Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn. 00:00:01.40\00:00:02.77 Do you know the seven critical steps 00:00:02.80\00:00:04.17 to develop victorious faith? 00:00:04.20\00:00:05.70 Join us now in "The Grace Pipeline" 00:00:05.73\00:00:07.39 to see what the Bible has to say about this. 00:00:07.42\00:00:10.63 Welcome to "The Grace Pipeline." 00:00:31.59\00:00:33.97 If you are following along in the series companion book 00:00:34.00\00:00:37.68 also titled "The Grace Pipeline," 00:00:37.71\00:00:39.77 today we are starting on page 160 of chapter 10. 00:00:39.80\00:00:45.51 For our last several programs 00:00:45.54\00:00:47.15 we have been examining the meaning of faith. 00:00:47.18\00:00:50.62 And today we will list seven steps 00:00:50.65\00:00:52.68 you can follow to live in victorious faith. 00:00:52.71\00:00:56.42 I am excited to share these steps for the development 00:00:56.45\00:00:59.64 of your full throttle faith because I'm convinced 00:00:59.67\00:01:03.78 it will strengthen you to finish the race with stamina. 00:01:03.81\00:01:07.83 In my own life as I applied these principles 00:01:07.86\00:01:10.46 the Lord taught me. 00:01:10.49\00:01:11.90 He worked a pronounced change in my attitude and my actions. 00:01:11.93\00:01:16.78 And my sincere prayer for you is that 00:01:16.81\00:01:19.70 these Bible truths presented in the following summary 00:01:19.73\00:01:23.77 will become deeply rooted in your heart. 00:01:23.80\00:01:26.97 And by the power of God's grace you will put them into practice. 00:01:27.00\00:01:31.09 If you do, I know you will marvel 00:01:31.12\00:01:33.83 at the way your faith flourishes. 00:01:33.86\00:01:36.42 Now this is going to be a quick study 00:01:36.45\00:01:38.84 and we have many scriptures to consider. 00:01:38.87\00:01:41.21 So let's get started. Step one is trust. 00:01:41.24\00:01:46.72 Trust is the foundation for faith. 00:01:46.75\00:01:49.79 True belief in the Lord is trust 00:01:49.82\00:01:52.60 whereas unbelief is a refusal to trust. 00:01:52.63\00:01:56.36 Faith requires a confident belief 00:01:56.39\00:01:59.44 that God is who He claims to be 00:01:59.47\00:02:01.76 and He is able to perform His promises. 00:02:01.79\00:02:05.46 He is trustworthy. God's nature is love. 00:02:05.49\00:02:09.62 He is all powerful and nothing is impossible for God. 00:02:09.65\00:02:13.80 He works all things together for our eternal benefit. 00:02:13.83\00:02:19.07 He's consistent. God does not change. 00:02:19.10\00:02:22.23 So we can build our confidence on the historical record 00:02:22.26\00:02:26.74 of His righteous character and His faithfulness 00:02:26.77\00:02:30.28 looking to the testimonies of others as evidence 00:02:30.31\00:02:33.73 that trust in Him is well founded. 00:02:33.76\00:02:37.02 And as we grow in our walk of faith with the Lord, 00:02:37.05\00:02:41.05 personal experience will fully persuade us 00:02:41.08\00:02:44.53 that God is able to do all He has promised. 00:02:44.56\00:02:48.84 You know, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:20, that 00:02:48.87\00:02:52.96 "All the promises of God find their Yes answer in Christ." 00:02:52.99\00:02:59.04 All of God's promises are ours if we are in Christ. 00:02:59.07\00:03:04.48 We must find the advice of Solomon 00:03:04.51\00:03:08.29 found in Proverbs 3:5-6 where he says, 00:03:08.32\00:03:13.49 "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart 00:03:13.52\00:03:17.32 and lean not on your own understanding, 00:03:17.35\00:03:20.81 in all your ways acknowledge Him, 00:03:20.84\00:03:23.65 and He shall direct your paths." 