Matt 10:39 2 Tim 4:6-8 Rev 12:10-11 Luke 22:33 How sweet would be their children’s fate if they like them could die for thee Matt 10:39 2 Tim 4:6-8 Rev 12:10-11 Luke 22:33 Matt 10:39 – Jesus - lose life to find it 2 Tim 4:6-8 – Paul’s attitude Rev 12:10-11 – Persecuted saints’ attitude Luke 22:33 – Peter thought he was ready to DIE Before we can have a faith that will DIE for Christ, we must have one that will LIVE for him

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service 2 Cor. 11:23-23 -- Paul – excellent example This morning: Let’s examine our own faith and see if it is to the point where we would truly be willing to LIVE and DIE for Christ. Peter thought his faith was strong enough to die with Christ, BUT we know he needed to grow Romans 12:1 2 Cor. 11:23-28

FAITH CHECK-UP Romans 12:2 Are we transformed by a renewed mind? Are we conformed to the world? If we are not willing to be different from the world, are we ready to LIVE or DIE with Christ? Next slide: Areas where we need to be transformed.

FAITH CHECK-UP Romans 12:2 Are we transformed by a renewed mind? Thoughts Phil 4:8 Speech Eph 4:29 Activities 1 Pet 1:13-15 Are we conformed to the world? Thoughts Titus 1:15 Speech Matt 26:73-74 Activities 1 Pet 1:14 NEXT SLIDE: Let’s go to Ephesians 5:11-12 for another Faith Check-up

FAITH CHECK-UP Eph 5:11-12 Col 4:5-6 Are we willing to speak the truth to unbelievers? Do we value our relationships and comfort more than souls? Are we afraid of being labeled? Eph 5:11-12 tells us what to do Col 4:5-6 tells us how to do it Question: Are we willing to speak the truth or do we value relationships/comfort?

FAITH CHECK-UP Eph 5:11-12 Col 4:5-6 Are we willing to speak the truth to unbelievers? Joseph (Gen 39:7-9, 20) Micaiah (1 Kgs 22:26-27) Jeremiah (Jer 38:5-6) John (Rev 1:9) John the Baptist (Mk 6:16-18) Do we value our relationships and comfort more than souls? Are we afraid of being labeled? Joseph – lost job and comfort Micaiah – put in prison with bread and water of affliction Jeremiah – thrown in pit in the mire John – exiled on island for the word of God John the Baptist – pays ultimate sacrifice

FAITH CHECK-UP Eph 5:11-12 Col 4:5-6 Are we willing to speak the truth to unbelievers? Joseph (Gen 39:7-9, 20) Micaiah (1 Kgs 22:26-27) Jeremiah (Jer 38:5-6) John (Rev 1:9) John the Baptist (Mk 6:16-18) Do we value our relationship and comfort more than souls? Are we afraid of being labeled? Strange (1 Pet 4:3-4) Pestilent (Acts 24:5) Drunk (Acts 2:13) Ignorant (Acts 4:13-14) Intolerant Arrogant Unloving Do we let the fear of labels/comfort keep us from speaking the truth? We’ll go to 2 Cor 2:1-4 for another Faith Check-up

FAITH CHECK-UP 2 Cor 2:1-4 Are we willing to speak the truth to our brother? Are we without confidence in our brother and scared of losing our relationship with him? 2 Cor 2:1-4 – Paul Willing to speak the truth to the Corinthians Maintained his confidence in them Didn’t let fear of losing his relationship with them stop him

FAITH CHECK-UP 2 Cor 2:1-4 Are we willing to speak the truth to our brother? James 5:19-20 Acts 8:18-24 Gal 2:11-14 Are we without confidence in our brother and scared of losing our relationship with him? James 5:19-20 – value in doing this: saving soul, hiding sin Acts 8:18-24 – Peter willing to speak truth to Simon. Gal 2:11-14 – Paul willing to speak to Peter

FAITH CHECK-UP Are we transformed? Are we willing to speak the truth to unbelievers? Are we willing to speak the truth to our brother? Like Peter, we may think our faith is stronger than it really is Our faith will grow stronger by LIVING for him We will - Jude 3 – earnestly contend for the faith Antipas – Rev 2:13 – faithful even to death Rev 12:10-11 – loved not their lives to the death Acts 5:40-41 – the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name NEXT SLIDE: What if you haven’t even begun your walk of faith. Calls for a faith STEP-UP

FAITH STEP-UP Matt 10:32-33 Are you willing to begin your walk of faith? Are you willing to be transformed? Are you willing to become a new creature in baptism? Are you willing to lose your life for Christ who died for YOU?