This sermon explores how to actively foster, fortify, and fuel faith through understanding God's promises and practicing forgiveness in a fallen world.
Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to another blessed day in the Lord's presence. It is a joy to gather together, to lift our hearts in praise, and to seek wisdom from God's holy word. Today, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a profound truth, a truth that has the power to invigorate our faith, anchor our souls, and guide us through the tumultuous seas of this fallen world.
Charles Spurgeon, a revered preacher of yesteryears, once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened." Today, we will aim to understand and embrace this profound assertion as we immerse ourselves in the scriptures.
Our guiding scripture for today's sermon is found in Mark 11:20-26 and 2 Corinthians 1:20. "In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!' 'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.'" (Mark 11:20-26)
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we humbly come before You today, seeking wisdom and understanding from Your word. Open our hearts and minds, Lord, that we may fully grasp the depth of the truth You have for us today. Strengthen our faith, fortify us with Your promises, and fuel us for growth in our spiritual walk. As we delve into Your word, may we be transformed by its power and be drawn closer to You. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Today, we will be focusing on three main points: Fostering Faith in the Fallen World, Fortifying Faith through God's Promises, and Fueling Faith for Future Growth. As we engage with these topics, let us remember that faith is not a passive state but an active endeavor. It is a living, breathing entity that grows, strengthens, and matures as we walk with God. Are we ready to foster, fortify, and fuel our faith? Let us then open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of God's word.
In the world we live in, faith can sometimes seem like a fragile thing. It's like a tiny seed, struggling to sprout in the rocky soil of our hearts. We see the troubles around us, the pain, the suffering, the injustice, and we wonder, "Where is God in all this?" Doubts creep in, fears take hold, and our faith begins to waver. But Jesus tells us, "Have faith in God."
So, how do we foster this faith in a world that seems to be against us? How do we hold on to our belief in God's goodness and love when everything around us seems to contradict it?
The first step is to understand that faith is not about denying the reality of our circumstances. It's not about pretending that everything is fine when it's not. Faith is about looking at the world with clear eyes, acknowledging the pain and the brokenness, and still choosing to believe in God's goodness.
In the story of the fig tree, Jesus shows us that faith is about speaking truth to our circumstances. The fig tree had no fruit, and so Jesus said, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." He spoke the truth of the situation, and the tree withered. In the same way, we need to speak the truth of our circumstances, acknowledging the reality of our situation, but also declaring God's truth over it.
When we are faced with a mountain of problems, we need to declare, "Mountain, be thrown into the sea." We need to speak God's truth to our problems, declaring His power and His promises over them. This is not about denying our problems, but about affirming God's power over them.
Next is that faith is not only a personal act, but it’s communal as well. In the story of the fig tree, Jesus was not alone. He was with His disciples, teaching them about faith. In the same way, we need to foster our faith in community, encouraging one another, praying for one another, and bearing one another's burdens.
The third step is to understand that faith is an action, a response to God's promises. Jesus didn't just speak to the tree. He acted on His words, cursing the tree so that it withered. In the same way, we need to act on our faith, living out God's promises in our daily lives.
Next, we have to realize that faith is not about us. It's not about our strength, our wisdom, or our abilities. Faith is about God, His power, His promises, and His love. In our text, Jesus didn't wither the tree by His own power. He did it by the power of God. In the same way, we need to rely on God's power, not our own, as we face our problems.
Transition. So, as we seek to foster our faith in this fallen world, let us remember these four steps. Let us speak God's truth to our circumstances, foster our faith in community, act on our faith, and rely on God's power. Let us declare, "Mountain, be thrown into the sea," and watch as God moves in our lives.
As we navigate the complexities of life, we find solace and strength in the promises of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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