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C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\Sermons DRINKING DEEPLY OF FAITH JOHN 4: 1 - 15 JUNE 18, 2006 I. PRELIMINARIES A. HONORING CHRISTMAS IN YOUR HEART SCRIPTURE: 1 JOHN 4: 7 1. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 2. BOOK RECOMMENDATION 3. “Carpe Diem: Seize The Day” by Tony Campolo B. UNISON PRAYER 1. “In this moment be our strength and refuge; be the light and guide of our life. Open our hearts to the touch of your presence. AMEN.” II. WHETHER IT IS IN THE PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL REALMS OF LIFE, EVERYONE PLACES FAITH IN SOMETHING OR SOMEONE A. NO HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO LIVE WITHOUT EXERCISING FAITH IN ONE MANNER OR ANOTHER. 1. But, all too often we have difficulty with the concept of faith because it is not a tangible thing. a. Regardless of how hard you try, you can never reach out and touch it. b. You can only see the results, the end manifestation of having faith 2. Faith (Tightrope walker) a. Faith is not just something to be talked about or debated (1) It must be lived. .must be manifested. .it must be demonstrated in the manner in which we live (2) As Paul Harvey has put it, “If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it” B. ALL OF SCRIPTURE CENTERS ON FAITH 1. Ultimately there is not a page. .not a line of Scripture that does not center on faith a. In one manner or another, every person, every story, every miracle, every teaching ultimately centers on Faith (1) No exceptions. (2) Abraham, Noah, Enoch, Moses, Joseph, David, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Magi, Mary, Shepherds, John the Baptist, Andrew, Thomas, Peter, Matthew, Judas, Nicodemus, Barnabas, woman at the well. .where do you stop 2. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is not just the symbol of hope for those who long to overcome the power of the past. .not just a story about the compassion and forgiveness that Jesus brings a. It is a remarkable story about Faith! III. HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT MADE THE EARLY CHURCH SUCCESSFUL? A. IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING STANDING IN ITS WAY, IT TURNED THE WHOLE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN 1. Peter and John were imprisoned & beaten. .Stephen stoned to death. .of the apostles, only John dies a natural death 2. With the might of the Roman Empire aligned against them, persecution reigned supreme a. When Rome burned, Nero sought out the Christians (1) Some were sewn up in the skins of wild animals and then had wild dogs turned loose on them (2) Others were smeared with tar and then fastened to tall poles in Nero’s garden and set on fire while he and others watched 3. In speaking about this amazing world transformation, A. J. Tozer says a. “That the church did not so perish was due entirely to the miraculous element within her. That element was supplied by the Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost to empower her for her task. For the church was not an organization merely, not a movement, but a walking incarnation of spiritual energy.” b. It was all about Faith IV. FAITH HAS NEVER BEEN THE DRY, CRUSTY, DUSTY THING WE HAVE MADE IT A. IT IS MORE THAN THE ACCEPTANCE OF SOME ARBITRARY CREED OR DOCTRINE OF BELIEF 1. Instead, it is a new orientation to life. a. Seeing the Creator and Sustainer of life actively at work in your life and the world around you. .experiencing the possibilities of His presence. the manifestation of a different way of living B. SUCH FAITH. 1. Does not think of self first. a. It is all about caring for people more than things. .hurting where people hurt, involvement in bringing fulfillment of their physical and spiritual needs 2. Shares Christ. a. It is the “Good News” put into action. .in thought, word and deed. .in motive and action b. It is the story of Andrew always bringing someone to Jesus (1) Peter, the boy with the fish and bread, the Greeks who came searching for Jesus 3. Always believes in the possibility of a new beginning a. It does not change the circumstances of life. it gives the ability to adapt to and overcome those same circumstances b. It recognizes that in no manner does the past control any component of life, neither is life limited by any measure of human restraint (1) Its greatest expression is a new way of life V. THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS A SIMPLE ONE. A. HOW DEEPLY WILL YOU CHOOSE TO DRINK OF SUCH FAITH? 1. John Wesley said, “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world.” a. He was wrong. .Jesus did it with twelve B. COMMUNION (CHILD AND MILK) 1. Drink as deeply as you can.
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