Text from Spring Break 2018 Seminar for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church, Akron OH and guests, May 4-5, 2018 at the Hampton Inn by Hilton, Stow OH:
Day 1 – Friday
Thank you for attending this year’s Spring Break 2018 Relationship Conference presented by Akron Alliance Fellowship Church. We sincerely hope that you have a great time here this weekend, and that you are inspired and encouraged by what God has to say to you! A special thanks to the staff at the Hampton Inn by Hilton for hosting this event for the seventh consecutive year!
If you were with us last year for our seminar, Jesus Desires for You to Discover Your PASSION, you would have discovered that its purpose was to help its participants begin and continue the process of developing a closer, healthier and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. In order for a believer in Christ to grow in faith, he has to do more than just go beyond the basics. The seminar provided practical methods for a present believer, and even a potential believer, to reach one’s fullest potential as a child of God living in a manner that brings praise to Jesus Christ!
Our annual Spring Break weekend seminars are devoted to addressing relationships in your life, and this year is no different. We will take a closer look at an area of concern for just about everyone—overcoming areas of doubt in your life. The opposite of having faith and believing in someone or something is to doubt. Doubt is a huge stop sign in the life of many believers. We read the bible and see how God provides over and over again, but we have trouble seeing how this applies on a personal level. In order to overcome doubt (which is a natural response to what life throws at you), you need to rely upon faith, of course, but even more than that, know and understand that you are not alone in your faith journey. You have all kinds of help, but you need to know where to get help with it. We will explore this in greater detail this weekend, and I trust that what is shared will help you to see that you are not a bad person when you lack faith—you’re just a person like me and everyone else here. We can all do better with faith, and believe that God will accomplish many wonderful things in our lifetime—and He has more to do with us!
Part A
Believe it (How to See What Is Possible)
It starts with believing in the possible. In God’s plan and according to His will, everything is possible.
This isn’t a motivational speech or a rah-rah comment that can eventually fall flat (especially if you’re on the losing side of a blowout). Believing in the possible is much more than that. It is rooted in God’s truth, His sovereignty and His perfect timing. It is an expectation and yet it devotes its proper energy back to what God deems necessary for glorifying Him.
The Christian & Missionary Alliance refers to Jesus Christ appropriately as the Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King. Each of these character attributes of Christ require a belief in His ability and faith in His future promises.
You believe that Jesus Christ is a Savior because of what He did on the cross for you.
You believe that He died on the cross for your sins, and you have faith that He did this to ensure that you would have a place in heaven once you believe in Him.
You believe that He is a Sanctifier because of His fulfilled promise of the Helper—the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-21).
You believe that the Helper dwells within you and that He is there to help you to remain obedient to Jesus Christ.
You believe that Jesus is a Healer because you have experienced His healing or you have seen Him heal others.
You have faith that He will heal everyone who needs healing, and that He is powerful enough even when it does not happen according to your expectations. For this reason, your faith reminds you of who God Almighty really is. Jesus Christ is Lord, and not a genie from a magic lamp. In this fallen world, He is sufficient for us without regard to who or where we are.
You believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal God who was there from the very beginning (John 1:2), and you have faith that He will return from the clouds just as He went up into them as our King (Acts 1:11).
So, if our belief is rooted in Jesus Christ, then we are challenged to belief everything that He represents; nevertheless, faith calls for us to do even more.
John 20:26-29 NIV
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
It doesn’t mean that Thomas was rebuked for not believing. Jesus made Himself available for Thomas and He does the same thing for those of us who are like Thomas (because He wants us to believe, too); however, note that a large part of your belief effort is associated with faith. Here’s why…
Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Belief eventually extends to faith, and faith is a confidence and assurance that what you believe is true now and in the future.
Everything is possible for the believer who sees Jesus Christ in His fullness.
[Dinner Break]
Part B
Believe It
Mark 9:23b
“…Everything is possible for him who believes.”
The fundamentals of belief are that what you believe is true without tangible (palpable or material) proof.
Your faith is rooted in what you believe. You will have faith in whatever your belief premise is. If you believe that there are aliens from another planet, you will find yourself following after the old conspiracies of the 60s and 70s, doing research on those strange lights and fast-moving spaceships in the sky, studying writings about Area 51 and watching The X Files. You would believe that “the truth is out there.”
Romans 10:9 CSB
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Acts 16:30-31 NIV
He then brought them (Paul and Silas) out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.”
Faith and what you believe are much like blood relatives. Just like family, they can work well together or they can be in conflict. For your faith in Jesus Christ to be healthy, your belief in Christ must continue to grow. It cannot remain stagnant or even as simple as what merely involves believing that Jesus was raised from the dead.
Jesus himself implies that your belief in Him, as well as your faith, must increase.
Mark 9:14-29 CSB
The Power of Faith over a Demon
14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes disputing with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were amazed and ran to greet him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing with them about?”
17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”
19 He replied to them, “You unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father.
“From childhood,” he said. 22 “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you: Come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 Then it came out, shrieking and throwing him[b] into terrible convulsions. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
28 After he had gone into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 And he told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer.”
The disciples already had the ability to drive out demons because Jesus gave them the ability to do this (Mark 6:7, 13). In this instance, the disciples had apparently neglected the element of prayer within their healing process. It was a lesson for them that their ongoing development as believers required them to seek God in prayer when their efforts were met with greater opposition or difficulty. It did not mean that they did not already have the power to remove the demon (they did), but they needed to not just rely upon only what Jesus commissioned them to do—they needed to pray for strength, energy and insight from the One who gave them this ability. There had to be an increase in their capability to drive out this demon with prayer (and other manuscripts also include fasting)—a very deep form of development and training within their ministry.
Jesus challenges the people to believe, and yet believe even more as to what can be done. The father of the boy prayed for Jesus to help his unbelief (Mark 9:24). Greater belief overcomes your unbelief. All told, we struggle with belief because we falter with unbelief. What suffers from this unbelief? Our faith.
We also must remember that your belief must be reinforced with faith. Belief alone does not matter without faith.
James 2:19 NIV
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Belief alone must be supported with faith and visible action that reflects your faith (James 2:24). More on the action part of this later.
Part C
Obstacles…Don’t Let Them Happen
To experience growth in Jesus Christ, there must be an acknowledgment of the following:
1.) God’s presence through the Holy Spirit
2.) A desire to live better than have in the past (ongoing renewal of your mind – Romans 12:2)
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Obstacle in Romans 12:2 – This age, also referred to as the world and its pattern (NIV), which is Satan’s domain and fleshly living – this age supports doubt and uncertainty
Obstacle
One that opposes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress or achievement.
–from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
All us have dealt with obstacles. Satan wants you to believe that you cannot overcome obstacles and for you to give up in your efforts to improve. He has deceived millions by getting them to believe the lie that they cannot get improve their life, let alone achieve in something meaningful. The father of lies will always want to drag others, especially believers, down to where he is.
Don’t let it happen.
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
–Walt Disney
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
–Michael Jordan
Bolster your faith
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
What the believer has:
- Righteousness by faith
- Peace with God and access to His grace through Jesus Christ
What this means for the believer:
Hope in God’s glory for our lives through the presence of the Holy Spirit
What it does for the believer:
- Overcome suffering and affliction
- Perseverance and endurance
- Bolsters one’s character
- Grows a love relationship with Jesus Christ (through a hope and a future – Jeremiah 29:11)
(if you can get through this…you can get through anything!)
[Discussion]
[Dismissal for evening]
Day 2 – Saturday
Faith Makes It All Possible
It begins with faith.
Faith begins with His Word.
Romans 10:17 CSB
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.
I’m using the CSB version of this text to emphasize that the Word of God, as referenced in other texts, is indeed the word that speaks about Jesus Christ, who is the Living Word.
Look at the powerful message and testimony about Jesus Christ in the first words of the gospel of John:
John 1:1-5 CSB
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1:10-18 CSB
He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.
