Message Notes

YOUTH CONFERENCE 2017 3-7 December Theme: “The Same Spirit of Faith”

GOALS

1. To understand what “the spirit of faith” really is 2 Corinthians 4:13
   
   
2. To trace the spirit of faith in the life of the Apostle Paul
   
   
3. To desire to have the same spirit of faith
   
   
4. To live by that spirit of faith

UNDERSTANDING THE PHRASE “THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH”

1. He was the author of 2 Corinthians 4:13
   Paul identified himself as the author of 2 Corinthians                     2 Corinthians 1:1

2. He wrote
   “But since we have the same spirit of faith”                                               2 Corinthians 4:13
   
   
3. Let's look at the faith that was reflected by Paul

1. 1. Faith amidst tribulation 2 Corinthians 1:5
      
      
      1. Tribulation in the 1^st century
         
         
      2. Persecution from enemies 
         
         
   2. Faith amidst suffering 2 Corinthians 1:5
      
      
      1. Great suffering
         
         
      2. Some lost homes
         
         
      3. Others lost lives
         
         
   3. Faith in God amidst tribulation and suffering 2 Corinthians 1:5
      
      
      1. Comfort in God 
         
         
      2. Comfort in the Presence of God
         
         
      3. Faith in God persisted
         
         
   4. Faith is effective for enduring the same sufferings 2 Corinthians 1:6
      
      
      1. Feeling energised amidst much pain 2 Corinthians 1:6
         
         
      2. Able to overcome feelings of despair 2 Corinthians 1:8
         
         
   5. Faith and Hope in God 2 Corinthians 1:10
      
      
      1. The word “trust” is essentially “hope”
         
         
      2. Faith and hope are closely related Romans 5:1-5
         
         
      3. Faith... Tribulation... Perseverance... Character... Hope
         
         
   6. Faith and “Confidence”
      The word “confidence” is used meaningfully
      
      
      1. Paul possessed this confidence in God
         “That we should not trust in ourselves but in God”             2 Corinthians 1:9
         
         (“Confidence” is translated “trust” in NKJV)
         
         
      2. It was there in all his deliberations
         “And in this confidence I intended to come to you”            2 Corinthians 1:15
         
         
      3. Others may also have this same confidence                         “Having confidence in you all…”                                                                       2 Corinthians 2:3
         
         (NB. The word translated “confidence”- speaks of one who has been thoroughly persuaded and convinced- Greek “peitho”)

4. Did Paul have “the same spirit of faith?”
   
   
   1. Undoubtedly
      
      
   2. Can we have the same spirit of faith?

5. Understanding how we can have this same spirit of faith
   
   
   1. Justified by faith Romans 5:1
      
      
   2. Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Romans 5:1
      
      
   3. We have access to God by this faith               Romans 5:2
      
      
   4. We may rejoice in this faith-hope                  Romans 5:2
      
      
   5. Faith-Hope                                                  Romans 5:5-8
      
      
      1. Faith
         
         
      2. Tribulation
         
         
      3. Perseverance
         
         
      4. Character
         
         
      5. Hope
         
         
   6. Faith in the Love of God                               Romans 5:5-8 
      
      
      1. Outpoured into our heart
         
         
      2. By the Spirit of God