LACKING FAITH?

LACKING FAITH? I. IN APOSTLE PAUL’S LETTERS YOU SENSE THE LONGING PAUL HAD TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CHURCHES. A. 1 THESSALONIANS 3:10 B. WHAT WAS LACKING IN THE FAITH OF THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH? C. HEBREWS 11:1 HEBREWS 11:6 II. FAITH IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT. A. “BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE.” B. JOHN 20:29c III. SPIRITUAL LEADERS HAVE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THOSE UNDER THEIR CARE ARE GROWING SPIRITUALLY STRONG. A. 1 THESSALONIANS 3:5-6 B. PAUL’S FEARS ARE RELIEVED WITH TIMOTHY’S REPORT AND GOOD NEWS. C. 1 TIMOTHY 1:19 EPHESIANS 4:14 KJV D. BEING FIRMLY ANCHORED IN SOUND BIBLICAL DOCTRINE, KEEPS US FROM BEING TOSSED TO AND FRO BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE. IV. DOUBTS CREATE WAVES FOR OUR FAITH. A. JAMES 1:6-8 B. TO HELP FAITH GROW STRONG, WE MUST NOT ALLOW FEAR AND DOUBT TO SABOTAGE OUR FAITH. C. TO HARBOR DOUBTS IS TO ENDANGER AND SHIPWRECK OUR FAITH. D. 1 THESSALONIANS 3:12-13 V. FOR THE CHURCH TO WORK TOGETHER, BROTHERLY LOVE MUST BE ACTIVE. A. CHALLENGES MIGHT BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOVE TO INCREASE. B. 1 JOHN 4:20b VI. AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, WE HAVE A MANDATE TO WALK BLAMELESS AND LIVE HOLY LIVES. A. JAMES 1:2-4 B. WHEN IT COMES TO FAITH AND LOVE, ARE THEY INCREASING, OR LACKING?