I Know!

I know!

Text: 2 Timothy 1:12.

“For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

          Paul knew what it would cost him to serve as a preacher, nevertheless he was able to say “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” Romans 1:16.

So, Timothy also should not be ashamed either. Can we truly say with Paul and others before us, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”? The basis of Paul’s assurance is knowing the Lord Jesus, and His power to keep us, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” Philippians 3:10.

I want to speak of this word “Know” today. Here the word “know” (Gr oida) means “absolute knowledge,” beyond a shadow of a doubt.

The word “Keep” (Gr phylassō) is a military term meaning “guard.” That which. What is Paul committing, I believe it is his salvation and his service?

The word “Committed” (Gr parathēkē) is a banking term meaning “to deposit.”

“That day” no doubt refers to the day of Christ and the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers’ service and works will be judged: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

I love these words “For I know.” There are two words for “know” in the Greek:

1.    To know as you are told, to be taught by a teacher etc.

2.    To know by vision and faith. This is the one I want to speak about.

1.    KNOW-KNOWING-KNOWLEDGE.

“For I know whom I have believed.”

The translation of several Hebrew and Greek words for “know” are found in the Bible, covering a wide range of meanings: intellectual understanding, personal experience, and personal relationship.

Here the word:

“Know” (the Greek oida) means “absolute knowledge,” or “total, complete, utter, unlimited knowledge.” The word covers the idea of; an active relationship between the one who knows, and the Person.

This suggests have seeing or recognizing; or experiencing knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, one KNOWS, to have the fullness of Knowledge. The basis is to know the Lord Jesus, and His power to keep us.

This is a spiritual knowledge of Christ and is necessary to faith in Him: an unknown Christ cannot be the object of faith, for knowledge and faith go together: they that truly know Christ believe in Him, and the more they know Him, the more strongly they believe in Him.

This knowledge which they have of Christ is not from them, but from the Father, who reveals Christ to them, and in them. By which a man sees Christ and His grace; goes to Him in his need; and lays hold of Him as Saviour; where he commits his all unto Him; and walks with Christ till he receives eternal salvation.

          In the New Testament one knows God through a knowledge of Jesus Christ:

“Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” John 8:19.

“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Colossians 2:2-3.

Knowledge of Christ Jesus gives direction, conviction, and assurance to our faith. Knowledge is a spiritual gift given to us by God. “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:8, which can grow, increase, be filled, and abound.

          God’s knowledge is said to be omniscient. He knows all things; His understanding is beyond measure. He knows the thoughts of our minds and the secrets of our hearts. He knows past events, present happenings, and even our future.

So, it is good to have Knowledge of God. Paul does not say, “we” or “they” or even “others,” but he says “I.” Paul places this verse in his own personal experience of life, by which we should do also.

2.    BELIEF, TRUST AND FAITH.

          “And am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

Paul knows Jesus Christ whom he has trusted:

A.   “I am persuaded.” Here the word used means: To guard, to guard against robbery or any loss.

B.   “That which I have committed unto Him,” Literally, “my deposit,” as in a bank, the bank of heaven which no robber can break into “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” Matthew 6:19.

C.   “Against that day.” The day of Christ's second coming. Elsewhere, the day of the Lord, the day of Jesus Christ, the Day of Judgment.

                                          

By that which Paul had committed to Christ is meant here, not just his labours and sufferings for Christ, as if he had deposited these in Christ's hands, It seems best of all to interpret it of his natural life, the care of which he had committed to Christ, trusting in Him for eternal life and salvation, believing He was able to save him to the uttermost.

          Persuaded means: to win over, to bring about a change of mind. Paul knows because he was persuaded by Christ. Look at Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

CONCLUSION:

          The phrase “whom I have believed” expresses Paul’s unshakable trust in his Saviour. This speaks not of Paul’s confidence in himself, but of Christ’s trustworthiness. Paul was certain that God would keep his deposit, his life and the eternal rewards of his ministry.

