Fatal distractions

Introduction:• We see a lack of biblical faith almost

everywhere we turn in the U.S. and around the world.

• We live in a time of moral decline and rising turmoil.

• No faith, Lack of faith, Absence of faith, Wavering faith, Misguided faith, Abandoned faith, Unexercised faith, etc.

• In Acts 27:21-25 Paul has a strong faith despite the appearances of his situation.

• How can we avoid Fatal Distractions?

Surviving Surviving the Stormsthe Storms

• In every storm we need direction! Ps. 119:133

– God had given Paul directions. Acts 27:21-44Acts 27:21-44

– God gives us directions in the Bible.

2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-42 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4

• We Need An We Need An InformedInformed Faith! Faith! – Faith comes by hearing the word of God Faith comes by hearing the word of God

Romans 10:17Romans 10:17

– Many have been destroyed for a lack of Many have been destroyed for a lack of knowledge from God. knowledge from God. Hosea 4:6Hosea 4:6

– Need to defend the truth… Need to defend the truth… Phil. 1:17Phil. 1:17

• We Need An We Need An EffectiveEffective Faith! Faith!– The world won’t take faith any more The world won’t take faith any more

seriously than we do! seriously than we do! Mt. 5:13-16Mt. 5:13-16

– We cannot share a faith with others that we We cannot share a faith with others that we ourselves do not possess! ourselves do not possess! Jas. 2:18, 22Jas. 2:18, 22

– The church often has enough faith to keep The church often has enough faith to keep house but not enough for reaching out to house but not enough for reaching out to the lost. the lost. Mark 16:14-16Mark 16:14-16

– Faith obeys! Faith obeys! Philemon 4-7Philemon 4-7


• We Need A We Need A Bold Bold Faith!Faith!– We must not allow the world to intimidate us We must not allow the world to intimidate us

into silence or neutrality!into silence or neutrality!– God’s Word says in effect be bold not weak! God’s Word says in effect be bold not weak!

Acts 5:29; John 12:42-43; Eph. 6:19-20Acts 5:29; John 12:42-43; Eph. 6:19-20– ““Paul you’re in Prison you’re excused,” NO, Paul you’re in Prison you’re excused,” NO,

Paul said “as I ought”!Paul said “as I ought”!– Too often we excuse ourselves when God Too often we excuse ourselves when God

does not!does not!


• We Need An Active Faith! 1 Pet. 2:12– The demons believe and tremble but

they do not act on their faith. Faith alone is dead! James 2:19-20

– Love, compassion, kindness, and approachability often gives the gospel a hearing. Eph. 4:32; Col. 4:5-6

• The correct biblical faith acts upon (obeys) what God has said. Gal. 5:6


• We Need A Morally Pure Faith!– Not all that is called or done in the name of

religion is either moral or pure. Mt. 7:21-23Mt. 7:21-23

– Pure religion briefly defined in James 1:27.

– There is a difference between the way a Christian lives and the way the world lives! Eph. 4:17-24


Faith To Survive The Storms…Faith To Survive The Storms…• In all the moral, societal, cultural, &

religious storms, we need a faith that’s up to the challenge!

• Has your faith been what it needs to be?

• Grow in your faith and you will grow closer to God! 2 Pet. 3:18

• “Faith is like a muscle that grows stronger with use, rather than rubber which weakens when it is stretched” Jas. 1:2-4

• In God’s will there is no failure, out of it there is no success!

God’s Plan For Man’s Salvation:

• Hear the truth – Rom. 10:17

• Believe it – Heb. 11:6

• Repent – Acts 3:19

• Confess Jesus – Acts 8:37

• Be Baptized – Acts 2:38; 22:16

• Then, be faithful – Rev. 2:10; Heb. 10:36

• Don’t be distracted, come to Jesus today!

Spiritual

Fatal distractions