Mark 11
22″Have[1] faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23″I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.”

Have you prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed? Yet no answer?

Have you held on and held on and held on to God’s promises? Yet no result?

Have you struggled and struggled and struggled and struggled? Yet no victory?

No answer, no reply, no result, no progress, no victories.

Many times, believers become discouraged because they feel God has not answered. They don’t know what else to do. They have quoted these verses in Mark 11, they confess all types of promises and still no answers come.

There is a feeling- and this feeling has become a teaching- that if God does not answer your prayer, there must be sin in your life.

Let us pause for a moment and examine that theory. It could be true. Sin can block the flow of the Holy Spirit in your life. But what do we do with sin? We confess our sin and God forgives us and when God forgives us it is completely gone. It is not an issue any more.

So if it is a sin, it is not a permanent problem.

Today we want to deal with the subject, “When Believing Is Not Enough”. I will give you several clear reasons, and there may be more, why believing does not always work.

1. Believing is not enough when you have unforgiveness in your heart.

Matthew 6
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The Lord’s prayer connects prayer and forgiveness as well.

To forgive is to: Give up resentment against.
To give up all claim to punish.
To stop being angry.
To cancel or remit a debt.

To have unforgiveness is to refuse to do the above.

 “But you don’t understand my situation…”

Forgiveness is needed when injustice has been experienced.

Misunderstood.
Have been misused
Taken advantage of.
Hurt
Neglected.
Rejected.
Sinned against.

But you know – everyone experiences emotional pain. All who live experience the normal hurt of painful human relationships.

Even the Son of God was misused, hurt, rejected, forsaken, misunderstood and sinned against.

Being hurt is part of normal living, but what we do with those hurts can effect our relationship with God indefinitely.

Unforgiveness masquerades itself as: resentment, bitterness, grudges, animosity, hatred or self-pity.

Many Christians are in bondage to hurt feelings because they have chosen to store bitterness and resentment in their hearts.

Notice the way that the subject of “forgiveness” is dealt with in this verse. It speaks to your will and not to your feelings.

It’s a decisive act of your will in which you give up resentments and self pity.

Psalm 66:18 NIV
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

So believing is not enough when there is unforgiveness in your heart; you must forgive to receive answers to prayer.

Ask yourself the question, “Who do I need to forgive today?”

 2. Believing is not enough when your motives are wrong.

James 4:1 NIV
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

The whole purpose of God’s intervention in our lives is to glorify His son Jesus. Is God really glorified in the answers to our prayers?

Selfishness often rules our lives and our prayers. “It’s for me.” Yes, it may benefit you but it should really be to glorify Jesus.

Mark 11 tells us to have faith in God. The focus of believing is on God. Have faith in God.

Wrong motives appear in feelings like this:

Bless my work Lord.
Bless my reputation – Saul and Samuel.
Bless my ministry.
Bless my empire.

The Scripture in James was written to believers who were lusting and fighting, rather than praying and believing.

In other words, “God, if you don’t do this I will…..” That is not believing. There are wrong motives hidden in that prayer.

You can test your motives by thinking about how you would feel if God does nothing about your situation.

This chapter in James has a sub-heading called “Submit Yourselves to God”. Instead of fighting, coveting and lusting for your benefit, submit or surrender your will to God. Resist the devil and believe God for a miracle.

You can believe all you want, but wrong motives will withhold God’s best for your life.

Ask yourself the question, “Why am I praying this prayer?”
3. Believing is not enough when you won’t practice your faith.

March 5:25 NIV
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.
26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,
28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”
29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.
33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.
34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

This woman set it in her heart that she would be healed if she could touch Jesus. Then she pressed through the crowd.

The feeling and the healing followed the coming and the doing.
Dramatic and significant is the story of the Pilgrims.

“On December 21, 1620, the voyaging Mayflower dropped anchor in Plymouth Bay, with Captain Christopher Jones at her helm. It had been a grueling voyage, taking the one-hundred-twenty-ton-capacity ship sixty-six days to make the perilous crossing. There had been disease, anxiety, and childbirth among the 102 courageous passengers. Furthermore, they arrived on the black New England shore during a hard winter, which ultimately claimed half of their number. However, when spring came and the captain of the Mayflower offered free passage to anyone desiring to return, not a single person accepted.

The fidelity of the forty-one men, who while still aboard the Mayflower had signed the famous Compact beginning with the words, “In ye name of God Amen,” was taking on visible meaning, these chivalrous souls had dedicated themselves to the total causes of freedom. They had come to a wilderness to carve out a better way of life. Faith prompted the voyage; faith sustained the Pilgrims and their religious convictions constrained them to raise their voices in praise. Their hardship, sacrifice, devotion, concept of government, and vigorous religion all remind us of those who sought a country.”

James 1:22 NIV
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.
If there is no willingness to obey the Word of God in your lifestyle, you will destroy your own faith.
How can I believe God for miracles when I am not confident that I am pleasing God with my life?

Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

One step further.

1Peter 3:7 NIV
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

So believing is not enough if you refuse to practice what you believe. Husbands who are abusive have no right to expect answered prayer.

Ask yourself the question, “What is my faith doing?”
4. Believing is not enough when you won’t change what you think.

Emerson said, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius put it this way, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”

William James said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”

In the Bible, Pro. 23:7 we find:
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

No one rises above his thoughts. If you constantly think sickness and suffering, defeat, discouragement, depression, despair, it is impossible to rise beyond that level of living. But if your thoughts are upon the things of God and you have hid God’s Word in your heart, you will rise in your spirit to the standard of thinking you’ve set in your mind.

Romans 12:1 NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Many times people have come for prayer, and after praying for them, a few hours later you ask them how they are doing and by the very confession of their mouth you know that they are not believing God to receive anything. Immediately after they are prayed for they continue to confess the same problems, troubles and struggles thus not exercising any will to change their thinking.

Their goal is to be prayed for, not to receive from God. It is comfort they really want and not answers.

Ask yourself the question, “How can I transform my negative thinking?”

Believing is not enough when you won’t change your pattern of thinking.
Conclusion

Believing is enough when:

• your spirit is right with God.
• your motives are purified.
• you practice your faith.
• you change the way you think.

Luke 12:31-32 NIV

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

John 14:13-14 NIV
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

So, if you’ve been asking, praying, holding on, now is the time to let go of the things that hold you from believing God and receiving your answer.

You may be here today with deep problems and fear gripping you about your future and what God will or will not do.

Believe today.

Ask Him today as a child asks a father.
Clear out the road blocks and if you don’t know what they are then seek God awhile and find out.

FAITH WORKS!

Acts 2:38-40
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Several years ago I read “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. It was there that I first heard the phrase- “Paradigm shift”.

What is a paradigm? A paradigm is a way of thinking. It is your “perception of truth” or your “assumptions”. And it is possible that your paradigm, your assumptions or way of thinking could be wrong.

What then? What if what you believe is wrong? What if your paradigm–the way you look at things–is wrong?

Covey tells this story of how his paradigm changed one day on a subway train in New York:

He was riding the train, reading a newspaper and just enjoying the quiet. After a few stops, a man – a father entered the train with his children. The children were loud, full of energy and instantly, the atmosphere of the train changed. The children threw things, grabbed people’s papers, yelled at each other and the man- the father, closed his eyes and appeared to sleep. Covey was irritated. Everyone was irritated. So finally, Covey leaned over to the man and said,

“Sir your children are disturbing a lot of people.
I wonder if you could control them a bit.”

The man slowly opened his eyes and said,

“Oh, I guess you are right, I should do something
about it. We just came from the hospital and
their mother died an hour ago…I guess we don’t
know how to handle it right now.”

Covey said, “Can you imagine how I felt at that moment? I saw things very differently and my paradigm shifted.”

You have a paradigm and it controls the way you see life and, more importantly– the way you see God.

If your perception is wrong- if your paradigm is wrong- about Jesus, Peter takes it a step further and calls it corrupt.

I repeat the words of Peter…

Acts 2:40
“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”

When reading this verse you might think for a moment that he was talking about our time.

According to the Star last week, we are the 11th most corrupt nation in the world. Newspapers daily tell us of missing or misused money. But it has become so common that, as Max Solivan wrote the next day, “Forget it, a few will get upset but nothing will really happen in the end.”

Corruption–the sign of our times. The word “corrupt” means unscrupulous, crooked, bent, twisted, dishonest, wicked or perverse.

What if everyone around you thinks the way you do? Or worse, what if you think like everyone around you? You might not even know you are corrupt.

Peter says, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”.

Peter is not talking about politics or money. He is talking about faith, personal faith. He is talking about what you believe about Jesus Christ. If what you believe is not solidly based upon the truth of God’s Word, you are corrupted.

Peter’s generation was corrupt because they had rejected Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah.

Acts 2
22″Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[1] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Acts 2
36″Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Many times throughout history, the paradigm has been wrong.

There was a time when men thought that the world was flat, or when Ptolemy, the Egyptian astronomer, thought the earth was the center of the universe.

There was a time when all governments were led by kings or monarchs, and it was understood that this was the only way to govern. It wasn’t until ancient Greece elected their first officials that democracy became an alternative to kings and monarchs.

When Jesus came into the world 2000 years ago he was met with a hostile civilization that lived in a paradigm that absolutely rejected him. He lived in a world of very religious people and, as in most cases, the very religious are very closed to the truth. Often, the religious are so busy doing things for their “god” that they have no time to consider what God has done for them.

Here’s what John said:

John 1
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Jesus had all the credentials of the Messiah. The credentials were set by the Old Testament prophets. They were prophetic signs that the messiah was real and legitimate. I should add that they were written hundreds of years before Jesus was even born.

• He was born in Bethlehem.
• He was born of a virgin.
• He was raised in Nazareth.
• He was a direct descendent of King David.
• He was preceded by John the Baptist.
• He taught in parables.
• He entered Jerusalem on a donkey.
• He was crucified
• He rose on the third day

– and the list goes on and on.

I like what Josh McDowell wrote, ”If Jesus wasn’t God, he deserves an Oscar.”

But when Jesus came with all the right credentials, he was rejected because they were looking for something else. They were looking for a political solution to their problems.

And Jesus was absolutely hated because he challenged the religion of the time. He challenged hypocrisy.

He made it very clear that true religion involved a change of heart. He used the terms- “born again” or “born from above”- and not just a matter actions.

Here is what Peter preached:

Jesus is Lord
Jesus is Christ
Jesus is God
Those who rejected Jesus, he called “a corrupt generation” because they trusted their own religion rather than placing their faith in Jesus.

What is your religious paradigm? What is the center of your world?
Is the center of your world your church?
Is the center of your world your religion?
Is the center of your world what you do for God?
Or is it you, with a capital “I”…

Here is what Jesus said about himself:
I am the Messiah

NIVJohn 4:25-26
25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ)” is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
I am the bread of life

NIV John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
I am eternal God

NIV John 8:58
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
I am the light of the world

NIV John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
I am the gate

NIV John 10:7
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
I am the resurrection and the life

NIV John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
I am the way and the life

NIV John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
This is what Peter and all the disciples were preaching: “Jesus is what you need. He is the only way, He is the truth, and He is life. If your confidence is anywhere else, your paradigm needs a shift.”

Peter is making it clear that unless you place your complete faith in Jesus Christ and in Him alone, you are corrupt. Your paradigm is wrong. You have rejected your only hope.

But- you can repent. You can change your paradigm.

In verse 38 Peter says “Repent”.

NIV Acts 2:38-39
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repent means “to change the way you think”. It is a “paradigm shift”, supernaturally revealed by the Holy Spirit.

God would like to call you to a paradigm shift. God would like to call you to a life that works. God would like to call you to a relationship with Himself that gives you everything Jesus promised.

Does your life work now?
Do you enjoy the absolute assurance that you know God?
Do you know that Jesus lives in your life?

Without Him, you will never experience what He has promised.

Do you fear dying?
Do you fear living?
Do you have a purpose for your life?

All these questions are answered when you have turned from yourself and from all religion, and turn to Jesus. That is what He has promised. Not perfection, but relationship.

