If God Did It for Him, He Will Do It for You: The Spirit of Faith

Sermon outline

The spirit of faith believes and therefore speaks: it calls things that are not as though they were, celebrates what God does for others, and says the victory out loud before it is seen.

1. Confession brings possession

   What God has provided in Jesus was the promise of Abraham. What is ours is the new birth, what we are to the Father, and what Jesus is doing for us right now: he always lives to intercede for us. Knowing that we have a high priest praying for us at the right hand of God gives us the confidence to say what is ours.

   “We have our elder brother that's for us, not against us.”

   • Hebrews 7:25

2. The measure of faith

   He reads Romans 12:1-3: God has distributed faith to each one. The measure is not the size of a grain of mustard seed; it is the same measure God used to raise Jesus from the dead, which he calls a far greater act of faith than creating heaven and earth, because nothing opposed God at creation. Jesus is the author, finisher and developer of our faith, and if we begin to use our faith we will grow in it.

   “The measure is the same as God used to raise Jesus from the dead.”

   • Romans 12:1-3
   • Luke 17:6
   • Hebrews 12:2

3. Learning to develop your faith

   When you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour you receive the developer of your faith, and he develops it when you put it on the line. Put the Word of God first, meditate on it and so build a capacity for faith, then act on it. Faith grows when the Word becomes a vital part of your daily conduct and speech, and as it grows circumstances lose their grip and you take the dominion God intended.

   “When faith begins to grow, Satan's dominion wanes.”

   • Genesis 1:28
   • Luke 19:13

4. Decide two very important things

   He asks viewers to write it down: decide, number one, to live by faith, and decide to live the love life. You cannot answer people in the same spirit they come against you with and expect to win; you can show them love, because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. Do these two things and you will please God and be a doer of his Word and not a hearer only.

   Illustration: His own story: he was 'a Hindu, an unsaved man, going nowhere', poverty stricken, and it was God's agape love that drew him to the cross and changed his life.

   “Make a quality decision to live by faith. And make a quality decision to live the love life.”

   • 1 Peter 4:8
   • Romans 5:5
   • 1 John 4:8
   • James 1:22

5. The spirit of faith: what does faith say?

   We believe and therefore we speak. Faith calls things that be not as though they were, which is how Abraham gave God glory, and God chooses the things that are not to nullify the things that are. God's ways are higher than ours, and as we study, meditate on and practise the Word we live a higher life. Take it step by step, and when other believers are walking ahead of you, do not put yourself down: celebrate their success, watch them and learn from them.

   Illustration: While he was still in secular employment he carried the anointing oil for his pastor, who went out to pray over a member's brand new Mercedes-Benz. His own car was small, old and 'almost a wreck', but he put his heart and soul into that prayer and told the Lord he would not covet it. Years later he drove several brand new cars of his own.

   “Lord, if you could do it for him, you will do it for me.”

   • 2 Corinthians 4:13
   • Romans 4:16-25
   • Isaiah 55:9
   • 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

6. Abraham's faith: the steps to take when you have a need

   The first step is to go to the Word that covers your situation. The second step is to keep it before your eyes, your ears and your mouth, which are gates: speak it, listen to it, and accept good preaching, because faith comes by hearing. The third step is to go to God on the basis of his provision, not on your needs. Lastly, speak to the mountain, as David did when he told Goliath what would happen before he struck him down.

   Illustration: David, a young lad facing a giant skilled in warfare, announced that the Lord would deliver the Philistine into his hands that very day, before a stone had been thrown.

   “Before you see manifestation, speak out boldly.”

   • Romans 10:17
   • 1 Samuel 17:45-46

7. Diligence is the way faith acts, and faith stands at all costs

   Diligent hands will rule. If you are diligent in your walk with God, in speaking with him and in doing the things he likes, you will find manifestation. Faith stands at all costs and will never fail you, so run to the enemy. The righteous are as bold as a lion, and a child of the Most High God does not have to walk afraid.

   Illustration: Every government has ambassadors, a high-ranking position that people respect. A Christian is an ambassador too, and should walk and deal with people as one.

   “And you must remember, faith will never fail you.”

   • Proverbs 12:24
   • Proverbs 28:1
   • 2 Corinthians 5:20

8. Things never are as they look

   When David first looked at Goliath he saw a giant of a man, but in his heart he said he would take him down, and he did. When Peter saw the wind he was afraid, but when Jesus said 'come', Peter walked on the word he had heard.

   Illustration: Peter stepping out of the boat on a single word from Jesus.

   “He heard the word from Jesus' mouth. And faith caused him to walk.”

   • Matthew 14:29-30

9. The force of faith

   He reads Hebrews 11:1-3: what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Faith is not a product of reason but of the recreated spirit man. Reasoning and logic are the natural, human way and too much analysing paralyses you, but faith is God's way. When people say negative things you can refuse them, pray for your children and commend them to God's care.

   “Faith is not a product of reason, ladies and gentlemen. It is a product of the recreated spirit man.”

   • Hebrews 11:1-3