Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:23-27

It takes a family to raise a child, and it takes faith to make a family. The most powerful and influential people on the earth are mothers and fathers of faith.

Hebrews 11 tells the story of the prophet Moses’ divine appointment, which would not have existed if not for his parents, Amram and Jochebed.

There are four principles to learn from their indispensable faith, as we learn the importance of our family faith.

“By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents because they saw that he was a proper child…” (v. 23).

First, faith sees every child as the special handiwork of God.

It is our responsibility to raise our children specifically and individually, by God’s daily guidance.

Second, faith sees every conflict as spiritual.

Amram and Jochebed hid Moses for three months because the King had commanded that baby boys be killed. By faith, they recognized this physical conflict as a spiritual conflict between the gods of Egypt and Almighty God.

In these treacherous days, raising children takes more than wit, wisdom, and good intentions. Raising children is a spiritual battle, and our only hope is a solid faith in Jesus Christ.

Third, faith sees every challenge as solvable.

As Adrian Rogers says, “faith doesn’t throw in the towel,” nor is it “intimidated by the sinister minister of fear.” We have the victory, because, “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

When facing challenges, we must do all we can do with a spirit of optimism. If it is God’s will, we can trust that He will move heaven and earth for our children.

Finally, faith sees every choice as significant.

Hebrews 11 notes that because Moses’ values were established in him by his parents, he valued his faith more than all the riches of Egypt.

Moses embraced the virtues of knowing Christ eternally, and rejected the vices of this world, refusing to be called Pharaoh’s son (v. 24).

Because Moses’ parents raised him by faith, he became an example of Psalm 112:2: "…the generation of the upright shall be blessed.”

Apply it to your life
Are you raising your children by faith, recognizing the spiritual conflict? Do you see every challenge as solvable and every choice as significant?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: James 1:21-25

We cannot grow as Christians if we are not actively studying the Word of God. It’s not enough to know facts about and within Scripture. When we go to the Bible to extract truth, we fail; rather, we must receive the truth and welcome it in.

The Book of James shows us how to understand the Bible, and reveals four ways to welcome the Word of God.

We first welcome the Word with a repentant spirit.

"Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). There is a moral qualification to hear from God; hangover sins and unrepentant hearts can keep us from understanding Scripture.

When we study the Bible, it is crucial that we first make a full confession of sin and ask God to search our hearts for any trace of wickedness.

We also welcome the Word with a receptive spirit, with meekness, which is a teachable spirit.

James 3:3 says, "Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body." Likewise, God wants to break us and take us under His control, making us sensitive to His commands.

Third, we welcome the Word with a responsive spirit.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22). Once we understand the Scripture we read, we must obey it; if we don’t, we are self-deceived.

Adrian Rogers says, “A study of the Bible gives you knowledge about God. Obedience gives you knowledge of God.”

Finally, we welcome the Word with a reflective spirit.

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25). When we read the Bible with a reflective spirit, the Bible reads us in return. It gives us a new perspective of our lives and shows our truest selves. Rather than quickly glancing at Scripture, we must learn to gaze into it.

Apply it to your life

Are you actively receiving the Word of God with a repentant heart and a receptive, responsive spirit? Remember, as Adrian Rogers says, “The best way to understand the part of the Bible you don’t understand, is to obey the part you do understand.”

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Romans 10:11-17

It is not by fame, feelings, fortune, friends, or fate, but by our faith that we measure our accomplishments.

Our belief is our greatest spiritual asset and richest currency. On the contrary, unbelief is our greatest stumbling block. This is why there is an immediate urgency to grow in a solid and exciting faith in God.

Romans 10 reveals the intricacies of biblical faith, what it is, and how to have it.

"For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame'” (Romans 10:11).

First, faith must be placed in the right object to be real.
When we rely on the wrong things, it can be dangerous to our spiritual health.

Adrian Rogers says, “Weak faith in the right object is better than misplaced faith in the wrong object.” We do not rely on positive thinking, or even in faith itself. True biblical faith is placed in Jesus Christ, alone.

Once we understand the reality of biblical faith, we can see the root of it, which is the Word of God.
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14). In order to spiritually grow, we must hear from God; we cannot know the will of God by guessing at it. It cannot be generated; it is given, as Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

When God speaks to us through His Word and Jesus Christ, we will see the result of our faith, which is the will of God.
Adrian Rogers says, “The will of God is not something that you must do; it is something you get to do.” The purpose of faith is to get God’s will done on Earth. He is sovereign; He remains in control at all times. What He says He will do, He will accomplish. We have the beautiful opportunity to take part in His will, through faith.



Apply it to your life
How are you going to release your faith today? True faith does more than merely believe; it translates into action. When you pray and ask God what to do, and how to accomplish His will for your life today, trust and obey Him.