The Fabric of Faith
Sermon Blog 8/31/25: Rema Duncan
In our walk with God, we often encounter moments that challenge our understanding of faith, submission, and spiritual growth. Today, let's explore some profound truths about the nature of our relationship with God and each other, and how these principles can transform our lives and communities.
The Balance of Spirit and Truth
At the core of our spiritual journey lies a critical balance between spirit and truth. As Jesus said, we must worship God in both spirit and truth (John 4:24). This balance is essential because pursuing the spirit without truth can lead us into error, just as pursuing truth without the spirit can leave us spiritually dry.
When we experience the move of God's Spirit, it's natural to want to lean into that experience. However, if we focus solely on spiritual experiences without grounding ourselves in the truth of God's Word, we risk being led astray. Conversely, if we become so focused on biblical knowledge that we neglect the leading of the Holy Spirit, we miss out on the power and guidance God wants to provide.
The demonstration of God's power in our lives is not just for our personal benefit or to make us feel better. Rather, it serves as a divine validation of the truth being spoken. When we see God move in power, it confirms the words He has given us and strengthens our faith in His promises.
The Order of Submission
Submission is a concept that often makes us uncomfortable, yet it's a crucial aspect of our spiritual growth and the health of our communities. There are three levels of submission we need to understand and embrace:
1. Entry-level submission: This involves submitting to our elders, godly authorities, and even the leaders of our land. We're called to pray for those in authority, regardless of our personal opinions about them.
2. Submission to one another: This goes beyond respecting authority figures and extends to how we treat our peers and fellow believers. It means preferring others above ourselves and working together as laborers in God's kingdom.
3. Submitting to those "beneath" us: This is the highest level of submission, exemplified by Jesus washing His disciples' feet. It involves serving and submitting to those who may seem to be in a lower position than us.
True submission isn't just about following rules or respecting positions. It's about having a heart that's willing to serve, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. This kind of submission mends the fabric of faith in our communities and opens the door for God to move in powerful ways.
The Nature of True Repentance
Repentance is more than just saying sorry or feeling bad about our actions. True repentance involves a genuine change of heart and behavior. It's not enough to honor God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him. Real repentance is an adjustment, a conscious decision to turn away from sin and toward God.
This kind of repentance often requires practical steps. It might mean getting rid of things that tempt us to sin, being open and accountable to others, or making changes in our daily habits. True repentance isn't just about clearing our search history; it's about putting safeguards in place to prevent us from falling into the same patterns again.
The Power of Agreement and Unity
There's tremendous power when believers come together in unity and agreement. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20). This isn't just about physical gathering; it's about spiritual cooperation and collaboration.
When we truly come together, submitting to one another and to God, we create an atmosphere where God can move in extraordinary ways. It's in this unity that we see the multiplication of God's power and blessings, far beyond what we could achieve individually.
Healing and Freedom Through Faith
God desires to bring healing and freedom to every area of our lives – physical, emotional, and spiritual. But receiving this healing often requires active participation on our part. We need to be willing to lay our hands on our own minds, speak words of faith over ourselves, and declare God's truth in the face of the enemy's lies.
Many of us struggle with mental attacks, negative thoughts, and patterns of thinking that seem impossible to break. But through the power of God's Word and the authority we have in Christ, we can overcome these strongholds. We need to actively resist the enemy, speak healing over our minds, and declare our freedom in Christ.
A Call to Action
As we reflect on these truths, let's consider how we can apply them in our daily lives:
1. Seek a balance of spirit and truth in your walk with God. Don't neglect either aspect of your faith.
2. Examine your heart regarding submission. Are there areas where you need to humble yourself and submit, even when it's difficult?
3. Practice true repentance. What practical steps can you take to turn away from sin and toward God?
4. Look for opportunities to come into agreement with other believers. How can you foster unity in your spiritual community?
5. Actively declare God's truth over your life. Speak words of faith and healing over yourself and others.
Remember, God desires to do something extraordinary in and through us. He wants to mend the fabric of our faith, bringing healing, freedom, and power to our lives and communities. As we submit to His order, practice true repentance, and come together in unity, we create an atmosphere where God can move in unprecedented ways.
Let's not settle for a faith that's merely lip service. Instead, let's pursue a vibrant, transformative relationship with God that impacts every area of our lives and overflows to those around us. As we do, we'll see God's power demonstrated in ways we never thought possible, bringing glory to His name and drawing others into His kingdom.
