Building One's Faith II Peter 1:5 I. Introduction. A. Abraham possessed a great faith in Jehovah: Romans 4:19. 1. Encouraged him in life, in problems, in joys and sorrows as well as on his journeys: the Lord accompanied Him. 2. This faith remained with him throughout life. 3. Even the prospect of a child in later life, he "wavered not." 4. Over a lifetime--Abraham built his faith. B. A faith must be built, strengthened and kept for one to please the Lord! C. How can a Christian build his/her faith? II. Body. One must keep in mind the following in order to have a strong personal faith. A. Need a proper foundation. 1. This is faith! a. The very substance of the disciple: Hebrews 12:1. b. If it is strong enough: all adversaries can be conquered. 2. No building ever stood with a poor foundation. a. Illustrate: Florida sand. b. Large buildings require strong foundations. 3. Cannot build with faulty materials: I Corinthians 2:5. 4. Paul stated: II Corinthians 5:7. 5. Note: I Corinthians 16:13. 6. Faith is the foundation: a place to grow. 7. Without faith, one cannot(and does not) progress. 8. Why many do not get off the ground: no strong faith! B. To build a proper faith, one needs an appropriate pattern. 1. Even among disciples, we can follow the wrong examples. 2. However much a human example may inspire, the Christian is to follow the examples of the New Testament. a. Christ, the apostles and inspired men established the path to be followed by disciples. b. When looking at one today: Can Christ be seen in that person? 3. The only book that contains the pattern for us is the New Testament. 4. When the pattern comes through Jesus Christ(and His law), it is to be followed. 5. Easy to look to men as a pattern. a. So long as follow Christ, good example. b. But: men are human(and when they fail, some who put their faith in such men, also fall). c. Did Jesus and His apostles ever do anything unkind or mean to you?(Don't blame them for others errors and mistakes!). 6. However devoted some may be--they cannot destroy or replace the pattern revealed in the New Testament.(You will be disappointed in men!) 7. One must build, as Paul, faith in the Son of God: Galatians 2:20. C. Appropriate materials must be used in building one's faith. 1. Based upon the word of God: Romans 1:16-17. 2. Imagine a structure that has a solid foundation, an excellent pattern but rotten materials are used for the rest of the structure. 3. Many have obeyed the first principles--but failed to build day by day and their weakened faith destroyed them. 4. Only God's word supplies the materials! 5. Note: Luke 14:28-30. 6. Cannot put faith in: a. Other men--letting them replace God. b. The works of men--they are fallible. c. Material items--they decay and ruin. d. Latest crazes, latest human advisors, flawed human discoveries, or some erring brother--they will erode and destroy the disciples' faith. 7. It matters what God said--above every other source, authority,priest, minister, or whoever--believe it! D. A sound structure will be produced when one's faith is strong. 1. An example: Acts 3:16. 2. The word sound conveys the idea of healthy. a. Greek: healthful. b. Paul's instruction: Titus 1:13-14. (1 The unhealthy do not want them rebuked. (2 "Everybody is OK" is unhealthy--it leaves sin unrebuked and unexposed! 3. A sound(strong) faith will withstand trials and sufferings of this life. a. The wise man: Matthew 7:24-25. b. That wise man did not use inferior materials in his structure! E. The faithful disciple has a building that presents an appealing image. 1. Men can observe the care that has gone into cultivating one's faith. 2. Obedience is an example to others(family, friends, neighbors, fellow-workers, etc.) 3. This makes possible: Matthew 5:16. 4. How do people see me? How do they see my faith? What have I done to present the image of Christ? 5. Paul said: Galatians 2:20. III. Conclusion. A. One's faith is a building that is never finished: Philippians 3:13-14. B. How is my faith?-James L. Yopp