The Faith is the Most Precious Treasure in the World Without it you Cannot Please God nor be Saved

Fr. Samuel Waters | The Daily Knight

Sermon on Faith

St. John exhorts the Christians in his epistle to be on guard against the world and all the wicked people, to lead a pious life worthy of their faith. It also warns them against the false teachers who denied the Divinity of Christ.

Today we will look at two questions, #1 What does faith affect? And #2 on what is faith founded?

Whatever is born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory which overcomes the world our faith. All those regenerated in the Sacrament of Baptism have the grace of Faith to overcome the enemies of our salvation which are the world, the flesh and the devil.

This Faith endows us with the power to overcome everything that entices us to sin. It is our belief in Jesus the Son of God, the Catholic Faith. How far does Faith strengthen us to overcome the world? Our faith in Christ offers us the means of Grace which we need to overcome all temptations.

The Word of God is for the overcoming of all obstacles to our salvation for virtue and true Holiness of life. It is living and effectual. It is more piercing than a two-edged sword. The word of God reaches into our soul joins are marrow it is a cleanser of the thoughts and of the intents of the heart. Listen to the true Word of God with attention as often as it is preached to you. Take too heart and practice what you hear so that you experience it's blessed effects.
The Holy Sacrifice to the Mass, All the graces which Christ merited for us through His bloody sacrifice on the cross are continually applied to us in every Mass. Thus, we can find the fruit and benefit which Christ obtained on Good Friday for us. We received many graces for the purpose of overcoming all the temptations and for our persevering in the service of God. Saint Augustine reminds us that whenever we get to go to Holy Mass we should ask God for His assistance in both our temporal and spiritual needs. Asking him for the graces to overcome all temptation, to subdue our inordinate inclinations and to make progress in the path of virtues.
The Holy Sacraments, All of the Sacraments give to us both sanctifying and special graces which help us to fight evil and to persevere in justice to the end. The Sacrament of confirmation gives us graces to confess our Faith with constancy and to live our Faith. Penance strengthens us to help us not to relapse into sin. The Holy Eucharist weakens are evil inclinations and gives us a desire for virtue. The Sacrament of extreme unction strengthens us in our suffering and temptations, especially in our agony and death. It also helps us persevere in our love of God and to die a happy death. The Sacraments are Divine aids through which Grace from God is channeled into our souls.
The prayer of the Church, Prayer is more effectual when the person who prays is pleasing to God, when a number of people pray and when the granting of their petition contributes more to the glory of His Divine name. When the Church prays, Christ, the Blessed Mother, the saints, and the Angels assist us with their prayers. The Church prays for the greater honor and glory of God. We should look for and participate often in the Church's public services so that our hope be strengthened and gain graces for our salvation!

Part II: On What is our Faith Founded on?

St. John the Apostle tells us that Faith which operates effectually is based on historical facts. He tells us that Jesus came by water and blood. There are three facts that prove that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Redeemer of the world:

First, the old law said that at the time of the Messiah a purification from sin would take place. "In that day there shall be a fountain open to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for the washing of the sinners." Zachariah 13:11. Now Christ institute the Sacrament of Baptism for the cleansing of sin and reception into the church.
Second, the old law said that the Messiah would accomplish the redemption of mankind by the effusion of His Blood, "Surely He has borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows....He was wounded for our iniquities and bruised for our sins," Isaiah 53. All the bloody sacrifices of the Old law were types of Christ and indicated that the Redeemer would offer himself for us on the cross and shed His Blood. Christ by shedding His Precious Blood has proved He is the Messiah and redeemer.
Thirdly, St. John says, "there are three who give testimony in heaven," Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost. And also how men on earth bear witness to the Truth revealed to us by Holy Trinity. We are to pass on that which was given to us:

The Father testifies

The father testified at the Son's baptism: "this is my beloved son. " Matthew 3:7. Also at Matthew 17:1-8 transfiguration: "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased hear Him." In the temple father glorify thy name: "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." John 12:28.

Christ/the Word testifies

Christ gave the testimony by His countless miracles, especially His Resurrection and Ascension. "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true... But I have a greater testimony than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to perfect; the works themselves, which I do, give testimony of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself who hath sent me, hath given testimony of me: neither have you heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape," John 5.

Holy Ghost testifies

At the baptism, when the heavens opened and the Holy Ghost descended and rested on him Matthew 3:16. On Pentecost the Holy Ghost comes in tongues of Fire confirming the apostles with His seven Gifts. The mission of the Holy Ghost is to provide graces to the church, the miraculous promulgation of the church and the conversion of unbelievers and sinners.

Men/saints/and devils testify

St. John mentions both Heavenly and earthly witnesses who vouch for the fundamental Truth of our holy religion that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. Recall St. Peter gave witness, the devils Christ expelled gave witness, etc. "For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us.,

[1 John 1:2]

SHOP NOW

Hold fast to your Faith in Jesus and everything He proposes to your belief.

Do not allow yourself to waiver or to be duped by non-believers and free thinkers. Watch over your children and do not allow them to keep company with those who have little or no religion, nor with non-Catholics. If this happens the chance of them losing their faith and soul becomes a real possibility.