A. INTRODUCTION
1. Why did multitudes go listen to John the Baptist in the wilderness? “The people were in expectation” (Luke 3:15, KJV).
2. What did they expect?
a. Deliverance.
b. Peace.
c. God to show up for them.
3. Expectation fulfilled. “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).
a. Lamb was Day of Atonement.
b. Not Jews only, the world.
4. When did you have the greatest expectation?
a. Christmas.
b. Marriage.
c. Birth of children.
d. First home.
e. First car.
5. Negative people expect negative things. What can change them?
6. Why did Jerry Falwell Sr. say, “Faith is the most important ingredient in building a church.” Hebrews 11:6.
7. First year budget of Liberty University was $150,000. Falwell expected much greater.
8. Chris Hodges, pastor of the Church of the Highlands, Alabama has 55,000 worshipers in 55 locations and $130 million dollar budget. “It took obedience doing what Jesus commanded.”
9. Pastor Adeboye, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Logos, Nigeria has 50,000 worshipers, 42,000 church plants around the world and his faith is, “to plant a church within 15 minutes of everyone in the world.”
B. EXPECTATION JUMPS AT YOU
1. The lame man at temple gate. “Fastening his eyes … expecting to receive” (Acts 3:4-5, KJV).
2. Expectation gets God’s attention.
3. God loves to see you on your tippy toes expecting from Him.
4. Can’t separate inner faith and outer expression. “I believe, therefore have I spoken” (2 Corinthians 4:13).
5. Faith can’t be held within to cherish like a souvenir.
6. The greatest faith within must have outer expression. Illustration: Ten of the Largest Church Ministries Aggressively Touching the World.
7. Old farmer is wrong. “Faith is believing what ain’t so.”
8. If inner faith pleases God, what about outer faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
C. FAITH GROWS IN OLD AGE – ROMANS 4:17-25
1. Abraham disobeyed (to Egypt) lied (about wife) and didn’t have faith. “Weak in faith” (Romans 4:19).
2. Abraham believed and obeyed (Genesis 17). “Staggered not at the promise” (Romans 4:20). Your faith will be challenged.
3. Faith can grow from weak faith to strong in faith (Romans 4:20).
D. FAITH DESTROYED BY NEGATIVISM
1. Ten spies brought back negative reports. “People were large and powerful … towns were fortified … giants live there … we felt like grasshoppers” (Numbers 13:25-28).
2. Two spies (Joshua and Caleb). “Let’s go at once, we can take the land” (Numbers 13:30).
3. Some of the biggest battles are not with pornography and drug dealers, but with negative Christians who oppose all and block you.
4. Negative people don’t need counseling but correction. They need truth!
E. WHAT GROWS YOUR FAITH
1. Word of God – Romans 10:17.
2. Seeking the Lord. “The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed” (Psalm 28:8, NKJV).
3. Constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7).
4. By surrendering. (Matthew 16:24).
5. By communion. “Ye in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20).
6. The power of Jesus’ faith. “I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).
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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