00:03:23.68\00:03:27.32 Now if we're not going to lean on our own understanding 00:03:27.35\00:03:31.94 then upon whose shall we lean? 00:03:31.97\00:03:34.97 Upon God's as revealed in His word. 00:03:35.00\00:03:39.13 The more we learn of His character, 00:03:39.16\00:03:42.24 of our new identity in Christ, and of His exceedingly great 00:03:42.27\00:03:47.72 and precious promises that become ours in Christ, 00:03:47.75\00:03:51.82 the more our trust will increase and in developing greater trust 00:03:51.85\00:03:57.08 our faith will eventually become invincible. 00:03:57.11\00:04:01.66 The Bible teaches that faith comes 00:04:01.69\00:04:04.32 by hearing and hearing by the word of God. 00:04:04.35\00:04:08.99 The formation of fortified faith largely depends 00:04:09.02\00:04:14.19 on your knowledge of His word. 00:04:14.22\00:04:16.74 Faith expects very little when God's word is unknown. 00:04:16.77\00:04:21.80 Little knowledge of His word equates with little faith. 00:04:21.83\00:04:26.28 But conversely, as we focus on God and His word 00:04:26.31\00:04:30.98 our faith increases, producing peace and strength of mind. 00:04:31.01\00:04:37.10 Listen to the promise of Isaiah 26, 00:04:37.13\00:04:40.89 this is verses 3 and 4. 00:04:40.92\00:04:43.86 And it says, "You" speaking of God 00:04:43.89\00:04:47.24 "will keep him in perfect peace, 00:04:47.27\00:04:50.70 whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 00:04:50.73\00:04:56.40 Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, 00:04:56.43\00:04:59.77 the Lord, is everlasting strength." 00:04:59.80\00:05:04.28 All right, trust is step one. Hope is step two. 00:05:04.31\00:05:08.68 And in the Greek, the word hope means eager expectation. 00:05:08.71\00:05:14.69 As we trust in the Lord's faithfulness, 00:05:14.72\00:05:17.60 believing all of His promises are ours in Christ, 00:05:17.63\00:05:21.40 we begin to eagerly expect Him to perform 00:05:21.43\00:05:25.65 that which He assures us 00:05:25.68\00:05:28.13 He will do for us, in us, and through us. 00:05:28.16\00:05:33.27 And this hope develops faith and patience 00:05:33.30\00:05:37.59 that result in our inheriting all of His promises as revealed 00:05:37.62\00:05:42.77 in Hebrews 6:11 and 12 which reads "We desire 00:05:42.80\00:05:48.56 that each one of you show the same diligence 00:05:48.59\00:05:52.08 to the full assurance of hope until the end, 00:05:52.11\00:05:56.02 that you do not become sluggish but imitate those 00:05:56.05\00:06:00.85 who through faith and patience inherit the promises." 00:06:00.88\00:06:06.93 Why is hope so important? 00:06:06.96\00:06:09.65 Hebrews 6:17 and 19 says, "my hope is the anchor 00:06:09.68\00:06:15.35 of the soul, both sure and steadfast." 00:06:15.38\00:06:19.50 Trust expands into eager expectation 00:06:19.53\00:06:22.91 that God will act on our behalf as He promises. 00:06:22.94\00:06:26.97 And this sure hope is the anchor for our souls preventing trials 00:06:27.00\00:06:32.93 and temptations from tossing us about. 00:06:32.96\00:06:36.54 Hope is the main stay of confident faith 00:06:36.57\00:06:41.21 and it changes our manner of prayer 00:06:41.24\00:06:44.26 to that of asking in faith. 00:06:44.29\00:06:47.81 Hope rids us of double minded doubt. 00:06:47.84\00:06:51.72 We are unsure of what our future holds, 00:06:51.75\00:06:55.18 but we can have absolute assurance 00:06:55.21\00:06:58.39 in the one that holds the future. 00:06:58.42\00:07:00.85 Cling to your hope in God, your faith will triumph. 00:07:00.88\00:07:06.17 Now in developing victorious faith, 00:07:06.20\00:07:09.60 step three is the title deed. 00:07:09.63\00:07:13.29 The only writer that tried to distill Bible teachings 00:07:13.32\00:07:17.74 to a definition of faith was the author of Hebrews 00:07:17.77\00:07:21.22 in Chapter 11:1 where he says, "Now faith is the assurance, 00:07:21.25\00:07:27.79 the confirmation, the title deed of the things 00:07:27.82\00:07:31.02 we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see 00:07:31.05\00:07:36.39 and the conviction of their reality faith perceiving 00:07:36.42\00:07:40.98 as real fact what is not revealed to the senses." 00:07:41.01\00:07:46.62 You know, the author of Hebrews here proclaims 00:07:46.65\00:07:50.34 that faith is the assurance of things hoped for. 00:07:50.37\00:07:54.45 And the evidence of what we do not see. 00:07:54.48\00:07:57.67 The Greek word for assurance is hupostasis, 00:07:57.70\00:08:01.99 a word that was commonly used in the ancient business document 00:08:02.02\00:08:06.80 which represented the guarantee of the transaction. 00:08:06.83\00:08:11.62 In the vocabulary of our culture 00:08:11.65\00:08:13.58 we would say hupostasis is a title deed. 00:08:13.61\00:08:17.26 So let me ask you, if a wealthy man 00:08:17.29\00:08:20.17 gives you the title deed to his European estate, 00:08:20.20\00:08:23.63 you become the rightful owner, right? 00:08:23.66\00:08:26.66 Although you may not have seen your new mansion in acreage, 00:08:26.69\00:08:30.32 they now belong to you. 00:08:30.35\00:08:32.03 You have proof. 00:08:32.06\00:08:33.43 You have the title deed which is the basis 00:08:33.46\00:08:37.03 for your assurance and the guarantee of the transaction. 00:08:37.06\00:08:41.70 See, Abraham had this title deed. 00:08:41.73\00:08:44.64 He had absolute assurance in God. 00:08:44.67\00:08:47.97 And Paul writes in Romans 4:19-21, 00:08:48.00\00:08:52.26 that "Abraham was not weak in faith, 00:08:52.29\00:08:55.13 that he did not waver at the promise of God 00:08:55.16\00:08:58.24 through unbelief, but that he was strengthened in faith, 00:08:58.27\00:09:03.10 giving glory to God and being fully convinced 00:09:03.13\00:09:06.78 that what God had promised He was also able to perform." 00:09:06.81\00:09:12.13 In this verse Paul portrays unbelief 00:09:12.16\00:09:16.61 as the opposite of faith. 00:09:16.64\00:09:19.70 Abraham stood firm in believing God. 00:09:19.73\00:09:23.31 He faced his circumstances, the physical facts 00:09:23.34\00:09:27.99 without weakening in faith, assured of the fact that God 00:09:28.02\00:09:31.66 was mighty and able to keep His word and His promise. 00:09:31.69\00:09:36.65 To move forward in faith we are compelled 00:09:36.68\00:09:40.86 to claim God's promises. 00:09:40.89\00:09:43.43 Spiritual faith is based on the facts of God's word. 00:09:43.46\00:09:49.97 Faith begins where our sight ends. 00:09:50.00\00:09:53.60 It is the spiritual telescope 00:09:53.63\00:09:56.67 that allows us to look into the future. 00:09:56.70\00:09:59.89 And as we believe God promises, claiming them, 00:09:59.92\00:10:04.26 we lay hold of the title deed that is our guarantee 00:10:04.29\00:10:08.62 and our hearts are settled by faith. 00:10:08.65\00:10:13.28 Now step four is to speak in the Spirit of faith. 00:10:13.31\00:10:19.28 Hebrews 4:14 says, "Let us hold fast our confession." 00:10:19.31\00:10:25.59 You know, faith should result in a profession 00:10:25.62\00:10:29.96 or a declaration of what we believe. 00:10:29.99\00:10:33.65 Of course, Christians speak of the profession of faith 00:10:33.68\00:10:37.03 one makes during the ritual of baptism. 00:10:37.06\00:10:40.22 Yet faith is evidenced to an even larger degree 00:10:40.25\00:10:43.93 by what we say in our everyday conversations. 00:10:43.96\00:10:48.28 When speaking with someone who is in the midst of a trial 00:10:48.31\00:10:52.36 you can instantly identify their level of faith 00:10:52.39\00:10:56.15 by the words they utter. 00:10:56.18\00:10:58.73 The mourner who speaks with self pitting murmuring 00:10:58.76\00:11:02.92 is not acting in faith. 00:11:02.95\00:11:05.29 Are you familiar with the fable 00:11:05.32\00:11:06.98 about a character called "Chicken Little?" 