Could this be your day for a paradigm shift? Make it today!
Prayer

Jesus, I ask You to reveal Yourself to me.
I choose to believe that You are who You claimed to be.
I surrender my life to You, all of me.
I ask You to be the Lord of me,
AMEN

Christmas
by Pastor Jonathan Heppner, December 18, 2011

Men and women have done unusual things to leave their mark. Sacrifices have been made, effort driven by burning passion; determination against odds that would seem to be impossible; optimism in the face of circumstances that others would soon quit.

Records have been challenged and broken when others said it could not be done.

In 1954 Roger Bannister, then a medical student, ran the mile in 4 minutes – a feat that others described as impossible.

Sir Edmond Hillary climbed Mt. Everest–the world’s tallest peak, for the first time.

Everyone wants to be remembered for something- maybe something as simple as being a great mom or dad.

The desire for greatness is buried deep within every person. No one wants to be a nothing.

To be the best – the greatest – the most superior- is a human pride that drives us on to achieve. Some people are driven by personal ambition and others by racial superiority. In fact most races consider themselves better than others.

Greeks con¬sidered themselves cultured, and the rest of humanity barbarians because their language seemed barbaric.

Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan sent a note by Marco Polo to the British King, “You and your people must be very lonely on your little island so far away from civilization. You had better come under our sovereignty.”

A Persian King had the title, “Lord of the Universe.”

A Burmese man in the temple said, “Now you are at the center of the universe.”

The Chinese called themselves The Middle Kingdom. They were the cen¬ter and the rest were on the margin.

Japanese believe that they are descended from the sun-god, and that scientific investigation shows that the Japanese are mentally, spiritually, and culturally superior to all people.

Haitians believe that their island was the first of all created things. The sun came out of one cave and the moon out of another.

Irish Sinn Fein, means “we ourselves”.

Americans call their country “God’s country” .

Australians calls their country, “God’s own country.”

Danish people said, “We are humble people. We are so humble that we are proud of our humility.”

The Frenchman said “It is well that the human race is now involved so near to completion and perfection with the Frenchman at the top.”

The Filipino legend tells us that the god Bathala created man from clay, like pottery. The first man he created was not baked enough in the final process, so the skin of the first man was too pale because he was “hilaw”. The second man, Bathala left in the oven far too long so he got “over-cooked” and his skin became very dark. The third man, Bathala really took care and watched over the baking so that when he was done, he took the third man out of the oven and saw that he was “just right”—with brown skin. Not too light, not too dark. And that’s where the Filipinos came from.

The Bible begins its discussion of greatness not with a race, an achievement or accomplishment, but rather a seed. This parable is found 3 times in the gospels.

The mustard seed is not the smallest seed. This sentence is actually a Greek expression used to describe something very small. The kingdom starts small but becomes the greatest. Greatness starts small. There are some things about this Kingdom that we should consider.

I. The kingdom has the greatest King

Chuck Colson writes about his days working for President Nixon:
“One December night as I accompanied the president from the Oval Office in the West Wing of the White House to the residence, Mr. Nixon was commenting about what people wanted in their leaders. He slowed a moment, looking into the distance across the south lawn and said, ‘The people really want a leader a little bigger than themselves, don’t they, Chuck? There’s a certain aloofness, a power that’s exuded by great men that people feel and want to follow. People at times are almost attracted to Arrogance.”

But Not Jesus In complete contrast to the kings of the world, the greatest king humbled himself and that humility became the seed of his greatness. Listen to Paul as he describes it in Philippians.

Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Yes, you understand it was Jesus who chose to humble himself. He wasn’t born nothing, he made himself nothing.

John says that he was present creation

John 1:3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Paul said he conquered death

Romans 1:4
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

He conquered the devil

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (NIV)

These are not the actions of a weak man but rather a very strong man.

What about this name?

It is interesting that the Bible uses over 120 names and titles to describe Jesus. He is called the “Prince of Peace”, “Savior”, “The bread of life”, “The counselor”, etc.

More than just the number is the quality of his names. Think about a doctor for a moment. Can he cure all illnesses? No, but Jesus can. Think about an attorney this morning, can he win all cases? No, but Jesus can. Think about a peacemaker, can he bring peace to every situation? No, he cannot…but Jesus can.

What can he do today? What can he do for you?

NLT Mark 16:17
These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages.

NLT John 14:13
You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.
14 Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it!

Romans 10:13
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (NIV)

Jesus is the greatest but never forget how he obtained his greatness- by humility and obedience.
II. The greatest resident

Who is the greatest resident of the kingdom? The disciples of Jesus were no less human than you and I are. Admit it, you would like to be important. Who wants to be insignificant? No one wants to be a nothing.

Luke 22:24
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
So now you tell me how great you are. You tell me how important you are. You use the rules of Jesus to define your greatness. Whom have you served on behalf of Christ? For whom have you inconvenienced yourself on behalf of Christ? For whom have you spent your own money for Christ? How much inconvenience have you suffered for the cause of Christ? You can tell me how great you are.

The society of Jesus’ time gave honor to the aged. The young were to serve the older. The old were to be honored for their age.

The servant was nothing more than a slave.

Jesus challenged the premise that greatness is determined by your position. In the kingdom, the young do not serve the older. Everyone serves one another.

NIV Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Service has only one legitimate motive and it’s called love. We are set free by Christ not to be selfish but to serve. Only in Christ can we truly serve. Remember, we the human want prominence. We the human want to be honored. We the human want to be served.

NLT Galatians 5:13
For you have been called to live in freedom– not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.

Greatness is determined by what you do in the kingdom and not necessarily by your accomplishments but by your present service to one another on behalf of Christ.

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The greatest resident in God’s kingdom is the greatest servant. That person who knows who he is, but chooses to serve is the greatest.

The king who washes the feet of his followers.

The leader who inconveniences himself for his followers.

The minister who sacrifices himself for the ones he leads.

One of the greatest tragedies of the kingdom and the church today is that many have come into God’s kingdom holding the values of the world. Wanting positions and power but not realizing that those who seek power neither have the spirit of Christ nor see the true power of His kingdom.

Many times people enter the kingdom of God carrying the same attitude they had in the old life. They have not entered to serve but to be served.

Age does not make maturity. You and I must constantly, aggressively choose to humble ourselves or the old human pride will rise to the top and we will lose the character of Jesus and become useless.

Yes, you are saved- but do you have the spirit of the founder leading your life?

III. The greatest characteristic

Once again the disciples are debating greatness and here they come to Jesus again.

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose the men he chose? Not one religious leader of Jesus’ time was chosen to be His disciple.

I am not implying anything in the statement I am about to make. I am only asking a question.

If Jesus were going to select his disciples from our church, would he select me? Would he select any of our pastors? Would he select any of our board members? Would he select any of our ministry leaders? Would he select any of our workers? Would he select any of our staff? This sentence as I wrote it, sobered my mind, and I wondered, would he pick me or am I too religious?

Jesus chose fishermen, a despised tax collector, a Zealot or rebel, Luke a physician and many are not identified.

Yet all the natural characteristics of those men are present in man today. The pride and ambition. The desire to be recognized.

In some Christian fellowships people desire honor because of age or accomplishments. I want to be noticed for my contribution. But Jesus speaking to the ordinary man this morning says, if you want to be great humble yourself like a child.

Jesus not only exalted the humble, but went so far as to say, “if you do not become like this child you cannot even get into the kingdom of God”. Every man, woman, and child who would enter the kingdom must humble themselves. What gets you into the kingdom keeps you there. No cheating allowed, no shortcuts!!

The main characteristic of the true Christian is humility.
Not achievement- but humility.
Not ability- but humility.
Not impressive performance- but humility.

In the world of Jesus’ time, which is not much different from ours, the prevalent mood is self-sufficiency, worldly, wise sophistication. Jesus exalts humility.

What is it about that child that speaks of humility?

The absence of self. The presence of dependence. The child depends fully on the parent, the adult to take care of them. Their faith is simple. Humble faith. Only humble men and women can exhibit true faith. The proud depends upon themselves but the humble said, like Paul: “in me is no good thing but Christ.”

Paul expressed it when he said – “I die daily”

The German preacher George Meuller, the famous orphanage-director of England, expressed it this way: “There came a time when George Meuller died”—he died to himself.

Humility says – I give it all up for you Lord. I depend on you.

IV. The greatest motivation

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

In the Hebrew language, love, compassion and mercy all come from the same word. A deep feeling towards someone. This is the greatest motivation.

Once again the Word of God rebukes common sense when it says:

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

• The greatest motivation was seen in John 3:16
• Jesus had compassion on the blind men in Matthew 20:34
• Jesus had compassion on the leper in Mark 1:41
• Jesus had compassion on the multitudes Matthew 14:14
• Jesus wept over Jerusalem Matthew 23:37
• Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:35
• When Paul arrived in Athens he was distressed to see the city full of idols Act 17:16

Love Is Not Blind

Love is not blind. Love has 20/20 spiritual vision.
The eyes of love are open, clear, penetrating, serene…
Love sees through all colors of skin to the child of God.
Love sees deep into the human heart to discover the goodness there.
Love sees through intolerance, prejudice, and misunderstanding to brotherhood.
Love sees through conflict, struggle and separation to the unity of all life.
Love sees through the darkness of discouragement and despair
to the shining light of hope.
Love sees the blossom in the rosebud, the greatness in the common man.
Love sees the criminal, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the for¬saken and abandoned
transformed by the miracle of the spirit within.
Love sees men at war not as enemies to kill, but as friends gone astray who
must be won back to sanity and good will.
Love sees the silver lining in the storm clouds.
Love sees through defeat to victory, through disease to healing,
through problems to solutions, through hate to forgiveness,
through unhappiness to joy, through fear to courage,
through un¬belief to faith,
through evil to good.
Love sees heaven on earth.
Love is not blind. The most powerful sight in the world is the insight of love.
Love sees with the eyes of God, for God is love.
It was Bob Pierce the founder of World Vision who said:
“Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God”.

It was Mark Buntain, a Canadian missionary, who worked the streets of Calcutta, India- called the hell hole of the world- and would pick people up off the street and take care of them. Mother Theresa also did this.

It was Jim Elliot who went to the Auca Indians. He felt called to them and prayed for them for 6 years. When he and his companions went, within a few weeks they were killed by the very people they went to save.

Oswald Smith of People’s Church in Toronto said, “There is an urge upon my spirit that compels my feet to go and to those in darkness, I must God’s salvation show.”

George Whitefield’s prayer was, “O Lord, give me souls or take mine”.

William Booth founder of the Salvation Army was asked by the King of England what the ruling force of his life was. He said, “Sir, some men’s passion is for gol,d others for fame, but my passion is for souls.”

There is no motivation greater than love and there is no love without action.

It was Jesus who said, “Greater love has no one than that a man would lay down his life for his friends.”

The greatest kingdom is the one where Jesus is Lord. In this kingdom there are no spiritual giants, only great servants. They have not attained their status through the ambition of the world but through the sacrifice of their lives for the king.

In Yorkshire, England, during the early 1800s two sons were born to a family named Taylor. The older one set out to make a name for himself by entering parliament and gaining public prestige. But the younger son chose to give his life to Christ.

He later recalled, “Well do I remember, as in unreserved consecration I put myself, my life, my friends, my all, upon the altar. I felt I was in the presence of God, entering into covenant with the Amighty”. With that commitment, Hudson Taylor turned his face towards China and obscurity. As a result, he is known as a faithful missionary and the founder of the China Inland Mission (Now OMF)

For the other son, however, there is no lasting monument. He became known simply as “the brother of Hudson Taylor.”

 The greatest Leader in this kingdom is Jesus.
 The greatest resident of this kingdom is the greatest servant.
 The greatest servant demonstrates the greatest characteristic which is humility.
 The greatest motivator is not faith or power but love.

Conclusion:

Now the question: Where do I fit into this kingdom? As a kingdom resident, do I show the characteristics of the king?

The choice is mine; to choose the value of the king or the values of this world. The end result will be either the recognition of the king or the recognition of the world. To have both is impossible.

Joseph, The Dreamer
by Pastor Debbie Marie Tolentino, December 4, 2011

Hebrews 12:1-2
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Have you ever attended a PBA game at the Cuneta Astrodome? It’s quite an experience. The crowd of spectators is really a sight to see—whether they are seated, standing or jumping, almost all are screaming, cheering, clapping – the noise is incredible! They are all spectators watching two teams compete.

This chapter in Hebrews begins by talking about “spectators” or “witnesses”. They are called a great cloud of witnesses. These spectators are different. They have all been in the race. They have not spent their lives merely attending games and watching. They have actually done it and done it well. These are all retired athletes, and uniquely, they are spiritual athletes. They have all run the race of life and faith and finished well. Who are these athletes? As you notice the first word of chapter 12, it is “Therefore” meaning that the next few verses are a connection to the entire previous chapter. That previous chapter we call them the heroes of faith.

The word “race” refers to a “contest” and refers to the multi faceted Greek games of the times. The contest has a clear objective – to get the prize, the trophy, the ribbon–to be proclaimed first. Everyone must compete according to the set rules. The referee is there to ensure that the race is completed properly. The thing that makes the trophy valuable is that one has followed the rules and won.

The pain of preparation is all for the joy of victory.

Some time ago, I watched on CNN, the interview of two marathon runners. Both women, both in their thirties, both with children but both totally committed to the race. They get up at 3:30 or 4 AM, run and after running, they go home and get their children up and get them ready for school. But they don’t see that as a sacrifice. All that matters is the race. To win is the goal and no sacrifice is too great to win.

There is only one winner in a marathon. There is only one team who wins the championship. Only one boxer is left standing.

In these verses, the race is different. Notice it says “the race marked out for us”. We all have a race. That race is unique for us. It’s like God has called you to a life–a race–and it is different from mine. Only you can run your race.

We all have the same goal. We must reach the finish line just as every runner must run for the finish. However, it is not to get a physical trophy but rather, it is to build our character so that we become like Jesus and fulfill God’s unique purpose for us. Several things are clear from studying winners…
1. Winners study the example of others

Teams watch videos of past games. Athletes watch the trainings and competitions of past performers–especially winners. They do not focus on losers except to learn from their mistakes.

Here’s a list of winning competitors in Hebrews 11.

Noah – was called to build an ark. No other man was called to build an ark. It was the unique race of Noah. He had to obey God and follow God through one of the most foolish looking programs that any man has ever had to do. He built an ark before there had ever been a rainfall on the earth. He won because he fulfilled the purposes of God for his life. So now he sits in the grandstand and his testimony lives on.

Abraham – was called to leave the warmth of family, culture and all possible security and go to a place that God would show him- but only after he left. That is faith! He was childless and when he was past 90 he became a father – then he was called by God to offer his miracle son as a sacrifice to God. He never wavered in his complete trust in God. He finished his life of faith and now he sits in the grandstand and his testimony cheers us on.

Joseph – He was carried away as a slave, sold by his own brothers. He ended up in Egypt. He was a son of God’s chosen people. He spent 12 years in prison for crimes he did not commit, but God was with him. He was running his own race by preserving an entire nation. God brought him out and he became the second most powerful man in the nation where he had spent 12 years in jail. Now, he too, sits in the cloud of witnesses and his testimony speaks today.

David – The shepherd boy who was anointed as king. He was used by God to defeat the Philistines. You would think that Saul, his king, would be ecstatic about this boy. Imagine, God was using David to defeat the enemies of Saul. Peace was coming. Instead of praise, David was persecuted by Saul. He tried to kill him over and over. For years David lived in caves and was always on the run- for what reason? For being a dedicated soldier! For faithfully serving. You see, not every hero of faith is applauded for his achievement in this life. David suffered for being faithful. But God had a race marked out for David and in the end, David became the greatest king of Israel. He has finished his race and sits as a witness and his testimony lives on.

Daniel – a faithful servant of God. He was loyal to God, loyal to his leaders but because of jealousy was thrown into the lion’s den. There he stood, hands and feet tied, surrounded by hungry lions anxious to have supper. But God closed the mouths of the lions because Daniel stood firm for his principle of faith in God. His righteous commitment to God was challenged continually, but he finished. Today, his testimony powerfully speaks to every believer.

There are dozens of examples of heroes of faith but they all had a unique race. Many were persecuted for righteousness, not for evil. It was not their sin that brought evil into their lives but rather, their righteousness that brought persecution.

We learn from watching the videos of past champions and by so doing we gain courage for our race. Winners study the examples of others and the examples of these heroes of faith are a great encouragement and testimony to God’s faithfulness!
2. Winners understand their own race

There is a race set out for my life. God has called me to a purpose and no man can thwart God’s purpose for my life if I will continue to walk in faith with God.

Listen carefully to me today. God has a purpose for your life.

You may feel like you are in a furnace of fire. Your emotions may be all upset. You may feel like crying. You may ask, “Where is God? Why is this happening to me?” You must know one thing, God has a race and if you will continue to trust in the Lord with all your heart, no man or devil can prevent the will of God from being done in you.

Look at the cloud of witnesses. Their race was unique but the purpose was the same. They ended in faith. They ended still trusting God.

It is quite possible not to know what your race is. You may be one of those who have never asked God to show your race for this life. If you are one of those, remember it is nearly impossible to finish if you do not know which race to run.

Honestly, with and open mind and heart ask God what his race is for your life
3. Winners know where the finish line is

The finish line is predetermined. You never start a race without knowing if it is 100 meters, 200 meters or 10 kilometers.

Now that you are in the race, do you know the finish line for you? What should I accomplish? In this process there are some things that never change and must be understood and when they are understood, they give purpose to life’s race.

• God cares about people.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are and yet without sin.

“To sympathize” in this verse does not mean something of the mind like empathy. In empathy, we identify with the suffering. To sympathize is to get right into it with you. Jesus really, actually feels and understands what you feel in temptation.

• God shapes people.

Romans 8:29
And those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His son.

Every world-class athlete is shaped and developed by a coach. A weight lifter needs a coach to develop balanced muscles. There are running coaches, boxing coaches, basketball coaches etc. They shape people and teams. Sometimes, you have to run when you don’t feel like it because running will build stamina. God shapes us by coaching us never to give up in bad times. Never stop anything good in a bad time. That’s where you’ll mess up.

Knowing the finish line is not necessarily knowing what will happen in the details of my life but rather knowing:

firstly, that God is involved, even in my pain

secondly, that God shapes each one of us with purpose.

For that reason I must choose to focus on God and His purpose and will for me, even when it’s not clear. “God, whatever you want to do, I’m willing”. That may sound unclear but it really is a life focus.
4. Winners do what they have to do to win

Throw off everything that hinders or lay aside anything unnecessary, even what appears to be innocent. If it hinders me, I lay it down because I want to win. Athletes of Greek and Roman times ran either naked or nearly naked. They stripped off every weight, everything that held them back.

It is in running that we become aware of what hinders us. We make adjustments. If we are not making adjustments in our lives with some regularity, we probably will not win. Stuff slows us down. It may not be really sin, just something that weights us. We must dig deeper and lay aside sin–anything that you know displeases God. How badly do we want to finish well?

When we say that winners do what they have to do to win we mean of course only ethical and morally right things.
5. Winners have trained their minds to win

There is no doubt about it, mental training plays the largest part in winning. The mind considers what it looks at. The longer you look, the stronger the image becomes. The writer says we need to control what we look at. He says, “Fix our eyes on Jesus,” the ultimate winner.

This fixing is a determined choice. If I stir your mind today or reach your heart or touch your emotion and you decide to change, that is not what this is speaking about. It is not about another’s influence on your mind but rather it is your deliberate choice. It is to consciously turn away from something and look at something else. It is to think something different.

Here is the failure of many. The runner must never watch the cheering crowd or he’s beaten. You’ve seen it on television or in real life. Watch the runner’s eyes–they are straight ahead–no waving, no resting, no acknowledging the crowd. The finish line alone catches his attention. When you watch other runners, other people, you cannot watch Jesus and you will lose. Other runners may stumble and fall and so will you if you take your eyes off the finish line.

Again look at joyful Jesus: “The joy set before him…” This joy was not something Jesus was looking forward to having. Jesus possessed “joy”, even promising his disciples, “my joy”. He had joy while living and passed through the cross- finishing with joy. Joyful living is not an attitude that says “it’s tough now but it will someday be over and I’ll be happy again.” No, you have that joy now and you have it in troubles and you’ll have it in the end. “Joy” is present tense. It is present because Jesus is present. As long as you choose His presence over any other value in life, you will never cease to have joy. That joy is your strength.

The traumas of life will come. They are a part of your race, but the effect of them on your life is determined by your faith. The men and women of Hebrews 11 triumphed because they never gave up on the promises of God. You can be a winner, every day of your life and then finish well.

Have you become weary? Has the burden of your life’s circumstances worn you down? Look up to Jesus today, the author and finisher of your faith and you will win the prize marked out for you. Concentrate on Him. To see Jesus is the final victory for every believer.

We have 3 easy steps for you to join COGM’s very first Fun Run Event.

STEP 1: Download and fill up the registration form (Download in PDF  / MSWORD Format)

STEP 2: Submit the filled up form at the church office together with the P200 fee on or before February 8.
Note: Your payment will not be accepted without the registration form or if the form is not completely filled up.

STEP 3: Get the Fun Run Kit on February 12 (Sunday) at COGMakati.

REGISTRATION FEE:  P200 per individual

Call us at 810 5366 for more information.

Not only are we using this as an opportunity to get into shape and to teach the young people (even our kids) the value of caring for our bodies, we also want to do our share in taking care of our environment. For every registered runner, a seedling will be donated by DENR which we will be planting here in Makati sometime in May. We will be making a mark in our city by planting trees!

It’s also a way to connect our family and friends to our wonderful church family so that they’ll see for themselves that in loving Jesus—it’s more fun in COGMakati”;-)

Hospitality
by Pastor Jonathan Heppner, December 4, 2011

Matthew 28:16
¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 Luke 22:31-32
31″Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

We have already looked at 3 questions in the last few weeks;

1. How can I know the Bible is the Word of God?

2. What does it Mean to Trust God?

3. How can I Have Great Faith?

Have you ever wondered if your faith will fail?  The verses we have just read give us some insight into the spiritual battle circling each and every believer.  Jesus says, “Peter, the Devil is after you. I’m praying for you that your faith will not fail. Peter you are going to go through a rough time but you will make it.”

Simon Peter, after all he had seen and heard, was about to go through one of the most difficult trials of his life.

You would think that to be with Jesus would guarantee success.  How could it get any better than that–working with Jesus Himself?

Bob Sorge, in his book, “Loyalty” writes about an event in heaven where Lucifer, whom we know as Satan, rebelled against God. One third (1/3) of the angels joined with him and rose up against God.  Even in the best of the best, even in the presence of God, it is possible to rebel, to fall away or turn back.

There is no question about it, some people turn their backs on God and backslide.  I can name some names we all know from this small fellowship who have made conscious decisions to go back to the world.  Some I know personally and they are suffering the consequences right now even as we speak.

When you read the Bible, it is so honest about life.  The Bible never hides the histories of its heroes.  It is not uncommon for nations to rewrite their histories to make their heroes more perfect and less human, but not so the Bible.  God, the author, is very aware of human weakness and makes it plain that some choose to go back.

King Solomon built one of the most outstanding places of worship ever made.  Built to perfection, it was honored by God so much that when God’s presence came into Solomon’s temple, it was a visible cloud so thick the musicians could no longer see well enough to play.

God asked Solomon for his prayer request: “Solomon, anything you want I’ll give you.”  What an offer from God!  Solomon chose wisdom.  But…as Solomon aged, he began to take more wives, even though this was forbidden by God. The Scriptures give us an account of what happened next:

1 Kings 11:4
4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

After all the fantastic experiences with God, he finished his life in disgrace.

Judas betrayed Jesus after all he saw.  There is no doubt that Judas himself performed ministry along side of the other disciples, casting out devils, healing the sick and preaching, but in the end, he sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

This Peter we have read about denied Jesus.  After confidently proclaiming that he never would, that moment came when he was too afraid to identify himself with Jesus. He denied him three times.

The Apostle Paul traveled with a man named Demas.  He supported Paul and Paul even mentions him in his greetings but in 2 Timothy 4:10, he writes:

2 Timothy 4:10
10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me…

Every person’s faith will be tested.  You can mark that down.  If you have chosen to follow Jesus, you will have that decision tested.

 I have decided to follow Jesus- NO TURNING BACK!

George Whitfield conducted outdoor evangelistic campaigns in the 1700’s during a period of revival called the “Great Awakening.”  Thousands responded to his Gospel message.  After one of his sermons, someone asked Whitfield how many people were converted to Christ.  He replied: “We’ll know in five years.”

