Last evening, my talk was about the joy of being chosen by God to cooperate in the creating of a people who are His. Being chosen by God for his family, mission, and ministry is exceptionally joyful.
Today’s teaching is designed to remind us of the joy of living by faith. With our theme being, “Having Received Holy Spirit Power, We Are Witnesses,” we come immediately to the role of faith in the Spirit empowered follower of Jesus. To be Spirit filled, without living a faith life, would be empty and meaningless. The reason for the giving of the Spirit and His power is to enable the faith life.
I trust the following will encourage us to apply the Spirit and His power to a life of faith.
Having Received Holy Spirit Power, We are Witnesses
The Joy of Living By Faith
Our previous talk reminded us that God has chosen to create a people of his own, by the power of the Holy Spirit, through you and me.
Truly it is a joy to be chosen to receive the Holy Spirit and witness His power.
Today I would like for us to give thought to the fact that Biblical faith is a key to our theme.
Hebrews 11:6 instructs that “without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Pastor and the team know that Templo Cristiano’s missions ministry must be filled with faith in order to please God. Tonight we are asking God to build our faith for the Faith Promise commitment time on Sunday.
You have been chosen to join with God in creating a people of His own. Are you living by faith in this calling?
• Missions Prayer
• Missions Travel
• Missions Giving
• Missions Life
Let’s consider the faith of giving in 2 Corinthians 8:3.
1. They gave as much as they were able.
a. This, to me, is the giving of tithes and offerings.
b. This requires a bit of faith, but mostly requires obedience.
2. They gave even beyond their ability.
a. This, to me, is the making of a faith promise.
b. There is no way to give beyond my ability except by faith.
There is a pattern to this kind of faith in the Bible.
1. The word of faith.
a. From the Bible
b. From a sermon
c. From a prophecy
d. From a word of knowledge
e. Direct from His heart to yours
2. The work of faith.
a. The word of faith requires work.
b. The work is a type of proof that you actually have a word of faith.
3. The joy of faith.
a. This kind of faith is always a WOW.
b. This is remarkable.
c. Awe inspiring
Let us look at Bible examples.
1. Jesus turns water into wine. John 2
a. Jesus’ mother gave the word of faith in verse 5, “Do whatever he tells you.”
b. The work of faith was done by the servants in verse 7 “Fill the jars with water,” and in verse 8 “now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
c. The Joy of faith is seen in verse 11, “was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
2. Peter walks on water. Matthew 14:22-33
a. Word of faith is in verse 29, “Come.”
b. Work of faith is in verse 29, “then Peter got down out of the boat.”
c. Joy of faith is in verse 29, “walked on water” and verse 33, “those who were in the boat worshiped Jesus saying, “Truly you are the son of God.”
Are you, like the Macedonian Christians, giving as much as you are able and even beyond your ability in:
• Missions Prayer
• Missions Travel
• Missions Giving
• Missions Life