In our walk with God, we often encounter moments that challenge our understanding of faith, submission, and spiritual growth. Today, let's explore some profound truths about the nature of our relationship with God and each other, and how these principles can transform our lives and communities.
The Balance of Spirit and Truth
At the core of our spiritual journey lies a critical balance between spirit and truth. As Jesus said, we must worship God in both spirit and truth (John 4:24). This balance is essential because pursuing the spirit without truth can lead us into error, just as pursuing truth without the spirit can leave us spiritually dry.
When we experience the move of God's Spirit, it's natural to want to lean into that experience. However, if we focus solely on spiritual experiences without grounding ourselves in the truth of God's Word, we risk being led astray. Conversely, if we become so focused on biblical knowledge that we neglect the leading of the Holy Spirit, we miss out on the power and guidance God wants to provide.
The demonstration of God's power in our lives is not just for our personal benefit or to make us feel better. Rather, it serves as a divine validation of the truth being spoken. When we see God move in power, it confirms the words He has given us and strengthens our faith in His promises.
The Order of Submission
Submission is a concept that often makes us uncomfortable, yet it's a crucial aspect of our spiritual growth and the health of our communities. There are three levels of submission we need to understand and embrace:
1. Entry-level submission: This involves submitting to our elders, godly authorities, and even the leaders of our land. We're called to pray for those in authority, regardless of our personal opinions about them.
2. Submission to one another: This goes beyond respecting authority figures and extends to how we treat our peers and fellow believers. It means preferring others above ourselves and working together as laborers in God's kingdom.
3. Submitting to those "beneath" us: This is the highest level of submission, exemplified by Jesus washing His disciples' feet. It involves serving and submitting to those who may seem to be in a lower position than us.
True submission isn't just about following rules or respecting positions. It's about having a heart that's willing to serve, even when it goes against our natural inclinations. This kind of submission mends the fabric of faith in our communities and opens the door for God to move in powerful ways.
The Nature of True Repentance
Repentance is more than just saying sorry or feeling bad about our actions. True repentance involves a genuine change of heart and behavior. It's not enough to honor God with our lips while our hearts are far from Him. Real repentance is an adjustment, a conscious decision to turn away from sin and toward God.
This kind of repentance often requires practical steps. It might mean getting rid of things that tempt us to sin, being open and accountable to others, or making changes in our daily habits. True repentance isn't just about clearing our search history; it's about putting safeguards in place to prevent us from falling into the same patterns again.
The Power of Agreement and Unity
There's tremendous power when believers come together in unity and agreement. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20). This isn't just about physical gathering; it's about spiritual cooperation and collaboration.
When we truly come together, submitting to one another and to God, we create an atmosphere where God can move in extraordinary ways. It's in this unity that we see the multiplication of God's power and blessings, far beyond what we could achieve individually.
Healing and Freedom Through Faith
God desires to bring healing and freedom to every area of our lives – physical, emotional, and spiritual. But receiving this healing often requires active participation on our part. We need to be willing to lay our hands on our own minds, speak words of faith over ourselves, and declare God's truth in the face of the enemy's lies.
Many of us struggle with mental attacks, negative thoughts, and patterns of thinking that seem impossible to break. But through the power of God's Word and the authority we have in Christ, we can overcome these strongholds. We need to actively resist the enemy, speak healing over our minds, and declare our freedom in Christ.
A Call to Action
As we reflect on these truths, let's consider how we can apply them in our daily lives:
1. Seek a balance of spirit and truth in your walk with God. Don't neglect either aspect of your faith.
2. Examine your heart regarding submission. Are there areas where you need to humble yourself and submit, even when it's difficult?
3. Practice true repentance. What practical steps can you take to turn away from sin and toward God?
4. Look for opportunities to come into agreement with other believers. How can you foster unity in your spiritual community?
5. Actively declare God's truth over your life. Speak words of faith and healing over yourself and others.
Remember, God desires to do something extraordinary in and through us. He wants to mend the fabric of our faith, bringing healing, freedom, and power to our lives and communities. As we submit to His order, practice true repentance, and come together in unity, we create an atmosphere where God can move in unprecedented ways.
Let's not settle for a faith that's merely lip service. Instead, let's pursue a vibrant, transformative relationship with God that impacts every area of our lives and overflows to those around us. As we do, we'll see God's power demonstrated in ways we never thought possible, bringing glory to His name and drawing others into His kingdom.
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