Let us Hold Fast

THE BEST THING ABOUT US IS JESUS.

2 Pe 1:1 &mdash Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 4:14 — Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

1. The Beginner and Completer of our Faith

Hebrews 12:2 — Looking unto Jesus the author ['beginner','pioneer','captian'] and finisher [consummator] of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

• Jesus is the UNIQUE source of Christian faith. (not faith in faith, not faith in ourselves, he is the the originator, pioneer, captain and giver of our faith.)

  • Church, Keep Your eyes on the Christ.

  • We have been given HIS WORD, THE HOLY GHOST, GIFTS to the BODY (including ministers and spiritual gifts) but all these in their TRUE FORM GLORIFY CHRIST.

  • All that which distracts FROM Christ, must be purged. IT IS NOT HELPING.

  • My SPOUSE does't want to live right, A GODLY WIFE and certainly a GODLY HUSBAND can be a SANCTIFYING presence in their home.

  • PULL THE PLUG

  • "I PLEAD THE BLOOD". PASSOVER & CRAZY PENTECOSTALS: "Pleading the blood is not begging God to do something. It is not a statement of unbelief or fear! Pleading the blood is asking God to provide what Jesus’ blood has already purchased. It’s a statement of faith about what happened at Calvary."

  • Testimony from the Azusa Street Revival in the early 1900s was given that, William Seymour, "plead the blood" over the sick. They were healed and received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

• BY THE INFLUENCE OF THIS CHRIST: 2 Peter 1:1 — OBTAINED: to lot, i.e. determine (by implication, receive) especially by lot:--his lot be, cast lots, obtain. ALLOTTED

2 Pe 1:1 &mdash Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2. Having Been Alloted this FAITH, we have made PROFESSIONS/CONFESSIONS -- Moved Upon by God's Spirit we have declared:

• We have made this confession not cause we were excitable, or emotionally caught up in the moment -- God has touched your heart. OF FAITH
• NOT AGGRIPPA: "ALMOST"
• Abraham "I won't steal a shoelace of glory away from God."
• David "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
• Peter "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee."
• Bro. Johnny told us his family were 'hard shell' Baptist before His Uncle brought the message of PENTECOST to the family. IT WAS DEFINITE CHANGE IN DIRECTION AND SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS. -- The name of the church PUT IT ON SIGN "UPPER ROOM GOSPEL TABERNACLE"
• "I am a Christian." (I don't just do Christian things, but my faith is going to be what DEFINES ME.)
• "I Surrender All"
• "I Will Serve Thee"
• "The World Behind Me, the Cross Before Me"
• "Whatever it Takes"
• "I'm not Given Up" / "I'm Not Gonna Walk Away"
• "I'll Live for Jesus Day After Day"

3. Let Us Hold Fast

2 Timothy 1:11-12 — Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Hebrews 4:14 — Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

• HOLD FAST -- Live our Lives CONSISTENT with our PROFESSION of Faith | CONFESSION | HOLD TIGHTLY

• first is the PROFESSING but then follows the LIVING.

• Our Profession of Faith doesn't just expire like a gallon of milk. YOU EITHER LIVE IT or YOU LAY IT DOWN.

4. How?

• MINISTRY MINDED: The O.T. High Priest wore both on his shoulders and his breast all 12 names of the tribes of Israel.

• SPIRIT LED: Earnestly desire God's leading. When you worship shut everything else out and focus on the PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST -- He is not distant, he is not a relic, he is PERSON and HE IS PRESENT.

• ANOINTING QUALLIFIED: Our credentials must PRIMARILY be those given by the Holy Ghost. CONSECREATION IS REQUIRED.

• EASILY IDENTIFIABLE O.T. priests were distinguised by their uniforms as the ministers of God. If we are wondering where we stand, what do we think those around us are thinking?

• The Beauty and Majesty of Christ. This should be the PRIMARY influence of our worship and our work.

1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (2 Chronicles 20:21 ; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 96:9)