Philippians
How to Live in Victory in Uncertain Times
-Uncertainty surrounds us today
-it was present during the times of Paul and exists today
-Paul uses several word to reveal the uncertainty of the culture
***Phil 3:10…2:15,17…4:14…1:13,
-today we are living in uncertain times as we are living in the last days and the return of the Lord is closer than ever
-To live in certainty in uncertain times, we must possess unwavering faith
***Faith means to trust in and rely upon Jesus Christ
***Faith is received at salvation – Phil 3:7-10
-Paul received the righteousness of Christ @ salvation through faith
-Paul was a man of unwavering faith
***Faith is developed – Romans 10:17
TO LIVE IN VICTORY IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD:
(1.) WE MUST POSSESS UNWAVERING FAITH – Phil 1:12,19,25
Unwavering faith is a dynamic certainty in the Lord & His Word – faith is based on the promises in God’s word
-the word KNOW means to absolutely positively know – Faith knows
Phil 1:12 – Paul absolutely knew he was in the will of the Lord
Phil 1:19 – Paul knew he would be delivered from prison
Phil 1:25 – Paul knew he would not die at this time, but live
James 1:5-6 — waver – means not having 2 opinions/not having a divided mind
What is Unwavering Faith?
1. UNWAVERING FAITH IS FAITH THAT REFUSES TO BE REFUSED – Luke 11:5-13
***Paul had promises to stand on and so do we
***We must refuse to be refused the answers to our prayers
v8 – persistence – refers to 3 things
1. troublesome – we will give the enemy trouble as we stand on the Word
2. demanding – we must speak to our situation
3. to be insisting – we will not give up or quit …I refuse to be refused
2. UNWAVERING FAITH IS FAITH THAT REJECTS ACTING OR SPEAKING ANYTHING THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE PROMISES OF GOD
-speak healing…faith…life and Jesus
-never deny your situation, but still speak faith and the Word of God
-Phil 1:19…Phil 4:19…Phil 2:13…Phil 4:13
HOW DO WE SPEAK FAITH CONSTANTLY?
1. FIX YOUR FOCUS
-Paul uses the words in Christ and the Lord alot – Phil 4:1,4 & 10
-You believe what you focus on……..
-Your focus is either an ally or the adversary of your faith
2. know that what you are asking for is in the bag
-you have a promise. It is yours even before you have the manifestation…
-an example is David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17:49 – it’s in the bag
3. UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF OUR GOD – Psalm 46
-the enemy throws certain words at you during uncertain times
-laugh in faith at the enemy and his words
4. FLOW WITH THE TIMETABLE OF GOD – Psalm 126:1-6
verse 1 – Israel was taken into captivity for 70 years for their disobedience
-they settled – do not settle in your situation
-in one moment & in the midst of their uncertainty, the Lord delivered them
verses 2 – 3 – the nations saw the greatness of God at work
v4 – Bring back our captivity – this means to complete the work
vs5-6 – the Lord will turn your uncertainty & sadness into certainty and joy
-it could be unexpectantly – water and streams could start to appear in the desert