it too, and how you should go about meeting that need.

-	[[Category:~~Top priority~~]]	+	[[Category:Top_priority]]

Kathyyee: Protected "Battling Unbelief Together" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

Kathyyee — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:45:19 GMT

Protected "Battling Unbelief Together" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))

← Older revision

Revision as of 12:45, 13 April 2010

Steffmahr at 19:49, 9 April 2010

Steffmahr — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:49:01 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:49, 9 April 2010
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	And one of the ways he had fought it was to surround himself with believers who would pray for him and exhort him. Did you know that Paul always traveled in a team? He was not a loner. There was Barnabas and Silas and Timothy and Luke and Aristarchus and Mark and Epaphras and others. The one time he was forced to go off by himself to Athens his spirit was almost broken by the overwhelming evil there and he sent immediately for Timothy to join him.		And one of the ways he had fought it was to surround himself with believers who would pray for him and exhort him. Did you know that Paul always traveled in a team? He was not a loner. There was Barnabas and Silas and Timothy and Luke and Aristarchus and Mark and Epaphras and others. The one time he was forced to go off by himself to Athens his spirit was almost broken by the overwhelming evil there and he sent immediately for Timothy to join him.

-	You might get the idea that Paul's faith (and the faith of other ministers) was never in need of human reinforcement. But listen ot 2 Corinthians 7:5–7,	+	You might get the idea that Paul's faith (and the faith of other ministers) was never in need of human reinforcement. But listen to 2 Corinthians 7:5–7,

	For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he told us of your longing.		For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he told us of your longing.

JoyaTeemer at 21:07, 22 September 2008

JoyaTeemer — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:07:38 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 22 September 2008
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-	{{info}}	+	{{info}}

-	'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+	'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''		'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''
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	And I would ask you to bow your head now and ask the Lord to reveal your need of it too, and how you should go about meeting that need.		And I would ask you to bow your head now and ask the Lord to reveal your need of it too, and how you should go about meeting that need.
		+
		+	[[Category:Top priority]]

JoyaTeemer at 15:25, 21 August 2008

JoyaTeemer — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:25:58 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 21 August 2008
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	{{info}}		{{info}}
-	:'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+
		+	'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''		'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''

Bhkauflin at 17:16, 9 July 2008

Bhkauflin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:16:26 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:16, 9 July 2008
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-	{{info}}:'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+	{{info}}
		+	:'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''		'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''

Bhkauflin at 17:16, 9 July 2008

Bhkauflin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:16:04 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:16, 9 July 2008
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-	{{info}}'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+	{{info}}:'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''		'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''

Bhkauflin at 17:15, 9 July 2008

Bhkauflin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:15:46 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 9 July 2008
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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org \|partner=Desiring God\|other=\|mediatype= article\|lang=English\|editor=n/a \|translator= n/a\|levels= 0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Battling Unbelief Together\|series=Battling Unbelief\|topic=Spiritual Growth\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth\|month=September\|day=18\|year=1988}}~~<br>~~'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+	{{info}}'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''		'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''

Bhkauflin at 15:59, 20 June 2008

Bhkauflin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:59:52 GMT

Bhkauflin at 15:22, 16 June 2008

Bhkauflin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:22:47 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:22, 16 June 2008
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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org \|partner=Desiring God\|other=\|series=\|mediatype= article\|lang=English\|editor=n/a \|translator= n/a\|levels= 0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Battling Unbelief Together\|series=Sermons 1988\|topic=Spiritual Growth\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth\|month=September\|day=18\|year=1988}}<br>'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org \|partner=Desiring God\|other=\|series=\|mediatype= article\|lang=English\|editor=n/a \|translator= n/a\|levels= 0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Battling Unbelief Together\|series=Sermons 1988\|topic=Spiritual Growth\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth\|month=September\|day=18\|year=1988}}<br>'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

-	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''~~<br>~~I survive and thrive in the ministry because God has surrounded me with people who pray for me and exhort me to press on in the fight of faith. If you don't feel supported like this in your faith and work, we want to help change that. The Bible teaches that surviving and thriving in a life of faith and love depends on Christians intentionally building each other in faith and stirring each other up to love. Without intentional faith-building togetherness we lose our zeal, drift from God, become hardened in the deceitfulness of sin, and if someone doesn't snatch us (James 5:19; Jude 23), we make shipwreck of our so-called faith and perish in unbelief.	+	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''
		+
		+	I survive and thrive in the ministry because God has surrounded me with people who pray for me and exhort me to press on in the fight of faith. If you don't feel supported like this in your faith and work, we want to help change that. The Bible teaches that surviving and thriving in a life of faith and love depends on Christians intentionally building each other in faith and stirring each other up to love. Without intentional faith-building togetherness we lose our zeal, drift from God, become hardened in the deceitfulness of sin, and if someone doesn't snatch us (James 5:19; Jude 23), we make shipwreck of our so-called faith and perish in unbelief.