Let’s parse these passages thoroughly in order that we can see the necessity of faith in believing the possibilities of God. It all points directly to the existence of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus existed from the very beginning. He is Creator of the world and everything that is in it. He is the “I AM” as noted in Scripture.
Exodus 3:13-15
Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”
God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
John 8:48-58 CSB
The Jews responded to him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you’re a Samaritan and have a demon?”
“I do not have a demon,” Jesus answered. “On the contrary, I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and judges. Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Then the Jews said, “Now we know you have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be?”
“If I glorify myself,” Jesus answered, “my glory is nothing. My Father—about whom you say, ‘He is our God’—he is the one who glorifies me. You do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say I don’t know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”
The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”
- In faith, we believe that Jesus is the great ‘I AM.’ He is a living God that requires our loving obedience.
A requirement of faith is obedience to the words of Jesus Christ.
Our obedience to Him is rooted in His love and grace for you.
Romans 1:5-6 CSB
Through him we have grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles, including you who are also called by Jesus Christ.
Grace is the result of His love for us even though we are undeserving of it.
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Our call for discipleship is recognition that Jesus Christ, with full authority, has sent you out to fulfill His Great Commission. He not only loves us; He deems us worthy to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
His grace and His sending you out compels you to obedience in love.
Faith Builders Begin with Jesus Christ
- His Word provides wisdom and knowledge (Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 24:3-4)
- Jesus Christ is the pre-existent, uncreated Creator (John 1:1-4)
- He loves us and offers salvation because of His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- He calls us to be disciples, which comes from His authority (Matthew 28:18; 2 Corinthians 13:10; 1 Timothy 1:12)
- Seeing His love for you compels you to love Him (John 15:14; 1 John 4:19)
- Our love provides the impetus for your obedience to His Word. It is living proof of one’s love for Him and it pleases Him (1 John 5:2-3; Luke 11:28)
- Living in obedience to Christ in consistency is evidential with a testimony of His blessings (Psalm 119:1-2)
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Faith requires believing in His eternal presence, and your desire to grow closer to Him is affirmed with His blessings.
Faith in the great ‘I AM’ leads to ‘yes, I can.’ You can do it because He enables you to be successful in what you are accomplishing according to His will and His purpose.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 2:13 CSB
For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.
Philippians 4:19 ESV
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 NIV
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Faith gives you confidence in your success. There is no reason to be tentative or fearful in your action because there is no limitation as to how God can assist you.
Psalm 27:1 ESV
Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Deuteronomy 31:6 CSB
Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.
Elements of Faith
I. Follow Him
A. Acknowledge God (elements of IMAGE, PACT
1. reading and studying His Word
a. Investigate
b. Meditate
B. Communicate with Jesus Christ
1. Prayer
2. Ask
C. Let the Spirit Move as You Move
1. Act on His Word
2. Grow daily
3. Endure as you move
D. Trust His movements
II. Seek Him Early and Often
III. Know Him with Confidence
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
This is not just for new believers. This is for all time for all believers in Jesus Christ. Your faith will build as you develop your relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. You will learn to hear His voice. He will speak to you. He will guide you and direct you. He will chasten you. He will correct you. He will console you.
He will affirm your obedience and your desire to be close to Him and learn more about Him.
James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Note the steps to greater faith to overcome doubt:
- Ask God for help
- Trust His Answer (whether you like it or not)
- Expect that His result is good (as in Romans 8:28 good)
If you don’t take these steps:
- Don’t expect to receive any satisfaction
- If not asking in faith, then you will be disappointed
- Doubt will only continue—it stunts your growth as a believer.
- His Word provides wisdom and knowledge (Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 24:3-4)
- Jesus Christ is the pre-existent, uncreated Creator (John 1:1-4)
- He loves us and offers salvation because of His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- He calls us to be disciples, which comes from His authority (Matthew 28:18; 2 Corinthians 13:10; 1 Timothy 1:12)
- Seeing His love for you compels you to love Him (John 15:14; 1 John 4:19)
- Our love provides the impetus for your obedience to His Word. It is living proof of one’s love for Him and it pleases Him (1 John 5:2-3; Luke 11:28)
- Living in obedience to Christ in consistency is evidential with a testimony of His blessings (Psalm 119:1-2)
Give yourself an honest appraisal. These are measuring sticks in your life. Answer the following questions with the following: yes, sometimes, maybe, no
Do you believe that God will answer your prayers?
Are your prayers self-focused or God-focused?
Do you believe that God has the power to heal?
Do you trust that God has your best interests at heart?
Do you believe that God’s Lordship is personal to you?
Do you trust that God’s presence is a sanctifying presence?
Do you have faith in God in spite of not having all of the answers?
It’s OK if all of your answers are not “yes.” It may be healthier to recognize that you still don’t have your faith/your belief all figured out. There’s always room for improvement. Even the disciples found out that they still had much to learn.
Acknowledging the Possible
God’s Provision and How We Respond
We are a very tangible people. Even though we understand the concept of faith and believing in our Lord Jesus Christ, there will always be moments where we need “help with our unbelief.”
Mark 9:14-29 NKJV
14 And when He (Jesus) came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
This was a teachable moment for a number of the disciples (Peter, James and John were already traveling with Jesus) and for those who were observing this event. Let’s make some observations about this passage. Remember that Jesus had given the disciples power and authority to remove any demons, but they couldn’t remove this one. When he heard this, Jesus open expressed his frustration over the lack of faith his disciples had, but he already knew that one of greatest challenges that people would have are “faith challenges.” A lack of faith is nothing more than doubt.
Jesus wants us to remember what he said in verse 23, “If you can believe, all things are possible to those who believe,” but he also knows that we need “help” with our belief. It’s inherent in our nature to question things to the point where we are uncertain of the outcome. Jesus wants you to extend yourself beyond this way of thinking and believe, but he also shows us his power along the way, just as he did when he healed the boy from the demon, as well as numerous other miracles that he performed. This also shows how important it is for you to believe and open your eyes to the number of ways that God works in your life. It’s about seeing his plan and his ways for the long term, and not just the short term. Your faith challenges are ongoing, but you can achieve it as you put your faith in him day after day. He will show you how to have more faith, and he will continue to show himself to you to help bolster your faith even more!
God provides us what we need to build upon our faith.
God’s Provision: His Presence
His presence is constant, but he also reveals himself in such a way that it is proportionate to the faith of the individual. Some need to see him a little, some a little more, and some need a lot more. Each of these gives a person the ability to see God’s presence more and more as time goes along, but it also challenges the believer to grow with each living experience with the reminder that God is always present through the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Exodus 33:14 ESV
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Your response to build your faith:
Prayer.
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
John 15:7 ESV
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
Praise.
Psalm 106:1
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 100:1-5 CSB
Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to God!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we are his—
his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations.
Psalm 150:1-6 CSB
Hallelujah!
Praise God in his sanctuary.
Praise him in his mighty expanse.
Praise him for his powerful acts;
praise him for his abundant greatness.
Praise him with trumpet blast;
praise him with harp and lyre.
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and flute.
Praise him with resounding cymbals;
praise him with clashing cymbals.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.
Hallelujah!
Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
PACT
Pray, ask, consult and trust (in the results)
God’s Provision for Your Faith: Our Mission
Your faith will grow once you discover your purpose in Jesus Christ. He wants you to seek Him in order to know your mission within the Great Commission. Knowing where God wants you to be will propel you in ways you could never imagine!
Matthew 28:19-20 CSB
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Philippians 2:2
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Your response to build your faith:
Outreach.
Romans 10:14 CSB
How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?
Jeremiah 1:7 CSB
Then the Lord said to me:
Do not say, “I am only a youth,”
for you will go to everyone I send you to
and speak whatever I tell you.
Opportunity.
James 2:18
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
God’s Provision for Your Faith: Sanctification
Each believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is given the wonderful provision of the Holy Spirit, and from the Spirit comes His ability to sanctify, or set apart the believer to be used of God in proclaiming His will and His glory. The sanctification of a person through the Spirit also promotes holiness, or a greater growth in one’s faith, belief and trust in Jesus Christ. Sanctification is a provision from God because it is His will for our lives.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God.
Your response in building your faith:
Be Spirit-filled.
Being spirit-filled means to be in concert with God’s will for your life and being conscious of living in such a way that you remain a great testimony for Jesus Christ. Your actions will be affirmed by Him as one who is being faithful to Him and His Word.
Ephesians 5:15-21 CSB
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Galatians 5:16-18
I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Ezekiel 36:23b-28
The nations will know that I am the Lord—this is the declaration of the Lord God—when I demonstrate my holiness through you in their sight.
“‘For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. You will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.’”
God’s Provision for Your Faith: Salvation
Our faith in Jesus Christ begins with a number of His promises to us, but His greatest promise is the one where He has made the provision for His believers to experience eternal life with Him. His death on the cross was for us. His victory over death and Satan was the result of His completed sacrifice on our behalf. Our salvation is indeed our wonderful provision from Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 ESV
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:12-13 NIV
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Your response in building your faith:
Sacrifice.
As you recognize the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, your faith will continue to increase as you live a life of sacrifice that models that of the life of Jesus.
In the same way that you are to be spirit-filled to live a life of sanctification, your sacrifice means living in such a way that you are set apart for God.
Hebrews 13:16 ESV
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Jesus talks about the importance of being a living sacrifice.
Romans 12:1-2 CSB
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
God’s Provision for Your Faith: I AM
Malachi 3:6a
For I am the Lord, I change not.
The Lord God is the same Lord God of creation, of the world before and after the great flood, and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the same today as He was from the very beginning. He is the Uncreated Creator who is in control of everything.
Exodus 3:1-14
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up?”
When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!”
“Here I am,” he answered.
“Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”
Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”
God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
God has a number of names referenced throughout the Old Testament, but “I AM” is distinct in that He references Himself as an eternal, ever-present God.
John 1:1-5 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus proclaimed that He is the great “I AM” as noted in the Old Testament.
John 8:58 NIV
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Jesus is the great “I AM” that also provides an example for us if we are to remain in fellowship with Him. He remained obedient to the Father throughout His life on earth, and desires for each one of us to be obedient.
Your response in building your faith:
IMAGE
Living in the IMAGE of Jesus Christ will build and reinforce your faith in Jesus Christ.
- Investigate God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11)
- Meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2)
- Act on His commands at all times (Psalm 106:3)
- Grow in His power through the Spirit (Ephesians 3:16; 1 John 2:27)
- Endure life’s challenges in prayer (James 1:12)
God’s Provision for Your Faith: Blessings
In criminal investigations, a prosecutor has to present evidence that connects the defendant to the crime. The evidence is often tangible and less circumstantial.
There are times when believers in Jesus need affirmation of our obedience to Him. This affirmation builds our faith when we receive His blessings.
James 1:17 ESV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Philippians 4:19 ESV
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Your response in building your faith:
Be grateful.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
God’s Provision for Your Faith: Love
God is Love (1 John 4:8). It is His very nature to love us as it is His character. He loved us enough to provide for us a Savior.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 15:13 ESV
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Your response in building your faith:
Live a Christian lifestyle.
God’s love for you will empower you to love others. It is a testament of your faith in Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Colossians 3:17 ESV
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
God’s Provision for Your Faith: Eternal Life
Faith in Jesus Christ helps you to see more and more of His plan and will for your life, and the ultimate reward for your faith in Jesus is His promise of eternal life. He has kept every single promise to date. All He asks is for you to believe.
Romans 6:23 ESV
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 5:24 ESV
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Your response in building your faith:
Evangelize.
Romans 1:16 ESV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Enjoy Life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Deuteronomy 28:1 NIV
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
Romans 8:38-39 ESV
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s Provision to Help Your Faith Your Response
P Presence Prayer, Praise, PACT
O Our Mission Outreach, Opportunity
S Sanctification Spirit-filled
S Salvation Sacrifice
I I AM IMAGE
B Blessings Be grateful
L Love Live a Christian lifestyle
E Eternal Life Evangelize, Enjoy life
© Melvin Gaines
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Akron Alliance Fellowship 