Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

Act Like Men: Mandate, Malady & Motivation

1 Cor 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm
in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. 15 You know
that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they
have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you,
brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in
the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and
Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For
they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
 1 Cor 16:13 (NASB) Be on the alert,
stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be
done in love.
This is sound advice for men and fathers
(and everyone by example). The first four are in the context of military
service
1.    Be on the alert
2.    Stand firm in the
faith
3.    Act like men
4.    Be strong
5.    That all that you
do be done in love
Greek word for "act like men"
meaning, "to make a man of or make brave...to show one's self a man, be
brave"

How to Have the Victorious Spirit of Faith

How to Have the Victorious Spirit of Faith
But since we have the same spirit of faith, according to whatis written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe andtherefore speak (1 Cor, 4:13)
There is a “Spirit of Faith,” which is an attitude or atmosphereof faith in God that becomes a lifestyle. We all know how the power of habitscan affect our lives and good and bad ways. The Spirit of Faith is the habit oftrusting God, speaking according to promises of God, and possessing a livinghope. Come out this morning and learn how to have the victorious spirit offaith through Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:6   Butwithout faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God mustbelieve that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Romans 1:16, ForI am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God tosalvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for theGreek.  17] For in it therighteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,"The just shall live by faith."
When you have the "spirit of faith," hard things are"light" because you know Jesus empowers you and is helping youtransform tough circumstances into pavement for a road towards a better future:
1 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but fora moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things whichare not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things whichare not seen are eternal.

Feed Your Faith. Starve Your Doubts.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Don't Hesitate
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. 
If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is “unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides” (The Amplified Bible).
When you are double-minded, You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. 
1 Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Regenerated Generation: Reconnected for Purpose, Recreated for Greatness and Renewed in the Holy Spirit.

Regenerated Generation
 Reconnected for Purpose, Recreated for Greatness and Renewed in the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Deep Cleaned, Re-Created & Renewed

"Deep Cleaned, Re-Created & Renewed"
How to Stay Connected to the Finished Work Christ Inside you
In Christ, we have already been washed, re-created, and renewed! This reality is the basis for having confidence, living in the fullness of your purpose, and doing great things for the Lord!
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Should Christians Do Works? Law vs Grace

Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified"
1 John 1:7-9, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus paid the full price of our redemption. “He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” This seems like a contradiction to say we are “perfected forever” and that we are still being sanctified. 
This is not a problem as long as we consider this text in light of other Scriptures, and in the light of growing up in Christ.
“Perfected” means  “carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end.” Jesus perfectly redeemed me.
I have been perfectly human since the say I was born, but I need to grow and learn in order to become all that I was intended to be.
Make no mistake, people who are saved are supposed to work or do Christian service, but none of that work is related to salvation. It is related to growing, becoming more effective in our service, and holding ourselves accountable to God, to our spiritual overseers and to one another.

"The Song of Mary - What is your song of testimony?”

Mary was chosen to be the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. She expressed her praise of being chosen by sharing a “song” or testimony called the “Magnificat." Because life is a gift, God has chosen mothers to bring the gift of life into the world. 
Everyone born of a mother is also chosen to fulfill special purpose in life. You are God’s gift!  You have a “song” or testimony that will carry you through life and over the hardships of life. God’s goodness provides you with a “new song."

How to Overcome the World With and Without

1 John 5:1, Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
.
Faith + Love + Obedience = Grace to Overcome
Love is the basis for everything God does. It should be the basis for everything we do.
Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””
Overcoming is not based on what you can get or take. Overcoming is based on what you give...starting with love.

The Greater One Lives in You

1 John 4:4, You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Beware of the lure of lesser things. As an “overcomer,” the Apostle John is not talking about “us” against “them” (people).  He is talking to “overcomers” who know the Spirit of God and do not yield to the “spirit” of lesser things. 1 John 4:1-2 says, “Beloved  do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God.” 
This is the “them” that we have overcome. We have overcome lesser spirits in order to know the Spirit of God. In this message, you will learn about the three keys to living the overcomer’s lifestyle!

The Blessing of Hearing After Listening

Mark 4:23, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24]  And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." 
Hearing is a function of our will to understanding what is being said. We listen with our ears, but we hear with our minds and hearts.
Many scriptures show the importance of hearing. Faith itself comes by hearing; “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) Hearing is much more important than most people imagine. Hearing is obviously a necessary component in communication. Insofar as our walk with God is concerned, hearing is all important:
How you hear will determine the quality of your life
How you hear will determine your level of authority and responsibility in life
How you hear will determine the measure of God’s anointing on your life.
A)  Hearing determines aptitude (ability) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear…”
B) Hearing determines attitude (state of mind), "Take heed what [or how] you hear...”
C) Hearing determines altitude (height) “With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you…”
Four Types of Listening:
1. Passive Listening •  Passive means, “not active, but acted upon.” Passive people are generally sluggish and disengaged. Passive listeners only “purk up” when something is said that relates to what they want. In the face of responsibility, a passive listener may pretend to be deaf.
Passive listening produces frustration in any communication or relationship because it creates uncertainly, slow progress, and shortcuts excellence.
2. Convenient Listening • Convenient is defined as, “Situated within easy reach.” The convenient listener only applies his heart to hear when the information or task is within easy reach. As believers, we have a dilemma: We live in a world that promotes convenience above everything; but we also live in a Kingdom of which Jesus said, “the violent [or aggressive] take it by force” (Matt 11:12). 
3. Critical Listening • The word “critical” is defined as, “exhibiting the spirit of one who looks for and points out faults and defects.” Communication often fails because of critical listening that is more concerned about finding faults than in understanding the content and meaning of the message. Critical listeners are not motivated to learn and grow. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3] And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:2-3)
4. Active Listening • This should become our goal: Active listeners “hear” the communication accurately the first time. “Active” is defined: “Not waiting to be acted upon. Prepared to apply what is heard and act on it—regardless of circumstances.
James 1:25, But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.