IT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR FAITH

Highlights on Pastor Jerry’s Message on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024

What is our role as people of this Hope Centre Family Church congregation? What is our role as a disciple? We have to do the inviting! Why did the Lord give us Jacob’s ladder?  It is no coincidence that God laid this on our hearts to go to people we have been praying for, knowing that God has already seen them wherever they are – and Jesus would meet them.  Just what am I referring to?

In John 1:35 we see Jesus looking for the people He has already picked to be His disciples.  First, He finds Philip and says, “Follow Me!” Philip finds Nathanael and says, “We have found Him whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph… Come and see.”  Verse 1:45 is very important, for it confirms Old Testament writings!   Nathanael (thinking worldly), says, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” When Jesus sees Nathaneal coming (v 47) He moves in the prophetic giftings… He sees an “an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”  He says to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” (v. 41-49)

Jesus said, “…You will see greater things than these…Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of Man.” (John 1:51) Nathanael knew the scriptures and Jesus, here, is bringing it back to him. (v. 50-51)   We, too, will see greater things than these.  We are climbing Jacob’s Ladder!

In scripture Jesus often spoke of men as having “little faith.” (I.e. Matthew 6:30, 14:31 & 16:18) God has provided “this so great a salvation.”  There are no limitations to the Spirit of God (Luke 1:3.7) If God clothes the lilies of the field, He can clothe you. (Matthew 6:28). If He fed 5,000, He can provide for you (Matthew 14:13-21). If He can calm the seas (Matthew 8:23-27), He can bring your children back to the Lord. 

The emphasis is not only on the amount of faith you possess – it is on what you DO with the faith you possess! We have all been given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3); but there are things that hold people back!  In Matthew 9:29, Jesus said to the blind man, “According to your faith, let it be done to you.” We, in the Church are in a safety zone. But, if we can’t admit we need healing here, how can we relate to others?

Jesus said, “I am the Door!” The “doors” of Heaven were opened when Jesus was water baptized (Matthew 3:13-17; on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17).  Remember in John 1:51 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open…”  Jacob’s Ladder was a “doorway” or “gate” to heaven! The heavens open when we receive revelation and understanding when we study His word!

THINK ON THESE SCRIPTURES and MEASURE YOUR FAITH                                     with those who operated in faith: (Shared by Pastor Richard and Pastor John)

Pastor Richard:

·      In Matthew 9:20-22: The most important thing is HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

·         The woman with the issue of blood had confidence - she knew, “If only I could touch the hem of His garment, I shall be made well.”  When she touched His garment, Jesus felt power go out of Him. He said to her, “Your faith has made you well.” When Jesus had asked, “Who touched my clothes?” He was leading her to make a public confession.

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·      In Mark 2:1-12: - The friends of a paralytic let him down through a house roof on a stretcher in order to get him to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven you… Arise, take up your bed and walk.”   They knew if they could only get him to Jesus that he would be healed. They acted on their faith! Have faith! Nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)

Pastor John:  Faith begins when we are assured of the will of God. It is God’s will for us to be healed - it’s part of the atonement.  Jesus never refused anyone who wanted to be healed.

·      Mark 7:24-30 – A Syrophoenician woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit came to Jesus and fell at His feet. She understood that the Gospel was first to be offered to God’s covenant people (v27). Jesus drew from her a confession of faith. She kept asking saying, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”  Jesus responded, “For this saying, go your way, the demon has gone out of your daughter.” It only took a crumb of faith to heal her daughter.

·      Matthew 8:5-13 – A centurion, whose servant was dying, came to Jesus. He recognized that Jesus was a Man under authority, just as he himself was under authority. He said to Jesus, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed.” Jesus said, “Assuredly, I have not seen such great faith, not even in Israel. Go your way; as you have believed, so let it be done to you.” The servant was healed that same hour.

We have authority in what we say! We have a Healer we can go to! It applies to us.

Soon Pastor Jerry will be doing a teaching on FAITH.