Peter warned us in his writings:

1 Peter 4:12-13
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

James said to take a positive view of trials – meaning they were inevitable.

James 1:2-3
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Great faith never becomes great faith without great tests.

You will never know you can trust God until you are required to trust him in difficult circumstances.

You’ll never know the Bible is reliable until you have to stake your life on its promises.

One of the things I like about the Bible is its realism.  It never sugar-coats trouble nor the failures of those within.  It realistically deals with men and women.  “Humanness” is never lost by faith.  Even though we are serving God today, God never removes our will from us.  We still can make bad choices, selfish choices, sinful choices and foolish choices.

Every original disciple (except for one- Judas Iscariot the betrayer) died for their faith.  Hebrews 11 is full of men and women who, in spite of overwhelming odds, great persecutions and unbelievable obstacles, trusted God and their faith lived on.

Acts chapter 8 tells us that when persecution struck the believers, they were scattered all over the place and everywhere they went, the gospel went with them.  It does not say persecution destroyed their faith but instead, thousands were scattered preaching the gospel.

Will my faith fail?  It is clear that some will turn back because they do not understand the nature of the Christian life.  Satan stood before God to challenge God about Job. Satan challenged Peter’s faith. Your faith will also be challenged by Satan himself.

He may use the circumstances of your life.  Satan will say to you the same things he has said through out the ages.  “If God loves you, why would he let this happen to you? Where is God when you need him? Does the Bible really mean that?”

When the Bible condemns something, Satan will be there to tell you this does not apply to you at this time.

But let me give you some promises about your life right from the Bible:

John 10:28-29
28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

1 Peter 1:3-5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 8:35
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

These verses reinforce that God can and does keep us and will keep us and we can be an overcoming people.  Remember that overcoming is an act of faith.

1 John 5:4-5
4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

No one wants to fail.  No one enters school determined to fail.  No one opens a business with bankruptcy in mind.  No team starts the game discussing how to lose and no one wants to be a failing Christian.

Here’s the game plan to win in life.  It goes like this:

 1. Live by faith

This is a long reading, about 4 verses but several points need to be understood from it.

Romans 10:8-12
8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

• First, what God says has to be in your heart and work its way out into your words.  If you don’t talk it, you don’t believe it.
• Secondly, acknowledge Jesus as Lord–owner, master, boss, of your life.  Not just your Sunday life! This means personal life, relationships, business, career, commitments, advancements, plans—everything!

Whatever you refuse to bring under His authority has the possibility of destroying your faith.

The Christian life is an all or nothing life.  If He doesn’t get all of you, it won’t be long till you give Him none of yourself.

•  Thirdly, anyone who trusts God will never have to be in shame.

Live by faith means just that–live by the principle of faith–trusting God for everything.

Your faith will not fail if you will live by it.

2.  Feed your faith

Every living thing needs food, from the simplest cells to the most complex creatures alive–every living thing needs to feed.  Spiritual life is fed.  Feed that faith.  Add to your faith.  Consciously, systematically, grow that faith.

Again, this reading is long but you need the context to understand the message.

2 Peter 1:3-8
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

First, God–His divine power, has provided and given what you need.

Secondly, God has made promises to those who live by faith.

Thirdly, you must add to your faith.

Fourthly, if you do this, you will never be an ineffective Christian.

Living things grow.

How do I feed my faith?  Obviously, by reading, studying and listening to the Bible.

How do I feed my faith?  By coming to regular fellowship and worship.

How do I feed my faith?  By committing to a life group in the church for fellowship and accountability.

How do I feed my faith?  By praying to God everyday.

 Your faith will not fail if you will feed it.

3.  Practice your faith

Here’s a story of an unusual man.

There was a prudent man who brushed his teeth twice a day, covered himself in wet weather, did his daily 12 push-ups, slept with his windows open for fresh air, was careful with his diet, had a medical examination twice a year, never smoked, drank, indulged in any kind of excess.  He was set to live to be 100 years old.  His funeral was held recently.  He is survived by 18 specialists, 4 health institutes, 6 gymnasiums, and numerous manufacturers of health foods and antiseptics.

He forgot to look out for a train at the crossing.

If you think that this story is ridiculous, listen to this one.

John DumDum got up one morning, combed his hair, brushed his teeth, and then left for work.  When he got there, he looked in the mirror but couldn’t remember what he looked like when he left the house.

This one describes a non-practicing Christian.

James 1:22-24
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Do what it says.  Never ignore its conviction.  Never stop repenting.  I do not mean repenting for old sins.  I mean repenting every time you feel that discomfort of the Holy Spirit.  Right then and there, repent.

This would be the defensive side of obedience.  Keep the heart clean.  Never give any place to the devil, as Paul says it.  Resist the devil as James puts it.

Now the offensive side is to do what the Bible says by witnessing. Be outspoken about your faith.  Take a stand on right and wrong.

Someone has said the only thing that evil needs to succeed is for the good to be silent. If you believe it–do it. “Do what it says”.

Your faith will not fail if you will practice it.

The question we started with is, “Will my faith fail?

The answer has something to do with you.  If you want to serve Jesus, if you want to be a positive Christian, if you want to live for Jesus, there are not enough demons in hell to pull you out of the hands of God.

However, if you don’t want this life – you may choose to walk away and God will not stop you.

No, he won’t give up easy.  He’ll work on you and convict you and send people across your path, but He won’t keep you against your will.

Your faith can last and that is God’s will for you.

Hebrews 11: 1
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Great faith begins with a great God.  If you have any experience with God, you will be amazed at how great He is.

The Bible itself describes Him in the grandest and greatest terms.

•   Commander of the Lord’s armies
•   Defender of widows
•   Father of the fatherless
•   God of the whole earth
•   The God who does wonders
•   The God who forgives

His names are magnificent. To name just a few:

•   El Shaddai – God almighty
•   Yahweh or Jehovah – the Lord who is salvation
•   Jehovah Nissi- the Lord is my banner
•   Jehovah Shalom- the Lord my healer
•   Jehovah Tsidkenu- the Lord my righteousness

All the names of Jehovah describe a part of His capabilities.

When the writers wrote to describe God, they described Him in ways that was beyond themselves. “My keeper, my fortress, my hiding place and my shield, my strong refuge, mighty in battle, my stronghold, a shield to me, a very present help in time of trouble”…and many more.  They were all practical titles, which spoke of God’s direct help or intervention.

How can you have great faith if you serve a small God?  Do you believe what the Bible says about God?  How can you have great faith if you fear that the Bible is exaggerating or falsifying its descriptions of God?  What if the writers were delusional?  If that was the case, then all of it is totally useless to our faith.

Great faith comes from a source.

Hebrews 11:1 AMP
NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Today, like never before, the message of faith is coming into focus.  Faith is the foundation stone of all Christian experience and where there is no faith, there is no vital contact with God.

There is much misunderstanding concerning Faith: some teach that faith is some sort of metaphysical substance: others that faith only comes by hours of concentrated prayer: others believe that you must fast for it.  Some teach that occasionally, the Lord passes by and drops some faith in the heart for some special purpose and then it flies away again.  So we have much confusion on the teaching of Faith, about what it is, what it does, where it comes from and how we get it.

The Enemy, the devil, has purposely thrown confusion into the lives of Christians because he knows wherever people exercise faith he, the devil, can no longer operate.

God’s Word, the Bible, however, does not leave us in any confusion about Faith:

2 Peter 1:19
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Faith is the product of the Human Spirit and not from your mind.  If faith was the product of the mind it would mean that the simple and mentally retarded people could not be saved. But because faith is the product of our spirit all men may be saved.

Romans 10:17
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

1.  What can FAITH do?

Hebrews Chapter 11 gives us a broad picture of what faith can do.  I want you to particularly notice the following verses:

Hebrews 11:32-35
32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

WHAT CAN FAITH DO?  ALL THINGS!

 Mark 9:23
23” ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Your faith will subdue Kingdoms- places where Satan rules.

Your faith will work righteousness.

Your faith will obtain promises.

Your faith will stop the mouths of lions.

Your faith will quench the violence of fire.

Your faith will cause you to escape the edge of the sword.

Your faith will turn that weakness into strength.

Your faith will put your enemy to flight.

Your faith will raise the dead.

Your faith will make you whole.

 Matthew 17:20
20He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, 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.

Notice the following verse:

Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Faith makes you a God-pleaser.  Faith gives you a good report.  Faith makes you an over-comer where you were once a victim.

1 John 5:4
4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Faith makes you acceptable to God.  Faith justifies you.  Faith gives you peace with God.  Faith causes you to be happy in troubles.  Faith lasts.
2. How do you get Great FAITH?

Before we look at where we get faith, it would be well to point out that there are two kinds of faith.  We are all born with the ability to believe—(call it natural faith) and there is also revelation-knowledge faith or spiritual faith.  Every person born into the world lives his or her life by faith.  If they are never born again, that faith remains knowledge faith.  They are exercising faith everyday in what they can hear, see, taste, smell and touch.  When a man or woman is “born again”, revelation faith or spiritual faith now comes into existence.

Hebrews 12:2 says this faith finds its origin and completion in Christ.

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the Author (originator) and Finisher of our FAITH.

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God.

If Jesus is the originator and completer of this faith and if it is the gift of God, then it is not a product of our reasoning or intellectual faculties.

If it is a gift, we don’t work for it, fast for it, pray for it.  We just accept it.  It is a complete faith.  It is the faith of Jesus.

Romans 12:3 tells us to think in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us.

Romans 12:3
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Notice God has given to every man, not just some men, “The measure of faith”.  Every CHILD OF GOD has the same measure.  You have the same measure of faith that Moses had, that Joshua had, that Elijah had, that David had, that Paul had, that Peter had, and reverently, that Jesus had as a man.

How do you acquire it – by fasting?  No.  By begging?  No.  By pleading?  No.

Romans 10:17
Faith comes by HEARING and hearing by the Word of God.
Hearing the word means doing what the Word says.  As you act the Word of God, you find faith is there.  Great faith is demonstrated by the obedient.

3.  How does Great FAITH work?
Have you heard of The Law of Faith?

We know that there are certain laws that govern certain things.  There is the Law of Gravity; there is the Law of Aerodynamics.  There are laws that govern Electricity.  There are Botanical laws. By understanding these laws or principles, we are able to turn many things to our advantage and use them in every day living.

Now, faith operates by a certain “law” or principle – it is not haphazard.  When we know what this law or principle of faith is, then we are able to use the faith that we have and get the same results that we have already considered in “What faith does”.

What is this “Law” or Principle of Faith?

We will turn to Mark 11:12-14:

Mark 11:12-14   
12The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

In Mark 11 we read the story of Jesus drying up the fig tree. Now please notice Jesus did not curse the tree – He simply SPOKE to it and said, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever.”  The result of that spoken word was that the fig tree dried up.  The disciples were amazed.  Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God” or “Have the faith of God.”

How does God’s faith operate?  IT SPEAKS WORDS.  The first thing that we were told about God is that HE spoke.  HE said, “Let there be … and there was”.  God believed His Own Word.  Jesus said, “You have this faith and now He gives the law of faith.”

Notice verse 23:

Mark 11:23
23Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.

There it is, the Law of Faith.  You SPEAK and believe that what YOU say will happen.

We BELIEVE, therefore, WE SPEAK.

Christ cast out demons WITH WORDS.

He healed the sick  WITH WORDS.

He made the worlds WITH WORDS.

He forgave sins WITH WORDS.

He performed miracles WITH WORDS.

Joshua halted the Sun and Moon WITH WORDS.

Instead of standing over the sick and saying “Please God, heal this person”, you should say “Be thou healed in the Name of the Lord Jesus”, or “Thank you Father for healing this person”.

When you need finances you speak it into existence.  Now you understand how nothing is impossible to him who believes.  If you are saved then you ARE a believer.  The Lord only added believers to the Church as written in Acts 5:14.

You are not a doubter – you are a believer.

Conclusion

What do you speak?  That is your faith!

You need a revelation of God’s faith for yourself.  This is the beginning of great faith.  Speak that, stand there & watch God work.

What happens to you in your future has more to do with you and your words than anything or anyone else.  So what are we going to say today about our life? What is the real testimony of our faith? Whatever faith we have must be used.