Fight The Good Fight Of Faith
Greetings and a pleasant morning to all of you here in the J and L Ministries Paltalk room. Before we get started with this brand new sermon series, I just want each of you to know how much we love and appreciate those who have been continually coming back week after week. In the past couple months, we’ve been recording the messages that are delivered here in this room and also messages that I share in the Zero Hour Ministry room on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM EST. Glory to God. You can find these messages on u-tube by searching for J and L Ministries. They are also shared on many, many Christian websites and there have been brothers and sisters sharing them on Facebook and Twitter. Today, we’re going to start a brand new series called “Faith.” We’re going to look at all types of areas we need to have faith in and how to get that faith. Faith is something that I hear many say they have, but I often wonder if we all truly grasp the faith we need. So in this series, and it may be many weeks long, I hope when we are finished, our faith will be so strong that each of us will never want to look back to where each of us is right here in the present. Glory to God. Please turn to 1 Timothy 6:12 and we’ll get started with what I believe will be a life changing message. As we go through this series, I think many will be freed from wrong ideas and confusion that’s been in many people's minds. There have been so many wrong ideas that have been preached and believed on the message of faith. I’m in hopes that any misconceptions of faith will be far from your minds. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Church, there are so many ignorant theories on the subject of faith, and because of this there are many who are left confused. There are those who are disappointed and discouraged because of some teachings on living by faith. I know, Leanna and I have witnessed it. And then you have those who are mad at God and even turn away from Him. Brethren, listen very carefully. For those hwo proclaim that God let them down, or that He just doesn't care, God has never let you down. He’s never failed to keep His Word. Church, get this. If you think these things have happened, there’s something wrong with your thinking. I know that someone may not like this and it may sound like I’m being harsh, but scripture needs to be rightly divided and that’s what we’re going to do, starting today. Amen? Are we ready to dive right in? Church, for those who have been in the word, they’ve studied the word and even tried to live the word as best they could, I think once we get to heaven we’ll be in for a big surprise. I think for the first few years many of us are going to shake our heads and say to each other, “That's what that scripture meant. Oh wow, I finally get that.” Brethren, we live in such a dark world. The enemy has twisted things being taught in many places of worship. And what really bugs me is that so many of the ones attending these churches don't take the time to follow up on scriptures for themselves. Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is why I urge you week after week to read at least a chapter a day and then double up on your spiritual food intake. Amen? God is faithful. His Word is trustworthy. It’s food to the soul and medicine to the flesh. 1 Peter 2:1-3 KJV Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. I pray that each of us when we are through with this series and the series in the Zero Hour Ministry room, we’ll have our faith so strong. Can I hear a Hallelujah ? Church, it takes a listening ear. It will take a repented heart. It will take each of us putting away all distractions. With God all things are possible. Glory to God. Friends, like last Wednesday night, I’m excited. Glory to God! And I may get a bit loud this morning. Is that okay? For those wearing headphones, this is a warning, because I am getting excited and I don't want to hold back. Glory to God! Church, I want to ask you this. When you go through a storm (and right now I’m thinking about all that Job went through and the arguing between him and his 3 closest friends). In fact, I would love to one day do a sermon on Job. I think it’s such a fascinating book. When you go through a storm and you don't have the answers, what do you do? You’re going through the toughest season of your life and you start questioning God and you start asking Him "Why?" Anyone been there? My hand’s raised. I've been there. And do you know what my friend? I learned from that mistake and it made me stronger. My dear friends, if you need to know the reason why that mountain is in front of you before you put your trust in God and before you believe in His promises, you never trusted Him to begin with. Ouch, that hurt. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we’re going to learn how to get through the toughest thing that you may go through. It's a faith fight. We just read it. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. A faith fight is when you’re going through those dark times and you look up into heaven. When all the confusion is all around you and you don't have the answers. You look up with tears in your eyes through all the unanswered questions and you say, “God, I don't know why these things, but I trust You Lord. You’re a good God! You’re Real! I trust You Lord! And I will trust in Your promises. Hallelujah! Church, are you getting this? “Lord God, I will trust You till my dying day, because I know You’ll never leave me nor forsake me.” And then church, you carry out that promise. Friends, get this in your minds and in your hearts. When you do this God will see you through anything. Praise the Lord. He’ll uphold you with the righteousness of His right hand. Isaiah 41:10, in case that sounded familiar to someone. Praise the Mighty God! Church, He’ll set your feet on the solid rock and bring you through. Psalm 40:2 Glory to God! Are we getting this, friends? My dear friends, so many times being a Christian isn’t being a religion, but having a relationship with Jesus. It is, but more than that, it’s having a personal relationship with Christ. It’s about having unshakable trust in Him. Praise Jesus! Brethren, we don't need to know all the answers. Get this! There are going to be many things we won't know. There will be many questions that we’ll have until the day we take our last breath. But the important thing is that we have faith in God. Church, everyone with a loud voice say “Lord, I trust You! No matter what, I trust You!” Friends, now you said it. That was easy, wasn't it? Church, I tell you what, saying it is easy, carrying through with it is a fight. The enemy will come to try to shake your faith. Sow doubt in your life. As Leanna and I were discussing the other night about the things she feels and the things that she doesn't feel, she and I need to fight to hold on. God has promises that He’s made to each of us. I trust Him. I trust and have faith in those promises. Church, we’re not to fight against flesh and blood. In fact, let's go there. Please turn to Ephesians 6:12. Ephesians 6:12 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Church, so many believers would rather argue scriptures and meaning of scriptures and who can quote the most scriptures. Get over yourselves. Church, we’re not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world. We fight against the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. Stop fighting with other brothers and sisters. The world does a great job at that. Do we get this? I shared this passage Wednesday night and church, every one of us needs to get this. Please turn to 2 Timothy chapter 4. Here we’ll see where Apostle Paul shares his concern to Timothy in his last days and wasn't' sure he would ever see him again. Listen to what his concerns were. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 KJV I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Pastors listening to this, listen up. Why did Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, say this? I think it’s because we can preach everything under the sun other than the truth and this is what’s happening today. Preaching on experience. Preaching on feelings. What needs to be preached? The Word. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Not everyone wants to hear the truth. I've seen it. I’ve been there in my early walk with God. Are you hearing me church? I have a comic picture that I sometimes use in the prayers that I post on various websites. Some of you may have seen it. I’ll somehow include it in the video if you want to see it. Someone might look at that cartoon and say, “Well that isn't really what people mean.” Well I beg to differ. You forget I have conversations often with pastors from all over the world. It is happening and what’s worse than that is some pastors are told what they can preach on and some of this nonsense is part of the outline. There are some who want to hear fables rather than the truth. We just read it church, but not us, right brethren? Friends, something that I hope each of you will start to do from today forward is when someone starts saying something about how they believe, about God, the Word, ask them what verse. Where does scripture say that? I had someone mention a few weeks ago that Jesus only preached love and acceptance. Think about that. Many people would believe that. Sounds about right. What about you brethren? That phrase just didn't line up with my spirit. What did Jesus preach? Ready for this? Jesus preached the Kingdom and repentance. There’s a huge difference between the two and is the perfect reason why when you're in the Word of God, building up your faith and getting that discernment. Let me put the two phrases together so you can hear it again. Love and acceptance or Kingdom and Repentance. Do you see a big difference? Here’s something that’s really frustrated me for the past few years. Here we have the Bible (Jesus), and yet there are so many who have made life changing commitments over man’s books. The Shack being one of those books and I'm not even going to get myself all fired up over that evil trash. If we want to live our lives in a way that pleases God, read and study the Word of God. Meditate on the good Book. There are so many who are making these fictional books that could, or might sound like it might line up with the Bible. Friends, what did we read to do? Preach the word! 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Church, we’re all going to die at some point, and here we see Paul knowing he was nearing that point. Death for the believer isn't termination, but a transition. Glory to God. It means to be with Christ. To be absent from the body and be present with the Lord. What was Paul saying to Timothy and us? It is far better. Amen someone? Please turn to 2 Corinthians 11:24. Church, here’s what we need to understand. We know from reading the Bible that Paul went thru some awful times. We know that Paul traveled to many places planting churches, training up pastors. Revivals and riots and sometimes the very same day. 2 Corinthians 11:24-31 KJV 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. Paul knew Christ. He lived his life for Christ. He knew all the false things that were entering into the churches that went against the teachings of Jesus and he warned them. Is this a warning to you my friend? Are you going to believe the Bible, or mans teachings and ideas? I tell you the enemy will bring to you some twisted beliefs. He’ll do it even through well known pastors. Where will your faith lie? Church, we all have a mission. We’re to fight the good fight. 