ABIDE || Walk By Faith
Luke 8:41-55 New King James Version
41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
If You Walk by Faith, You will Abide in Christ
2024 IS THE YEAR OF BLESSING || Be Fruitful and Multiply
A year to steward more of His voice, presence, purpose and authority
This year we are intentionally tending the garden of, and guarding, our hearts
We long to see Eden restored, on Earth, and in Bethlehem
Our heart cry is to abide in Jesus and bear His fruit alone
This morning I am wrapping up the ABIDE sermon series with a message entitled, “Walk By Faith”
2 Corinthians 5:7 New King James Version
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
What is Faith?
FAITH IS GOD’S CONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF, GIVEN TO US
God’s confidence in His will, ways, and nature
Not to be confused with our confidence in His ability to support our will, ways, and nature
FAITH - PISTIS (G4102)
conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it
relating to God
the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
relating to Christ
a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
the religious beliefs of Christians
belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
fidelity, faithfulness
the character of one who can be relied on
FAITH IS THE MEANS BY WHICH WE ACCESS THE GRACE THAT SAVES US
Ephesians 2:8 New King James Version
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
We have been saved by grace
THROUGH FAITH
NOT of OURSELVES - Not OUR faith
But the GIFT of GOD’S FAITH
Hebrews 12:2 New King James Version
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus is the author and finisher of OUR faith
Our FAITH comes from Jesus
2 Timothy 2:13 New King James Version
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
If You Walk by Faith, You will Remain in Christ
HOW DO WE ACQUIRE GOD’S FAITH?
GOD DISTRIBUTES A MEASURE FAITH TO EACH OF US WHEN WE FIRST HEAR HIS VOICE (THE GOSPEL)
Romans 10:16-17 New King James Version
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Those of us who responded to the gospel and were saved:
HEARD the gospel
RECEIVED the GIFT of FAITH that came with His voice
And MIXED His FAITH with the gospel
Hebrews 4:2 New King James Version
2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
This isn’t something that happens consciously at first, but a sovereign work of the Lord
Like Jairus’ daughter, we were dead in our sins, unable to even hear the voice of God, let alone respond to it in faith
God took us by the hand, called out to us, and quickened our spirits to give us a chance to receive His word and respond by FAITH
Luke 8:54-55 New King James Version
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
This is why two people can be at the same church, under the same preaching/teaching, reading the same bible, but it only transforms one of them
Mark Moyzan and I both used to go to MAXX Fitness
Why is he transformed and I’m not? He consistently put the gym to work
You MUST put the gift of FAITH to WORK
WE ALL BEGIN WITH A MEASURE OR SEED OF FAITH
Matthew 17:20 New King James Version
20 So Jesus said to them, “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.
GOD’S FAITH IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED
Just adding a little mustard can change the flavor/experience of a meal
Just adding a little FAITH can change the flavor/experience of your life
FAITH INCREASES NATURALLY IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood both began with a seed/measure of faith
Heard the reading of the Torah at synagogue - Malachi 4:2 (Comes with healing in His wings(border of garment)
Heard the testimonies of what Jesus had done for others
Jesus kicked out everyone who would not support Jairus in his faith
Are you willing to remove everything in your life that does not support the growth of your faith?
Fear - are you willing to trust God’s will and ways even if you’re scared to walk in His will and ways?
Reasoning - are you willing to trust God’s will and ways even if it doesn’t make sense to you?
Doubt - Are you willing to obey God even if your emotions and intellect tell you it’s impossible?
YOUR MEASURE OF FAITH WILL GROW SO LONG AS YOU WALK BY FAITH
Jairus had to walk with Jesus by FAITH, as his daughter was dying, he didn’t get His miracle when he first asked
The bleeding woman had to follow Jesus by FAITH in order to get close enough to touch Him
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO WALK BY FAITH?
YOU WALK BY FAITH WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO TRUST AND FOLLOW GOD’S WAYS OVER YOUR OWN
You don’t step out in FAITH once at salvation and then you’re done
You need to continue in it if you want to keep FAITH ALIVE
ACTIVELY LOOK for opportunities to exercise your faith
It’s like a muscle
YOUR FAITH SHOULD BE ALIVE ( PRODUCE RESULTS)
RAQUEL’S JOURNEY WITH HOUSE PLANTS
Jesus paid too much to put His FAITH in us, for us to just allow our FAITH to die.
James 2:14-19 & 26 New King James Version
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
…
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
HAVING LIVING FAITH MEANS THAT HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTS YOUR PATHS
Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
OUR PATH TO BECOMING ASSISTANT PASTORS
LIVING FAITH RESULTS IN MIRACLES, SIGNS, AND WONDERS
Mark 16:17 New King James Version
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Laying hands on Lenny’s calf muscle and casting out a demon
FAITH PLEASES GOD
Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
IT’S THE ACTUAL FAITH, NOT ONLY ITS RESULTS THAT PLEASE GOD
Hebrews 11:5 New King James Version
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Enoch did nothing but walk with God
Genesis 5:24 New King James Version
24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
It pleases God when you lay hands on the sick in FAITH, not only when the sick are healed
It pleases God when you share the gospel in FAITH, not only when people repent and receive Jesus
It pleases God when you pray in FAITH, not only when you receive what you ask for
FAITH TOUCHES GOD’S HEART!
The bleeding woman touched Jesus’ garment but Jesus said He felt someone touch Him
WHEN WE WALK BY GOD’S FAITH, IT PLACES A DEMAND ON GOD’S NATURE
Power went out from Jesus without His permission, because this woman walked by FAITH
This woman trusted God for something BIG, something she could not do on her own
This woman trusted God after 12 YEARS of DISAPPOINTMENT
This woman trusted God at His word - healing in His wings
Jesus also performed two miracles for gentiles, whom He said He didn’t come for, because of their FAITH
Canaanite woman’s daughter
Centurion's servant
Psalm 23:3 New King James Version
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Psalm 79:9 New King James Version
9 Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake!
Psalm 109:21 New King James Version
21 But You, O God the Lord, Deal with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your mercy is good, deliver me.
Psalm 143:11 New King James Version
11 Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
God Desires to Give You the Gift of FAITH Today
STOP TRYING TO STIR IT UP IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH, JUST RECEIVE HIS GIFT
THREE KINDS OF FAITH GOD WANTS TO GIVE US
GREAT FAITH
Matthew 8:10 & 15:22
Trusting God for BIG THINGS
ENDURING FAITH
Luke 18:1-8
Trusting God through long seasons of SILENCE
SIMPLE/CHILDLIKE FAITH
Matthew 18:3
Trusting God without margin for DISAPPOINTMENT
“Heal them Lord, but it You don’t it’s ok”