“For I have FULL KNOWLEDGE, by the Holy Spirit, WHOM (the Lord Jesus Christ), I have believed and remain steadfast and am persuaded, to prevail upon Him, that He is able to keep what I have committed and deposited to Him until that Day.”

Real faith, works!

Reading: James 2:14-26.

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ………. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

It seems if you put the word “real” in front of anything it sells more, etc. “real coffee” or “real leather.” Because most of us are interested in the genuine article. Even Coke used to be advertised as the “real thing.”

I want to talk today about what James has to say about how to have a real faith in Christ Jesus. There are a lot of false religious ideas out there, more so when it makes people think they are Christians, but they are not! In this passage James talks about the difference between true believers and false believers.

James talks about how you must have a real faith. Because, real faith, works! James focuses on the fruit of salvation, what happens after our salvation, and not works as the means of salvation. Jesus Himself confirms this saying, that by a person's fruits you shall know them, to be true believers. “You will know them by

their fruits” … Matthew 7:16. James talks about how to behave like a believer!  

One of the greatest dangers for preachers of the gospel, is that we like to see people converted to Christ, and sometimes we are willing to accept individuals who says, “Yes, I will trust Jesus as my Saviour.” But, that confess of faith may not be real. So how can you tell that people are real, that they have the real thing?

The story is told that the Devil held a AGM meeting with his demons to decide how to persuade men that God did not existent. Since they themselves believed in His existence, and they did not want mankind to know. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!”

Here are some of the ideas brought up:

a.     One demon suggested that they tell people Jesus Christ never really existed and that men should not believe such fiction.

b.     Another demon suggested that they persuade men that death, is the end of all and there is no need to worry about life after death, and the judgement of God.

c.      Finally, the most intelligent demon suggested that they tell everyone that there is a God, that there is His Son Jesus Christ, and that believing in Him saves you.

BUT, all you have to do is confess your faith in Christ and then go on living in sin as normal.

They decided to use this method, and it is still the most often used method the Devil uses today.

So, how do I know that I am a true believer? Well, it says here: “Faith without works is dead.” James says you need to behave like a believer!  

1^ST POINT: REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU SAY.

          “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14.

Real faith is not just something you say, for there are a lot of people who claim to be Christians. Do you know anybody that claims to be a Christian but you do not see any evidence in their life? If you do not see anything different in their lifestyle, that is a false faith.

It is more than just talk that is involved in real faith. “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” Matthew 7:21-23. Real faith is not just something you say.

2^ND POINT: REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING YOU DO.

          “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” James 2:20-22.

In the next couple of verses James gives an illustration that say real faith is something you do. Faith is active! It is not passive. It is a commitment. Our faith is not determined by what we say, feel or believe; real faith is demonstrated by what we do. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17. It have been often said: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” That is a good question, for real faith always produces change!

James is saying here: If you say “I believe in Jesus!” Well, prove it. For our faith is demonstrated by our actions, actions speak louder than words. Our behavior shows what we really believe.  “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

In the light of what James says here, am I really a Christian? What changes can I point to in my life? Is my lifestyle any different at all from unbelievers? James is saying demonstrate your faith!

Conclusion:

 How do I know for sure I have real faith in Christ? You can settle it right now. How do you do that?

Notice, THREE things in this passage, and if you get those out of order, you are in trouble.  

1. “By grace.”

2. “Through faith.”

3. “For good works.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:8-10.

          So, how I know that I am a true believer? Walk the walk! Be real in your life changing ways!

Faith, is believing without Seeing!

Reading: John 4:46-54.

“So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”

So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.
This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”

Jesus returns to the site of His first public miracle, and is approached by a Nobleman (who works directly for the King, a man of importance and means). He seeks out the Lord and begged Jesus to work a miracle for his sick son. Jesus without much show, says, go back home, it is all fine now, for your son lives! 

Home was at least 20 miles away! Yet, the Nobleman did not question or doubt it, but instantly believed, for Faith, is believing without Seeing! The Bible says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.

While walking back home the Nobleman met with his own servants whom he had left with his son. Some would assume they were coming to tell him that the child had died. But he knew better, and seeing the smiles on their faces he knew what they were about to say. Indeed, they were coming to tell him the child was fine now.

          Notice:

He had faith, (In his heart).

He then saw their smiles, and finally, (In his eyes).

He heard them say “your son is healed and alive.” (In his ears).

But Faith started out without seeing!

         

This is how faith is supposed to work:

1.     Man has a problem (here it is a sick child).

2.     Man brings problem to Jesus (which he did).

3.     Jesus deals with the problem.

4.     Jesus makes a promise to the man (your child lives).

5.     Man takes Jesus at His word.

This is how faith is supposed to work. Faith is humble trust in the promises of God.

          Now let us take a little longer to follow the steps of this act of faith.

CONCLUSION:

Do you have: Faith, what believes without seeing?

“Jesus said to him (Thomas), “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” John 20:29.

Audio sermon can be found at: http://www.spudbyte.com/bchurch/2016/12.06.2016.AM.DAVID.WALTERS.mp3

Hebrews 11, the Faith chapter.

Reading: Hebrews 11:1-40.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1.

          Hebrews 11 is called the Faith chapter. Because it is full of men and women of faith!

           In Matthew 29:27-31, two blind men came to Jesus to be healed, Jesus there told them their healing was according to their faith. Verse 29 says “Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

          These are fantastic words spoken by Jesus to these two blind men. They were greatly rewarded by their faith because their eyes were opened. Someone pointed out that Jesus did not say to them:

According to your “fate” or;

According to your “fortune” or;

According to your “fame” or;

According to your “friends” or;

According to your “feelings.”

No, Jesus said; “According to your faith let it be to you.”

1^ST POINT: WHAT IS FAITH?  

The Bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1.

2^ND POINT: WHERE DO WE GET FAITH? 

The Bible says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.

The more a person reads the Bible and mediates in the Word of God, the more faith he/she will have. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God spoken into our hearts and lives.

3^RD POINT: WHAT DOES FAITH DO FOR A SINNER?  

Faith brings salvation to the sinner. “For by grace you are saved through faith” Ephesians 2:8. The thief on the cross is an example of this. He had no opportunity to make amends for his sin or even to be baptized. He simply trusted in Christ and that day he was with God in Paradise.

4^TH POINT: WHAT DOES FAITH DO FOR THE BELIEVER?

For the Christian, faith is the overcoming factor. The bible says, “And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” I John 5:4. Christians of great faith do great works by accomplishing great things for God.

5^TH POINT: WHAT CAN WE DO BY FAITH?  

In the Scriptures we read that it is possible to:

“Walk by faith.”

“Pray in faith.”

“Add to your faith.”

“Contend for the faith.”

“Continue in the faith.”

And many other such phrases. We should pray as the disciples should pray “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Lord, help us to believe!

         

There are FIVE different kinds of FAITH that we have knowledge from and that affects our lives.

1.     NATURAL FAITH.

          This is faith in a bank where we believe our money will be safe, faith in a chair that will hold us up, faith in an employer that we will be paid at the end of the week, etc.

2.     INTELLECTUAL FAITH.

A cook baking a cake and following a recipe is exercising intellectual faith. They believe that the cake will result from pouring in certain ingredients.

Scientific facts led us to accept by faith that the eclipse would come at a certain time and none of us were disappointed, as it came right on schedule. 

3.     HISTORICAL FAITH.

We believe that Napoleon actually lived and led a great army. We believe that Henry the 8^th had six wives. We believe that Churchill was the right leader in world war 2. Etc. This is historical faith.

4.     SAVING FAITH.

This is Bible faith that God will keep His promise and save us by grace, through faith.

5.     VICTORIOUS FAITH.

We read in the Scriptures, “And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” I John 5:4.

CONCLUSION:

The Bible is filled with stories of people of faith!

The assurance of the eternal presence of God.

The assurance of the eternal presence of God.

Reading: Romans 8:35-39.

35. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36. As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

38. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come.

39. Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Our assurance in the eternal presence of God is based upon the unfailing love of God. It is the love of God that keeps us in the palm of His hand and has been demonstrated to us, through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Paul here amplifies the question, can we be defeated? By asking is it possible that “tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or the sword” can enter our lives and take away what Christ Jesus has achieved on our behalf at the CROSS!

1. ARE WE DEFEATED?

Faith gives its final challenge: is there anything or anyone here in these verses who can take away the justified believer “from the love of Christ?”

A search is made of every unpleasant circumstance that has been effective in causing separations in other areas of human life. But none can be found!

Paul gives us these seven-fold causes: “tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or the sword.”

1. Not the trouble and pain of “tribulation” with its pressure of affliction and suffering. Can take us from God!

2. Not the trouble and pain of “distress” bringing extreme suffering to mind and body. Can take us from God!

3. Not the trouble and pain of “persecution,” inflicting brutal suffering, and death on those who dare to differ. Can take us from God!

4. Not the trouble and pain of “famine,” piercing, and wasting away the body unto death. Can take us from God!

5. Not the trouble and pain of “nakedness,” with all it means in the way of hardship, putting us on view, and helplessness. Can take us from God!

6. Not the trouble and pain of “peril,” with the threat of forthcoming awful danger. Can take us from God!

7. Not the trouble and pain of the “sword,” cold, hard, and with its death-dealing blows. Can take us from God!

The pain, suffering, and tribulation that enter our lives, which have featured so highly in this chapter, are not enough to separate us from God’s love, demonstrated at the CROSS of Christ.

2. FOR WE ARE CONQUERORS!

Instead of separating us from Christ’s love, these things only succeed in drawing us closer to Him. We are not only “conquerors,” but “more than conquerors.”^ It is not simply that we triumph over these terrifying forces, but that in doing so:

1. We bring glory to God.

2. We bring blessing to others.

3. We bring good to ourselves.

But all of this is not through our own strength, but only “through Him who loved us.” Only the power of Christ can bring:

1. Sweetness out of bitterness.

2. Strength out of weakness.

3. Triumph out of tragedy.

4. Blessing out of heartbreak.

We do not merely hold our own in the face of testing, but through suffering we are drawn closer to Christ and become more conformed to His image.

In the midst of illness, suffering, and countless of life’s afflictions, we have God’s assurance of His eternal presence and therefore are said to be “more than conquerors.”

The word used here in the original language (is hypernikaō), which literally means that we are “super-conquerors.” Notice, however, the means by which we are super conquerors, is “through Him that loved us.”

Personal boldness and inner strength are not providers to success in the Christian life:

1. As we owe our justification to Him.

2. As we owe our sanctification to Him.

3. As we owe our assurance to Him.

4. All we have we owe to Him.

3. PAUL’S CONCLUSION.

Paul searches the entire universe to see if there is anything that can possibly separate us from the eternal presence of God.

1. He goes first to the realm of death and finds nothing there.

2. Then he turns to the realm of life and again finds nothing.

3. He looks to the angels and they have no power to separate us.

4. He turns to principalities which, in this case, may refer to the angelic hosts representing Satan. There is nothing there.

5. He proceeds to examine “things present” and finds nothing.

6. He explores the future and in the “things to come” there is nothing which can separate us.

Nothing can happen now, or in the future which can remove the love of God from us or us from His eternal security. Then, to make sure that he is not missing anything, Paul adds: “nor any other created thing.”

The outcome of Paul’s search is that he can find nothing that can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nowhere can the apostle find anything in the whole universe of God which can sever the relationship.

