Skip to content The Good Fight of Faith - Pastor Rovis May 10 · 38 min ...more
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Empowering multimedia ministry for bold Christian living: Weekend Messages, Deep End Podcast, Deep Dive Bible Study. Tim Hatch, Lead Pastor, Waters Church, 26 years of pastoral ministry, book author.
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0:01 1st Timothy chapter 6 and verse 12 and I I wanna ask you to stand on your feet as we read the word of God together. There's power in the0:12 word and we must give it the honor that it deserves. 1st Timothy chapter 6 and verse 12, scripture says, fight the good0:24 fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life to which you are also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many0:36 witnesses. Shall we bow our heads in prayer? Heavenly father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for your word. We thank you for the entrance of your word brings0:47 illumination. Lord I pray that as we delve into the scriptures today, that we shall receive revelation and that will help us live better. That will help0:59 us continue to walk in faith and see the things that you've prepared for us. We pray against every destruction of the enemy that would rather come to steal that that you're planting1:11 in us today. We thank you Lord. For in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Please have you sit. I have given you permission to give your neighbor a high 5.1:23 And tell them welcome to church this morning. If your neighbor does not want to respond with a high 5, please tell them the preacher has said.1:36 Because I have authority right now for the next few minutes. And they must agree to everything that I am telling you to do. The title of my message is the good fight1:48 of faith. The good fight of faith. And Paul is writing Timothy, his son, and he's telling him something very key concerning our2:00 faith. And there are 2 words. The 1st 1, the 1st fight or the word fight is used twice.2:12 And there are 2 different Greek words that are used and translated with the same word fight. So the 1st fight denotes 1, 32:24 aspects, but the 1st 1 is to compete for a prize as in a game. So what is he saying? He's telling Timothy that fight in2:35 other words compete for a prize like in a game. Number 2 is contend with an adversary. Or with difficulties and dangers. And number2:47 3, says, endeavor to accomplish something, or obtain something. So watch this. He says the 1st fight, number 1, you are competing for a prize as in a2:59 game. Number 2, you are contending with an adversary or with difficulties and dangers. And number 3, he says, endeavor to accomplish3:10 something or obtain something. The 2nd fight, because there are 2 fights here. It says fight the good fight. The 2nd3:22 fight has something that it communicates to us here. So the 2nd fight is now where the 1st fight is3:34 taking place. Praise the Lord. So the 2nd fight is speaking about the arena. The place where the3:46 fight must take place. Praise the Lord. I say praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. He talks about an assembly. The the 2nd word after the word3:57 good has the idea of unassembly, the place of contest. The arena, the stadium. Then it also talks about a contest.4:10 So this faith that we are talking about is a contest. It's a battle. As in a game. And then the 3rd thing here, it also4:21 talks about the fact that we as believers must know where the action must happen. So let me say this. The 1st 1 says we are4:33 competing, contending and endeavoring. Somebody say competing. Contending. Contending. And endeavoring. So you and I are4:45 competing for something. And please don't get me wrong. Scripture says work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Work out what has already been given to you,4:57 not work for your salvation. We salvation is not worked for. Salvation is not earned. Salvation is a gift from God. But we are supposed to work it. Praise the Lord.5:09 So in other words, what has been given to me on the inside, because I, all I did was to believe in Jesus, it was given to me, but I must work it. I5:21 must do something on the outside, so that that salvation, that faith can grow. Faith is a muscle, so you need to work it. Help me tell your neighbor,5:33 faith is a muscle. You need to work it. So he's saying that we are competing, containing and endeavoring in an arena where the5:45 contest of battle, the game is about faith. It's not about who can run fast. It's not about who can jump the highest or who can5:57 throw the farthest in this arena, it is about faith. Let's go to Ephesians chapter 6 and verses 16. The scripture says, above6:08 all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench. Mark that word quench. All the fiery darts of the wicked 1. Above all.6:20 And he's saying above all it means after all these things I have pointed to you. Above all. So can I now say that the shield of faith is6:32 the most important piece of our spiritual armour? Praise the Lord. Because it says above all. Above all6:44 taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the enemy. The word above all in my literal English means most important6:56 of all. Use the shield of faith. So why is this fight of faith? Why why is it so important? 1st Peter chapter 5 and verse 8 to7:07 9. 