Sunday March 24, 2019
Faith
Part-7 : Exercising Faith
Last week we spoke about : The Believer's Walk of Faith
Today : Exercising Faith
We need to learn how to exercise faith in God to receive from God, to live as
overcomers, to resist the works of the devil, to minister to others, to accomplish God’s
purposes, etc.
As we stated in the very first chapter, faith is based on relationship. Faith is a way of life.
We do not present these as a formula. Instead these are practices we maintain as we
walk by faith in God. This should be our 'normal response' as we face various situations
in life.
What we outline here is based on all that we see in Scripture in relation to the exercise
of faith. We have put these down in a certain order. In practice, this is 'fluid' and we may
not always do things in this specific order or we may not always have all components in
action. Hence, while it is important to understand these principles, we always operate
out of our relationship with God.
#1, Have A Desired Goal Based On God's Word
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We begin with something we hope for or desire for. This may still be out in the future,
but we desire to have it. See clearly with eyes of faith what you desire to have
accomplished. This could be a healing from sickness, a change in financial situation, a
change in other situations, the fulfilling of a dream or assignment, etc. You may wish to
write down your desired goal so that you can go back to it and review it.
The goal must be based on a promise of God or based on what God has revealed to you
by His Spirit. Let the promise of God as given to us in His Word be the basis of the goal
you are hoping for.
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#2, Be Determined To Have What God Has Promised
Make a quality decision that you will have the desired goal because God has
promised. Be firm in your decision. Remember our will is involved in the exercise of
faith. Be determined to have what God has promised. Don't waver. Don't be
wishful.."..if I have it, good, if I don't have it, its ok". Be determined.
The woman with the issue of blood who came to touch the hem of Jesus' garment had
to be determined to do so. There could have been many things that would have
deterred her. She was unclean and should not be out in public. The crowds may have
been too big and too difficult to make her way through. But she was determined. She
made it to Jesus despite all these.
The woman from Canaan who came to Jesus on behalf of her daughter refused to take
'no' for an answer. She pressed past the disciples who tried to dissuade her. She stayed
determined, even when Jesus did not seem very inclined to help her. And she got what
she wanted. Here is what Jesus told this woman from Canaan:
Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And
her daughter was healed from that very hour.
#3, Fill Your Heart With The Word
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
One of the practices we need to maintain is to fill our heart and mind with the promises
of God. Our spirit becomes filled with assurance and confidence as we meditate on
God’s Word. The Word of God is ‘food’ that makes our spirit strong. Keeping our eyes on
God's Word will help us stay in faith and not weaken when circumstances seem to be
contrary or things don't happen as quickly as we'd like them to.
#4, Pray And Receive By Faith
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you
will have them.
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One of the ways we release our faith is through believing prayer. Jesus taught us, when
you pray, believe that you receive at that moment of prayer. Sometimes, we may pray
for a particular matter, over a period of time, until we arrive at a place where we believe
it is done. This is fine. Our goal is to arrive at this place where we know in our hearts by
faith that the matter has been settled in the realm of the spirit.
#5, Speak Your Faith
Jesus taught us that we release our faith by words spoken out of a believing heart.
Mark 11:22-23 (repeated in Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21, Luke 17;5)
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,'
and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have
whatever he says.
We speak to the mountain, to the situation, to life's challenges, to sickness, etc. We
declare what we believe. We declare by faith the desired outcome. We call things into
being according to the Word of God.
Remember what God told Abraham and Sarah to do in Genesis 17:5,15. He instructed
Abram to change his name from Abram (meaning exalted father) to Abraham (meaning
father of a multitude). Similarly he instructed Sarai to change her name from Sarai
(meaning princely) to Sarah (mother of princes). Paul referring to Abraham in Romans
4:17 declared that God calls things that are not as though they were. And we see that
God was instructing Abraham and Sarah to do the same, according to the promise He
had spoken over their lives.
#6, Act In Accordance To Your Faith
Acting our faith gets the attention of God. We live (speak, think, act) according to what
we believe, which is the promise of God.
When we work our faith we know that God's power goes into operation to complete the
work of faith with His power.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all
the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,
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We also know that faith and works (corresponding actions) bring faith to a point of
being complete, mature, able to produce, fruitful. Faith produces powerful results when
we act in line with what we believe.
James 2:22,26
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
#7, Thank And Praise God
Romans 4:20
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to
God,
Engage in thanking and praising God for the outcome. We do this even before we see
the desired outcome. We do this as an expression of our faith. Thank Him for His
faithfulness to His Word. Worship Him for His greatness and power. Magnify Him for the
truth of His Word. Stay in this place of praise, worship and thanksgiving.
#8, Stay In Faith With Endurance
Having done all to stand we must keep standing with enduring faith. We do not let go of
our place of faith in God.
Like Abraham and others of old, we through faith and endurance will receive the
promises of God as fulfilled in our lives.
Hebrews 6:12
that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.
Hebrews 10:35-36
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the
promise:
We must combine our confidence with endurance. Once we do the will of God in faith
with endurance, we possess the promise.
MINISTRY TIME | SALVATION CALL
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LIFE GROUP STUDY GUIDE
Sunday March 24, 2019
Faith
Part-7 : Exercising Faith
The is a simple guide for use in Life Group discussions. Our objective is to focus on the
application of the Sunday sermon - how each one is becoming a doer of the Word and building
their life on God's Holy Word. The Life Group meeting would normally last for 2 hours. Each Life
Group would have up to 12-15 people.
Preparation
To prepare for the Life Group meeting, you can listen to the Sermon Key Points (sermon
summary in five minutes) or the full length Sunday sermon. You can also review the Sunday
Sermon notes. All these are available in the "All Peoples Church Bangalore" mobile App or online
at apcwo.org/sermons . Pray for the Life Group meeting and invite the work and ministry of the
Holy Spirit.
Welcome
The Life Group meeting may commence with a time of prayer, worship and a fun activity.
LISTEN to God's Word
Read the following Scripture passages: Matthew 15:28;Mark 11:22-24;Romans 10:17;
INVESTIGATE God's Word Together
Please discuss a few of these together, giving time for people to share their insights. We
encourage each one individually to make notes of their personal learning during the Group
discussion.
Consider any situation in life you really desire to see changed or a dream you really want
to see fulfilled. Using what we have learnt in this lesson, how would you go about
exercising faith to see it happen? Share, discuss, and pray together for each other.
While we know all of these statements are important, which one of these really stands out for
you, in the matter of exercising faith in God?
If time permits, each one takes a few (3 minutes max) to share one or two key learning and how
they see themselves applying it into their specific life situations. Encourage each one to
participate and share.
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FELLOWSHIP by sharing your life and spiritual journey
Each one takes a few (3 minutes max) to share anything from their walk with God, something
God has been teaching them, a testimony of answered prayer or a specific challenge that they
would like prayer for. Encourage each one to participate and share.
ENCOURAGE each other by praying and ministering to one another
Get into small groups of two or three and take turns to thank God and pray for each other in the
light of what was learnt today. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Expect the gifts of the Holy Spirit to flow
bringing healing, releasing miracles, prophecy, etc.
Regroup and pray together for:
1, families to be protected and strengthened
2, a mighty outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on us as a church and through us to bless many
others in our city and nation. Nothing but a mighty work of God's Spirit can change our city and
nation.
3, for the BUILD TO IMPACT project - for God's hand to guide us through the land search and
acquisition process, and for finances to be more than enough to get this project done.
Close by thanking God together.
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Sermon Notes
USEFUL RESOURCES
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