The Faith Factor
Part 3: "Getting Faith"
As we continue on our journey into the world of faith . . . let’s take a brief look at what we have already gone over.
THE FIRST AND FOREMOST important fact that we saw was that faith will ALWAYS tell you that JESUS is alive today!
As many of you know, the world is full of skeptics. They tend to study it all and still question everything there is to know about it.
This is what makes Christians different from every one else. Do you know what the Bible calls Christians?
In 1st Peter 2:9, it says:
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"
The words that really stand out to me in that verse of scripture is where we are referred to as "a peculiar people" . . . And I am really willing to say that some of us are more peculiar than others . . . . know what I mean? ( lol )
Well, we also learned that JESUS has always, and will keep on extending HIS love . . . HIS grace . . . and HIS mercy to the sinners that call upon HIS name.
A strong emphasis was put on the fact that ALL CHRISTIANS need to be out there in the world and showing the lost, all those things that make JESUS such a wonderful and loving SAVIOUR.
How else are the lost to learn and know about JESUS, if the ones that supposedly know HIM the best, aren’t telling them about HIM?
A key note here was a principle witness that so many Christians tend to overlook . . . their actions . . .
After you accepted CHRIST into your heart, you know that there was a difference with inside your heart . . . the next step was to be what the JESUS says in Matthew 12:34:
" . . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
That Spirit of joy and love needs to be shown to all those around you! And with the grace GOD showed you, showing in your actions . . . who is to say others won’t also get saved because of your excitement?
The wrap up came when we learned that faith is that which can carry you through those rough times.
In today’s message . . . we are going to look at another aspect of faith, and that is "Getting Faith".
How does a Christian get faith?
Open your Bibles to Romans 10:17:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WORD OF FAITH!
With it . . . you can accomplish all things through CHRIST whom strengthens you . . .
Without it . . . you are a sinking battleship with absolutely no way to fight the enemy!
Faith comes by hearing the Word of GOD.
Some people see this and think it is silly . . .
IF IT WERE SILLY, WOULD GOD NOT HAVE OMITTED IT IN HIS WORD?
GOD PUT THOSE WORDS . . .
GOD PUT THAT SCRIPTURE THERE WITH YOU AND I IN MIND!
IS IT SILLY?
NO . . . IT’S FACT!
So why is it so many "professed" Christians have such a hard time accepting this verse of scripture?
I think it is partly because it puts those that are not in church, into a very strong conviction status . . .
WHY IS IT SO MANY OF THE CHRISTIANS JUST DON’T ATTEND CHURCH LIKE THEY SHOULD?
Well . . . maybe I have a few answers for this . . . see if you agree with any of them. These are some of the excuses people give to explain their auto accidents:
"A pedestrian hit me and went under my car! The guy was all over the place! I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him!"
"The accident occurred when I was attempting to bring my car out of a skid by steering into the other vehicle!"
"As I approached the intersection, a stop sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before! I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident!"
"The telephone pole was approaching fast! I was attempting to swerve out of it’s path, when it struck the front end of my car!"
"To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in from of me, I struck the pedestrian!"
"An invisible are came out of nowhere! It struck my vehicle and vanished just like that!"
"The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran him over!"
THESE EXCUSES ARE JUST AS LAME AS THE EXCUSES WE GIVE GOD FOR NOT ATTENDING CHURCH LIKE WE SHOULD!
WE ALL THINK THEY ARE FUNNY . . . BUT REAL PEOPLE ACTUALLY USED THESE EXCUSES!
I ask you this question . . . where is the best place to hear the Word of GOD?
You guessed it . . . THE CHURCH!
Yet . . . there are too many Christians that are suffering from various attacks of the devil, all because they are NOT attending church like they should!
What do you suppose would happen to these suffering Christians if they did start coming to every service like they should?
FIRST OF ALL THEY WOULD GET FILLED WITH THE WORD OF GOD!
THEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FACE LIFE IN A MORE POSITIVE WAY BECAUSE THEY WILL KNOW GOD IS FOR THEM AND NOT AGAINST THEM!
THEY WILL LEARN THE RIGHT WAY TO DEFEAT THAT OLD DEVIL AND KEEP HIM AT BAY IN THEIR LIVES!
THEY WOULD LEARN TO HAVE FAITH IN JESUS!
FAITH GIVES KNOWLEDGE!
KNOWLEDGE GIVES POWER!
POWER GIVES AUTHORITY!
AUTHORITY HAS FAITH!
IF YOU WANT VICTORY IN YOUR LIFE . . .
YOU MUST TAKE THE FIRST STEP!
THAT STEP IS THE STEP OF FAITH!
One of the most common things I hear these same Christians say is:
"I can worship just as well at home and build my faith! Why should I go to church?"
For one thing . . . GOD does tell us NOT to forsake the assembly!
Now seeing that GOD was the one to tell you this, don’t you also suppose HE had a reason for telling you this?
OF COURSE HE DID!
GOD HAS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING HE DOES!
HE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO TELL YOU OR I WHY HE DOES WHAT HE DOES!
HE IS GOD! HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING!
People need to know one huge fact on psychology . . . .and that fact is that you tend to be more like the people you spend most of your time with!
THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TRUTH!
If you hang around sinners . . . then they can and will infect you and actually bring you down, if you are not strong in the word of GOD!
If you hang around other true Christians . . . you have the love that can inspire you to deeper levels with GOD.
And at the same time . . . the more time you spend with TRUE Christians, the better you will feel about yourself, as well as start to learn more about your personal walk with JESUS and strengthen your faith therein!
Again now we go back to the opening question of "Getting Faith" . . . how does one get it just by hearing the Word of GOD?
GOOD QUESTION . . . .WITH AN EVEN BETTER ANSWER . . . .
Look back at Romans 10:17 again:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
The word of GOD has so many promises in it for you to live a strong and abundant life!
GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE IN HEALTH!
GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE IN COMFORT!
GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE ENJOYING HIS EARTH!
GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE ABUNDANTLY!
And the way to get that abundant life is through the Word of GOD!
THE WORD OF GOD WILL PRODUCE FAITH IF YOU CONFESS IT!
PROBLEM IS . . . TOO MANY CHRISTIANS JUST WON’T DO THIS!
As a result . . . they find themselves living a defeated life!
IF YOU DON’T CONFESS THE WORD OF GOD EVERY DAY; HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO HAVE ANY KIND OF FAITH?
IF YOU DON’T CONFESS THE WORD OF GOD EVERY DAY; HOW ARE YOU GOING TO COLLECT ON GOD’S PROMISES?
WE ARE A BLESSED PEOPLE OF GOD!
GOD DOES MORE FOR US THAN WE CAN EVER IMAGINE!
And you know what is so unique about it all?
GOD WANTS TO DO MORE FOR YOU!
But HE can’t because we don’t confess the Word of GOD like we should!
Do you know what I confess every morning when I get up?
This is exactly what I say:
"I AM BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED WITH GOD!"
I do more than just simply say these words . . . I confess them with my faith!
When you start confessing the word of GOD . . .
SAY IT LIKE YOU FEEL IT . . .
SAY IT LIKE YOU BELIEVE IT . . .
SAY IT LIKE YOU KNOW IT!!
KNOW THE WORD OF GOD AND ACT ON IT ACCORDINGLY!
This is where so many Christians get themselves into situations, and just feel as if there is no way out.
And you know what makes matters worse?
SO MANY TEND TO BLAME GOD FOR THESE "BAD" THINGS HAPPENING TO THEM!
HOW CAN YOU OR ANYONE ELSE BLAME GOD FOR A CHOICE YOU MADE?
Ready for a real shocking jolt?
IF YOU WOULD STAY IN GOD’S WORD RATHER THAN VENTURE OUT ON YOUR OWN . . . THEN YOU WOULD NOT BE IN HALF OF THE CHALLENGING SITUATIONS YOU FIND YOURSELF IN TODAY!
The Word of GOD can only set you free when you know it, and then you act on it!
THE NEXT TIME YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A RATHER COMPROMISING SITUATION . . .
THE NEXT TIME YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A HEATED AREA . . .
THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE FACED WITH HARSH CIRCUMSTANCES . . .
DON’T BLAME GOD FOR THE CHOICE YOU MADE GETTING THERE!
MORE OVER . . . LOOK TO GOD AND HIS PROMISES THROUGH HIS WORD TO GET FREEDOM!
KNOW THE WORDS OF JESUS IN JOHN 8: 31 & 32:
" . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
I love you guys!
Reverend Sam
