Faith Worth Fighting For

Psalm 11:1-7
“In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord‘s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
 
Introduction: While others saw a shepherd boy, God saw a King! A warrior! A Leader! A Servant! David fought and killed a bear, a lion, and a giant… every Christian is in a FIGHT! Can you feel it? How can we win over the enemy? Consider (3) strategies for FIGHTING the Good FIGHT of FAITH:
 
1. Who’s FIGHTING Who? Prepare for Battle! (Psa 11:1-2)
“In the Lord put I my trust:….For lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.”
  •    Facing an Internal enemy – fighting your testimony
  •    Facing an External enemy – fighting your family
  •    Facing an Infernal enemy – fighting your legacy 
 
2. How much will it COST? Count the COST! (Psa 11:3)
“If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  •   The COST of compromise 
  •   The PRICE that’s RIGHT for the fight
 
3. Where is our help? Do the math! (Psa 11:4-7)
“The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men….For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
  •  God’s in control
  •  We shall behold Him
 
Conclusion: Is there a cost to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What’s the cost to follow Jesus? Death to SELF! There’s a PRICE to follow CHRIST!! But there’s a higher COST for lower living…. Ultimately it COSTS  more not to follow Jesus, regardless of the fierce fight of faith.
 
Keep fighting soldier.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese


Saved to Serve

Text: Acts 18:2, 26; Romans 16:3-5
-Acts 18:2 “And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.”
-Acts 18:26 “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
-Romans 16:3-5 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.”
 
Introduction: Did you know that God’s got a CALL on your life? What is it? Maybe not a full time ministry call but nevertheless, the Lord has CALLED us to FOLLOW Him! How are we doing? Have you ever heard of Aquila & Priscilla in the Bible? Both Luke in the book of Acts and Paul in the book of Romans reveal (4) key ways to check up & see if we are really fulfilling our CALLING:
 
1. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to MAKE time with our Lord DAILY! (Acts 18:2)
“Paul departed…and came to Corinth: And found a certain Jew named Aquila…from Italy, with his wife Priscilla…they were tentmakers.”
• Time management
• Spiritual disciplines
 
2. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to be AVAILABLE for our Lord REGULARLY! (Acts 18:26)
“A certain Jew named Apollos…an eloquent man, mighty in Scriptures…fervent in the spirit…knowing only of the baptism of John…Aquila and Priscilla had heard, took him..and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
We all need to remain TEACHABLE!
• Discipleship
• Mentoring
 
3. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to put to death the “OLD MAN” and put on the “NEW MAN” DELIBERATELY! (Rom 16:3-4)
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila….who have for my life laid down their own necks.”
• Death to SELF
• LIFE to Holy Spirit Power
 
4. If we are going to fulfill our CALLING, we’ve got to SERVE the Lord with a good ATTITUDE PURPOSEFULLY! (2 Tim 4:19) “Salute Prisca and Aquila.”
• Paul is in prison
• Priscilla & Aquila – TEAM PLAYERS in the work of God
 
Conclusion: Are we answering the Lord’s call today? These (4) keys: spending devotional time daily, being available regularly, putting off the flesh but putting on the new man deliberately, and serving the Lord purposefully, will make a difference as we answer God’s CALL and FOLLOW JESUS!
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese