Understanding And Activating Faith

RCCG Mercyland Parish June 2018 Anointing Service Sunday, June 24, 2018 Theme: Understanding & Activating Faith Ministering: Pastor Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs Song: Great are you Lord, greatly to be Praised, Father you reign Great is God & greatly to be praised Text: Hebrews 11:1-6 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Introduction: The subject of spiritual and biblical faith is so important to receiving from the Lord. John 3: 27 There is a strong spiritual dimension to faith, sadly, many believers are unable to comprehend it, and thereby activate it. Faith is the currency of exchange for all spiritual transactions with God just as we use the earthly currencies for various financial dealings on earth. The objective of this message is to understand how to activate our spiritual and biblical faith that will enable us to convert our spiritual blessings and cause them to manifest for all to see. Psalm 68: 19, Ephesians 1:3 – “blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (places) in Christ. What is faith? God’s Word Translation: Faith assures (guarantee, convince, promise) us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see International Children’s Bible: Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. NIV - Now faith is confidence (sureness, coolness, self-reliance) in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. AMP – Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. Faith is knowing that you have now, what you have been praying for. Faith is agreeing with God that what he promised you is available now. Faith is knowing that God cannot lie and He is able to give you what is currently not seen Faith is in the Now; Hope is in the future – evidence of things hoped for. Faith is not believing that it will happen in some days; Faith is I agree with God that it is available Now! James 1:5-8 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (indecisive, undecided, falter, wobble, hesitate). For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Faith is agreeing with God and NOT entertaining IF NOT. Faith is agreeing with God’s promise and shutting out all doubts and unbeliefs Types of faith Human faith – the natural human faith – chair, bus, airplane etc Biblical Faith – laying hold of the unseen realm of hope & bringing into the realm of reality For examples: Speaking in tongues is by faith. Every born-again child of God has been endowed with the ability to speak in tongues but not all are speaking in tongues because they are unable to activate their faith to speak Mark 16:17 – And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues… Acts 2:4 – All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them Study John 11:17-27; 38-40 is a typical story of how we struggle with faith for the miraculous. – Martha & Jesus about Lazarus How to stir up your faith? Woman with the issue of Blood – Luke 8: 43 – 48 vs46 (someone touched me) The Centurion story – Matthew 8: 5-13 – Vs 8 (just speak/say the word… Peter walked on water – Matthew 14:22 – 33 vs28 (Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come) What must we do to activate faith? We must have the word of God to build our faith on – faith comes by hearing Romans 10:17. With God all things are possible Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26 Eliminate doubt, agree completely with God; if the subject of faith involves more than one person, it is important that both party are in agreement – Genesis 17 & 18. Know God to do exploit by faith – Daniel 11:32 Act, speak, confess and maintain your faith in God even in the midst of the storm. You need the Holy Spirit indwelling. James 1:5-6 Separation from the world (not segregation) 2 Cor 6: 14 – 17 (mind your fellowship) Healing is the children portion (bread) – Matthew 15:22-29 You must be a child of God Ask and receive in Jesus Name You must trust God like a child