28
Jan '25
Keeping Warm in an Ice-Cold World
28
Jan '25
Introduction: Has it ever been extremely cold outside, and you needed to light a fire to keep warm? Would you be willing to admit that it is bitterly cold in this world toward spiritual truth? It seems like Satan is always pulling on us to keep us from the fires of God’s love and truth.
So, how can we stay on fire while Arctic air blows bitterly cold temperatures at us?
1. First, we must strike the match that lights the fires of faith! (1 Thess. 1:3) – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world! Faith is taking God at His Word. Faith is not believing God can but that He will! Faith is the key that unlocks Heaven’s gates—saving faith. After saving faith, the Christian life is lived by faith (see Gal. 2:20; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:1,6).
Can you honestly say that you are living by faith? Where are you challenged to exercise trust in the Lord?
- Your finances?
- Your family?
- Your future?
- Your friendships?
- Your fears?
- Your foes?
- Your faith?
- Your freedom?
2. Second, we must fan the flames of faith with truth and love! (1 Thess. 1:3) – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
Evidently, this church had expressed the great love of God. Is that seen in your life? Can you say you love the brethren?
3. Third, we must get close to the fires of hope in a hopeless world! (1 Thess. 1:3) – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
After striking the match of faith and fanning the flames of love, we must move closer to the fires of hope! When you lose hope, the fires of faith often go out. Are you feeling hopeless? Hope in the Lord—He will never fail you! Look to Him with the eye of faith, believe Him with the heart of faith, and receive His promises with the hand of faith. Do it today.
Conclusion: Staying on fire in an ice-cold world is challenging, but with red-hot faith in Jesus Christ, unconditional love flowing inwardly from a heart of gratitude, and unshakable confidence in God’s promises, we can overcome this bitterly cold world with burning fires of faith—for the glory of the Lord.
Do you agree?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese