Back to the Basics – Powerful Faith
Opener:
Good morning everyone! It is so nice to see every here this morning. We are in a wonderful series titled “Back to the Basics”. During this series we have been covering a number of different topics. Some of the topics that we have already discussed were: The Word of God, hearing God’s voice and knowing God’s will, spiritual warfare.
Then last week, we discussed the two sacraments of the Christian faith. We talked about how sacraments are a visible symbol of the reality to God. These sacraments give us a picture of God grace for our lives. They also reveal in an outward sign that an inward change has taken place.
This morning we are going to be talking about having a powerful faith. The bible teaches us that having a genuine faith is more precious than gold. The faith that God has for us will be tested by fire. Therefore, you can expect times of challenge; you can expect that there will be moments of struggle. Yet, what comes out of this challenge will produce something beautiful in your life. We need to hold on to and work to develop our faith recognizing there is a tremendous benefit in our lives.
It is a powerful faith that brings salvation in our lives. It is a powerful faith that brings answers to our prayers. It is a powerful faith that makes us spiritually effective for the kingdom of God. Faith is a key factor in our spiritual journey, therefore, we need to understand how we can develop a powerful faith and how to release this faith.
I. Developing our faith
A. Growth and Develop
a. Now that we see how important it is to have a powerful faith.
b. Some people may despair thinking that they do not have enough faith or that their faith is not powerful enough.
c. The bible says this in Romans 10:17 - 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
d. This verse lets us know that we can grow and develop our faith into something much more and deeper than what it currently is now.
e. It is our choice on whether we want to be a person of faith or not!
B. First step
a. So the first step to developing our faith is listening to the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word.
b. When we are constantly filling our minds and hearts with the Word of God it will produce a powerful faith in our lives.
c. When we do listen to the Word of God, we need to make sure that we do so with an open heart and mind.
d. Let me say this: Whatever we listen to, affects what we believe. If we are listing to the TV more than the Word, then we will begin to believe the lies of the world versus what the Word of God says.
e. The television is filled with programs that are fear based. Fear is the opposite of faith. When we are operating in fear, we are not trusting God and walking by faith.
f. So each day, we need to take time to listen to the Word of God.
C. Obeying God
a. The second step that we can develop our faith is by obeying God. A couple of weeks ago we talked about knowing God’s voice and doing His will.
b. We talked about the more that we obey the voice of God, the more that God will reveal His plan for our lives.
c. As you begin to walk in obedience with God, you will gain a greater strength in your life.
d. Let me say this: It is impossible to have a powerful faith without taking practical steps of obedience.
e. In fact, I would say that our faith is tested by whether we are obedient or not. If one is lacking obedience then they are also lacking faith in the Lord, because these two go hand in hand.
D. Praise and Worship
a. We can develop a powerful faith by taking time out of our day to praise and worship the Lord.
b. Praise drives away darkness in our lives. Look at King Saul as an example. He would have David come and play his harp and sing praises to God and during this time, King Saul would experience peace in his life.
c. So praise brings us into the courtyard of God’s presence while worship takes us deeper, it takes us right into His throne room.
d. When we worship, we are making a declaration of our love for Him.
e. When we worship the Lord, we do not take it lightly rather, we recognize His holiness, we recognize how majestic and powerful that He is.
f. Jesus was talking with a Samaritan women and He revealed to her a powerful truth. This truth is found in John 4:23- But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
E. Exercise your faith
a. Another way that we develop a powerful faith is by using the faith that we do have.
b. Faith is like a muscle and it needs to be exercised. A muscle that is not being used begins to shrivel up, if you do not use your faith then it too will begin to shrivel up.
c. While exercising your faith it may not be the most comfortable thing to do, however, it will absolutely be a beneficial thing in your life.
d. It is God’s desire for us to reach our full potential. He wants us to take the measure of faith that we started with and exercise and grow that faith into something that is much greater and deeper.
e. The bible says in 2 Peter 1:5 and I am reading from the amplified version: For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding)
f. Theologian Smith Wigglesworth shares some insight and is quoted to saying – “How can one come to possess great faith? Now listen, here is the answer to that: First, the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. Faith must grow by soil, moisture, and exercise.”
III. Releasing your faith
A. Confession of our faith
a. Now that we understand that not only can we possess a powerful faith, but we need to activate that faith by releasing it into the earth.
b. The bible says in Romans 10:10 - 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
c. Confessing Christ as your Saviour with your mouth releases God’s salvation into your life.
d. The gift of Salvation includes many blessings and benefits. These benefits are not released in your life until you make that confession with your mouth, which is driven by a change in your heart.
B. Powerful words
a. The sooner that we realize that our words have power is the sooner that we will begin to walk in a powerful faith.
b. The bible says in Proverbs 18:21- Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
c. Do you catch that? Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
d. Tell your neighbor: “ There is power in your words”
e. The power of the tongue is in the words that we speak.
f. All of our words have an effect on the spiritual atmosphere that surrounds us.
g. We can release either good things in our lives and others or bad things. Bad words can open the door for bad spirits to work in our lives or in the lives of others.
h. While good words can open the door for God to work and His angels.
C. Spiritual seeds
a. Words are like spiritual containers, they are like spiritual seeds that we throw out. When we speak words of life, then our words produce life. When we speak words of faith, then those words will produce faith.
b. When we speak words of hope, those words will produce hope.
c. It is when we begin to speak the Word of God for ourselves, we are then identifying with the truth of God’s Word.
d. The more that you speak God’s Word, the more that you will believe God’s Word and see the benefits in your life.
D. Talking in faith
a. When we speak God’s Word, we need to speak it in faith. Just as God spoke the Word, He spoke it in faith. In fact Romans 4:17 say: God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;
b. It was through faith filled Words that God spoke the world into existence. Through this same faith, He created all the galaxies, planets, and stars in quantities so great that we cannot even number.
c. As imitators of God, we are called to speak those things that are not as though they are.
d. If you are believing for God to work in a certain area of your life, begin to speak as though you have already received those things.
Closing:
As we close here this morning, I am reminded of all the times that I have seen God work in my life as a result of me putting my complete faith and trust in Him. It has simply been an amazing journey. God has given each of us a measure of faith. We are called to develop our faith and cause it to grow. This growth takes place when we begin to exercise the faith that we have been given. We are to call those things that are not right now at this moment as thou they were. Speaking life and blessing over our lives and the lives of others around us. I want to share a story with you of a missionary during the 1800’s. This missionary, George Muller, cared for thousands of orphan children. While caring for these children George had many opportunities to exercise his faith. One of those opportunities came one morning when the plates, cups and bowls were empty. There was no food in the cupboards and no money to buy food. The children were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”
There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.”
Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left, when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it.
As we close out our time here this morning, we are going to sing one last song. As we sing this song, I want to encourage you, by faith, to speak over your life blessings and victory!
