Let me ask you a question. If I were to walk in the room with all these patients and pray for healing will all be healed?
People and some preachers will tell you that if you don't get what you pray for it's because you didn't have enough faith.
God gives everyman a measure of faith But how you use the faith is all up to you. Faith must be exercised use. Most of us think we got it or we don't.
Lets learn tonight how to exercise our faith. When you exercise your muscles you don't just do on exercise the muscles doesn't get shaped right. Faith is the same.152 times in Old Testament it says to Trust in God. trust is described 3 ways to run to, wait for, lean on.
Believing in something without these two steps is like buying a bench press and just looking at it.
John 11:1-4
There was a problem someone who they loved was sick but what did they do? They sent someone to tell Jesus. That's a lot like prayer requests now.
1st exercise is to run to Jesus ourself not just send someone to fetch him.
That is by us when we request prayer but don't exercise our prayer ourself.
Blind bartimeas, woman with issue of blood, the man carried on his bed lowered through the ceiling all went to Jesus themselves.
Didn't say someone go get Jesus or pray for me.
If they would of went to Jesus themselves they would have heard that v4 this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the son might be glorified by it. What glory would Jesus of had if he would have just let him die. none, Jesus was going to do something.
We need to remember were his children and he's going to do something about the troubles. we get so caught up in the problem we forget who where dealing with. THIS IS JESUS. Most of the time God is just trying to teach us something.
v11-15
v14 for your sakes, to the intent ye may believe.
v20 Martha wouldn't run to him yourself so he draws closer to you and then he gets you to run to him and exercise your faith.
2nd exercise is wait for Jesus
v17 -21 they had laid him in grave 4 days already. Don't quit praying, hoping, and believing because he did do it the instant you called out.
What kind of faith is that God's gonna heal him, while the hearse is out back and funeral home already been notified.
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3rd exercise is to lean on Jesus
Not much leaning when you say Jesus if you would of only been here. To lean on, trust in.
He is trying to teach them that he is the resurrection. He was trying to increase the faith. Death to mankind is the biggest fear, but to Jesus it's just like taking a nap.
Everyone in this room will face Trouble one day that will look so big so terrible but remember the what the psalmist said
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Once you run to him be still, once you wait for him know that he will be exalted above all earth, he will do something for his glory, and when he gets their Know that he is God.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear; though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
