Post by drcaleb on Apr 29, 2009 16:42:43 GMT -6
Hello Everyone,
GREATER FAITH
My how time passes by. Before you know it I will be getting older and more mature, Ha! I am submitting another message.I pray that this will help someone.
[1] INTRODUCTION
Recently, I was asked by a young man in a Christian Addiction Recovery Center about faith. It sounded like a plea for help. Here is his question: “How do we obtain greater faith, so we can see God work for us, our trials, and take us places new to work or find better blessed jobs?” I want to help this young man and others like him. There are thousands of young men and women floundering in drugs and addiction, a living hell. So, we are going to look at this subject in some detail.
[2] WHAT IS FAITH?
“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] [Hebrews 11:1, AMP.].
“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]” [Hebrews 11:6, AMP].
[c[ “Since we consider and look not at the things which are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal [brief and fleeting], but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting” [2 Corinthians 4:18, AMP.].
[d] In the original language of the New Testament, [Greek], The words for “faith” and “believe” are basically the same word [Pistis, Strong’s 4102; and Pisteuo, Strongs 4100]. To believe is essentially the verb form of faith. Whatever we believe, we have faith in that area.
[3] WHERE DO WE GET FAITH?
First of all, the Bible says that each person has been given a measure of faith: “For through the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” [Romans 12:3, NASB].
Secondly, we get more faith, by hearing the Word of God: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” [Romans 10:17, KJV]. I want you to see something here and now, the verb “cometh” is a present tense continuing action verb. Anytime you see –eth on the end of a verb in the King James Version of the Bible, it indicates a continuing action. It doesn’t say here, “having heard a Word of God.” It is not past tense or future tense, but present tense. We can’t live on yesterday’s Manna, but we must hear from the Word of God continuously.
[c] Sometimes faith comes as a gift by the Holy Spirit. [See 1 Corinthians 12:4-11]
[d] John G. Lake, was a man of God who the Lord used in the Healing Ministry about 100 years ago. In South Africa,, and in Spokane Washington, and the Northwestern United States. Thousands were healed under his ministry. He had what he called a Faith Equation. It went something like this: If my faith is 20% and yours is 80%, then that would be 100% and the person would be healed. There are many combinations here. Apparently it worked for him. On one occasion, a lady brought her brother to brother Lake for healing. When brother Lake asked the man if he wanted prayer for healing, the man said, “Brother Lake, I don’t have any faith.” To which brother Lake replied, “That’s all right, I have enough faith for both of us.” Then he prayed and the man was healed. Someone else may have a gift of healing for you.
[e] So don’t ever hold back from asking for prayer, because of little or no faith. The gift of faith may be in operation or the Faith Equation may take effect. However we are teaching today, mainly on growing faith or increasing faith.
[4] MUSTARD TREE FAITH
Scripture: “He presented another parable to them, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” [Matthew 13:31-32, NASB].
Scripture: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ And the Lord said,’ If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and be planted in the sea; and it would obey you” [Luke 17:5-6, NASB].
[c] I used to think that Jesus was saying, “If you only had the faith the size of that tiny mustard seed, just that small tiny amount, you could say to the mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea; and it would obey you.” Now, I believe that Jesus was saying, ‘If you could only grow your faith, like the tiny mustard seed grows and becomes a large tree, you would have the faith to work great miracles. This makes a lot more sense to me. The next question would be, how do we do that? How do we get our faith from the size of a very tiny mustard seed to the tree size?
[d] For the mustard tree faith to grow into a large tree, it must be planted in good soil, the soil of our soul and spirit, then there must be plenty of rain, or irrigation water. This, I believe is the Holy Spirit. As the seed sprouts and begins to grow, there must be plenty of Son-Light. Then we must do our part in keeping the weeds out, the soil cultivated with Bible study, prayer, and hearing the Word. It is up to the Holy Spirit to cause this seed to grow and mature, but we do have our part to play.
[5] HOW DO WE GROW THE MUSTARD SEED FAITH?
When we are born again, the tiny seed of faith has just sprouted and become a living organism. Little babies have to be bottle fed, then spoon fed until they reach the age where they can feed themselves. There comes a time where the child must learn to feed themselves. There comes a time when the young Christian must study and meditate the Word of God for themselves, praying without ceasing, still going to church, fellowshipping with other Christians, studying the Word, being taught the Word at every opportunity. We must settle in our hearts that the Bible is Truth. It is inerrant and infallible.
If we want to grow mustard tree faith, we must make a commitment to love the Lord God with all or strength, heart and soul, the believe the Word of God is infallible, inerrant, indestructible.
[c] First of all, we must be born again. Jesus told Nicodemas that in John, chapter three
Secondly, it is important that we be baptized in water as soon as possible Thirdly, I personally believe, that we should receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as soon as possible [See Acts 2:37-38]. I know a pastor who teaches his people to expect to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit when they are baptized in water and most of them do so. They come up out of the water speaking in tongues.
[d] It is not enough to be satisfied with our spiritual state and just stop doing anything. We must be filled with the Spirit daily. We need to desire all that God has for us, we must surrender to His will in all things. There is no stopping point in our walk with God. I tell people that I will always be a student, there are always more things to learn. We cannot just work up faith. It is an attitude of surrender and commitment to God.
[e] Our faith grows by a revelation of the Word of God through the Holy Spirit as we feed and meditate on His Word [See Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Romans 10:17]. By doing this, we set the stage for the Holy Spirit to bring the tiny seed to a tree that bears fruit.
[f] In all of these things, we must never become selfish or proud, but walk in humility. The Scripture says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
[6] WALKING IN FAITH
I believe that walking in faith is essentially the same thing as walking in the Spirit. I saw a sign in front of a Pentecostal Church in London, England several years ago. It said, “Walk so close to God that nothing can come between.” Bill Johnson says, “”The commitment to walk by faith is the marriage of your heart to the unseen.” We have to believe and obey the Scriptures.
[7] FAITH AS A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [faith], gentleness, self-control [temperance]” [Galatians 5:22-23, NASB]
“”Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it” [1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV].
[c] The Greek word used here can be translated as faith or faithfulness. The Greek word here is “pistos.” It means, “trustworthy, trustful, sure true, to win over, persuade, firmness in faith.” Both faith and faithfulness involve utter reliance on God. These two words are two sides of the same coin. It has both meanings and both are necessary. Faith, on the one hand, involves learning to depend on God and to stand on His Word in every situation and circumstance.. Faithfulness, on the other hand,, is learning to yield to the Holy Spirit so we can become dependable. If you are not faithful in the “small” things, I believe that God will not increase your faith. Faith which is complete reliance on God is expressed through our faithfulness. Faith, which is complete reliance on God, is expressed through our faithfulness.
[d] To achieve faith and faithfulness, we have to abide in the vine [[See John 15]. The fruit of faith is an aspect of character that must be carefully cultivated. It is a calm, constant, unchanging trust in God’s goodness, His sovereignty, wisdom, power, trustworthiness. In its expression, faith is demonstrated through stability. The fruit of faith doesn’t panic, or get frustrated. It doesn’t lose the victory and doesn’t think of turning back [See Romans 8:28]
Prayerfully,
Dr Caleb
GREATER FAITH
My how time passes by. Before you know it I will be getting older and more mature, Ha! I am submitting another message.I pray that this will help someone.
[1] INTRODUCTION
Recently, I was asked by a young man in a Christian Addiction Recovery Center about faith. It sounded like a plea for help. Here is his question: “How do we obtain greater faith, so we can see God work for us, our trials, and take us places new to work or find better blessed jobs?” I want to help this young man and others like him. There are thousands of young men and women floundering in drugs and addiction, a living hell. So, we are going to look at this subject in some detail.
[2] WHAT IS FAITH?
“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] [Hebrews 11:1, AMP.].
“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]” [Hebrews 11:6, AMP].
[c[ “Since we consider and look not at the things which are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal [brief and fleeting], but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting” [2 Corinthians 4:18, AMP.].
[d] In the original language of the New Testament, [Greek], The words for “faith” and “believe” are basically the same word [Pistis, Strong’s 4102; and Pisteuo, Strongs 4100]. To believe is essentially the verb form of faith. Whatever we believe, we have faith in that area.
[3] WHERE DO WE GET FAITH?
First of all, the Bible says that each person has been given a measure of faith: “For through the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” [Romans 12:3, NASB].
Secondly, we get more faith, by hearing the Word of God: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” [Romans 10:17, KJV]. I want you to see something here and now, the verb “cometh” is a present tense continuing action verb. Anytime you see –eth on the end of a verb in the King James Version of the Bible, it indicates a continuing action. It doesn’t say here, “having heard a Word of God.” It is not past tense or future tense, but present tense. We can’t live on yesterday’s Manna, but we must hear from the Word of God continuously.
[c] Sometimes faith comes as a gift by the Holy Spirit. [See 1 Corinthians 12:4-11]
[d] John G. Lake, was a man of God who the Lord used in the Healing Ministry about 100 years ago. In South Africa,, and in Spokane Washington, and the Northwestern United States. Thousands were healed under his ministry. He had what he called a Faith Equation. It went something like this: If my faith is 20% and yours is 80%, then that would be 100% and the person would be healed. There are many combinations here. Apparently it worked for him. On one occasion, a lady brought her brother to brother Lake for healing. When brother Lake asked the man if he wanted prayer for healing, the man said, “Brother Lake, I don’t have any faith.” To which brother Lake replied, “That’s all right, I have enough faith for both of us.” Then he prayed and the man was healed. Someone else may have a gift of healing for you.
[e] So don’t ever hold back from asking for prayer, because of little or no faith. The gift of faith may be in operation or the Faith Equation may take effect. However we are teaching today, mainly on growing faith or increasing faith.
[4] MUSTARD TREE FAITH
Scripture: “He presented another parable to them, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” [Matthew 13:31-32, NASB].
Scripture: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ And the Lord said,’ If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and be planted in the sea; and it would obey you” [Luke 17:5-6, NASB].
[c] I used to think that Jesus was saying, “If you only had the faith the size of that tiny mustard seed, just that small tiny amount, you could say to the mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea; and it would obey you.” Now, I believe that Jesus was saying, ‘If you could only grow your faith, like the tiny mustard seed grows and becomes a large tree, you would have the faith to work great miracles. This makes a lot more sense to me. The next question would be, how do we do that? How do we get our faith from the size of a very tiny mustard seed to the tree size?
[d] For the mustard tree faith to grow into a large tree, it must be planted in good soil, the soil of our soul and spirit, then there must be plenty of rain, or irrigation water. This, I believe is the Holy Spirit. As the seed sprouts and begins to grow, there must be plenty of Son-Light. Then we must do our part in keeping the weeds out, the soil cultivated with Bible study, prayer, and hearing the Word. It is up to the Holy Spirit to cause this seed to grow and mature, but we do have our part to play.
[5] HOW DO WE GROW THE MUSTARD SEED FAITH?
When we are born again, the tiny seed of faith has just sprouted and become a living organism. Little babies have to be bottle fed, then spoon fed until they reach the age where they can feed themselves. There comes a time where the child must learn to feed themselves. There comes a time when the young Christian must study and meditate the Word of God for themselves, praying without ceasing, still going to church, fellowshipping with other Christians, studying the Word, being taught the Word at every opportunity. We must settle in our hearts that the Bible is Truth. It is inerrant and infallible.
If we want to grow mustard tree faith, we must make a commitment to love the Lord God with all or strength, heart and soul, the believe the Word of God is infallible, inerrant, indestructible.
[c] First of all, we must be born again. Jesus told Nicodemas that in John, chapter three
Secondly, it is important that we be baptized in water as soon as possible Thirdly, I personally believe, that we should receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as soon as possible [See Acts 2:37-38]. I know a pastor who teaches his people to expect to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit when they are baptized in water and most of them do so. They come up out of the water speaking in tongues.
[d] It is not enough to be satisfied with our spiritual state and just stop doing anything. We must be filled with the Spirit daily. We need to desire all that God has for us, we must surrender to His will in all things. There is no stopping point in our walk with God. I tell people that I will always be a student, there are always more things to learn. We cannot just work up faith. It is an attitude of surrender and commitment to God.
[e] Our faith grows by a revelation of the Word of God through the Holy Spirit as we feed and meditate on His Word [See Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Romans 10:17]. By doing this, we set the stage for the Holy Spirit to bring the tiny seed to a tree that bears fruit.
[f] In all of these things, we must never become selfish or proud, but walk in humility. The Scripture says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
[6] WALKING IN FAITH
I believe that walking in faith is essentially the same thing as walking in the Spirit. I saw a sign in front of a Pentecostal Church in London, England several years ago. It said, “Walk so close to God that nothing can come between.” Bill Johnson says, “”The commitment to walk by faith is the marriage of your heart to the unseen.” We have to believe and obey the Scriptures.
[7] FAITH AS A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [faith], gentleness, self-control [temperance]” [Galatians 5:22-23, NASB]
“”Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it” [1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV].
[c] The Greek word used here can be translated as faith or faithfulness. The Greek word here is “pistos.” It means, “trustworthy, trustful, sure true, to win over, persuade, firmness in faith.” Both faith and faithfulness involve utter reliance on God. These two words are two sides of the same coin. It has both meanings and both are necessary. Faith, on the one hand, involves learning to depend on God and to stand on His Word in every situation and circumstance.. Faithfulness, on the other hand,, is learning to yield to the Holy Spirit so we can become dependable. If you are not faithful in the “small” things, I believe that God will not increase your faith. Faith which is complete reliance on God is expressed through our faithfulness. Faith, which is complete reliance on God, is expressed through our faithfulness.
[d] To achieve faith and faithfulness, we have to abide in the vine [[See John 15]. The fruit of faith is an aspect of character that must be carefully cultivated. It is a calm, constant, unchanging trust in God’s goodness, His sovereignty, wisdom, power, trustworthiness. In its expression, faith is demonstrated through stability. The fruit of faith doesn’t panic, or get frustrated. It doesn’t lose the victory and doesn’t think of turning back [See Romans 8:28]
Prayerfully,
Dr Caleb