Faith Principles To Build And Influence Lesson 2 Series

1. Faith’s Crucible Principle: Crucible-Faith is learned in the crisis of a dark midnight experience when the leader is shut up to God only, and surrenders sin and selfishness to totally depend on God and find His direction, and discover His power.

a. “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7, NLT).

b. “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, NLT).

2. Transferable Faith Principle: The expression of faith found in great leaders can be communicated to aspiring leaders by example.

a. Supernaturally. “The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith” (Romans 1:17, KJV).

b. Naturally. “Remain faithful to the things . . . you have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood” (2 Timothy 3:14-15, NLT).

3. Reciprocity of Faith and Vision Principle: Faith involves seeing a need, and determining a plan how God wants that need to be met, and as the plan become a reality, both faith and vision grow.

a. Necessity. “Where there is no vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV).

b. Obedience brings blessing. “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19, KJV).

4. Objectifying Faith Principle (Say-It-Faith): Leaders must speak or objectify their faith to follow the plan God wants done, then work with followers to accomplish the task or solve the problem.

a. Believe. “Have God’s faith” (Mark 11:22, ELT)

b. Desire. “Therefore, I say with you. What things you desire” (Mark 11:23).

c. Say. “Say unto the mountain, be thou removed” (Mark 11:22).

d. Believe. “Believe that you will receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24).

e. Not doubt. “Shall not doubt in your heart” (Mark 11:23).

5. Brinkmanship Faith Principle: In a time of crisis, God will use a leader to activate faith to solve a problem by applying faith-answers to the crisis.

• The command from Jesus. “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4, KJV).

6. Second Generation Faith Principle: Is a commitment to the same values and vision as the first-generational-faith, then fighting the same battles; and adapting their faith to changing culture and new emerging issues.

• Your faith leads to faith in others. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2, KJV).

7. Convergent Faith Principle: Each leader will face new challenges in a changing world, and must apply faith to each challenge.

• Paul at the Jerusalem conference, “And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews” (Galatians 2:6-7, NLT).

TAKE AWAY

1. Just as great leaders have learned and used these principles, so you can learn and do ministry.

2. Don’t seek greatness, and don’t seek great faith, seek your great God.

3. Faith is only a road to your destination, make sure your goal is (Phil. 1:21; 3:10-14; 4:13).

4. Having put limitations on faith, make it your number one priority.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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