An Economy Of Faith Series

An Economy of Faith

For the preacher: During August 2008 we had a Faith Conference, in Potchefstroom, South Africa. It was a month before the crash on Wall Street. Fear was starting to take grip of people all over the world. With that backdrop in mind, I develop this message for our conference called An Economy of Faith. Powerpoints are available as well videoclips. The audio is available from www.hispeople.co.za or www.willemnel.com under Faith Conference.

SERMON

Intro

We are either living in an economy of fear or economy of faith

Why an Economy of FAITH?

To UNDERSTAND: Understand - What is the understanding of Economy in Worldly terms

Definitions of economy on the Web:

• the system of production and distribution and consumption

• the efficient use of resources; "economy of effort"

• frugality in the expenditure of money or resources

Word History: Managing an economy has at least an etymological justification. The word economy can be traced back to the Greek word oikonomos, "one who manages a household," derived from oikos, "house," and nemein, "to manage." From oikonomos was derived oikonom , which had not only the sense "management of a household or family" but also senses such as "thrift," "direction," "administration," "arrangement," and "public revenue of a state." The first recorded sense of our word economy, found in a work possibly composed in 1440, is "the management of economic affairs," in this case, of a monastery. Economy is later recorded in other senses shared by oikonomi in Greek, including "thrift" and "administration." What is probably our most frequently used current sense, "the economic system of a country or an area," seems not to have developed until the 19th or 20th century

UNDERSTANDING where does man fit into this all:

WHEN GOD MADE MAN: HE BREATHED LIVE AND SPIRIT IN HIM

He made us First from his KIND: Which is SPIRIT

Then put us all in an earth or dust suit. So that we will fit in.

He made us in his image and he gave us the ability to experience: emotions; have a free will and to use our mind.

He wanted us to operate as SPIRIT BEINGS in an EARTHLY REALM.

HE did want us to OPEARTE as EARTLINGS:

Greetings and salutations – earthlings. Or dust-lings.

NO When he sees us Sees OUR SPIRIT POTENTIAL.

That IS WHY HE SENT HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

John 6:63 (NKJV)

 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

HOW the does HE want us to OPERATE on EARTH:

BY GRACE through FAITH

We were thus SAVED BY UNMERITED FAVOUR

BY FAITH:

What is FAITH?

Before we start the lectures, let’s ask ourselves 4 simple questions:

1. What is faith?

2. Why must I have faith?

3. How do I obtain faith?

4. How do I hold on to faith?

Answers to the questions:

1. Heb.11:1 – Substance of things hoped for – Evidence of things not yet seen.

2. Heb.11:6 – Cannot please God without faith.

3. Rom.10:17 – Hearing the Word of God

4. Rom.10:8 – Near you is the Word.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Romans 10:8 (NKJV)

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):

Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

PROCESS WORD

 a word gives faith

 faith brings righteousness

 righteousness brings a right STANDING BEFORE GOD

 STANDING gives you the ability to speak

Faith and Fear cannot live in the same space, therefore you cannot stress or fear, and have faith. Many Christians think that you can do both, but that is why we see Christians living without any effect on the society. God has made us to bring change, to live according to His promises and His spoken Word. He made us to live through FAITH!

Only by believing the FULL gospel, and the Full WORD of GOD, will we have a positive effect on this earth, and live as we have been created by God.

HIS ECONOMY:

HIS OIKONOMOS

Build on Faith and Trust

Build on acquiring WEALTH and riches. WEALTH is transferable. RICHES as temporary.

How good is it when WE ARE ONE in SPIRIT, ONE IN MIND.

When we can agree – we will see the change coming.

NOTHING WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE