Struggles of Faith

18 Unanswered Prayer or Delays in Answer to Prayer

God’s Promises to Hear and Answer Prayer:Jeremiah 33:3Matthew 7:7-81 John 5:14Psalm 34:17 1. The Perplexing Reality of Unanswered PrayerEven saints who walk closely with God experience the anguish of seemingly unanswered prayer. Scripture does not shy away from this reality.•  Psalm 13:1•  Job 30:20•  Lamentations 3:8Yet even this pain has been felt by our Lord:“My…

16 Triumph Over Temptation – Standing Firm in the Battle

Theme:Understanding and resisting temptation from Satan and the world through the power of Christ. Introduction:Temptation is the universal experience of every believer.Jesus Himself was tempted (Hebrews 4:15), yet without sin, and He taught us to pray,“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).We live in a fallen world, opposed by the…

13 Awake, O Sleeper: The Sin of Sloth and the Call to Holy Diligence

Romans 12v11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (ESV) Introduction:The Nature and Danger of Sloth 1. Defining Sloth Biblically1.1   Key Biblical Terms       a. Slothful (oknēros): sluggish, backward in effort.       b. Idle: refusing labour when duty calls.       c. Apathy: spiritual indifference, coldness of heart.       d. Proverbs 13:4.1.2 A Practical Definition     …

12 Redeemed from Addiction and Gluttony: Victory in Christ

Theme:Christ redeems sinners enslaved to gluttony and addiction, empowering them to live in self-controlled freedom for His glory. Introduction:Understanding Addiction and Gluttony in a Broken World. Biblical Definitions:Gluttony is the overindulgence of God’s gifts, especially food and drink, to the point that it becomes idolatrous, self-centred, and enslaving.Proverbs 23:20-21: “Be not among drunkards or among…

11 Dealing with Anxiety and Fear

Philippians 4:4-9Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,…

10 Doubt and Lack of Faith

Mark 9v24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (ESV) 1. The nature of doubt and lack of faith. 2. The dangers of doubt. 3. God’s compassion toward doubters. 4. The remedies for doubt. 5. Encouragement for doubting believers.

09 Little Children, Keep Yourselves from Idols

1 John 5 v21 1. The Biblical Definition of IdolatryIdolatry is giving ultimate love, loyalty, trust, fear, or worship to anything or anyone other than the one true God.– Exodus 20:3–4– Romans 1:25Here are two things to note:a. Idolatry may be external, worshiping an image, bowing before a relic, burning incense to a statue.b. Idolatry…