Speaking Faith 5: Faith in Action - part one
What if...
1. You never had to worry about money, possessions, or your job again?
YOU DON’T! Look at the back of your bulletin – God has promised to supply every need we have.
Philippians 4:19 says:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Every need will be met as you pursue Christ Jesus! Stop worrying – start putting your faith into action.
What if...
2. You never had to fall prey to temptation again?
YOU DON’T! God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation.
God says… “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
What if...
3. You never had to worry that you aren’t ‘good enough’ for God?
YOU DON’T! God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us.
God says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no-one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9
The key to these “What if’s” becoming your REALITY is learning to take God at His Word – and speaking your faith with confidence!
Another way of saying this is: You’ll only experience the promises of God in your life as you first believe that they are true, and second voice your confidence in Him.
I want to talk with you today and next Sunday about putting your faith into action. Specifically, I want to show you a way of progression in speaking faith.
So, for the past several weeks I’ve sought to lay down a solid biblical foundation as to why SPEAKING FAITH – verbally – is vital for your spiritual development. I’ve shown you evidences in the Bible of Speaking Faith in Action. I’ve also shown you what happens when we speak FEAR, INSECURITY or DOUBT. Today, I want to give you some tools to grow in Speaking Faith.
1. START WHERE YOU ARE – 1 Peter 2:2-3
Spiritual growth and development is very similar in some ways to the development we see in human beings.
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2, 3
You start on milk – the basics, the simpler truths – why? So that you can “grow up in your salvation.”
But, then – God doesn’t want you to stay a spiritual baby – he expects you to mature.
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…” Hebrews 5:13-6:1a
Notice how one gets mature: ‘who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil…’
How? Be getting the Word into your heart and mind.
According to the Barna Research Group – in a 2000 survey of evangelical believers – only 53% of born again believers read the Bible on a weekly basis.
Yet, we spend dozens of hours listening to worldly teaching from talk radio, TV, musicians and educators.
Is it any wonder that so many of you are struggling spiritually.
It’s time to grow – and you cannot grow unless you get a healthy diet of spiritual food! I want to challenge you to take the list of promises on the back of today’s bulletin and spend a little bit of time –
every day studying them – and then as you study them, SPEAK FAITH.
Most people when they come to Jesus are pretty messed up. Messed up by sin of all sorts: Sexual sin, false religions, character defects. But, God cleans you up and heals you. You simply cannot walk with God and not get healed.
The Prophet Isaiah spoke in Isaiah 61:1-3 what became the mission statement of Jesus:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3
Notice what happens: God heals you to establish you as an ‘…oak of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor…”
Now what do we know about oak trees? They last a long, long time. They are firmly planted. They are able to withstand the seasons of life.
God says: Start where you are – and let me heal you – and as I heal you, I will PLANT you firmly to show off my glory to all around you!
Today – you start where you are. Do you have ‘some’ faith? Yes or no.
Then let me tell you:
Your Faith + God’s Word + Time = Change
So many times, we want God to work – and we want it NOW! – Folks: That’s immaturity talking. Spiritual growth and experiencing God’s Promises take time.
Do you realize that when Isaiah spoke the prophecy concerning the coming of Christ – it was 750 years before Christ actually did?
Give up the idea that God is a MICROWAVE God. God works according to His time frame.
• When God chooses to grow a mushroom – He takes three days.
• When He chooses to grow an oak tree – He takes 100 years.
• The only question is: Spiritually speaking: Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?
But, when you’ll speak faith in what God has promised, and allow God the time to fulfill His Word, the change your desire will become reality.
Your marriage that seems stuck in the mud – can become free and clear!
Your financial condition can go from RED to BLACK and then to GREEN!
Your habits that are killing you – can be killed off!
Your faith + God’s Word + Time = Change
Start where you are. Baby. Toddler. Pre-Schooler, Child, Adolescent or Young Adult – but don’t stop unto…
“…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15
Start where you are… and
2. GROW IN YOUR EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S PROMISES – Psalms 1
Experiencing God’s Promises involves a number of measurable steps. Let’s look at Psalms 1
“1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3
If you are going to grow in your experience of God’s Promises – first you must
• Stop listening to other voices. – v. 1
‘blessed is the man who DOES NOT walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers…”
You’ll never experience God’s promises if you are listening to the lies of God’s enemies! You’ve got to make a choice: GOD or LIARS.
Practically speaking – who are the voices that you listen to? Think about them as people: Are they people with a God centered world-view? Or, are they simply worldly people with a man-centered world-view.
Second…
• Start a process of discovery into God’s word – vs. 2
‘But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night…”
An intentional plan to gain knowledge of what God has spoken is absolutely vital.
Do you know God’s promises concerning your children? Your marriage? Your sense of joy and peace? Do you know what God says about finances and provision? Can you immediately think of specific scriptures that deal with each of these issues? If you cannot – don’t you think it is time for change in YOU?
The promises on the back of this bulletin – did you already know them? If not – great – you know them now. And if you are really sharp, you’ll go home and study the Promises – perhaps you spend a little time all week in study and prayer over these promises.
You see, in order to grow – you’ve got to all God’s Word into your heart.
“…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.” Romans 12:2
Get into the Word. Turn off the noise. And tune into His voice.
And thirdly, Psalms 1 says to us in verse 3
3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
• Spiritual prosperity comes to those who experience God’s Promises – vs. 3
God says: “Get My Promises into your life – and I will establish you, I will make sure your needs are met, and I will see to it that prosperity comes to you!”
Jesus put it this way: “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 Message
Far too many people are going through life without understanding this vital truth: Speaking Faith in God’s Promises leads to an Abundant Life in Christ!
CONCLUSION:
Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:16ff
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands (skip to v. 5) Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1, 5-7
God says to you today: “Don’t lose heart – things can change! Fix your attention on me – I will show you the eternal perspective! Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and live confidently that one day, your faith will become sight!”
Isn’t it time for you to move from wherever you are – to the place of God’s blessing?
The key is learning to take God at His Word – and speaking your faith with confidence!
Next week I’m going to continue this message by talking with you about the importance of watching what comes out of your mouth and secondly how action has to follow speaking.
It’s time to start taking your faith and putting it into action.
You start where you are at – and you grow in your experience of God’s promises.
1. You never had to worry about money, possessions, or your job again?
YOU DON’T! Look at the back of your bulletin – God has promised to supply every need we have.
Philippians 4:19 says:
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Every need will be met as you pursue Christ Jesus! Stop worrying – start putting your faith into action.
What if...
2. You never had to fall prey to temptation again?
YOU DON’T! God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation.
God says… “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
What if...
3. You never had to worry that you aren’t ‘good enough’ for God?
YOU DON’T! God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us.
God says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no-one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9
The key to these “What if’s” becoming your REALITY is learning to take God at His Word – and speaking your faith with confidence!
Another way of saying this is: You’ll only experience the promises of God in your life as you first believe that they are true, and second voice your confidence in Him.
I want to talk with you today and next Sunday about putting your faith into action. Specifically, I want to show you a way of progression in speaking faith.
So, for the past several weeks I’ve sought to lay down a solid biblical foundation as to why SPEAKING FAITH – verbally – is vital for your spiritual development. I’ve shown you evidences in the Bible of Speaking Faith in Action. I’ve also shown you what happens when we speak FEAR, INSECURITY or DOUBT. Today, I want to give you some tools to grow in Speaking Faith.
1. START WHERE YOU ARE – 1 Peter 2:2-3
Spiritual growth and development is very similar in some ways to the development we see in human beings.
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2, 3
You start on milk – the basics, the simpler truths – why? So that you can “grow up in your salvation.”
But, then – God doesn’t want you to stay a spiritual baby – he expects you to mature.
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…” Hebrews 5:13-6:1a
Notice how one gets mature: ‘who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil…’
How? Be getting the Word into your heart and mind.
According to the Barna Research Group – in a 2000 survey of evangelical believers – only 53% of born again believers read the Bible on a weekly basis.
Yet, we spend dozens of hours listening to worldly teaching from talk radio, TV, musicians and educators.
Is it any wonder that so many of you are struggling spiritually.
It’s time to grow – and you cannot grow unless you get a healthy diet of spiritual food! I want to challenge you to take the list of promises on the back of today’s bulletin and spend a little bit of time –
every day studying them – and then as you study them, SPEAK FAITH.
Most people when they come to Jesus are pretty messed up. Messed up by sin of all sorts: Sexual sin, false religions, character defects. But, God cleans you up and heals you. You simply cannot walk with God and not get healed.
The Prophet Isaiah spoke in Isaiah 61:1-3 what became the mission statement of Jesus:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3
Notice what happens: God heals you to establish you as an ‘…oak of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor…”
Now what do we know about oak trees? They last a long, long time. They are firmly planted. They are able to withstand the seasons of life.
God says: Start where you are – and let me heal you – and as I heal you, I will PLANT you firmly to show off my glory to all around you!
Today – you start where you are. Do you have ‘some’ faith? Yes or no.
Then let me tell you:
Your Faith + God’s Word + Time = Change
So many times, we want God to work – and we want it NOW! – Folks: That’s immaturity talking. Spiritual growth and experiencing God’s Promises take time.
Do you realize that when Isaiah spoke the prophecy concerning the coming of Christ – it was 750 years before Christ actually did?
Give up the idea that God is a MICROWAVE God. God works according to His time frame.
• When God chooses to grow a mushroom – He takes three days.
• When He chooses to grow an oak tree – He takes 100 years.
• The only question is: Spiritually speaking: Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?
But, when you’ll speak faith in what God has promised, and allow God the time to fulfill His Word, the change your desire will become reality.
Your marriage that seems stuck in the mud – can become free and clear!
Your financial condition can go from RED to BLACK and then to GREEN!
Your habits that are killing you – can be killed off!
Your faith + God’s Word + Time = Change
Start where you are. Baby. Toddler. Pre-Schooler, Child, Adolescent or Young Adult – but don’t stop unto…
“…speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15
Start where you are… and
2. GROW IN YOUR EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S PROMISES – Psalms 1
Experiencing God’s Promises involves a number of measurable steps. Let’s look at Psalms 1
“1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3
If you are going to grow in your experience of God’s Promises – first you must
• Stop listening to other voices. – v. 1
‘blessed is the man who DOES NOT walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers…”
You’ll never experience God’s promises if you are listening to the lies of God’s enemies! You’ve got to make a choice: GOD or LIARS.
Practically speaking – who are the voices that you listen to? Think about them as people: Are they people with a God centered world-view? Or, are they simply worldly people with a man-centered world-view.
Second…
• Start a process of discovery into God’s word – vs. 2
‘But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night…”
An intentional plan to gain knowledge of what God has spoken is absolutely vital.
Do you know God’s promises concerning your children? Your marriage? Your sense of joy and peace? Do you know what God says about finances and provision? Can you immediately think of specific scriptures that deal with each of these issues? If you cannot – don’t you think it is time for change in YOU?
The promises on the back of this bulletin – did you already know them? If not – great – you know them now. And if you are really sharp, you’ll go home and study the Promises – perhaps you spend a little time all week in study and prayer over these promises.
You see, in order to grow – you’ve got to all God’s Word into your heart.
“…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.” Romans 12:2
Get into the Word. Turn off the noise. And tune into His voice.
And thirdly, Psalms 1 says to us in verse 3
3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
• Spiritual prosperity comes to those who experience God’s Promises – vs. 3
God says: “Get My Promises into your life – and I will establish you, I will make sure your needs are met, and I will see to it that prosperity comes to you!”
Jesus put it this way: “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 Message
Far too many people are going through life without understanding this vital truth: Speaking Faith in God’s Promises leads to an Abundant Life in Christ!
CONCLUSION:
Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:16ff
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands (skip to v. 5) Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1, 5-7
God says to you today: “Don’t lose heart – things can change! Fix your attention on me – I will show you the eternal perspective! Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and live confidently that one day, your faith will become sight!”
Isn’t it time for you to move from wherever you are – to the place of God’s blessing?
The key is learning to take God at His Word – and speaking your faith with confidence!
Next week I’m going to continue this message by talking with you about the importance of watching what comes out of your mouth and secondly how action has to follow speaking.
It’s time to start taking your faith and putting it into action.
You start where you are at – and you grow in your experience of God’s promises.
posted by Doug Love at 2:25 PM
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