Abiding in Christ- by Pastor James Kimathi-9th March, 2025Sermon

Faith will always beget patience. As such, many people do not want the way of faith because they desire quick fixes. James 1:2- 4 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 In this case, we should allow and wait on the Lord, acknowledging that believing God for something requires us to endure. Through faith, we are not meant to be in convenience but always to endure.

KEY ASPECTS TO NOTE

Reputation is a Hindrance to our Faith

• Most people lose their faith because they are more concerned about what others say. They think about other people’s opinions about them. However, if we become slaves of peoples’ views and opinions, we will always falter in abiding in Christ through faith.
• Failing to apply natural and carnal ways to solve our issues causes those around us to think negatively about us, as we have decided to choose the way of the Lord and negate our ways.
• Crucifying/sacrificing our reputation and choosing the way of the Lord is key.
• Thus, embracing our faith in the Lord, we cannot be worried about what others will think about us.

Understanding that Our Relationship with Jesus is Through Faith

• We must believe in Jesus. It is only through faith that the power of God is channeled into our life.
•  God will never resource us through power unless it’s through faith. Faith is a daily affair. And being weak in faith doesn’t mean that we lack faith.
•  We need this faith, not only in matters of salvation but in every other matter in our lives. Let’s purpose to make this one decision that we will not doubt God, but we will believe in Him every day, hour, minute, and second.
• To believe is to breathe. As Matthew 4:4 elucidates, a man should not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. As long as there is a word in our spirit, we are viable for a day. Thus, every time we are conscious of our breath, we believe in Jesus that Jesus will cause it to happen and fulfil his promises in our lives.
• The same faith we have in God saving us when drowning is the same faith we should have to walk on water.
• Besides, it is only through faith that we become cheerful givers. A Cheerful giver is a daring giver, a courageous, bold, and confident one (Deuteronomy 31:5-8) & (Mathew 14:27).
• Whatever God has made available for us, we can only access it by faith.

Abiding in Christ Through Faith Eliminates both Fear and Shame.

• Before the fall of man, the two attitudes or feelings which were not part of man were shame and fear. That is why the man was not ashamed in the garden and was not afraid of the snake. But the moment man sinned, both shame and fear entered him.
• Abiding in Christ, however, eradicates both fear and shame.
• When it comes to true repentance, people repent because they are not ashamed of their sins. The shame is broken; thus, a person is not ashamed or fearful for repenting and confessing their sins to God and one another.
• A regenerated man is not afraid because God has reprogrammed him and removed the shame.
• As believers abiding in Christ, we ought not to walk in the shame of yesterday or our past. That is because both shame and fear will always hinder faith. They make one have an orphan spirit and fail to abide in Christ. For instance, if David had been ashamed, he would not have been able to talk to the king or kill Goliath.
• The reason why we have not penetrated doors is not because the doors haven’t been opened but because we have shame and fear.
• It is paramount to understand that anyone who makes us feel afraid and ashamed of ourselves is an agent of Darkness.
• In Joshua 1:6, God tells Joshua to be strong and of good courage. As such, we shouldn’t tolerate fear because once we have tolerated fear, we start sinking. Thus, being strong and daring is essential. If we buy fear, we cut ourselves from faith because faith cannot exist in the realm of fear.
• There are two kinds of people: those who act out of fear and those who act out of faith.
• Most things that people fear is God’s presence because His presence demands total dependency on Him.
• Sometimes, we are in trouble because God demands us to depend on Him. Being not afraid and releasing ourselves to God’s hand is what God wants us to do. For instance, the wind was not against Peter. It was after His faith. Thus, when the wind comes, we should focus on Jesus, meditate on Jesus, and abide with the Lord. Ultimately, the winds of life will stop once they realize that they can’t shift our attention form Jesus.

Conclusively, let us embrace meditating on God’s words. If we are full of meditation of Christ, we will have the courage and boldness to conquer that fear. As Joshua 1:8 expounds, meditating on the word day and night and doing according to what is written is vital because that is how we will become courageous. Therefore, we ought to be firm in God’s word and promises. We should dare see whatever is in the scriptures coming to pass. Let us focus more on keeping Jesus, focusing on Jesus, and remaining in Jesus; so that nothing will shame or make us afraid. With a total dependency on God and enquiring about God for everything, we will be bold and courageous.