00:11:07.01\00:11:09.53 In this storyline the hysterical Chicken Little 00:11:09.56\00:11:13.45 does not speak in faith. 00:11:13.48\00:11:15.22 He cries out as if the sky is falling, the sky is falling. 00:11:15.25\00:11:19.72 Have you ever met a Chicken Little type character 00:11:19.75\00:11:22.73 who always dramatizes their problems when speaking of them? 00:11:22.76\00:11:27.32 You know that they are not speaking in faith. 00:11:27.35\00:11:30.14 What escapes our lips evidences 00:11:30.17\00:11:34.20 our trust and our hope in the Lord. 00:11:34.23\00:11:37.74 Are you holding fast to the title deed of His promises? 00:11:37.77\00:11:42.62 If so, speak a word of faith 00:11:42.65\00:11:46.59 in the Spirit of faith confessing it with your mouth 00:11:46.62\00:11:51.08 and this is the confidence that we have in God. 00:11:51.11\00:11:55.08 Let's look at two Bible verses that confirm 00:11:55.11\00:11:58.72 that this should be our action. 00:11:58.75\00:12:00.49 And we're going to look at two back to back. 00:12:00.52\00:12:02.98 First is Romans 10:8-10 and Paul writes to the Roman saying, 00:12:03.01\00:12:09.40 "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, 00:12:09.43\00:12:14.05 "that is the word of faith which we preach, 00:12:14.08\00:12:18.39 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus 00:12:18.42\00:12:22.10 "and believe in your heart that God has raised Him 00:12:22.13\00:12:24.84 "from the dead, you will be saved. 00:12:24.87\00:12:28.24 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness 00:12:28.27\00:12:32.02 and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." 00:12:32.05\00:12:36.56 Now let's go forward and look at what he wrote 00:12:36.59\00:12:38.55 to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 4:13. 00:12:38.58\00:12:43.07 He said, "Since we have the same spirit of faith, 00:12:43.10\00:12:48.41 according to what is written," now he quotes what is written. 00:12:48.44\00:12:53.38 'I believed and therefore I spoke.' 00:12:53.41\00:12:56.18 Since we have that same spirit of faith, 00:12:56.21\00:12:59.29 according to what is written, 00:12:59.32\00:13:00.69 'I believed and therefore I spoke, 00:13:00.72\00:13:02.09 ' we also believe and therefore speak.'" 00:13:02.12\00:13:08.59 " Speak with the spirit of faith. 00:13:08.62\00:13:11.55 Paul says, speak with the spirit of faith. 00:13:11.58\00:13:14.44 Why, why is that so important? 00:13:14.47\00:13:17.04 Well, Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that 00:13:17.07\00:13:20.20 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." 00:13:20.23\00:13:24.29 When we speak words that are contrary 00:13:24.32\00:13:27.05 to God's testimony and scripture, 00:13:27.08\00:13:29.65 our utterance is in unbelief. 00:13:29.68\00:13:32.19 We are in essence refusing to place our trust in the Lord 00:13:32.22\00:13:36.72 and we're complaining against Him. 00:13:36.75\00:13:39.98 You know, God gave Moses a message, 00:13:40.01\00:13:42.81 a very severe message for the people 00:13:42.84\00:13:45.77 whose lack of trust and hope in Him 00:13:45.80\00:13:47.96 cause them to murmur in unbelief. 00:13:47.99\00:13:50.93 The Lord said in Numbers 14:27 and 28, he said, 00:13:50.96\00:13:55.21 "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation 00:13:55.24\00:13:59.15 who complains against me? 00:13:59.18\00:14:00.63 I've heard their complaints 00:14:00.66\00:14:02.54 which the children of Israel make against me." 00:14:02.57\00:14:04.96 And He says, "Say to them, 'As I live,' says the Lord, 00:14:04.99\00:14:08.25 'just as you have spoken in my hearing, 00:14:08.28\00:14:12.06 so I will do to you.' " Wow. 00:14:12.09\00:14:15.89 God in His displeasure with their lack of faith 00:14:15.92\00:14:20.18 told Moses that He would allow the people's own words 00:14:20.21\00:14:24.82 to become a self-fulfilling prophecy that prevented them 00:14:24.85\00:14:30.00 from entering the promise land and it did. 00:14:30.03\00:14:34.86 You know, according to Jesus, it is out of the abundance 00:14:34.89\00:14:39.13 of our hearts that our mouth speaks. 