Let's Hold Fast | Pastor Jeff Williams

The Open Door Church 337

Message: What are some steps to draw near to God? We accept Jesus, but it is important to go to the root of the separation. There is someone or some thing keeping you distant from God, the desire's of Satan. When we are not in God's presence, there is an absence of light and truth. There are 3 challenges: holding fast, considering others and assembling. Hold on to hope in the struggles and trials. In the challenges we are reminded to stir up, strengthen and encourage, a lifting up and exhorting of one another. We are to hold fast our faith, it's Satan's desire is to weaken our trust in God. It's through the tough times we learn to depend on God. The enemy wants to invade your belief and shatter your trust, so you would go running to some other faith. Fixing our attention on God allows us to know where we are in our faith. What happens when we lose faith? We try to do it ourselves, be the master of our own fate. Time will prove we are not able and turn to God for help. We are rewarded in His trust, through His faithfulness. We are to exercise faith by sharing it with others. When we share, it is a consideration, a thought beyond ourselves, a focus on others. A focus is to think of ways to stimulate others to love and good works. From God's perspective, take time to see others as made in His image, His creation and wonderfully made. We struggle with relationships with God because we struggle with others, who are made in His image and likeness. To love God is to love others, otherwise it is to live a lie. In loving others, there is assembly, divine purpose, worship and conducting the divine affairs of the royal kingdom of God. There is change with assembly, such as, warfare and direction. Our coming together moves God to inhabit our praises. See the joy in assembly, use it wisely to see others as God sees them and you will draw near to Him. The body of believers is a gift.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.