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Church, we need to fight the good fight of faith. We need to finish the course that God leads us to do. Keeping our faith and not wavering in Jesus. How do we fight the good fight of faith? For those who have followed this ministry for some time will remember me saying often, that when a preacher or teacher asks the congregation to turn to a particular verse, most of the time, I’ll read 2 verses before the referenced verse and also a couple verses after. Ask Leanna. I’ve trained myself to do that. It’s almost, in my mind, a necessity. “Why would you do that brother Jim?” I want to be sure that what’s being taught isn’t being taken out of context. Many times I’ve heard the first part of a verse used and without the second part, it has a whole different meaning. Church, here are some examples. You have not because you ask not. I’ve heard this in sermons so many times. Ye ask, and receive not. Here’s what the verse really says, and catch the difference in its meaning. James 4:3 KJV Ye ask, and receive not, (Why) because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Here’s one that I’ve heard for many years. Even before I was born again and thought it was biblical. Judge not. The Bible says don't judge. It does say that, but that's not the end of the sentence. Jesus was saying: Matthew 7:1-2 KJV Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Totally different meaning when you read all the way through. We need to be careful my friends. As we’ve just seen with these two verses, things can change. Church, say this with me. Fight the good fight of faith. Now live it friends. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Did you notice these two words here saints, profession and confession? Should we do likewise? I think so. Are you ashamed of Jesus? I hope not. So should we be speaking the truth of the Gospel message to all people? Again, I think so. Will you? Ok, this is something that I pick up from people all the time. We can say a word and paint a picture if you will, to make it sound completely different. Let's use the word hello. The definition is a common greeting . (Pick up the phone) “Hello.” (Surprised to see someone) “Helllllooooo,” (could care less) “Hello.” Friends, notice the way I said that little word changed the whole meaning. You can do the same thing in your speech. People are so caught up on yakking, motor mouthing and they’re meaningless. Lifeless. Are you getting this friends? The Bible calls them idle words. What about you, friends? You can say something and put fear in it. You can put doubt in it. Unbelief. Confusion. Depression. Is that how we should be speaking? No. We can and should be speaking life-filled words. Glory to God. Power filled words. Healing filled words. Are you getting this, saints? We need to speak victory and faith filled words. Halleluiah! How did Jesus deal with Satan? How did He fight the good faith? With His Word. Amen, Church? 1 John 5:4-5 KJV For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Are we over comers of the world? Friends, there is some overcoming to be done. We can do this. How do we do it? Faith! 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Notice where it says lay hold. What does it mean? Some of the translations use take hold, catch, and claim, win and take for yourself. What’s the fight that we’re fighting? That Jesus already won. Satan is going to try his hardest to twist the word, to sow doubt into what the word says. My Bible says resist the devil and he will flee. Praise Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:13 KJV I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Church, do you suppose God’s watching as we fight the good fight? Of course He is. Do you suppose that Jesus already and continues to show us how to fight the good fight? We’ve been seeing His ways since we started this message. Glory to God. And now He’s watching and hearing us. Do you suppose He guides us also? Glory!! Revelation 1:16 KJV And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And what came out of His mouth? A sharp two-edged sword. Revelation 2:16 KJV Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. So does that mean we should be ready to get into the boxing ring with the next guy who insults us? No. Turn the other cheek. Forgive 70 times 7. Church, flesh and blood are not our problem. 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 KJV 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. Church, because I see so many carnal ways and beliefs, I want to share with you the God's Word Translation. 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 GW 3 Of course we are human, but we don't fight like humans. 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people's defenses, that is, their arguments 5 and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. 6 We are ready to punish every act of disobedience when you have become completely obedient. 7 Look at the plain facts! If anyone is confident he belongs to Christ, he should take note that we also belong to Christ. How do we fight the good fight of faith? It takes mind renewal, saints. It takes believing in the Word. Reading it. Studying it. Meditating on it. Then acting upon it. I love the Word of God. Do you? Speaking against the powers of darkness. How do most people deal with problems? Listen to me friends. They don't speak with things of the Bible. They don't act the way the Bible says. No, they would rather spew words of hate. Act in a way of retaliation. I'm talking about some Christian friends that you........... may know. They would rather gossip. Come on someone. They would rather slander others’ names. Why? Because of what we looked at in the beginning of this message. They’ve gotten away from the truth of the Bible. They’re content with ear tickling messages. I'll tell you what church, I won’t belong to any 501c3 church. I won’t belong to any church where I was told I wasn’t able to teach on the blood of Jesus. No way will I belong to a church that I can’t mention and preach on the tree that Jesus hung on and died to free me from my sins. I won't belong to a church where someone who might have sown in to this ministry reminded me and bribed me with what to teach. No, my friends. No one is going to tell me that I can't mention sin because it makes them feel uncomfortable. If you want that kind church, look elsewhere. My dear friends, Leanna and I love you and we care about your souls. We care about your well-being. I’ll share the gospel wherever the Lord leads me, but I won't water His Word down for anyone. Preach in love? Yes. Teach about sin issues that some deal with? I have to. Friends, when those issues come up, how are you going to fight? Are you going to load your mouth with faith-filled words? I hope so. The good faith fight is not with fists, or guns, or knifes. What is it friends? It’s a word fight. It's not throwing four-letter words of hate fight, but faith-filled word fight. Glory to God. Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Does everyone believe it’s important to have faith and to strengthen our faith? How many believe that Paul was a faith teacher? Romans 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Have we noticed in this teaching this morning that several times the scriptures mentioned profess, confess and with your mouth speak? Can you now understand why I often times ask you to say out loud certain things? Is it all coming together now, saints? I know of many churches that I’ve attended, if I was to share a message like this and ask the congregation to say with me, I would never be asked to speak again. Why’s that? Why are some denominations so against the congregation speaking? Church, we just read that we are to speak. Now, does that mean being disruptive? No. Does it mean just talking to be heard? No. Seriously church, why don't you hear faith-based words being spoken in many churches, or like I do, have you repeat scriptures after me? Because the enemy has crept in. We have so many silent believers. There may be some here who feel a bit shy and unsure of speaking and professing God's Word out loud. That's what the enemy wants. So now I hope those who’ve been sitting behind your computers wanting to shout powerful words that I’ve asked you to say, know now that God's Word says to do so. Go up on your roof tops and proclaim just how good God is. Dance in the street singing praises to God like King David, but make sure you’re fully dressed. I'm about to close, friends. I want to see each of your lives lived to the fullest according to God's will. When we were born again, we believed in our hearts and we opened our mouths and spoke with our mouths. Romans 10:10 KJV For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 1 Timothy 6:13 KJV I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Jesus is our example and we see here, He gives us a good example of speaking a good confession. Leanna if you could post John 18: 33. Here’s Jesus. I want you all to see what kind of faith Jesus had. He’s been arrested. He already knows what’s going to happen and here He stands before Pilate. Not a nice man. He had the power to have almost anyone who wasn’t a Roman to be put to death. John 18:33-34 KJV Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? John 18:35-36 KJV Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 KJV Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Right here friends is where most people would choke. This is where most would give in. Listen to what the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Beginning and the End said. Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Are you hearing the confidence and the strength of Jesus? Let’s skip to 19. This is after Jesus was beaten. This is after Pilate’s wife had the dream and tried to get her husband to go easy on Him. And we see Jesus wouldn't talk to Him and now Pilate is scared. John 19:10-11 KJV Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. Do we hear the faith Jesus has? What about most Christians today? Could you say that to a man like Pilate who’s so powerful and had many people put to death? Jesus was looking Pilate in the face. He was looking at death in the face and He was looking sin and hell in the face and what did He say? “You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God.” Here’s our example. Fight the good fight of faith. Church, the message in all of this to you and me is the next time the enemy comes to tell you and sows doubt and tells you, “Yea, I know what you did.” You come at Him with the Word. “Satan, you have no power over me. My sins have been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God.” How do you fight depression and cancer, or any other mountain that comes against you? Are you going to lay down and sob? Are you going to be like a sheep when it’s scared? It either runs itself to death, or it drops to the ground and gives up. Church, we have so much power in the name of Jesus. There’s power in His Word, but we need to know how to use it. We have to have unwavering faith. Get this, church. Are you going to start speaking to those issues? Are you going to tell those problems just how big your God is? My Bible tells me that “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. You, Satan have no power over me at all.” Tell him who lives in you. Tell that problem who you belong to. “Addiction, you have no power over me. Depression, you have no power over me.” You can speak to that medical issue and say, “You have no power over me. MS, leave my body, you have no power over me. I belong to the King of kings.” Friends, if you do that in faith, power will come unto you. Glory to God. Church, understand the principles and you’ll see your life change. For a long time, I’ve been suggesting to write out, or type out scriptures and pin them in places where you’ll see them throughout the day. Every time you go by them, read them. Speak them out loud and clear. Proclaim scriptures in faith with boldness. Glory to God. Church, we serve an awesome, loving God worthy to be praised. We have an awesome Savior in Jesus who is the only way to God the Father, regardless of what any religion may say. He is the life and He is the truth. How many of you trust in Jesus? Glory to God. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we thank you again this week for allowing us into your homes. We want to thank all of you who are new here and hope that you do add this room to your list and also I want to thank my wife Leanna for doing such a great job posting scriptures each week, and also to all the admins who look after the room, keeping it safe. But most of all, I thank My God for bringing all of you into my circle of friends and the work He’s done in my life and yours. We love you and may the Lord bless you throughout the week.
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