00:14:39.16\00:14:42.07 If our hearts are filled with assurance and confidence 00:14:42.10\00:14:46.67 in the Lord we will believe and speak accordingly. 00:14:46.70\00:14:52.19 Now I should clarify this thought, 00:14:52.22\00:14:54.20 because to speak in the spirit of faith 00:14:54.23\00:14:56.72 does not mean that we cannot acknowledge 00:14:56.75\00:14:59.73 the very real circumstances of our life. 00:14:59.76\00:15:02.53 It simply means that we acknowledge our trust in God 00:15:02.56\00:15:07.20 and with eager expectation we claim His promises 00:15:07.23\00:15:11.52 knowing that His power is greater than our problems. 00:15:11.55\00:15:15.87 By the weapon of faith we can pull down the stronghold 00:15:15.90\00:15:19.40 the enemy tries to set up in our minds. 00:15:19.43\00:15:22.08 Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:4 and 5, 00:15:22.11\00:15:26.15 that "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal 00:15:26.18\00:15:29.45 but they are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds 00:15:29.48\00:15:33.22 and casting down arguments and every high thing 00:15:33.25\00:15:36.66 that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, 00:15:36.69\00:15:41.23 and it helps us to bring every thought into captivity 00:15:41.26\00:15:45.28 to the obedience of Christ." 00:15:45.31\00:15:48.06 Can you see how speaking in the spirit of faith 00:15:48.09\00:15:52.55 will cause us to take our thoughts captive 00:15:52.58\00:15:55.29 according to the mind of Christ. 00:15:55.32\00:15:58.25 What you speak into your life is important. 00:15:58.28\00:16:01.97 What you speak into you children's life is important. 00:16:02.00\00:16:05.56 Speak by speaking God's word 00:16:05.59\00:16:08.54 and He will reprogram your thoughts. 00:16:08.57\00:16:11.01 You will posses a spirit of faith 00:16:11.04\00:16:14.47 and speak in the spirit of faith. 00:16:14.50\00:16:17.16 And as an affirmation of your faith 00:16:17.19\00:16:19.69 return God's promises to Him in prayer. 00:16:19.72\00:16:23.16 Pray and speak in this manner. 00:16:23.19\00:16:25.66 And the potential of the seed of faith 00:16:25.69\00:16:28.42 will quicken in your heart. 00:16:28.45\00:16:30.48 Faith comes by hearing. 00:16:30.51\00:16:32.77 And there is nothing more convincing than 00:16:32.80\00:16:35.30 to hear God's truth with your own voice. 00:16:35.33\00:16:38.72 This practice will infuse you with faith. 00:16:38.75\00:16:43.39 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope 00:16:43.42\00:16:47.15 without wavering for He who promised is faithful. 00:16:47.18\00:16:52.36 You know, Jesus said, "if you have faith 00:16:52.39\00:16:55.36 a small as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, 00:16:55.39\00:16:59.53 'mountain, move from here to there.' 00:16:59.56\00:17:02.27 And it will move and nothing will be impossible 00:17:02.30\00:17:04.63 for you, " He said. 00:17:04.66\00:17:07.05 I think what He's saying here is that obstacles 00:17:07.08\00:17:10.61 are nothing more than stepping stones to people 00:17:10.64\00:17:14.97 who speak with the spirit of faith. 00:17:15.00\00:17:19.61 Now the fifth step in developing a victorious faith 00:17:19.64\00:17:22.55 might surprise you, but it's critical. 00:17:22.58\00:17:25.56 It's actions of obedience. 00:17:25.59\00:17:28.50 This is an absolutely essential step 00:17:28.53\00:17:32.57 to achieve victorious faith, actually to reaching 00:17:32.60\00:17:36.63 any level of faith because we are told in James 2:17, 00:17:36.66\00:17:42.76 "Thus also faith by itself, 00:17:42.79\00:17:45.88 if it does not have works, is dead." 00:17:45.91\00:17:50.43 Faith that does not result in works is stillborn. 00:17:50.46\00:17:55.38 It's dead. 00:17:55.41\00:17:57.13 Believing but not acting upon our beliefs 00:17:57.16\00:18:01.07 can be compared to the same mental assent of the demons 00:18:01.10\00:18:05.48 that believe in God and tremble. 00:18:05.51\00:18:08.39 We cannot advance in faith without personal action. 00:18:08.42\00:18:13.28 You know, Paul writes in Romans 1:5 that, 00:18:13.31\00:18:16.85 "Through Christ we have received grace 00:18:16.88\00:18:21.21 for obedience to the faith." 00:18:21.24\00:18:24.42 That is why Paul admonished the Philippian Christians, 00:18:24.45\00:18:28.22 who were saved by grace, to workout your own salvation. 00:18:28.25\00:18:33.78 But then he added that this work 00:18:33.81\00:18:35.53 should not be in personal strength. 00:18:35.56\00:18:37.94 For he wrote, "it is God who works in you 00:18:37.97\00:18:41.17 both to will and to do His good pleasure." 00:18:41.20\00:18:44.92 Paul was Christ's hand selected evangelist 00:18:44.95\00:18:49.43 for the gospel of grace. 00:18:49.46\00:18:51.58 He knew that grace included the good works 00:18:51.61\00:18:54.37 that God had planned for us. 00:18:54.40\00:18:56.24 And he says in Ephesians 2:8-10, 00:18:56.27\00:18:59.35 "For by grace you have been saved, 00:18:59.38\00:19:02.23 through faith created in Christ Jesus for good works 00:19:02.26\00:19:06.37 which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in them." 00:19:06.40\00:19:11.98 We are to walk by faith. 00:19:12.01\00:19:15.29 Walk, that requires personal exertion and it requires 00:19:15.32\00:19:19.67 personal application of God's promises to our lives. 00:19:19.70\00:19:24.39 How we conduct our everyday lives in speech 00:19:24.42\00:19:28.18 and action reveals if our faith is genuine. 00:19:28.21\00:19:32.57 Our actions are the expression of our faith. 00:19:32.60\00:19:37.11 To walk by faith we must act upon what we believe. 00:19:37.14\00:19:42.16 The wall of Jericho fell flat because Joshua set faith 00:19:42.19\00:19:47.46 into action by obedience. 00:19:47.49\00:19:50.65 Prompted by faith a heathen harlot 00:19:50.68\00:19:54.00 named Rehab hid Joshua's Hebrew spies 00:19:54.03\00:19:58.23 and she was spared at the destruction of Jericho. 00:19:58.26\00:20:01.85 She later married an Israelite gave birth to Boaz. 00:20:01.88\00:20:06.40 And Rehab is listed in the lineage of Christ 00:20:06.43\00:20:09.66 and in faith's hall of fame along with other champions. 00:20:09.69\00:20:14.59 Faith saves when faith obeys. 00:20:14.62\00:20:19.38 In 2 Thessalonians 1:11 and 12 Paul prayed 00:20:19.41\00:20:25.18 "That God would count you worthy of His calling and fulfill 00:20:25.21\00:20:30.53 all of the good pleasure of His goodness 00:20:30.56\00:20:32.90 and the work of faith with power." 00:20:32.93\00:20:35.59 You see, God empowered work springs from faith 00:20:35.62\00:20:41.94 and it is sustained by faith. 00:20:41.97\00:20:45.05 Faith inspires activity. 00:20:45.08\00:20:48.03 Our deeds breathe life into our beliefs bolstering our faith. 00:20:48.06\00:20:54.28 Galatians 5:6 informs us that in Christ Jesus 00:20:54.31\00:20:58.78 neither circumcision nor uncircumcision 00:20:58.81\00:21:01.88 avails anything, but only faith working through love. 00:21:01.91\00:21:07.23 Let me tell you something. 00:21:07.26\00:21:09.08 It is not the name of your denomination 00:21:09.11\00:21:11.45 that will qualify you for heaven. 00:21:11.48\00:21:13.97 It is the love of God that is living in your hearts 00:21:14.00\00:21:18.25 that makes you want to walk in His will. 00:21:18.28\00:21:22.38 Any so called faith that refuses to walk in obedience 00:21:22.41\00:21:26.97 to God's requirements is a counterfeit. 