Three Great Essentials

Three Great Essentials

June 9, 2006

Introduction

In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul says, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

What is the need of each of these, and how important are they?

Body

I. What does the Bible say about faith?

A. It is essential to pleasing God.

(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

1. Jesus often rebuked people for lack of faith, or little faith.

(Matthew 6:30 NKJV) ""Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

2. Jesus rebuked the disciples for lack of faith in the storm on the sea.

(Matthew 8:23-26 NKJV) "Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. (24) And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. (25) Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" (26) But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."

3. Jesus rebuked Peter for his lack of faith when he was walking on the water.

(Matthew 14:28-31 NKJV) "And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." (29) So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" (31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?""

B. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

(Romans 10:17 NKJV) "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

C. Faith comes from experiencing God in our lives

1. Seeing things work out for best when we do what He says to do.

2. Seeing prayers answered.

D. Faith is not to be a blind faith.

1. We are to be we workers together with God.

II. The second thing in Paul’s list is hope--how does hope help?

A Paul reminds us what life would be like without Christ and without hope.

(Ephesians 2:11-12 NKJV) "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh; who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands; (12) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."

B. Hope is that which preserves us through the tough times.

(Romans 5:1-6 NKJV) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (6) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

C. Paul tells about hope giving us perseverance.

(Romans 8:19-25 NKJV) "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; (21) because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (23) Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (24) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

D. Christ and His coming is described as our blessed hope.

(Titus 2:13 NKJV) "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,"

E. Our hope is our anchor of the soul.

(Hebrews 6:18-19 NKJV) "that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. (19) This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,"

Conclusion

1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

These three give so much purpose and meaning to life. Without them what is life? Without Christ, we are without hope. Do you have hope in Christ this morning?

Bible Study with Harley Sermons I have Preached

Hit Counter