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  HOLD FAST THE CONFIDENCE
  by A.B. Simpson
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of holding fast our
confidence in God through simple trust and perseverance, even in the
face of struggles and adversity.

Topics: "Faith", "Perseverance"
Scripture References: 1 Kings 18:41, 2 Kings 13:14-25, Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 3:14, James 1:12

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DESCRIPTION
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A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of holding fast to our confidence
in God, illustrating the journey of faith through the examples of Elijah
and Joash. He describes the initial simple trust represented by Elijah's
proclamation of rain, followed by a deeper, more intense prayer life
that requires perseverance and active faith. Simpson warns that many
believers fall short in their faith journey, failing to meet God's
expectations after asking for His blessings. He encourages believers to
remain steadfast in their confidence, reminding them that they are
partakers of Christ if they endure to the end. The sermon concludes with
a message of hope for struggling believers, urging them to trust in
Christ's victory over their challenges.

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CONTENT
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The attitude of faith is simple trust. It is Elijah saying to Ahab,
There is a sound of abundance of rain (1 Kings 18:41). But then there
comes usually a deeper experience in which the prayer is inwrought. It
is Elijah on the mount, with his face between his knees, travailing, as
it were, in birth for the promised blessing. He has believed for it and
now he must take it. The first is Joash shooting the arrow out of the
window, but the second is Joash smiting on the ground and following up
his faith by perseverance and victorious testing (2 Kings 13:14-25). It
is in this latter place that many of us fall short.

We ask much from God, and when God proceeds to give it to us we are not
found equal to His expectation.

We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast unto the end (Hebrews 3:14), and trust Him through
it all. Fainting soldier of the Lord, Hear His sweet inspiring word, "I
have conquered all thy foes. I have suffered all thy woes; Struggling
soldier, trust in Me, I have overcome for thee."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ab-simpson/hold-fast-the-confidence/
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