Have Faith in God – Part 1

Have Faith in God – Part 1 from Rick Pina on Vimeo.

RBP Ministries Faith Conference 2012

Faith Outreach Christian Life Center

Rick Pina, November 1, 2012 @ 7pm

Have Faith in God (Part 1)

Introduction:  Welcome to the Faith Conference.  We have had two great sessions already.

Last night Dad preached “Declaring God’s Faithfulness.”  In that message we learned that is:

1. Faithful to His Word.
2. Faithful to His Promises.
3. Faithful to His Covenant.
4. Faithful to His People.

God is indeed Faithful and we should declare His Faithfulness everywhere we go!

This morning Dad asked the question, “What did Abraham Discover?”

1. Abraham discovered that God was faithful.
2. Abraham discovered that God would do what He said.
3. Abraham discovered that God could be imitated.

Let’s go to two places tonight to set the stage for the next three sessions:

• Jesus spoke the language of faith.
• Jesus spoke what He believed to be the Father’s will, not what He saw.
• Jesus synchronized with the Father!
• He then walked away like it was already done.
• And the disciples heard it.

Jesus was always in sync. with the Father:
(John 5:19,20)  Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

*** Jesus spoke in confidence to the tree because He believed that was the Father’s will.

• And He did not have to wait to see the tree change to believe it was already dead.
• He received it in His Spirit and He walked away like it was already done.
• He imitated the Father (Ephesians 5:1) and called those things that were not like they already were (Romans 4:17).

The next morning:
(Mark 11:20-22 KJV)
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

• Jesus did not say, “Hold on boys, don’t try this at home!”
• Jesus did not say, “I can do this, because I am the Son of God.”
• Jesus did not say, “This is cool, but you will never be able to do it.”

Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”

• The same kind of faith I have, you can have.
• What I did, you can do.
• This is not just limited to me.
• This is available to everyone who will Have Faith In God!

But Jesus also did not say:

• “Have faith in YOUR FAITH.”
• “Have faith in FAITH PRINCIPLES.”
• “Have faith in THE WORD.”

*** Bigger than having faith in the Word of God, Jesus taught that we must have faith in the God of the Word!

Illustration:

1. Belief Factor
2. Faith Factor
3. Grace Factor
4. God Factor

*** You might:

1. Miss the WHAT
2. Miss the WHEN

*** But you must never confuse the WHO!

• You must be SURE of WHOM you believe!

(2 Tim 1:8-12 KJV)
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

• Don’t be ashamed to Declare God’s Faithfulness!
• Even at the risk of looking foolish!
• Even at the risk of persecution!

Paul lived at a time when you were persecuted for preaching.

• If you SHUT UP, the persecution would stop.
• But Paul would rather be persecuted than to SHUT UP about God’s Faithfulness!

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

God saved you AND Called you.

• If it was only about being saved and going to heaven you would be dead.
• If Jesus only came for Fire Insurance, you would be gone.

With a HOLY CALLING

• God wants to be the Central Character in your life’s story.
• You were born because He has an assignment for you!

According to His own Purpose and Grace

• God will never give you the Purpose with the Grace to accomplish it.
• Whatever He expects you to do, He equips you to do.
• Divine provision is contingent upon Divine Vision.
• Your prosperity is locked up in YOUR PURPOSE.
• When you find your PURPOSE, you will access the GRACE.

Before the world began

• You are not a mistake!
• God made plans for you before the world began!
• God finished you before you ever got started!

*** Your job is to:

1. Find your purpose.
2. Follow your purpose.
3. Finish your purpose.

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

• Paul knew his purpose.
• He was:
  • A preacher (declaring God’s faithfulness)
  • An apostle (establishing governmental order and oversight)
  • A teacher of the Gentiles (he was graced for a particular group)

Paul was suffering for the Gospel’s sake:

• Paul was okay with the opposition that came against His assignment.
• Paul did not run from the opposition.

How did Paul thrive (not just survive) against tremendous opposition?
For I know whom I have believed

• Paul had FAITH IN GOD!
• Paul’s faith was not in man.
• Paul’s faith was not in enjoying a good time.
• Paul’s faith was not moved by circumstances.
• Paul’s FAITH was IN GOD!

am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him

• Paul did not have FAITH in Himself.

• Paul did not say that He would keep Himself.
• Paul did not have faith in his own ability!
• Paul was looking unto Jesus!

against that day

• Paul did not always know WHEN
• But Paul was convinced of WHO!

For tomorrow:

Also:  How you wait does impact how long you wait!