INTRODUCTION

1. The need for Faith

This is without question

2. But how does one actually develop Faith?

 

THE LORD’S PLAN

1. Address Problems openly

a) Life’s problems

b) Spiritual problems

c) Age-old problems

i) 5 Areas of wrong teachings addressed

ii) 5 Answers offered Matthew 5

2. Appropriate Solutions offered

a) Cultivate a genuine spirit instead of a hypocritical one

b) Learn how to deepen our prayer life

c) Overcome the problem of worrying

d) Lay up treasures in heaven Matthew 6

 

THE CALL TO BUILD A STRONG HOUSE OF FAITH

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock Matthew 7:24-25

1. The sayings of the Lord Jesus

a) They need to be heard

b) They need to be heeded

2. The work of a Wise Man

a) He built his house on a rock foundation

b) The house is able to withstand any storm

 

THE DANGER OF BUILDING UNWISELY

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:26-27

1. The sayings of the Lord Jesus

a) They are not well-received

b) They are not heeded

2. Building on Sand

a) The folly of it all

b) The house will be destroyed when a storm comes

 

THE SAYINGS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. The Practice of the Beatitudes

“Blessed are the poor in spirit” Matthew 5:3 (Matthew 5:3-12)

2. The Challenge to become:

a) Salt

b) Light

c) City on a hill Matthew 5:13-16

3. Corrections to be looked into:

a) Of wrong ideas

b) Of wrong practices Matthew 5-6

4. Challenge to Cultivate:

a) A more meaningful prayer life

b) A more focused life on things eternal

c) A faith that is not small and insignificant

 

CONCLUSION

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss;

but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

1. Emulate the example of the Apostle Paul

a) Tapping on the grace of God

b) Become a wise master-builder

2. Choose wisely the building materials

a) Gold, silver and precious stones

b) Fire will test the quality of our House of Faith