2 Tim 2:2 faithful men...endure hardship...please Him...not crowned..rules 6 I endure..salvation with eternal glory. 11 faithful saying: A. If we died with Him, We shall also live with Him           B. 12 If we endure,                 We shall also reign with Him.

b'  If we deny Him, He also will deny us. Mt 10:33                    a' 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
Groundspring that enlivens and nourishes the seed                             
Jesus is the activating agent of God's character and purpose. Faith is the activating agency of experiencing God's person-purposes-promises
Everyone has Faith (expectation that the present course will yield certain results in the unseen future) Question: On what is your faith based?
Biblical Faith must be based on Truth (best explains all the facts from Revelation, Reason, Reality)    What God said will be

I. We stop believing God's Promises when our Behavior is inconsistent with them.

Peter's denial Lk 22:61 made it difficult for him to believe Lk 24:12  Jn 3:19 this is the condemnation...men loved darkness rather than light, bcz their deeds were evil 20 everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed
 
A. We need a good conscience (obey what you know) because Morality dictates Theology
1Tim 1:3 charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables/genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is by faith 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to vain talk 7 desiring to be teachers understanding neither what say nor affirm

B. If you know you can't win, you abandon ship and unfortunately guarantee that you won't arrive at your desired destination
1Tim 1:18 wage good warfare 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith..shipwreck
1Tim 5:11 sexual desires...12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.
2Tim 4:10 Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world   Mr 4:19 the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts/desires for other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Jn 6:66 many disciples walked no more with Him

C. If you know you're winning, you endure press on, guaranteeing you win the prize
1Tim 3:9 holding...faith with a pure conscience 13 served well obtain for themselves a good standing and great confidence in the faith
1Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith8 there is crown..all who loved His appearing.
Phil 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize  15 mature, have this mind 16 walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown

II. We stop believing God's Truth when we believe Satan's Lies

Jn 6 hard truth vs easy lies  cf Mt 5:13

A. We need sound doctrine because Satan was, is, and will be, alive and actively perverting the Truth
1Tim 4:1 Spirit says some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons 12 be an example
1Tim 4:6 instruct...good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed 7 reject fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness 8 profitable for all things, promise of the life that now is...is to come
2Tim 1:13 Hold fast sound words in faith2:18 overthrow faith of some

B. We need the fellowship of like-minded believers because God has designed us and the Body for interdependence
2Tim 2:21 cleanses himself 22 flee also lusts...pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart
2Tim 3:2 lovers of themselves/money, proud, unthankful, unholy 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.  from such people turn away! 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 no progress further   Titus 1:13 rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith

III. We stop believing when we focus on the Temporal Problems/Pleasure rather than God's Eternal Promises

A. Focus on the temporal magnifies our problems leading to fear and failure to Trust in God's provision and promises Num 13
1Tim 6:10 For the love of money...some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,  21 false knowledge..strayed concerning the faith
1Tim 5:8 denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

B. Focus on the eternal  magnifies our faith leading to temporal and eternal peace and blessings
1Tim 6:11 pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life
2Cor13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves...disqualified.
Heb 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away 3...neglect so great a salvation

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

Mt 25:23 1) Well  done, 2) good, and 3) faithful 4) servant

1. How can you stray, depart, cast-off, be disapproved, deny, drift, neglect, or suffer shipwreck the belief that Jesus died for our sins?
2. What is dead faith? If someone “stops believing” did they really believe?  If they don't have works, can that faith save them? Js 2
3. Will you finish strong in the Christian life, going to your grave or heaven ready to reap the reward of your lifetime? Why/why not?
4. What's the “good fight”? If you're not fighting, have you kept the faith? What are some of the things that will help you fight the good fight?
5. How can a good conscience, accurate understanding of Truth, and Biblical fellowship ensure that you will keep the faith?