TOPIC: THE POWER OF FAITH (PART 3)
TEXT: HEBREWS 11:1-6; ROMANS 12:3; LUKE 18:8
FOCUS: FAITH BOOSTERS
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Introduction: It is worthy to remind us again that God has given to every man measure of faith, because it is a gift of God. God does start off everyone the same way. He doesn’t give one person more faith than He gives another. He gives to every man the same measure of faith. Faith is not a personal property; it is a gift of God. Then your faith grows according to what you do with it. Eph. 2:8.
NOTE:
a. Whatever you don’t feed that has capacity for growth will surely die.
b. Faith not being fed has tendency to FAIL. Luke 22:31-32
Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
c. Faith not being fed has tendency to be WEAK. Rom. 4:19
Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
d. Faith not being fed has capacity to remain LITTLE. Matt. 14:31; Luke 12:28
Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
e. Faith not being fed has tendency to lose value and become IRRELIVANT. Jam. 2:14-20
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
f. Faith you feed or boost has capacity to be STRONG, GROW and PRODUCE PROOFS/PROFITS. Rom. 4:20
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
HOW DO YOU BOOST YOUR FAITH TO GROW
1. By Constant Reading, Studying and Meditating on the Word of God – Rom. 10:17; Matt. 4:4; Jos. 1:8; Psa. 1:1-3
– Nothing makes a man blessed and prosperous like the word of God.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
2. By Consistent Prayers in understanding and in the Holy Ghost – 1 Thess.5:17; Jude 20; Mark 11:24
– Any prayerful believer will end up a giant of faith.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Mar 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
3. By Continual Dependency on God – Isa. 26:3-4; Psalm 25:1-2
– When you permanently depend on God, God makes situations to obey you without struggle.
Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Psa 25:1 A Psalm of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. Psa 25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
4. By Consistent Patience – Patience is a virtue. Psa. 27:14; Psa. 40:1; Heb. 6:13-15
– If someone can be patient with God, the person will definitely obtain promises from God.
– An impatience someone is a disaster gathering or waiting to happen.
– Patience is not synonymous to sluggishness.
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psa 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Heb 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Heb 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. Heb 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
5. By Untiring Acts or Works of Faith – Every step or act of faith increases your level in the school of faith. Exo. 14:13-16; Matt. 14:28-32 (Peter walked on the Sea).
Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exo 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: Exo 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Conclusion: If you want your faith to grow, you have to start where you are. No one climbs a ladder starting on the top rung. You’ve got to start on the bottom rung and climb up if you’re going to reach the top. That’s the thing that defeats a lot of well-meaning Christians, they try to believe beyond their faith. Recognize that you have faith and that you can cause it to grow. Feed your faith and exercise it right where you are in your Christian walk. Then your faith can grow and move mountains!
Halleluyah!
Prayer:
- Lord, strengthen my faith and enlarge my capacity to believe, in Jesus’ Name
- Lord, let me not experience faith failure in life, in Jesus’ Name.
- Lord, help my faith to produce proofs, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