	I got a post card from a brother in the ministry a week or so ago that built my faith and gave me hope and encouragement to press on. It was not addressed to me. It was addressed to Christ. It was prayer.		I got a post card from a brother in the ministry a week or so ago that built my faith and gave me hope and encouragement to press on. It was not addressed to me. It was addressed to Christ. It was prayer.
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	Your servant Bill		Your servant Bill

-	It can happen through the mail. God means it to happen in person even more often. That's what we want to look at this morning.~~<br>~~	+	It can happen through the mail. God means it to happen in person even more often. That's what we want to look at this morning.

-	'''Battling Unbelief and Fighting the Fight of Faith'''~~<br>~~Last week we saw from Romans 4:20 that belief—belief that glorifies God—is future-oriented. It is a banking on the promises of God. All the promises of God were purchased for believing sinners by an act that happened in the past, namely, by the death and resurrection of Jesus. But God-glorifying BELIEF doesn't merely stare at those acts; it stands on them, and then looks forward to all the promises Jesus bought for us, and banks its hope on the promises, and moves out in a life of faith. Faith is future-oriented. It is heartfelt hope in the promises of God.	+	'''Battling Unbelief and Fighting the Fight of Faith'''
		+
		+	Last week we saw from Romans 4:20 that belief—belief that glorifies God—is future-oriented. It is a banking on the promises of God. All the promises of God were purchased for believing sinners by an act that happened in the past, namely, by the death and resurrection of Jesus. But God-glorifying BELIEF doesn't merely stare at those acts; it stands on them, and then looks forward to all the promises Jesus bought for us, and banks its hope on the promises, and moves out in a life of faith. Faith is future-oriented. It is heartfelt hope in the promises of God.

	Then we saw that this kind of belief is the root of love and righteousness. Galatians 5:6, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love." The root of all love and goodness is belief in the promises of God.		Then we saw that this kind of belief is the root of love and righteousness. Galatians 5:6, "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love." The root of all love and goodness is belief in the promises of God.
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	And we saw the flip side of this truth: that UNBELIEF is the root of all sin.		And we saw the flip side of this truth: that UNBELIEF is the root of all sin.

-	Which led us to the conclusion that top priority in the Christian life is learning to battle unbelief and fight the fight of faith. We must be rid of the notion that before we were Christians, we were fighting for faith and battling unbelief, but now that we are Christians we can relax because the battle is over; I am a believer; I have won the battle. That's a wrong notion. It leaves you very vulnerable to the subtlety of unbelief. At the end of his life Paul looks back over several decades of being a Christian and says (in 2 Timothy 4:7), "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He had fought the good fight to keep the faith all his Christian life.~~<br>~~	+	Which led us to the conclusion that top priority in the Christian life is learning to battle unbelief and fight the fight of faith. We must be rid of the notion that before we were Christians, we were fighting for faith and battling unbelief, but now that we are Christians we can relax because the battle is over; I am a believer; I have won the battle. That's a wrong notion. It leaves you very vulnerable to the subtlety of unbelief. At the end of his life Paul looks back over several decades of being a Christian and says (in 2 Timothy 4:7), "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He had fought the good fight to keep the faith all his Christian life.
		+
		+	'''The Role of Other Believers in the Fight of Faith '''

-	~~'''The Role of Other Believers in the Fight of Faith '''<br>~~And one of the ways he had fought it was to surround himself with believers who would pray for him and exhort him. Did you know that Paul always traveled in a team? He was not a loner. There was Barnabas and Silas and Timothy and Luke and Aristarchus and Mark and Epaphras and others. The one time he was forced to go off by himself to Athens his spirit was almost broken by the overwhelming evil there and he sent immediately for Timothy to join him.	+	And one of the ways he had fought it was to surround himself with believers who would pray for him and exhort him. Did you know that Paul always traveled in a team? He was not a loner. There was Barnabas and Silas and Timothy and Luke and Aristarchus and Mark and Epaphras and others. The one time he was forced to go off by himself to Athens his spirit was almost broken by the overwhelming evil there and he sent immediately for Timothy to join him.