1st Peter chapter 5 8 to 9. Let's read together. It says be sober. Be vigilant. Because your adversary, the devil walks about7:19 like a rolling lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith. He says it again, knowing that the same sufferings are7:31 experienced by your brotherhood in the world. He says resist him steadfast in the faith. Again the word faith is showing up. So there is an enemy who wants to rob us7:43 of our faith. Oh you missed a good place to say amen. Amen. The enemy Satan is so afraid of our faith. That he does everything in his power7:54 to try and discourage us. That's why this message is important to us today. Think of how important faith is in the believer's life. Why is this faith important?8:06 Let's look at some ways faith is why this fight of faith? Why are we contending in the arena of faith? Number 1, write this down. Faith is how we please God.8:19 Faith is how we please God. Hebrews chapter 11 and verses 23, 118:31 and verses 6, beg your pardon, it says, but without faith, it is impossible to please him. For he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he's a rewarder of those that diligently8:43 seek him. Watch this, he says, God, that means God rewards through faith. Hallelujah. God rewards through faith. Romans chapter8:54 14 and verse 23. The 2nd importance of faith, faith is what receives from God. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats because he does9:06 not eat from faith. For whatever is not from faith is sin. Ladies and gentlemen, the Bible says that if you don't walk in faith, you have sinned against God. Hallelujah.9:18 Hallelujah. How many sinners do we have this morning? Including myself. Because there are so many instances where I have not walked in faith. I9:30 have looked at the things around me and I have concluded I think this is impossible. This will never happen to me. Who said so? If God said it, he will be9:42 sure to fulfill it. Praise the Lord. Because he's God. All by himself. 1 of my friends told me, he says, we can ask God questions,9:54 but we can never question God.10:08 About 15 years ago, we lost our daughter, our 2nd born. She only lived for a few hours. I was broken. As a minister of God, a10:20 pastor, I started asking, I said, God, why? Why would you do this? Why would you do this? After many years of pouring into10:32 other people. Several years later I have never received an answer. Sometimes actually most times God doesn't answer10:44 such questions. But my faith in God remains steadfast. Amen. Because good or bad, he doesn't change. He's still God all by himself.10:56 And he still loves us. Praise the name of Jesus. So this morning, I came to encourage your faith. The sad thing, why is this faith important?11:08 Is faith is how we walk with God. 2nd Corinthians 5 and verse 7 says 4, we walk by faith and not11:20 by sight. If you 1st see before you believe, that is not called faith. It is called proper planning. Praise the Lord. Amen. That's not11:32 faith. If you 1st see things, then you believe it. That's what the word says, he said no, I will believe it when I see it. For us believers, it is a reverse order. Do you know? The11:43 kingdom of God is an operating system. So if we understand the way the kingdom works, then our faith is gonna grow, hallelujah. When he says the kingdom of God is at hand, it is11:55 within us. Faith is built within us. Faith is how we quench the fiery darts of the enemy. That's the next 1. Faith is how we quench the fiery darts of the12:07 wicked 1. Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 17. If we lose faith, we get hit by the fiery darts of the wicked 1. So if you lose faith then you've12:19 given access to the enemy to hit you. Praise the Lord. Number 4, faith is how we minister to others. Faith is how we minister12:31 to others. Galatians chapter 3 and verse 5. Says therefore he who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you does he do12:43 it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith. Did you hear that? The 1 who supplies the spirit. So we we we receive.12:55 We minister to others. There's another scripture in Galatians chapter 3 and verse 5. I think I read that. Therefore he who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you. Does he not13:07 do it by the spirit of or by the hearing of faith? James chapter 5 verse 14 to 15.13:19 Let's read James. It says, is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him. Anoint him with oil. In the name of the13:31 Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick. And the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins he will be forgiven. The prayer of faith. So today when13:43 you step out in faith, the Lord shall move on your behalf. I don't know what it is, maybe you received the report, doctors report with a diagnosis, it could be cancer, it could be a terminal13:54 disease. I I have good tidings for you. Believe God. Lift your faith. It shall be so and not otherwise, in Jesus mighty name. Faith is how14:06 we lay hold on eternal life. That's number 5. Faith is how we lay hold on eternal life. 1st Timothy chapter 614:18 and verse 12. God has given us the free gift of eternal life. But we need to have a firm grip on it. That's why Paul is telling, Timothy said fight, the good14:29 fight. We need to make a tight hold on eternal life. How it, how do we do that? Through faith? If we lose our faith, we lose our grip on God's14:41 free gift of eternal life. We must continue walking the life of faith. Praise the Lord. How does the enemy work to14:53 weaken or rob us of our faith? So if this faith is important, then we need to know why does the enemy work tooth and nail to rob us15:05 of our faith in God. 1st of all, Romans 10 and verse 17 say faith comes by hearing and hearing by God's word and knowing God through his word. So the15:16 enemy comes and robs us of our faith through these things. And I want you to watch out for this. The 1st 1, write it down, distractions.15:29 Destructions that keep us from the word of God. We become too busy. Sometimes, we are actually doing legitimate things.15:41 Let me say something to you, Waters Church. Not everything good is Godly. There are some good things and they're15:53 good. There's nothing wrong with them, but God is not in them. Where I come from, we thought that everything from America is16:04 good until I came to America. And I saw16:16 food that is not good. I saw people that don't look good. And I said, oh, all this time they lied to us.16:30 Not every single and I had this what they call the American dream. Oh, today I came to introduce to you the God dream. Hallelujah. Amen. Destructions,16:42 they come to rob us of our faith in God. We must intentionally take time to read, meditate and declare the word of God. Amen. Number 2,16:53 lies and deceptions. Write that down. Lies and deceptions. Lies bind truth sets free. Lies bind and the enemy uses lies.17:05 That's why scripture says that be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do not conform any longer to the standard. Be renewed, so lies. He comes and whispers to you. He says, did God17:17 really say? He's lying to you. He's saying, you know, you're you're gonna die. I was I was a few years ago, I had a stomach17:29 infection. And I tried everything, medication, antibiotics, I wasn't getting well. So I went to see doctor who was recommended by17:41 somebody. I think they have a specialty in what happens in the stomach. I don't know what you call them. But that will be for another time. Praise the Lord. And and so I went and this doctor17:53 he says he said pastor 1 of the things you have to stop doing is you have to stop fasting. Because fasting is causing a lot of problems. I said doctor,18:05 I am a pastor. I can't stop fasting. Because fasting is what helps me grow spiritually. Because scripture says there are some things that will not go except by18:17 prayer and fasting. So I disobeyed the doctor. I'm sorry if you're a doctor and you're here. I disobeyed the doctor. I called it 21 day prayer and fasting in my church. And during the18:28 21 days the Lord completely healed me of the infection. It's been 10 years. So faith does not deny18:40 the facts but it defies them. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah to the lamb of God. Lies and deceptions that make us question the word of God. Number 3,18:51 difficult circumstances. As soon as we hear the promises of God, what happens? Then we begin to face some problems that seem to challenge God's19:03 promises. Listen to me child of God. Don't doubt during the day what God told you in the middle of the night. It's still true.19:15 The enemy specializes in coming during the day and tells you, whispers to your ears and he says, I don't think that was true. What God19:27 told you in the night, he says, yeah, I think you are you are sleep talking. So it's that's don't listen. When things get tough, choose to believe God.19:39 The enemy comes and says, did God really say that you can have eternal life through faith in Jesus? Yes, he said it. And we believe it. Hallelujah. Did God really say19:51 that he will bless the works of your hands? Yes, he said it. And on and on and on. So we stand on the fact that God's word is truth and God cannot lie. His word is20:03 forever settled in heaven. Praise the Lord. Scripture says, let your will be done here on us as it is in heaven. Hallelujah.20:15 And number 4, this is how the enemy robs and weakens our faith. He neutralizes God's word through wrong20:27 theology. Sometimes people, sometimes they mean well, sometimes have you had people in your life who come and they explain the promises of God out of20:39 your life? They said, you know what, you need to use logic and rob you of your faith in God.20:51 Don't allow it. Never allow the enemy to rob you out of your face because your faith in God is precious. Somebody say, my faith in God is precious.21:03 So you have to protect it. You have to guard it. Something precious you guard it. You protect it. I remember back21:15 at home when I 1st bought my 1st car, little car, because as a pastor, part of your job description is make sure you transport everyone you find on the way to church. Hallelujah.21:27 Yeah, that's where I come from. So you put some of them in a trunk, everybody has to get to church. And if you don't take them, they will they will say you you may not make it to heaven. How do you dare leave me?21:40 So I just bought my my car, my 1st car, and then and things begin to happen and and and I21:52 was like God so so how are we going to do this? How are we how am I going to get all these people and take them to church? And then you're thinking about the gas. You're thinking about22:04 wear and tear and and and God says well my my my will is my bill. Take care of my people and I will continue providing for you.22:16 Some of us sometimes we stop God's provision for us because we are not obedient. We are not walking in faith. Praise the Lord. We are not. There are things that22:28 look normal to us here in America, but in Africa there it's precious. You wake up in the morning and open the fridge, and there's every22:39 manna of food. That's not the story in Africa. So if God has taught us how to live by faith, then you need to have double faith or triple faith. Praise the22:51 Lord. How to fight the fight of faith. All the scriptures that we read at the beginning are calling us to act. There is an action23:03 we need to see. We are called to take. Scripture says fight the good fight. Somebody say fight the good fight. Fight the good fight. Take the shield of faith. Take23:15 shield of faith. Resist him. Resist him. Steadfast in faith. Steadfast in faith. So it's telling us to fight, to23:27 take, and to resist all these are verbs. Things we must do as we engage in conflict. All the scriptures we read are saying to you,23:39 believer it says fight the good fight. Do you know why Paul calls it the good fight? He calls it the good fight because the good fight is the fight where you know the victory. You know that you are already23:50 on the winning side. Praise the Lord. Amen. And I think that is an encouragement to us believers that we are engaging in a fight where we know who takes the day. And Jesus24:02 takes the day. To fight the good fight. Take the shield of faith. Resist him steadfast in the faith. So24:14 based on what we see in the scriptures, there are 3 practices that are going to help us fight the good fight of faith. Praise the Lord. Write this down. Number 1,24:26 feed your faith with the word. Feed your faith with the word. I know sometimes we wake up in the morning24:38 and we want to open our phones or whatever you use and read quotes from people. They look nice, or they appear nice,24:50 but there's nothing that can replace the word of God. I listen to podcasts, but not even the podcast should replace your moment that you spend in the word25:02 of God. Feed your faith with the word. Not with quotes from the pastor. They may be from the word but they are surely not the word.25:13 Feed your faith with the word of God. Praise the Lord. Feed your faith. Our faith is birthed, nurtured and strengthened through the word. Read the word.25:25 Meditate in the word. Read God's promises over the different areas of your life. Your family, your future, your children, your ministry. Declare these words from the word25:37 of God over everything that concerns you. That's how you fight the good fight of faith because he said, fight the good25:49 fight. What you do and where you do it. Hallelujah. Amen. Number 2, speak your faith in the word.26:02 Speak your faith in the word. The Lord Jesus taught us in the scriptures, Mark chapter 11 verse 22 to 23.26:14 Told us to speak to the mountains. Speak words that express our faith in God and his word. Declare the promises of God26:25 concerning your life. 1 of my friends told me, he said, whatever life throws at you, there's a promise26:37 in the word concerning what you're going through. Praise the Lord. The problem is that, because you haven't opened your bible, you don't know that it is there. So this is26:49 what the enemy does, he comes and sows seeds of doubt. He says that's not in the bible. Where in the bible does God talk about finances? There's lots of scriptures. Where God talks27:01 about faithfulness with your finances. Praise the Lord. Amen. Where where does God in the bible say that we we we must come to church on Sunday. Well scripture says we don't27:13 give up the habit of meeting together. Like most of you are doing. Fellowship. Having a community of believers. Let me tell you it doesn't matter how much you pray. How spiritual you are, you are going to go27:25 through tough times. They are going to come. And we are living in a day and time where we have the the hyper faith and and hyper grace where they say, oh for as long as you are born again, nothing27:37 evil, that's a lie from the pit of hell. Amen. As a Christian, you're going to face some tough times. Amen. And I came with good news today. What is church? That even through the27:48 tough situations, the Lord is on your side. Amen. The scripture says he will never leave you nor forsake you. Amen. He's right there with you. Even this morning. I don't know what you're going28:00 through, but I bring good tidings, he's right there with you. So speak and declare God's promises over different areas of your life. And walk with God your spiritual life,28:12 your victory, your health, your finances, your future, your family, your children, your ministry, it doesn't matter. Speak the promises of God concerning every area28:24 of your life. Hallelujah to the lamb of God. And and sometimes you need to get out of the comfort zone. You need to get out of places that are familiar. 1 of the things I have28:36 learned about God is God gets all the blessings and puts them outside of your comfort zone.28:51 Number 3, act your faith in the word. It is good to feed your faith with the word. It is good to speak your faith in the word.29:03 But it's also important to act your faith in the word. Do things that are aligned to and agree with God's word and express your faith in God. Praise the Lord.29:15 If God has delivered you from something, what business do you have walking back into that something? Do something about it.29:29 Don't say ah you see the Lord. You see ah this is what I always say to my church. I say church begins on Monday. Sunday is garage time.29:41 A lot of us on Sunday morning, we are full of faith. And Monday, dropping your kids to school and someone just comes in front of you, you say, oh, this face thing, I will29:53 meet it on Sunday at church. And some words come out of you that are not very spiritual. And you say I will repent after this. No. Do something about it. Act your faith in the30:04 word. Sometimes you need to restrain yourself. Praise the Lord. Because you have the audience of 1, hallelujah. God is always watching.30:18 Do things that are aligned and agree with God's word and express your faith in God. Sometimes, let me say this to you water starts, sometimes you need to walk away from people that are negative.30:31 Because they are not feeding your faith. This is what they said, they say it's okay to compromise a little bit. Don't play with Satan.30:43 His mission is to steal, kill and destroy. It is only Jesus that came to give us life and give it us in abundance. So don't give a devil, you give him a foothold, he takes 7.30:55 Some of us have entertained him in our homes. Your kids keep having bad dreams. You know why? The stuff they watch.31:07 So as a man and a woman full of faith, you need to act your faith in the word. There are some shows that you need to take off from your children. Amen. I don't care how much they cry. They will31:19 appreciate you after many hours. Hallelujah. Amen. I don't care how much they cry because kids here in America cry so so so much. If you take away stuff from them, they cry and they say take me to31:31 the ER. No. Say no. Act your faith in the words. And say this shall not31:43 work in this home. Let your children know that your faith in God is growing. Praise the Lord. Walk away from some relationships.31:55 Let me tell you something. A few years ago when I the Lord called me into the ministry, my family, my own family members, let me say this to you, sometimes your family members, they don't have to agree32:07 with everything you tell them. Some of us are waiting for family members to say, yes, God called you. It may take a lifetime for them to say God actually called you. But I believe that God had called me into the ministry32:18 and I took a state. My father, he went to be with the Lord. He said, oh, I don't think you would turn out to be a preacher. I don't think so. He says, who in the family32:30 is a preacher? There's none. You want to be the 1st 1? I said, yes sir. I want to be the 1st 1. And today my family has 4 pastors. Praise the Lord. Because I took32:42 a stake. I took a stake, act your faith in the word of God. I like to read the last scripture. 2nd Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 2.32:55 2nd Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 2. I want to activate the atmosphere for prayer right now. Because I feel God wants to do something.33:07 In the room. 2nd Corinthians 6 and verse 2 for he says in unacceptable time I heard you. And in the33:19 day of salvation I have helped you. Behold now is the accepted. Approved. Pleasing. Favorable. Time.33:32 Behold now is the time of salvation. Not tomorrow. Now. Ladies and gentlemen God wants to deliver your family now. God wants to deliver you from that addiction33:43 now. That's why he says fight the good fight of faith. Because you're seated here and your mind is resting. Should I believe God? Should I not? Well, I have good news.33:55 Believe God that he can deliver you from anything that is holding you back. In the name of Jesus. Hallelujah through the lamb of God. So I came to34:06 announce to you what us church, now is the time of your salvation, not tomorrow, and salvation here may not mean delivering you from sin into34:18 eternal life. Salvation here means healing. Salvation here means restoration of your family. Salvation here means your children coming back home. Salvation means you34:30 coming to serve the Lord. So he says now, not tomorrow. And I feel his presence in the room right now. I want you to rise on your feet and raise34:42 your hands to heaven. In the name of Jesus. And let's bless the demand. Let's lean in. In Jesus name all over this room. Come on. Raise your hands to heaven. Oh. Lord, the34:53 fight of faith requires that we raise our level of expectation. So thank you Lord because faith, the seeds of faith have been sowed this morning. In the name of Jesus.35:06 In the name of Jesus. I want to pray for that man and that woman. Lord, whose face has been on the test.35:18 Oh Lord, and they are on the verge of throwing in the towel, of giving up and saying, God, I I believed you for too long and this thing is just not working. He says,35:30 fight. The good fight of faith So put an action to your faith right now. Open your mouth and begin to talk to35:41 him. All over this room, raise your hands to heaven. Yes. Yes. Vision35:54 is being restored. Dead dreams are coming to life in the name of Jesus. Yes. Sickness is being healed in the name of Jesus. That's why he says fight.36:06 Fight the mindset that says no. God cannot heal you. Fight it and say God by your stripes. I am healed. By your stripes I am healed.36:18 Confusion. No more confusion. There shall be clarity concerning your dream. There shall be clarity concerning your calling. In the name of Jesus.36:32 Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord. You are restoring marriages. Marriages that were broken. And some of these couples had lost faith. And they're saying36:43 well I think that is, this is what it is. You are a God of miracles. And so we call on you. We bless36:55 your holy name. We glorify your name. For in Jesus name we pray and everybody says come and lift those hands and give Jesus a club offering right now37:07 in Jesus mighty name. Come on. Come on. Come37:19 Listen to this child of God at the end of this service. I'm going to join the life group leaders here and I want to pray with you. I want to pray with you. The Bible says that the anointing37:31 breaks the yoke. Hallelujah. I said the anointing, there are some yolks that must be broken here this morning in Jesus name. I said, there are some yolks that must be broken in Jesus name. So, go ahead and37:42 celebrate Jesus. Come on. Come on.
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