Growing your Faith
On Sunday morning worship, a song was sung that said “oh what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in, to the crushing waves, to step
out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is and He is
holding out His hand”. Well the Bible tells us that “God has dealt to every man the
measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). Our job is to grow our faith. To grow anything, we
must start with seed. Jesus as He explained the parable of the sower said “the seed
is the word of God”.
Seed – Word of God : lets turn to (Proverbs 4:20-23). We must see it, read it, speak
it. Make a decision and believe it. Just like we feed our bodies daily, we need to feed
our spirit daily on the Word of God. Romans 10:17 says “so then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” Praise is to the see of God’s Word as
water to natural seed.
Next, we must rest in faith: the Bible tells us in Mark 4:26-27 “and He (Jesus) said,
so in the kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground, and should
sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring an grow up, he knows not
how”. People get upset when they don’t know how, but when we walk by faith, and not
by sight. Our job is to trust God, taking Him at His word. The Bible tells us in
Proverbs 3:5-6 “trust in the Lord Yahweh with all your heart, an lean not to your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”.
Remember you have to believe, in order to receive from God’s kingdom.
Roll the care over on Jesus: Psalms 55:22 says “cast your burden upon the Lord,
and He shall sustain you; He shall never allow the righteous to be moved”. I Peter 5:7
confirms by saying “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”. Mark 4:28
tells us “for the earth brings forth fruit of itself, first the blade, then the ear, after that
the full corn in the ear”. As we turn to Philippians 4:6-9 we see what we are to focus
on.
Perseverance: number 1. Never quit, number 2. Always remember number 1 now
turn to Philippians 3:12-14. Keep God’s Word coming out your mouth (Joshua 1:8)
God told Joshua “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall
meditate therein day an night, that you may observe to according to all that is written
therein, for then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall have good
success”.
We are to call things that be not as they were (Romans 4:17). Jesus tells us in Mark
11:23 “for verily I say to you, that whosoever shall say to this mountain. Be you
removed, and be you cast into the sea and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall
believe that those things which he says shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever
he says”. Remember we are to be imitators of God as dear children (Ephesians 5:1).
Remember great victory comes out of great battles.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: June 9, 2006