	You might get the idea that Paul's faith (and the faith of other ministers) was never in need of human reinforcement. But listen ot 2 Corinthians 7:5–7,		You might get the idea that Paul's faith (and the faith of other ministers) was never in need of human reinforcement. But listen ot 2 Corinthians 7:5–7,
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	And not only is there a clear goal, there is a kind of urgent intentionality. The word "Consider" suggests that we come on the look out for how we can specifically help other people get power to love. We don't just drift into a 20:20 meeting thinking about all kinds of worldly things. We come on a mission. We come "considering," on the look out, watching, listening. What does David need tonight? What would help Noël be stronger tonight?		And not only is there a clear goal, there is a kind of urgent intentionality. The word "Consider" suggests that we come on the look out for how we can specifically help other people get power to love. We don't just drift into a 20:20 meeting thinking about all kinds of worldly things. We come on a mission. We come "considering," on the look out, watching, listening. What does David need tonight? What would help Noël be stronger tonight?

-	So the fourth point is: Be intentional in your coming together. Aim at empowering each other to love and good works.~~<br>~~	+	So the fourth point is: Be intentional in your coming together. Aim at empowering each other to love and good works.

	'''5. Strengthening Faith in the Promises of God'''		'''5. Strengthening Faith in the Promises of God'''
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	This is implied in verse 23: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love . . . " So these two things are very closely related: stirring each other up to love, and helping each other hold on to hope in the promises of God.		This is implied in verse 23: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love . . . " So these two things are very closely related: stirring each other up to love, and helping each other hold on to hope in the promises of God.

-	How do you empower someone to love and good deeds in spite of all the obstacles they will run into at home and work? Answer: build their hope in the promises of God. Love grows on the taproot of BELIEF in the promises of God.~~<br>~~	+	How do you empower someone to love and good deeds in spite of all the obstacles they will run into at home and work? Answer: build their hope in the promises of God. Love grows on the taproot of BELIEF in the promises of God.
		+
		+	'''The Target of Our Exhortation'''

-	~~'''The Target of Our Exhortation'''<br>~~Look finally at 3:12–13.	+	Look finally at 3:12–13.

	Take care, brethren, lest there be in you an evil unbelieving heart [literally: "an evil heart of unbelief"] leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.		Take care, brethren, lest there be in you an evil unbelieving heart [literally: "an evil heart of unbelief"] leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:59, 20 June 2008
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-	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org \|partner=Desiring God\|other~~=\|series~~=\|mediatype= article\|lang=English\|editor=n/a \|translator= n/a\|levels= 0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Battling Unbelief Together\|series=~~Sermons 1988~~\|topic=Spiritual Growth\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth\|month=September\|day=18\|year=1988}}<br>'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''	+	{{MasterHeader\|author=John Piper\|partnerurl=http://www.desiringgod.org \|partner=Desiring God\|other=\|mediatype= article\|lang=English\|editor=n/a \|translator= n/a\|levels= 0\|reviewed= Not Reviewed\|newtitle=Battling Unbelief Together\|series=Battling Unbelief\|topic=Spiritual Growth\|subtopic=Sanctification & Growth\|month=September\|day=18\|year=1988}}<br>'''Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14'''

-	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''	+	'''How I Thrive in the Ministry'''

	I survive and thrive in the ministry because God has surrounded me with people who pray for me and exhort me to press on in the fight of faith. If you don't feel supported like this in your faith and work, we want to help change that. The Bible teaches that surviving and thriving in a life of faith and love depends on Christians intentionally building each other in faith and stirring each other up to love. Without intentional faith-building togetherness we lose our zeal, drift from God, become hardened in the deceitfulness of sin, and if someone doesn't snatch us (James 5:19; Jude 23), we make shipwreck of our so-called faith and perish in unbelief.		I survive and thrive in the ministry because God has surrounded me with people who pray for me and exhort me to press on in the fight of faith. If you don't feel supported like this in your faith and work, we want to help change that. The Bible teaches that surviving and thriving in a life of faith and love depends on Christians intentionally building each other in faith and stirring each other up to love. Without intentional faith-building togetherness we lose our zeal, drift from God, become hardened in the deceitfulness of sin, and if someone doesn't snatch us (James 5:19; Jude 23), we make shipwreck of our so-called faith and perish in unbelief.
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	Your servant Bill		Your servant Bill

-	It can happen through the mail. God means it to happen in person even more often. That's what we want to look at this morning.	+	It can happen through the mail. God means it to happen in person even more often. That's what we want to look at this morning.

