This week, Pastor Chris continued in our sermon series Driven by Eternity with a message on authentic faith. In a world filled with pressure, opposition, and imitation, God calls believers to live with authentic faith that is real, rooted, and enduring. Through Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians, this sermon reveals that authenticity in faith is grounded in God’s Word, tested through hardship and persecution, and strengthened to overcome every spiritual obstacle through the power of Christ. When believers truly receive and live out God’s truth, they are transformed from the inside out, becoming people of perseverance, joy, and lasting impact in a hostile world.
Authentic means something is real, genuine, and exactly what it is claimed to be—rather than a copy, fake, or imitation.
Authentic Faith is…
Grounded Faith
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
James 1:22–25 (MSG)
22 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! 23 Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, 24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. 25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
The Work of God’s Word Includes…
- Saving (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23)
- Teaching and training (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
- Guiding (Ps. 119:105)
- Counseling (Ps. 119:24)
- Reviving (Ps. 119:154)
- Restoring (Ps. 19:7)
- Warning and rewarding (Ps. 19:11)
- Nourishing (1 Pet. 2:2)
- Judging (Heb. 4:12)
- Sanctifying (John 17:17)
- Freeing (John 8:31, 32)
- Enriching (Col. 3:16)
- Protecting (Ps. 119:11)
- Strengthening (Ps. 119:28)
- Making wise (Ps. 119:17–100)
- Rejoicing the heart (Ps. 19:8)
- Prospering (Josh. 1:8, 9)
Psalm 19:7–9 (NLT)
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
The “Power of 4” by the Center of Bible Engagement
Reduction in Destructive Behaviors
- Alcoholism: 57% less likely to drink to excess.
- Pornography: 59% less likely to view pornography.
- Sex outside marriage: 68% less likely to engage in unbiblical sexual behaviors.
- Gambling: 45% less likely to gamble.
Improvement in Mental & Emotional Well-Being
- Loneliness: 30% less likely to struggle with feeling isolated.
- Anger and Bitterness: 32% fewer anger issues and 40% less bitterness.
- Depression/Anxiety: 30% reduction in experiencing anxiety or depressive thoughts.
Increase in Spiritual Growth & Action
- Sharing Faith: 228% more likely to share their faith with others.
- Mentorship: 231% more likely to disciple others.
- Memorization: 407% more likely to memorize Scripture.
Authentic Faith is…
Tested Faith
1 Thessalonians 2:14 (ESV)
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
Matthew 10:34–35 (ESV)
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Matthew 5:10 (NLT)
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
John 15:18 (NLT)
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (ESV)
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!
Wrath ~ God’s active and righteous displeasure, judgment, and punishment against sin, evil, and injustice.
Authentic Faith is…
Overcoming Faith
1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 (ESV)
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 (ESV)
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Discussion Questions:
- According to James 1:22–25, why is it dangerous to hear God’s Word without acting on it? According to James 1:22–25, why is it dangerous to hear God’s Word without acting on it?
- Read Psalm 119:105. Can you share a time when God’s Word gave you direction or clarity in a difficult season
- Read Matthew 5:10 and John 15:18. How should Christians respond when following Jesus creates tension with the world or even relationships?
- Read Matthew 16:18. What encouragement do you find in Jesus’ promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church?
Application Question:
- Which of the three characteristics of authentic faith do you most need to grow in right now:
- Grounded Faith
- Tested Faith
- Overcoming Faith
Why?