On June 30th,  Pastor Anthony delivered the Sunday Sermon at St.Louis Immanuel Chapel from the main passage in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, which emphasizes the importance of trusting in God. The sermon’s beginning mentioned that the source of Independence Day is seeking freedom of faith, the reason why this nation was established is to worship Jesus Christ freely. 

When Apostle Paul preached in Corinth, he decided to evangelize through Jesus Christ and his crucify, not by eloquent speech or persuasive words. Corinth is a materialistic city. Where riches are great, people become all the more lost. But the great riches exposed a greater emptiness in the soul, and it is souls like those that were captivated by the undesirable life of Jesus Christ, and the truth he spoke. So Apostle Paul told them nothing other than Jesus. 

To his people who became captives in Assyria, Isaiah told the prophecy of a future where God will redeem them in Isaiah 54. To those who have lost everything and have all kinds of challenges ahead, God said do not be afraid to extend their tent, because in God they will not be pushed to shame, he will give salvation and greater blessings to the one who trusts in God.

We become afraid when we lose sight of the Lord and focus on the wind and the waves. When Peter focused solely on the Lord, he was able to walk on water. He gained this amazing miracle because he trusted the Lord who called him to come. But the moment he feared and lost his focus to the waves beneath him, he sank immediately. Endurance in faith is important. It does not end with just starting with faith, you have to believe until the end until you reach that finish line. Your faith has to remain unchanging. 

No matter how shabby the starting point is, if you place your faith in Christ, stretch your tent curtains wide, and lengthen the stakes where your faith has been called to reach, God will not put you to shame. From small beginnings will come glory that could only be testified as miracles. These are miracles not done by men, nor by the might of our own strength, but by the Spirit who trusts our all to the God who is always faithful to those who believe in him.