No wonder these words of triumph have been the song of those who have died martyr’s deaths and the great joy of those who have lived martyr’s lives!

That the children of God have their Father’s love. This great assurance comes to those who are “the called” in Christ Jesus our Lord.

CONCLUSION:

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born, of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”

Paul has completed this great chapter in the same way he began it. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” verse one. Paul is persuaded that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

All these wonderful promises belong to us because we belong to Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God!!!

---

JESUS STILLS A STORM.

JESUS STILLS A STORM.

READING: Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.

8:23. “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.”

8:24. “And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.”

8:25. “Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

8:26. “But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

8:27. “So the men marvelled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

4:35. “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

4:36. “Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.”

4:37. “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.”

4:38. “But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

4:39. “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

4:40. “But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

4:41. “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

8:22. “Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out.”

8:23. “But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.”

8:24. “And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.”

8:25. “But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marvelled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Here is I believe the 12^th recorded miracle of Jesus.

1^ST POINT: Background to the miracle.

The Sea of Galilee lies between high hills. Sudden winds funnelled between these hills can whip up the waters and create waves that endanger small boats. However, even the experienced fishermen who were in the boat with Jesus were terrified by this storm, convinced they were all about to die.

But where was Jesus in the storm? Jesus was asleep in the boat, even when this storm threatened to sink the boat. The terrified disciples awoke Jesus, who calmed the storm and used the occurrence to teach them about faith. Nearly every sentence in the brief story has immediate application to our lives.

2^ND POINT: Parties to the miracle.

This is one of several “private miracles” performed for the benefit of Jesus’ disciples. This miracle not only saved them but instructed them as well. The parties to this miracle were Jesus and an unnamed number of His disciples.

A. Jesus.

Jesus was exhausted after a full day of ministry, and was asleep in the boat. The image of Jesus asleep while the storm raged around them is a brilliant portrait of His calm confidence in God the Father. When Jesus was awakened by His terrified disciples, He immediately took charge, commanding the churning waters to “be still” Mark 4:39. Jesus then used the experience to teach the disciples about faith by challenging them to examine their actions during the storm.

B. The disciples.

When the storm struck, the disciples were navigating the boat while Jesus slept. As the storm grew worse, they became terrified. Finally they woke Jesus up. When Christ commanded the storm to stop and the waters immediately become calm, the disciples were fearful and amazed. They asked each other, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41.

3^RD POINT: How the story unfolds.

“He… rebuked the wind” Mark 4:39.

We have seen this term rebuked used by Jesus before, when casting out a demon and when healing sickness. It is a word which indicates the control of an evil power. Some have taken its use here to indicate that Satan was behind the strong storm that struck while Jesus slept. In this view, Jesus’ “rebuke” was of the demonic beings behind the storm.

Yet, the miracle is intended to show Jesus’ power over nature itself, and so to suggest to His deity. The Creator alone can control creation.

Jesus’ action that day recalled the words of Psalm 89:8-9 “O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.”

4^TH POINT: Personal application of the miracle account.

This miracle account is a favourite of believers perhaps because it speaks so clearly and directly to each of us in our own lives.

A. The great windstorm represents the storms we face in our lives.

B. The boat represents our security, which is threatened by the waves beating into it.

C. Jesus asleep in the boat represents the evident silence of God when we are overcome by stress or fear.

D. The cry “do You not care that we are perishing” Mark 4:38 expresses our own deep feelings of abandonment by God when life overwhelms us.

E. Jesus’ rebuke of the wind and sea remind us of Christ’s sovereign control over every circumstance in our lives.

F. The calm that followed immediately after the storm symbolizes the inner calm we can experience when we rely on Jesus’ love and His Word.

G. Jesus’ rebuke, “Why are you so fearful?” Mark 4:40 reminds us that when Jesus is in our lives, we must trust Him, even when life’s storms strengthens.

H. Jesus’ question, “How is it that you have no faith?” invites us to remember all that Christ has done for us in the past. Remembering yesterday’s goodness strengthens the faith we need to face today and tomorrow.

I. The disciples’ fear reminds us always to hold Jesus in awe, remembering that He is truly God.

J. The question, “Who can this be?” is answered by the miracle and the Scriptures. We are to concentrate on Him, and not let life’s circumstances confuse or distract us.

CONCLUSION:

We have looked at one of the recorded miracles of Jesus.

FAITH IN GOD.

A story is told of a conversation set in a classroom between a professor and a Christian student.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I am afraid I have not.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.

Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD does not exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my Faith.

NOW THE STUDENT ADDRESSES THE PROFESSOR:

Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain? (The Class broke out into laughter).
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? No one appears to have done so.

So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have No Brain, sir.

With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your Lectures, sir? (The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor: I guess you will have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it sir! Exactly!

The link between Man and GOD is FAITH.

NB:
That student was Albert Einstein.
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did' When God takes something from your grasp; He is not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence...... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Having Faith.

Having Faith.

Reading: Hebrews 11.

A tourist came too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon, lost his footing and fell over the side, clawing and scratching to save himself. After he went out of sight and just before he fell into space, he stumbled upon a small bush which he desperately grabbed with both hands.

Filled with terror, he called out toward heaven, “Is there anyone up there?” A calm, powerful voice came out of the sky, “Yes, there is.” The man pleaded, “Can you help me? Can you help me?” The calm voice replied, “Yes, I probably can. What is your problem?” “I fell over the cliff and am dangling in space holding to a bush that is about to let go. Please help me.”

The voice from above said, “I'll try. Do you believe?” “Yes, yes, I believe.” “Do you have faith?” “Yes, yes. I have strong faith.” The calm voice said, “Well, in that case, simply let loose of the bush and everything will turn out fine.” There was a tense pause, then the tourist yelled, “Is there anyone else up there?”

It is one thing to talk about faith – it is quite another to act on faith! I want to look at SIX things faith is. FAITH IS…

1. BELIEVING WHEN I DO NOT SEE IT.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see “Hebrews 11:1.

It sounds like a disagreement, but the Bible teaches that faith is creating in your mind the future in the present. It is being sure of what you do not see. It is seeing it in advance of it happening.

1. Man says: “Seeing is believing.”

2. God says: “Believing is seeing.”

Everything that has happened in life was impossibility before it became a reality and somebody had to believe it. Faith is simply trusting God to turn dreams into reality. Because nothing happens until somebody believes it is possible.

What do you see in your own future? What is your dream? What impossible thing is God going to do in your life? You have to have faith that it is going to happen for it to happen – you have to be certain that God can and will do these things in your life.

2. OBEYING WHEN I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” Hebrews 11:8.

You know this story – Abraham is living in the land of Ur. He is 75-years-old. God tells Abraham that He is going to send him on a journey. He does not tell him the name of the place he is going and He does not tell him how far away it is. The question is would you go? Would I go?

Faith is obeying when you do not understand it. And at 75 years of age, Abraham starts out on the greatest journey of his life and becomes the father of a nation. Now, there are a lot of people who want a guarantee of success before they try anything, but God says, “No.” Because faith always involves risks – God wants to force you to trust Him.

Faith is doing the right thing even when it seems ridiculous. Faith believes when I do not see it and faith believes when I do not understand it.

3. GIVING WHEN I DO NOT HAVE IT.

“By faith (Abel) was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offering” Hebrews 11:4b.

Did you know that? Faith is giving when I do not have it to give. Giving and faith go together. In fact, God uses finances to test us all the time. Have you ever had to make a decision whether to pay a bill, or tithe?

This is a test – God's testing you to see how much you trust Him. There are two ways that you can give:

1. You can give by faith. Giving by faith is when you say, “How much does God want me to give, whether I have got it to give or not?” That is what it means to give in faith.

2. You can give by fear. Giving by fear is when you say, “How much can I afford to give?”

Able gave in faith. Now it is one thing to give when you have got it to spare. It is another thing to give when you do not know where it is going to come from to pay your bills. That is a test of faith – Giving when you do not have it.

4. PERSISTING WHEN I DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT.

“By faith (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible” Hebrews 11:27.

Our present culture says, “Base everything you do on how you feel.” In other words, if you feel like doing it, do it – If you do not feel like doing it, do not do it. That is a guaranteed formula for immaturity, because immature people build their lives on feelings rather than on commitments.

The truth is I do not always feel like doing what is right. Do you? I do not always feel like praying and reading God’s Word. But the issue is not what do we feel, but do we do the right thing?

And godly men and godly women do not get that way just by feeling it. Instead they develop some habits in their lives, some disciplines like having a daily time with God, and they do it whether they feel like it or not. And that pleases God.

“You mean even if I don't feel like doing it, spending time with God, pleases Him?” Yes! Why? Because you are doing it in faith and faith, which pleases God,

Faith is:

1. Believing when you do not see it.

2. Obeying when you do not understand it.

3. Giving when you do not have it to give.

4. Persisting when you do not feel like it.

That is what it means to have faith. Faith is being persistent. It is refusing to give up, no matter how tired you get.

5. THANKING GOD BEFORE I RECEIVE IT.

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” Hebrews 11:30.

During Israel’s wanderings, they come up to the most prepared city in the world, Jericho with its massive walls. Now here are people who have been slaves for 400 years. They are not a trained army. They have no weapons.

God says, “Okay. Here's My plan: I want you to walk around this city, once a day, for six days. Just march around it in silence. And then, on the seventh day, I want you to march around it seven times. And I want you to be thanking Me in advance, all during this time. Trust in Me. This is going to be a statement of faith, by your marching around, because you expect Me to work.”

They were thanking God in advance. That is what faith is. Faith does not believe God can do it.

God can do it whether you believe it or not. His ability is not dependent upon your faith. Look at this verse, “I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” Mark 11:24.

Notice the past tense, “Believe that you have received it.” That is what faith is. Believe you have already received it. If you waited until you received the answer to thank God, is that faith? No, that is just gratitude. It is thanking God in advance.

The Bible is full of stories that show this principle that faith is thanking God in advance.

6. TRUSTING IF I DO NOT GET IT.

“They were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” Hebrews 11:39-40.

TWO FACTS ABOUT PRAYER:

1) God always hears and answers every prayer.

Always – God always hears and answers every prayer.

2) God does not always answer the way we want Him to.

Have you found that to be true? Sometimes His answer is, “You have got to be kidding!” or “No way!” or “Not yet” or “Latter or “Wait a while.” God answers in many, many different ways. And, sometimes, God says no. Why? Because He does not love you? No, because He does love you.

What is He saying here? The point is that living by faith does not exempt you from problems. A Christian has the exact problems a non-believer has; it is just that now you have a new power to help you with them. Something to help you cope and handle the stress and deal with it.

Because God is more interested in your character than He is in your comfort. God wants to make you a person of honesty and strength and values. And the only way you get character is by going through tough times. You do not know God is all you need until God is all you've got. And then you have to depend on Him.

Anybody can trust God when things are going great. But real faith develops in the valleys of life when the dream is delayed. Moses had a dream of going into the Promised Land. But he died in the desert. He never did get to go into the Promised Land.

But he is still a great man of faith. In fact, the bible says later he did get to see it because God, on the Mount of Transfiguration.

What am I saying? I am saying that faith is trusting God even when you do not get the answer that you want.

Conclusion:

Now let me just close this by saying that some of you are trying to face a full-time problem on part-time faith and that will not work – It just will not work. You need a full-time, head-on, full-born faith to handle the problems you are going to have this face. And the starting point is to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ.