Have Faith in God (Part 1)

(Read John 8:1-11)

For the next three days I will share with you a few snippets from the notes I used to preach a three day meeting towards the end of 2012.  I preached a message entitled, “Have Faith in God,” in three sessions.  If you are going to maximize 2014 your faith must be in God.  Let’s get into it.

In Mark 11 Jesus spoke to a fig tree and it dried up from the roots (see verses 12-14).

• 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 synch with the Father.  Jesus only said those things He heard the Father say and He only did those things He saw the Father do (see John 5:19,20,30; 6:38; 14:10).

Jesus spoke in confidence to the tree because He believed He was speaking 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 the disciples saw the tree dead (see verses 20-22).  When Peter was amazed that the tree was dried up from the roots, Jesus answered him by saying, “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.”  Jesus was saying:

• 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!

(Read 2 Tim 1:8-12 KJV)

(v.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!

(v.12)  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul was suffering for the Gospel’s sake:

• Paul was okay with the fact that he was going to suffer for the Gospel’s sake!

• Paul did not run from the opposition.

How did Paul thrive (not just survive) against tremendous opposition?  Paul said, “For I know whom I have believed.”

• Paul KNEW GOD and Paul had FAITH IN GOD!

• Paul’s faith was not in man.

• Paul’s faith was not moved by circumstances.

• Paul’s FAITH was IN GOD!

Paul said, “I 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!

*** Once again, if you are going to maximize 2014 your faith must be in God!  Have Faith in God!

Before I close I want to share the link to the video of this message.  If you have the time, watch the video.  It will bless you.  Here is the link:

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

Closing Confession:  Father, I have been saved by Your undeserved Grace, because of Jesus’ finished work on Calvary’s cross, and I am now justified through my faith in Jesus.  Having been justified, the Bible teaches me that the just shall live by faith.  I live by faith every second of every day, and my faith is in You!  My faith is not in me, my works, my ability, or any righteousness I could ever earn on my own.  My faith is rooted and grounded in You!  My life emanates from my relationship with You.  It is in You that I live, and move and have my being.  You are the Lord of my life.  You are my strength.  You are my rock.  You are my fortress.  You are my deliverer.  I trust in You with all my heart.  I look to You as both author and finisher of my faith.  I look to You as both the creator and sustainer of my life.  I look to You as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  You are the God who started a work in my life and who is faithful to finish what He started.  I may not know many things, but one thing I know is this: I know IN WHOM I have believed, and like Paul, I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  Like the psalmist I say, some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but I trust in You!  I live by faith and my faith is in my God!  I shall not be moved, because my God is not moved.  2014 shall be the best year of my life.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.