Living Genuine Faith Amidst Trials and Temptations

Devotional

Day 1: Heartfelt Obedience

True obedience to God's commandments is not about perfect adherence but stems from a heart transformed by a relationship with Jesus Christ. This transformation leads to a genuine desire to align with God's will, naturally resulting in repentance and a longing to avoid breaking God's heart. When believers fall short, they feel convicted and seek God's forgiveness, demonstrating a heart that seeks to obey out of love rather than obligation. This heartfelt obedience is a reflection of a life aligned with God's desires, where the struggle against sin is met with repentance and a sincere effort to follow His commandments. [00:46]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a commandment you struggle with. How can you invite God to transform your heart in this area today?

Day 2: Perseverance in Faith

The tribulation, as described in the Bible, serves as a test of faith, emphasizing the need for perseverance. True believers are those who endure, keeping their faith in Jesus despite challenges and trials. This perseverance is a reflection of genuine faith and is crucial in navigating the trials of life. It is not about avoiding difficulties but about maintaining faith and trust in Jesus through them. The ability to persevere is a testament to the strength of one's faith and the depth of their relationship with Christ. [19:04]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you actively choose to persevere in faith through this situation today?

Day 3: Cultural Challenges

Christians today face significant cultural pressures that challenge biblical principles. The influence of social media and societal pressures often contradicts God's word, making it difficult to stand firm in faith. The call is to return to foundational Christian values like integrity, hard work, and perseverance. Believers are urged to resist societal influences and remain steadfast in their faith, ensuring that their lives reflect God's principles rather than the world's values. This requires a conscious effort to prioritize God's word over cultural norms. [22:09]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a cultural influence that challenges your faith. What practical steps can you take today to align more closely with biblical principles in this area?

Day 4: Judgment and Accountability

There are two judgments: the final judgment for unbelievers and the judgment seat of Christ for believers. While works do not save us, they reflect our faith and will be evaluated. This accountability encourages believers to live lives that produce genuine, lasting fruit. It is a reminder that our actions have eternal significance and that we are called to live in a way that honors God and reflects our faith in Him. This understanding of judgment and accountability should motivate believers to examine their lives and ensure they are producing fruit that aligns with God's will. [45:15]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your recent actions. How can you ensure that your daily choices reflect your faith and produce lasting fruit?

Day 5: Genuine Faith and Fruit

A life built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ produces genuine fruit, characterized by humility, happiness, and holiness. Believers are called to examine their lives for these fruits, ensuring their faith is not just professed but lived out in tangible ways. Genuine faith is evidenced by the fruit it produces, and this fruit is a testament to the depth and authenticity of one's relationship with Christ. It is not enough to simply profess faith; it must be demonstrated through actions and attitudes that reflect Christ's character. [57:30]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: Examine your life for evidence of spiritual fruit. What is one specific area where you can cultivate more fruitfulness in your relationship with Christ today?

Sermon Summary

In Revelation 14, the focus is on avoiding God's wrath by keeping His commandments, which is a reflection of a heart aligned with Him through Jesus Christ. It's not about perfect obedience but about a genuine relationship with God that naturally leads to a desire to follow His commandments. This is evident in the struggle against sin, where true believers feel convicted and repentant when they fall short. The sermon emphasizes that a lifestyle of unrepentant sin is dangerous, while a heart that seeks God's help and forgiveness is on the right path.

The tribulation, as described in various parts of the Bible, is a time of great distress, but it also serves as a test of faith. Different interpretations exist regarding the tribulation and the end times, but the key takeaway is the importance of perseverance and maintaining faith in Jesus Christ. The sermon highlights the dangers of legalism and the importance of a heart that genuinely seeks to obey God out of love, not obligation.

The message also addresses the cultural challenges facing Christians today, such as the influence of social media and societal pressures that contradict biblical principles. It calls for a return to foundational Christian values like integrity, hard work, and perseverance. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the two judgments: the final judgment for unbelievers and the judgment seat of Christ for believers, where our works will be evaluated. The ultimate goal is to live a life that reflects genuine faith and produces lasting fruit.

Key Takeaways

1. Heartfelt Obedience: True obedience to God's commandments stems from a heart transformed by a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's not about perfect adherence but about a genuine desire to align with God's will, which naturally leads to repentance and a longing to avoid breaking God's heart. [00:46]
2. Perseverance in Faith: The tribulation serves as a test of faith, emphasizing the need for perseverance. True believers are those who endure, keeping their faith in Jesus despite challenges. This perseverance is a reflection of genuine faith and is crucial in navigating the trials of life. [19:04]
3. Cultural Challenges: Christians face significant cultural pressures that challenge biblical principles. The sermon calls for a return to foundational values like integrity and perseverance, urging believers to stand firm in their faith and resist societal influences that contradict God's word. [22:09]
4. Judgment and Accountability: There are two judgments: the final judgment for unbelievers and the judgment seat of Christ for believers. While works do not save us, they reflect our faith and will be evaluated. This accountability encourages believers to live lives that produce genuine, lasting fruit. [45:15]
5. Genuine Faith and Fruit: A life built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ produces genuine fruit, characterized by humility, happiness, and holiness. Believers are called to examine their lives for these fruits, ensuring their faith is not just professed but lived out in tangible ways. [57:30]
** [57:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction: Avoiding God's Wrath
[00:33] - Commandments and Heart Reflection
[01:03] - Repentance and Genuine Faith
[02:32] - Understanding the Tribulation
[03:44] - The Angels' Messages
[04:17] - Historical Perspectives on Revelation
[06:45] - Patience of the Saints
[09:27] - Keeping the Commandments
[14:37] - Struggling with Sin
[19:04] - Perseverance and Faith
[22:09] - Cultural Challenges
[29:43] - Legalism vs. Genuine Obedience
[45:15] - Judgment and Accountability
[57:30] - Genuine Faith and Fruit

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Revelation 14:12 - "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Matthew 24:21 - "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
1 John 2:3 - "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

---

Observation Questions:

What does Revelation 14:12 say about the characteristics of the saints? How does this relate to the concept of perseverance mentioned in the sermon? [06:45]
How does the sermon describe the tribulation, and what are some of the biblical references used to explain it? [02:32]
According to 1 John 2:3, what is the evidence of knowing God, and how does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on heartfelt obedience? [24:14]
What are the two types of judgments mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ in their purpose and outcome? [44:22]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon interpret the relationship between keeping God's commandments and having a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ? Why is this distinction important? [00:46]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that cultural challenges can impact a believer's faith, and how should Christians respond to these pressures? [22:09]
What does the sermon imply about the dangers of legalism, and how can believers ensure their obedience to God stems from love rather than obligation? [29:43]
How does the sermon explain the role of perseverance in a believer's life, especially during times of tribulation? What does this reveal about the nature of genuine faith? [19:04]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt convicted about breaking one of God's commandments. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to align your heart more closely with God's will? [01:03]
The sermon discusses the importance of perseverance in faith. Identify a current challenge in your life that is testing your faith. How can you actively persevere through it while maintaining your trust in Jesus? [19:04]
Consider the cultural pressures you face that may contradict biblical principles. What practical steps can you take to stand firm in your faith and uphold Christian values in your daily life? [22:09]
How do you currently evaluate your actions and decisions in light of the two judgments mentioned in the sermon? What changes might you need to make to ensure your life produces genuine, lasting fruit? [45:15]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and fruit. Choose one area of your life where you want to see more spiritual fruit. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate that fruit? [57:30]
How can you guard against the dangers of legalism in your own spiritual journey? What practices can help you ensure that your obedience to God is motivated by love rather than obligation? [29:43]
Reflect on the sermon’s call to return to foundational Christian values like integrity and hard work. Identify one value you want to strengthen in your life and outline a plan to develop it further. [22:09]

Sermon Clips

Keeping his Commandments are reflection of what is in your heart so we avoid his judgment by keeping his Commandments and keeping his Commandments flow from a right relationship with him through Jesus Christ you cannot know Jesus Christ and not keep God's Commandments thank God it didn't say perfectly but a true believer when he breaks the Commandments or the heart of God have you felt that before there's something ah oh I got to repent. [00:37:40]

The tribulation is Jacob's distress in Jeremiah it's the seventh week 70th week of Daniel it's the tribulation of Matthew 24 it's the day of the Lord in first Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians so the Bible uses different times in scripture uh to to really get the point across that there is a day of tribulation coming and some of you are here for your first time you can go back and listen to other messages where I talk about the different views. [00:58:44]

Here is the patience of the Saints here is the patience of the Saints here are those who keep the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus so these who T who persevere the true saints of God they are those who keep the Commandments and again Works do not save us but they do reflect us they reflect the true condition of our heart. [01:08:12]

Keep my Commandments and Jesus actually says those who keep my Commandments if they don't they don't love me and this passage says these are the true saints of God who keep my Commandments keep his Commandments that we keep is the same word that a ship's Captain would keep to reach his destination so when they sell from New York to England do you think they do a straight perfect line no never ever. [01:34:32]

Perseverance because when it comes to health and fitness it can't be a a diet a 30-day diet is not going to change my lifetime lifetime struggle it's perseverance it's getting back up it's falling forward it's getting back on track perseverance ask any CEO of a company if they had to persevere any moms out there did you have to persevere through parenting perseverance perseverance. [02:04:24]

I truly believe whether it's the enemy of our soul of course there's an assault against these biblical principles billions of dollars are invested because influence matters right that's why they call them social media influencers they influence you I tell my little kids why you why watching a video has 6 million views and all they're doing is building a house and knocking it down. [02:29:31]

Changing your gender does not give you hope and peace and so these biblical principles right that are so important character honesty Integrity hard work perseverance they're all being removed removed from our culture. [02:44:26]

We can be sure that we do know Christ if we obey his commandment if someone claims I know God but doesn't obey God's Commandments Taylor Swift Ice spice you see her next to her in the football game she's doing that devil sign and all that stuff I don't think it's conspiracy I think these people are the it's wicked wicked wicked stuff that's going on. [03:00:08]

I truly believe over the last decade or so we have become so weak so woke don't offend no it some things need to offend some things need to offend and and wake us up not being mean and and you know of course racist and all these things but but we need to be wow did the Bible say I'm a liar is he calling me a liar yeah it is. [03:20:03]

The Holy Spirit Will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and the judgment and then I I got these these slides to them on Friday morning I I didn't have time to reference it but it goes on to say I think it's in Revelation they saw the Dead the great the small and there the great the great books were open the great book was open and God judges them. [03:51:12]

I just I just don't like people that's the god of the Old Testament You Preach do you know I hear that I'm going to break it down for you in case you don't know here's what they're really saying shut up with that hard stuff to hear leave that judgment blood atonement repentance Le that's the old stuff I like the new stuff tell me what I want to hear tickle my ears don't challenge my heart. [04:58:11]

There are three effects of being near Christ three effects of being near Christ humility happiness and Holiness and there's genuine fruit in a believer's heart there's genuine fruit you know you again we we all come in here limping don't we limping and I blew it last week and and I and I'm trying I got angry on my way to church this traffic anybody doesn't else doesn't like slow traffic or just me okay. [05:43:42]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Living Genuine Faith Amidst Trials and Temptations

Devotional

Day 1: Heartfelt Obedience

Day 2: Perseverance in Faith

Day 3: Cultural Challenges

Day 4: Judgment and Accountability

Day 5: Genuine Faith and Fruit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living Genuine Faith Amidst Trials and Temptations

Share