Shipwrecked Faith: Avoiding the Deadly Sins that Lead to Spiritual Catastrophe

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There are some unforgettable word pictures in the Bible that vividly capture the essence of the faith life.  Paul introduces one of them to us in 1 Timothy 1:18-19 when he instructs Timothy on how to avoid a shipwrecked faith.  Think Titanic!  Sadly, there are people of faith who capsize and find themselves struggling for spiritual survival.  Just recently in my own community a prominent pastor committed suicide and left his congregation and family searching for answers.

What is a shipwrecked faith and why does it happen?  More importantly, how can it be avoided?  This new series of messages is designed to help you evaluate the sea-worthiness of your own spiritual life and help you right the ship if you are in peril.  Let’s start with a clear definition: a shipwrecked faith is a person who is genuinely saved but spiritually dysfunctional in regard to holy living or fruitful ministry.  Does that hit close to home for you?  Let me know your thoughts on what it means to be spiritually shipwrecked or how you have been impacted by seeing others who have shipwrecked their faith.

An Invitation to Friendship with God

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The Bible introduces us to some amazing friendships.  Not just human friendships, but divine friendships that were forged with God.  The Bible is more than a book on theology or history or poetry or ethics; it is a book about relationships and most importantly, relationship with God.  As we begin this New Year, it is a great time to master the daily devotional reading of Scripture.  The “E 100” is a great tool to get you into the Word of God and get the word of God into you!  The 100 represents the number of selected biblical passages from both the Old and New Testament that we will be reading.  You can start the challenge anytime but for our church family this is the second week of the challenge.  In case you need catching up here are the first two weeks:

        In The Beginning

  •         1. Creation                                 Genesis 1:1-2:25
  •         2. The Fall                                 Genesis 3:1-24
  •         3. The Flood                              Genesis 6:5-7:24
  •         4. God’s Covenant with Noah       Genesis 8:1-9:17
  •         5.TowerofBabel                      Genesis 11:1-9

         Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

  •         6. The Call of Abram                  Genesis 12:1-20
  •         7. God’s Covenant with Abram     Genesis 15:1-21
  •         8. Isaac’s Birth and “Sacrifice”   Genesis 21:1-22:19
  •         9. Jacob and Esau Compete                Genesis 27:1-28:22
  •         10. Jacob and Esau Reconcile     Genesis 32:1-33:20  

 As you read this week’s passages, think about the personal nature of God’s relationship with Abraham and then Isaac, Jacob and Esau.  God desires a personal relationship with you as well!  James writes, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend” James 2:23.  What does friendship with God mean to you?

 P.S. If you would like a free copy of the “E 100” Bible reading plan with its handy punch-out system of accountability, just contact us at 972-423-5683  or http://www.meadowsbaptist.org/index.php?src=contact/index.php and we will be happy to send one to you.

What is Relevant about the Ancient Path of the Bible?

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Abraham and Moses never had a blog.  Though I am sure Moses might have preferred an email from on high rather than lugging the stone tablets down fromMt.Sinai (particularly after he had to ascend the mountain a second time after the first set was smashed in protest of the people’s idolatrous block party).  When it comes to relevance and impact, the message is more significant than the medium; the truth is more important than the technology.

This blog is an effort to display the eternal relevance of God’s Word for everyday people of our world and culture today.  It was the prophet Habakkuk who wrote of God, “His ways are eternal” (Hab. 3:6b).  That is why I treasure the Bible—it documents and describes, illustrates and illuminates God’s eternal ways and thereby reveals the unchanging, immutable nature of God to us.  God doesn’t change.  And He is knowable through his Word.

The title for my blog, “On the Ancient Path,” comes from a prophetic revelation to one of the great Hebrew prophets ofIsrael, Jeremiah.  With thundering authority, the prophet proclaimed, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’”  This blog is a new way for you to explore the ancient paths.  If you have a hunger to know the ancient paths, the eternal ways of God, I invite you to come along on this faith journey.  This blog is not written in stone, but its truths are found there.

Scott Fenton, Ph.D.