FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND NOT GIVING UP

IN THE DAYS OF HIS POWER SERIES.

TOPIC: FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT AND NOT GIVING UP

SERMON BY-:
Rev. Innocent Chukwudi Peace-Udochukwu
President Living Fountain Ministries Int’l LIFOM

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful”
Hebrews 10:23

This verse reminds us that even when the going gets tough, we can trust in God’s faithfulness and cling to the hope we have in him.

In times of hardship, we must remember that our God is a faithful and loving God. We can hold on to the hope we have in him, even when the way forward seems uncertain.

As we persevere, we will be transformed and strengthened in our character. In this journey, we are not alone – we have a community of believers to support and encourage us.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
Hebrews 12:1-2

Joseph endured years of suffering, including being sold into slavery by his own brothers and being wrongly imprisoned. Despite all of this, he never lost his faith in God.

He trusted that God had a plan for him, and he remained faithful even when things seemed hopeless. And in the end, God’s plan for Joseph was revealed, and he was lifted up from his humble circumstances to a place of great honor.

Like Joseph, let’s not give up when life gets difficult. Let’s keep our eyes on the Lord, trusting that he has a plan and a purpose for our lives. And let’s be faithful in doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.

When Joseph was wrongly imprisoned, he could have given up hope and sunk into despair. Instead, he chose to trust in God and do his best in the situation he was in. He worked hard and earned the trust of the prison warden.

Then, one day, Joseph was given an opportunity to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. He interpreted the dreams accurately, and when Pharaoh himself had dreams, he remembered Joseph and called on him for help. And just like that, Joseph’s life was transformed.

Prayer helps us to stay connected to God, and it gives us a way to pour out our hearts to him. We can pray for strength and wisdom, and we can bring our needs and requests to him. In addition to prayer, we can also worship God through singing, music, and other creative expressions. This helps us to focus on his goodness and his greatness, and it fills us with joy and peace.

When we read the Bible, we can find strength and hope in its pages. And when we pray with scripture, we can bring God’s own words to him in our prayers. This deepens our connection with him and strengthens our faith.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119: 105

This verse highlights the importance of the Bible as a guide for our lives. It reminds us that God’s word can illuminate our path and help us to find our way in the dark.

Jeremiah 23:29, says,
“Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”

This verse reminds us that the Bible is powerful and has the ability to break through even the hardest hearts. It’s like a hammer that can shatter the stony places in our lives.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2Timothy 4:7

This verse is an inspiring reminder that the Christian life is a battle, but it’s a battle that we can win through faith in Christ. The fight is worth it because we have the hope of eternity with God.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
1Timothy 6:12

This verse is a call to action for all believers, challenging us to take up the fight for our faith.

Let’s look at this verse in more detail. First, the phrase “fight the good fight” implies that the Christian life is a battle. It’s not always easy, and there will be opposition from the world and the enemy. But we can take heart, knowing that God is with us and will give us the strength to persevere. Second, the phrase “take hold of the eternal life” reminds us that this life is not all there is. We have a hope that goes beyond this world and into eternity with God.

“We live in a world that is hostile to our faith. We may face opposition and persecution from those who are against Christ and his gospel. But we know that our victory is secure, and that we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37). We are called to stand our ground, to fight the good fight, and to defend our faith in the face of any threat. We are not alone in this battle, for the Holy Spirit is with us, strengthening us and guiding us.

In the Bible, there are many examples of people who stood up for their faith even when it was difficult or unpopular. For example, in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with the choice of bowing down to an idol or being thrown into a fiery furnace. They chose to stand up for their faith, and God miraculously protected them from the flames.

Persecution is a very real and difficult issue for many Christians around the world, especially in places like Nigeria. It can be hard to see so much suffering and persecution and not feel discouraged. But the Bible tells us not to lose heart, even when we face trials.

So, let us not grow weary of doing what is right. Let us be bold and courageous, ready to give an answer for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). Let us stand firm, loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Let us be faithful to the end, trusting that God will bring about his kingdom and that justice will prevail (2 Peter 3:13).

The Bible teaches that everything we have, including our time and resources, is a gift from God (1 Corinthians 4:7). So, we are to use what he has given us to build up his kingdom. This may involve giving financially to support the work of the gospel. But it also includes using our gifts and abilities to serve others, to help those in need, and to share the good news of Christ with others.

Today, I challenge you to take one step toward perseverance in your faith. It may be a small step, but it will make a big difference. Let’s choose to trust God even when things are difficult. Let’s choose to hold on to hope, even when it’s hard to see the way forward. And let’s choose to walk together, supporting and encouraging one another as we pursue the good fight of faith.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
-Harriet Tubman

“Our lives are a testament to what we believe. Let us be a light in the darkness, a force for good in the world. Let us follow Christ’s example, being willing to suffer for the sake of others. May we never lose heart, but instead may we press on in faith, hope, and love. Let us be a people of courage and conviction, making a difference for Christ in our generation. Let us run the race set before us and finish well.”

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Romans 5:3-4

SHALOM!

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