Don't Stop Believing, Part 2
A sermon by Pastor Richard Sfameni, Lead Pastor at Victory Church, in Providence, RI.
Opening and Welcome

Greeting and response (“Amen. You may be seated. Praise the Lord…”)
Appreciation for worship and participation

Importance of authentic worship regardless of personal trial
Your worship may inspire others seeing you worship through struggles



Introduction to the Message

Continuation of last week’s sermon: “Don’t Stop Believing”

Central theme: The importance of faith


Church communications and resources

Plan to distribute more tools (study notes, questions, etc.)
Request for members’ contact information for improved communication
Emphasis: Church is not just about large attendance, but engagement and making disciples



The Church’s Mission

A. Contrast: Mere attendance vs. engagement and discipleship

Mission to make disciples, not just fill seats
Desire for everyone to participate in the mission


Illustration: “Church is not a show”

Story of the complaining church family and the child’s remark
Clarification: True purpose is the kingdom of God and being a church on mission



Textual Foundation: Hebrews 12:1–4

Reading the passage: Call to run the race with endurance

Surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses”
Laying aside every weight and sin
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith
Enduring hostility/persecution


Context of Hebrews

Audience: New Jewish believers facing persecution and discouragement
Emphasis on Jesus’ supremacy (greater than Moses, angels, law, etc.)
Faith as a central theme—challenge to keep believing despite opposition



The Value and Battle for Faith

The cost and value of faith

Faith is precious and under attack by the enemy
Analogy: No one protects garbage; faith is worth guarding


Scriptural support: 1 Peter 1:6–7

Faith tested by trials is more precious than gold
Faith defined as taking God at His word, trusting His promises


The devil’s strategy

Destroy faith to win the war for your soul
Example: Peter’s denial—Jesus prayed for his faith, not his flawless behavior

Faith enables recovery from failure; without faith, all is lost


Restoration possible in every area if faith remains



Encouragement Against Discouragement

Relating to listeners facing severe trials

Message: Keep running, keep believing, keep trusting God


Faith Lessons from Hebrews 12:1–4

Prompt: “I need to learn more about faith.”



Faith as Armor and Protection

Theme connection: VBS and the armor of God

Shield of faith in spiritual warfare
Attack of the enemy represented as “fiery darts”


Practical reminder: The armor and shield are necessary for those following Christ

Emphasis on being targeted by the enemy after choosing Christ



Review of Main Points on Faith (from Hebrews 11 and 12)

Examples of Faith

Long-distance race imagery—a “cloud of witnesses”
Heroes of faith in Hebrews 11: Overcame challenges through faith
Romans 15:4—Scripture written for our learning and hope


Hindrances of Faith

Laying aside “every weight and sin”

Illustration: Man with backpack in church = symbolic of carrying burdens
Every person has weights unique to them; these hinder the race


Philippians 3:12–14—Forgetting the past, pressing to the future

Weights may be past hurts, offenses, or nostalgia for “good old days”
God grants “divine forgetfulness;” past loses its sting through grace
Warning: Some people’s lives are diminished by holding onto the past
Everyone gets hurt—must let go of past to move forward
Analogy of car: Rear view mirror vs. windshield
Not just bad things—even good things can keep you from the best


Example from business literature: Jim Collins’ “stop doing list”

Need for focus and discipline; not every opportunity is for you





Living With Focus and Purpose

Personal examples (Clergy Day, Black Hawk helicopter story)



Temptation to take on too much, even good things, but must focus on God’s specific calling
Pastor’s personal callings—pastoring, discipling, international ministry
Not every door is yours to walk through





The Perseverance of Faith (Major Point)

Key emphasis: Learning to persevere/endure

Life of faith is a marathon, not a sprint
Everyone must run their race for a lifetime
Many start but give up because of opposition/discouragement
Greek word “hupomonē”—active, determined perseverance despite hardship
Perseverance needed in all areas: marriage, raising kids, ministry, career


Illustrations:

Father-son story—Elmer MacLurkin (a joke to show the importance of perseverance)
Famous perseverance quote: Winston Churchill—“Never, never, never give up”
Bible college anecdote: “Never, never, never quit”—words that rang true over time


Practical encouragement

Heroes like Noah and Abraham persevered over decades for God’s promise
Breakthroughs often come after the hardest trials—don’t quit before your breakthrough
God’s grace picks you up after you fall; faith enables you to keep going



Closing Exhortation and Prayer

The way to persevere: Prayer and the Word

Grace for endurance comes through prayer, worship, and Scripture
Not about willpower, but about God’s grace working in you
Ministry anecdote: “You can quit Sunday afternoon, just show up Monday morning.”


Final appeals

Don’t quit: on God, on relationships, on dreams, on your walk
Don’t miss your breakthrough—greatest attacks precede the next season
Reiterate: “Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Never, never, never quit.”


Closing prayer

Ask God to ignite and strengthen the people’s hearts with truth
Call for going forward, not quitting, renewed by God’s grace in word and prayer
Recap: The critical, non-negotiable importance of daily connection to God’s Word and prayer



 

Ver todos los episodios