00:21:27.00\00:21:30.46 The Bible instructs us not to love in word 00:21:30.49\00:21:33.95 or in tongue only, but in deed and in truth. 00:21:33.98\00:21:40.30 A victorious attitude is the sixth step 00:21:40.33\00:21:44.81 and if you think about it-- when you think 00:21:44.84\00:21:48.77 of a superstar athlete, they're not born superstars. 00:21:48.80\00:21:53.65 They train to win. 00:21:53.68\00:21:55.94 One attribute they all seem to have 00:21:55.97\00:21:58.56 is an attitude of victory over defeat. 00:21:58.59\00:22:02.56 No matter now many times they fail they keep trying. 00:22:02.59\00:22:05.99 No matter how well they succeed 00:22:06.02\00:22:08.99 they continue to attempt to beat their personal best. 00:22:09.02\00:22:14.27 Remaining positive and determined in their efforts 00:22:14.30\00:22:17.62 they still have little or no assure of victory. 00:22:17.65\00:22:20.84 But we find reason to celebrate. 00:22:20.87\00:22:24.22 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, "Thanks be to God 00:22:24.25\00:22:28.23 who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 00:22:28.26\00:22:32.99 So unlike the superstar athletes, 00:22:33.02\00:22:35.97 we are guaranteed the victory if we remain yoked to Christ. 00:22:36.00\00:22:41.62 We are partnered with His power. 00:22:41.65\00:22:44.20 And by His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, 00:22:44.23\00:22:46.95 He lifts us up and He carries us to the finish line 00:22:46.98\00:22:52.65 giving us victory over sin and death. 00:22:52.68\00:22:55.67 Hallelujah. 00:22:55.70\00:22:57.07 I don't know about you, but that makes me excited. 00:22:57.10\00:23:00.40 Now-- excuse me. 00:23:00.43\00:23:02.46 Let's consider Paul's victorious attitude. 00:23:02.49\00:23:05.87 He says in Roman 5:17, "Those who receive abundance 00:23:05.90\00:23:12.13 of grace and of the gift of righteousness 00:23:12.16\00:23:15.59 will reign in life through Jesus Christ." 00:23:15.62\00:23:21.24 Paul believed that we reign in life through Christ 00:23:21.27\00:23:25.00 and this developed his victorious attitude. 00:23:25.03\00:23:27.60 In fact, in Romans 8 Paul ask these amazing questions. 00:23:27.63\00:23:31.19 He says, "What then shall we say to these things? 00:23:31.22\00:23:34.04 If God is for us who can be against us? 00:23:34.07\00:23:36.84 And He who did not spare His own Son, 00:23:36.87\00:23:39.42 but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not 00:23:39.45\00:23:43.04 also with Christ freely give us all things?" 00:23:43.07\00:23:46.82 And Paul makes a confession of confidence in Romans 8:37 00:23:46.85\00:23:51.88 saying, "We are more than conquerors 00:23:51.91\00:23:54.37 through Him who loved us." 00:23:54.40\00:23:56.44 Eagerly expect God to fulfill His promises, 00:23:56.47\00:24:00.39 claiming them for your own, 00:24:00.42\00:24:02.51 put your faith into action and it will soar. 00:24:02.54\00:24:06.45 Do not allow your feelings to overpower your faith, 00:24:06.48\00:24:10.40 but by God's power you can overcome any attitude 00:24:10.43\00:24:14.71 of defeat and every temptation the enemy throws your way. 00:24:14.74\00:24:19.12 Our faith is the victory according to 1 John 5:3-4, 00:24:19.15\00:24:25.57 which says, "For this is the love of God, 00:24:25.60\00:24:29.04 that we keep His commandments. 00:24:29.07\00:24:30.44 And His commandments are not burdensome. 00:24:30.47\00:24:33.12 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. 00:24:33.15\00:24:36.88 And this is the victory that has overcome the world-out faith." 00:24:36.91\00:24:43.09 Let me tell you, if you fall God will help you up again. 00:24:43.12\00:24:46.97 Stay in training for eternity with the victorious attitude 00:24:47.00\00:24:51.53 that is so critical to full throttled faith. 00:24:51.56\00:24:55.77 Faith is the victory. Now for step seven. 00:24:55.80\00:25:01.30 Step seven is we must stand firm. 00:25:01.33\00:25:05.35 We must plant our feet on the solid ground of faith 00:25:05.38\00:25:10.20 and not be moved no matter what circumstances, 00:25:10.23\00:25:14.19 family members, friends or enemies throw at us. 00:25:14.22\00:25:18.02 Isaiah 7:9 says, "If you will not believe, 00:25:18.05\00:25:23.15 surely you shall not be established." 00:25:23.18\00:25:25.99 In other words you must stand firm 00:25:26.02\00:25:28.13 in faith or you won't stand it all. 00:25:28.16\00:25:30.75 If you make Jesus the object and source of your faith 00:25:30.78\00:25:34.36 by identifying with His name and the faith that comes 00:25:34.39\00:25:37.51 through Him, you will have perfect soundness. 00:25:37.54\00:25:42.34 Take your stand in Christ and you will have reached 00:25:42.37\00:25:45.75 the summit of faith. 00:25:45.78\00:25:47.34 You will be kept by the power of God through faith 00:25:47.37\00:25:50.41 for salvation that will be revealed at the last. 00:25:50.44\00:25:54.17 Lay hold of His promises and exercise endurance 00:25:54.20\00:25:58.05 so that as Hebrews 10:36 says, "After you have done 00:25:58.08\00:26:02.37 the will of God you may receive the promise." 00:26:02.40\00:26:05.36 Cast all of your cares upon the Lord and trust 00:26:05.39\00:26:08.88 He will care for you. 00:26:08.91\00:26:10.44 Place your hope in the God who gives grace to the humble. 00:26:10.47\00:26:14.32 Claiming your title deed you are guaranteed 00:26:14.35\00:26:18.07 of the transaction for which He has called you 00:26:18.10\00:26:20.88 to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus. 00:26:20.91\00:26:24.50 Speak in the spirit of faith knowing 00:26:24.53\00:26:27.19 that the same sufferings you endure are experienced 00:26:27.22\00:26:30.22 by your brotherhood in the world. 00:26:30.25\00:26:32.30 And with actions of obedience be vigilant 00:26:32.33\00:26:35.92 and avoid the devil that walks around 00:26:35.95\00:26:38.53 like a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour. 00:26:38.56\00:26:42.84 Maintain a victorious attitude 00:26:42.87\00:26:46.43 knowing that He will exalt you in due time. 00:26:46.46\00:26:50.62 Your active faith will give you assurance to stand firm. 00:26:50.65\00:26:55.26 God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 00:26:55.29\00:27:01.57 Growing in grace go forward in faith, 00:27:01.60\00:27:04.28 fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith. 00:27:04.31\00:27:08.29 You will receive the end of your faith, 00:27:08.32\00:27:10.96 the salvation of your soul. 00:27:10.99\00:27:12.96 You can be certain of the outcome, 00:27:12.99\00:27:14.84 because He who called you is faithful. 00:27:14.87\00:27:17.39 The joyful promise of 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and 24 00:27:17.42\00:27:21.74 is yours which says, "Now may the God of peace 00:27:21.77\00:27:24.47 Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, 00:27:24.50\00:27:27.92 soul, and body be preserved blameless 00:27:27.95\00:27:30.02 at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:30.05\00:27:32.65 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it." 00:27:32.68\00:27:37.02 What a blessed assurance God gives us. 00:27:37.05\00:27:39.79 Don't let the lies of the devil defeat you, 00:27:39.82\00:27:42.33 rather allow the God of all hope to fill your heart 00:27:42.36\00:27:45.47 to overflowing with the promises of His grace. 00:27:45.50\00:27:49.30 Well, our time's over but join us next time 00:27:49.33\00:27:52.17 because we are going to learn 00:27:52.20\00:27:53.81 how to open the faith faucet with effective prayer. 00:27:53.84\00:27:58.22 God bless. 00:27:58.25\00:27:59.62