Message Notes

(I) DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE ANYONE WANTING TO FOLLOW SATAN

1. It is true nonetheless

2. How is this possible?

a) Snared

b) Deceived

c) Blinded

(II) THE FIRST FAITH

“Having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith”  1 Timothy 5:12

1. Possession of “first faith”

a) Semblance of true faith

b) External religious conformity

2. Casting off “first faith”

a) Reneging

b) Rejection

3. “Having condemnation”

a) God will be the final Judge as to the true state of their faith

b) If found to be false, then there will be “condemnation”

(III) TURNING ASIDE AFTER SATAN

1. Evaluation of people who have “cast off their first faith”

a) At first glance

b) On deeper analysis

2. Evaluation of phrase- “Turned aside after Satan”

a) “Turned aside”

No longer following “The Way”

b) “After Satan”

Satan is the new master and lord!

(IV) FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

Some questions we must seek to answer!

1. Is our faith worth fighting for?

2. Do we understand the significance and consequences of losing our faith?

(V) ENCOURAGEMENT TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses”  1 Timothy 5:12

1. Our faith is worth fighting for

2. Eternal life is worth fighting for

3. Our Christian Calling is forth fighting for

POEM

PERSEVERANCE

Say, the man’s not a man

Who can quit when he can;

Who will cast down the load

In the heat of the road

And not share in the sweat of the fray,

No!- the man is a man

Who will stay!

There are cowards who fight

When the going is right;

But the cause is forgot

When the battle is hot-

And the foe takes the spoils of the day.

But the man is a man

Who will stray!

And when God meets His men

At the roll call in Heav’n

And the crown and the throne

Shall belong and the throne

Shall belong to His own,

Then with glory and grace He will say,

‘You are Mine! You are men

Who will stay!’

– Anonymous –