Holding Fast

TEXT:  1 Thess. 5:21

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WORLD OF TRANSITION AND CHANGE, WE NEED STABILITY.

          1.       God has given us hope for an anchor( Heb. 6:18-19 ).

          2.       Paul tells us to stick with that hope( Col. 1:23 ).

          3.       It is God's desire that we be stable( 1 Cor. 15:58;  Col. 2:6-7 ).

B.      THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO WHICH WE MUST HOLD FAST.

I. HOLD FAST SOUND DOCTRINE.

A.      THE ADMONITION GIVEN TIMOTHY( 2 Tim. 1:13-14 ).

B.      THE DUTY OF PREACHERS AND ELDERS( Titus 1:9 ).

C.      CONTEND, STRUGGLE, FIGHT( Jude 3 ).

D.      WHY?( Acts 20:29-30;  2 Tim. 4:3-4 ).

II.     HOLD FAST THE FAITH.

A.      HOW IS THE WORD "FAITH" USED HERE( Acts 24:24 ).

B.      TO AVOID SHIPWRECK OF THE SOUL( 1 Tim. 1:18-19 ).

C.      THE EXHORTATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS( Acts 14:22 ).

D.      PAUL'S DESIRE FOR ALL( Phil. 1:27 ).

E.      EASILY DISTRACTED( 1 Tim. 6:10 ).

III.    HOLD FAST OUR CONFESSION( PROFESSION ).

A.      THIS CONFESSION IS OUR WAY OF LIFE;  A TESTIMONY THAT WE   WILL HOLD FAST OUR LORD.

B.      Heb. 4:14;  10:23.  FAITHFULNESS.

IV.   HOLD FAST THE NAME OF CHRIST( Rev. 2:13 ).

A.      ANOTHER EXORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS HERE.

B.      THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS NAME:

          1.       Redemption, remission of sins( Luke 24:47;  Acts 4:12 )

          2.       A new relationship( Isa. 62:1-4;  1 Pet. 4:15-16 ).

V.    HOLD FAST THAT WHICH THOU HAST( Rev. 2:25;  3:3 ).

A.      AGAINST BACKSLIDING, DRIFTING( Heb. 2:1-3 ).

B.      NEGECT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE SOUL( Rev. 3:11 )..

C.      PAUL'S ATTITUDE( Phil. 3:13-16 ).

D       IF YOU'RE NOT GOING FORWARD, YOU'RE GOING BACKWARD.

VI.   HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD( 1 Thess. 5:21 ).

A.      Amos 5:15;  Rom. 12:9.

B.      THE BEATTITUDE( Matt. 5:6 ).

C.      BEGINS WITH ME( 1 Thess. 5:15 ).

VII.  HOLD FAST YOUR CONFIDENCE - TO THE END!

A.      Heb. 3:6.  GOD'S HOUSE.

B.      Heb. 3:14.  PARTAKERS OF CHRIST.

C.      Eph. 3:11-12.  OURS THROUGH FAITH.

D.      Heb. 10:35-36.  COUPLED WITH PATIENCE.

E.      HOW ELSE CAN WE APPROACH GOD( Heb. 4:16;  10:19 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      HOLDING FAST MEANS CONTINUING WITH EVERY EFFORT.

B.      HOLD FAST TILL THE END( Heb. 3:6, 14 ).

C.      THE PROMISE IS FOR THOSE WHO HOLD FAST( 10:35-36 ).