Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explore the concepts of faith, patience, and miracles in our Christian journey, emphasizing the power of faith as the lens through which we understand and interact with the world.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive deep into the Word and explore a subject that's at the very heart of our Christian journey - Faith.
Our scripture for today comes from Hebrews 11:1 which says,
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
We'll be chatting about the power of faith, the necessity of patience, and the evidence of miracles. Sounds exciting, right? That's because it is! Our Christian walk is an adventure filled with faith, patience, and miracles, and we're going to unpack all of that today.
As we kick things off, let's remember what our brother in Christ, C.S. Lewis once said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." So, let's ask ourselves - How are we seeing our world through the lens of faith?
Let's pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that guides and nourishes us. As we delve into the discussion of faith, patience, and miracles, may our hearts be open and receptive. Help us to understand and apply Your Word in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Ready to dive in? Let's go!
Faith, as we know it, is a powerful force: It is the bedrock of our Christian journey and the driving force behind our relationship with God. It is the very essence of our belief in God and His promises. It is faith that moves us from the realm of the seen to the unseen, from the physical to the spiritual. It is faith that gives us the courage to believe in a God we cannot see, to trust in His promises, and to hold on to His Word even when our circumstances seem to contradict it.
Faith has the power to move mountains: This is not just a metaphorical statement but a literal one. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 17:20, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." This is the power of faith - it can move the immovable, it can change the unchangeable, and it can make the impossible possible.
Faith has the power to transform lives: Throughout the Bible, we see countless examples of individuals whose lives were radically transformed by their faith in God. Take, for instance, the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:25-34. For twelve long years, she had suffered from a condition that no doctor could cure. But when she heard about Jesus, she had faith that if she could just touch His garment, she would be healed. And that's exactly what happened. Her faith in Jesus not only healed her physically but also restored her socially and emotionally.
Faith has the power to overcome fear: Fear is a powerful emotion that can paralyze us and prevent us from stepping into the fullness of God's plan for our lives. But faith gives us the courage to face our fears and to step out in obedience to God's call. When Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he was initially afraid. But when he stepped out in faith, he too was able to walk on water. It was only when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm that he began to sink. This is a powerful reminder that our faith in God can help us overcome even the most daunting of fears.
Faith has the power to sustain us in times of trial: When we go through difficult times, it is our faith in God that keeps us going. It is our faith that reminds us of God's promises and His faithfulness. It is our faith that gives us hope and the strength to endure. The apostle Paul, who faced numerous trials and tribulations, wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This is the power of faith - it enables us to see beyond our current circumstances and to focus on the eternal.
Patience: It’s a virtue that is often overlooked in our fast-paced, instant gratification society ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO