The Gift of Faith
Sermon Blog (2/16/25) - Rema Duncan
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments that challenge our beliefs and push us to grow beyond our comfort zones. Today, let's explore the profound concept of faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
The Bible tells us that faith is not merely about the things that will happen, but rather the very substance that makes those things a reality. It's not about what we can see with our physical eyes, but the evidence we hold onto even when we've never experienced it before. This idea of believing beyond our current experiences is at the heart of what God wants to release in our lives.
Imagine for a moment the power of believing beyond what you've already seen or encountered. It's a thrilling yet sometimes frightening prospect. Why? Because God's plans for us often surpass our own capabilities and resources. If we could accomplish His will entirely on our own, it would simply be a good idea, not a God idea.
When God wants to move in our lives and communities, it's rarely through means we can drum up ourselves. Instead, it's through ideas and visions that the Spirit downloads into our hearts – ideas that might even scare us when we consider how they'll come to fruition. This is where faith becomes crucial.
Consider the expansion of different cultures and language groups coming together in unity. On a human level, there's nothing we can do to make that happen seamlessly. We just have to believe. Everything God does is miraculous in nature, requiring His supernatural intervention.
This brings us to an important truth: we can't provide miracles, but God can. It's the work of the Spirit of the Lord, administering gifts and operating through His people. While many focus on the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, the deeper message is about unity. God works through His Spirit, dividing gifts to each person as He wills, not as we decide.
In this context of spiritual gifts and unity, we're reminded that in Christ, there are no racial, ethnic, or cultural separations. Whether we're of different nationalities, economic statuses, or backgrounds, once we're baptized in the name of Jesus, we become part of one body – the body of Christ. There's no hierarchy at the foot of the cross; the same blood was shed for all.
However, to see this unity in action, to witness God's revival that encompasses every facet of our communities, we need faith. Not just as a gift of the Spirit, but as a fruit – a natural outworking of having the Holy Spirit within us. It's an unnatural ability to believe in the face of impossibilities.
Yet, here's a challenging thought: we can believe in something and not believe at the same time. Consider the story in Matthew 17, where a man brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples couldn't heal him. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith, saying, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
The profound lesson here is that the size of our faith isn't the issue – even faith as small as a mustard seed is enough to move mountains. The real problem is the unbelief that coexists with our faith. Jesus points out that this kind of unbelief only goes out through prayer and fasting.
What does this mean for us? It means we need to be on a mission to eradicate every measure of doubt and unbelief in our lives. We need to examine our hearts and ask: are our own opinions, past experiences, or skepticism hindering the moving of God's power in and through us?
As we stand on the brink of new opportunities and expansions in our spiritual journeys, we must be willing to leave behind the baggage of old thinking, traditionalism, and skepticism. We need to cultivate an atmosphere where miracles can happen, where unbelievers can encounter the power of God, and where the gift of faith can flourish.
This requires a shift in our mindset. Instead of being passive observers, waiting for God to move on us, we need to cultivate instant obedience. Real faith doesn't hesitate; it acts in response to the needs around us.
It's time to align ourselves with God's heart, to labor in prayer and fasting not just for ourselves but for others. While some may sleep peacefully, oblivious to the spiritual battles raging around them, others are called to stand in the gap, interceding for marriages, families, and individuals who may not even realize they need prayer.
This alignment isn't just about our personal spiritual growth; it's about positioning ourselves to be part of the promises and purposes God has for our communities and beyond. The enemy wants to sift us out of these promises, but through faith and obedience, we can stand firm.
As we close, let's reflect on the state of our faith. Are we allowing unbelief to coexist with our faith? Are we willing to let go of our preconceived notions about how God should work and open ourselves to His miraculous power? Are we ready to respond to His call with instant obedience?
Remember, faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. It's not about the size of our faith, but about eliminating the unbelief that holds it back. Through prayer, fasting, and a willingness to step out in obedience, we can see God's power manifest in ways we've never imagined.
Let's embrace this challenge to cultivate true, mountain-moving faith. As we do, we'll not only see transformation in our own lives but become catalysts for God's miraculous work in the world around us. The choice is ours – will we settle for comfortable unbelief, or will we dare to believe for the impossible?
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments that challenge our beliefs and push us to grow beyond our comfort zones. Today, let's explore the profound concept of faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
The Bible tells us that faith is not merely about the things that will happen, but rather the very substance that makes those things a reality. It's not about what we can see with our physical eyes, but the evidence we hold onto even when we've never experienced it before. This idea of believing beyond our current experiences is at the heart of what God wants to release in our lives.
Imagine for a moment the power of believing beyond what you've already seen or encountered. It's a thrilling yet sometimes frightening prospect. Why? Because God's plans for us often surpass our own capabilities and resources. If we could accomplish His will entirely on our own, it would simply be a good idea, not a God idea.
When God wants to move in our lives and communities, it's rarely through means we can drum up ourselves. Instead, it's through ideas and visions that the Spirit downloads into our hearts – ideas that might even scare us when we consider how they'll come to fruition. This is where faith becomes crucial.
Consider the expansion of different cultures and language groups coming together in unity. On a human level, there's nothing we can do to make that happen seamlessly. We just have to believe. Everything God does is miraculous in nature, requiring His supernatural intervention.
This brings us to an important truth: we can't provide miracles, but God can. It's the work of the Spirit of the Lord, administering gifts and operating through His people. While many focus on the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, the deeper message is about unity. God works through His Spirit, dividing gifts to each person as He wills, not as we decide.
In this context of spiritual gifts and unity, we're reminded that in Christ, there are no racial, ethnic, or cultural separations. Whether we're of different nationalities, economic statuses, or backgrounds, once we're baptized in the name of Jesus, we become part of one body – the body of Christ. There's no hierarchy at the foot of the cross; the same blood was shed for all.
However, to see this unity in action, to witness God's revival that encompasses every facet of our communities, we need faith. Not just as a gift of the Spirit, but as a fruit – a natural outworking of having the Holy Spirit within us. It's an unnatural ability to believe in the face of impossibilities.
Yet, here's a challenging thought: we can believe in something and not believe at the same time. Consider the story in Matthew 17, where a man brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples couldn't heal him. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith, saying, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
The profound lesson here is that the size of our faith isn't the issue – even faith as small as a mustard seed is enough to move mountains. The real problem is the unbelief that coexists with our faith. Jesus points out that this kind of unbelief only goes out through prayer and fasting.
What does this mean for us? It means we need to be on a mission to eradicate every measure of doubt and unbelief in our lives. We need to examine our hearts and ask: are our own opinions, past experiences, or skepticism hindering the moving of God's power in and through us?
As we stand on the brink of new opportunities and expansions in our spiritual journeys, we must be willing to leave behind the baggage of old thinking, traditionalism, and skepticism. We need to cultivate an atmosphere where miracles can happen, where unbelievers can encounter the power of God, and where the gift of faith can flourish.
This requires a shift in our mindset. Instead of being passive observers, waiting for God to move on us, we need to cultivate instant obedience. Real faith doesn't hesitate; it acts in response to the needs around us.
It's time to align ourselves with God's heart, to labor in prayer and fasting not just for ourselves but for others. While some may sleep peacefully, oblivious to the spiritual battles raging around them, others are called to stand in the gap, interceding for marriages, families, and individuals who may not even realize they need prayer.
This alignment isn't just about our personal spiritual growth; it's about positioning ourselves to be part of the promises and purposes God has for our communities and beyond. The enemy wants to sift us out of these promises, but through faith and obedience, we can stand firm.
As we close, let's reflect on the state of our faith. Are we allowing unbelief to coexist with our faith? Are we willing to let go of our preconceived notions about how God should work and open ourselves to His miraculous power? Are we ready to respond to His call with instant obedience?
Remember, faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. It's not about the size of our faith, but about eliminating the unbelief that holds it back. Through prayer, fasting, and a willingness to step out in obedience, we can see God's power manifest in ways we've never imagined.
Let's embrace this challenge to cultivate true, mountain-moving faith. As we do, we'll not only see transformation in our own lives but become catalysts for God's miraculous work in the world around us. The choice is ours – will we settle for comfortable unbelief, or will we dare to believe for the impossible?
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