LEGO: A Foundation That Lasts

Faith Wins

Jon Fredricks

Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV

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2 Corinthians 1:24 NIV

24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

Hebrews 10:38 NIV

And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

Matthew 25:23 NIV

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Luke 18:8 NIV

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Hebrews 11:1 NASB1995

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV
7 … because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1) PRIORITIZES NEARNESS

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 NIV

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

Mark 9:7-8 NIV

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

2) CHOOSES GRATITUDE

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 NIV

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Matthew 14:19 NIV

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

3) LIVES SURRENDER

2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB1995

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

James 4:15 NIV

Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Luke 1:38 NIV

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Romans 14:8 NIV

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

4) DRIPS WITH STRENGTH

2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV

Acts 4:13 NIV

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Hebrews 10:38 NIV

And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.

Matthew 25:23 NIV

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’