-	'''Battling Unbelief and Fighting the Fight of Faith'''	+	'''Battling Unbelief and Fighting the Fight of Faith'''

	Last week we saw from Romans 4:20 that belief—belief that glorifies God—is future-oriented. It is a banking on the promises of God. All the promises of God were purchased for believing sinners by an act that happened in the past, namely, by the death and resurrection of Jesus. But God-glorifying BELIEF doesn't merely stare at those acts; it stands on them, and then looks forward to all the promises Jesus bought for us, and banks its hope on the promises, and moves out in a life of faith. Faith is future-oriented. It is heartfelt hope in the promises of God.		Last week we saw from Romans 4:20 that belief—belief that glorifies God—is future-oriented. It is a banking on the promises of God. All the promises of God were purchased for believing sinners by an act that happened in the past, namely, by the death and resurrection of Jesus. But God-glorifying BELIEF doesn't merely stare at those acts; it stands on them, and then looks forward to all the promises Jesus bought for us, and banks its hope on the promises, and moves out in a life of faith. Faith is future-oriented. It is heartfelt hope in the promises of God.
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	And we saw the flip side of this truth: that UNBELIEF is the root of all sin.		And we saw the flip side of this truth: that UNBELIEF is the root of all sin.

-	Which led us to the conclusion that top priority in the Christian life is learning to battle unbelief and fight the fight of faith. We must be rid of the notion that before we were Christians, we were fighting for faith and battling unbelief, but now that we are Christians we can relax because the battle is over; I am a believer; I have won the battle. That's a wrong notion. It leaves you very vulnerable to the subtlety of unbelief. At the end of his life Paul looks back over several decades of being a Christian and says (in 2 Timothy 4:7), "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He had fought the good fight to keep the faith all his Christian life.	+	Which led us to the conclusion that top priority in the Christian life is learning to battle unbelief and fight the fight of faith. We must be rid of the notion that before we were Christians, we were fighting for faith and battling unbelief, but now that we are Christians we can relax because the battle is over; I am a believer; I have won the battle. That's a wrong notion. It leaves you very vulnerable to the subtlety of unbelief. At the end of his life Paul looks back over several decades of being a Christian and says (in 2 Timothy 4:7), "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." He had fought the good fight to keep the faith all his Christian life.

-	'''The Role of Other Believers in the Fight of Faith '''	+	'''The Role of Other Believers in the Fight of Faith '''

	And one of the ways he had fought it was to surround himself with believers who would pray for him and exhort him. Did you know that Paul always traveled in a team? He was not a loner. There was Barnabas and Silas and Timothy and Luke and Aristarchus and Mark and Epaphras and others. The one time he was forced to go off by himself to Athens his spirit was almost broken by the overwhelming evil there and he sent immediately for Timothy to join him.		And one of the ways he had fought it was to surround himself with believers who would pray for him and exhort him. Did you know that Paul always traveled in a team? He was not a loner. There was Barnabas and Silas and Timothy and Luke and Aristarchus and Mark and Epaphras and others. The one time he was forced to go off by himself to Athens his spirit was almost broken by the overwhelming evil there and he sent immediately for Timothy to join him.
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	This is implied in verse 23: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love . . . " So these two things are very closely related: stirring each other up to love, and helping each other hold on to hope in the promises of God.		This is implied in verse 23: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love . . . " So these two things are very closely related: stirring each other up to love, and helping each other hold on to hope in the promises of God.

-	How do you empower someone to love and good deeds in spite of all the obstacles they will run into at home and work? Answer: build their hope in the promises of God. Love grows on the taproot of BELIEF in the promises of God.	+	How do you empower someone to love and good deeds in spite of all the obstacles they will run into at home and work? Answer: build their hope in the promises of God. Love grows on the taproot of BELIEF in the promises of God.

-	'''The Target of Our Exhortation'''	+	'''The Target of Our Exhortation'''

	Look finally at 3:12–13.		Look finally at 3:12–13.