The Power of Faith

Pr. Asap Singh

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Introduction:

Bible has unique chapters in the expression of particular themes, there is chapter for

·         CREATION (Genesis 1);

·         WORD OF GOD (Psalm 119);

·         LOVE (I Cor. 13);

·         SPIRITUAL GIFTS (I Cor. 12);

·         HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2);

·         FAITH (Hebrews 11)

·         NEW CREATION (Rev 21)

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Impossible is a strong negative expression that says “IT CANNOT HAPPEN.” It is not HARD TO HAPPEN. Hebrews records four such things in the epistle,

6:4 – Impossible to restore someone that taste God’s goodness and leaves Him.

6:18 – Impossible for God to lie

10:4 – The blood of bull or goat Impossible to take away the sins of people.

11:6 – Impossible to please God without faith

However the verse in Matthew 19:26 says, “For man it is impossible but for God all things are possible.” Speaking of rich man entering into the kingdom of God in comparison with camel and eye of the needle.

FAITH – Forsaking All I Trust Him.

FAITH is like a muscle the more you exercise, the more it grows

In the past weeks I spoke about the need of faith from the life of Disciples so that Jesus condemned them “O You of Little Faith.” Nevertheless he never hesitated to appreciate the gentiles who had faith on him by saying “You have Great Faith.”

1.      THE POWER OF FAITH IN SALVATION (Luke 7:36-50)

A long passage where Jesus was in the house of Simon, the Pharisee for a meal along with his disciples. Mary Magdaline, a sinful woman washed the feet of Jesus with precious alabaster and tears, wiped it with her hair (The glory of woman). Jesus at the end of the passage in v.50 - Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

There was no healing occurred but the forgiveness of sins – the forgiveness of sins brings salvation. Luke 19:9, Jesus declared salvation in Zacceaus house after forgiveness and repentance.

The scenario here is,

Simon - A Pharisee, religious person who is polished look outside but corrupt with his thought inside, he was boiling with his thoughts but unable to ask Jesus.

Disciples – Might be annoyed of her actions in the public. Judas wanted to sell the precious alabaster and give it to poor (Matt 26: 8 cf. John 12:5).

Jesus - Looked her inner heart which is full of faith and longing for forgiveness and salvation. Jesus declared salvation on her.

Matthew 26:13, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” The great faith found in her led into salvation – v.50, “Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Jesus found the great faith in her and said – v.50 - Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

THE POWER OF FAITH LEADS TO SALVATION

2.      THE POWER OF FAITH IN HEALING (Luke 8:40-48)

Miracle inside a miracle – Jesus in this case was not intended to perform the healing of the woman with blood issues. He was in urgent to raise Jairus’ daughter who was dying.  Jairus’ was an official in synagogue – His only 12 years old daughter – she was about to die (not yet dead) – A desperate situation for a father who wants to restore his daughter.

DESPARATE situation often makes us to MISS the mark. We fail to behave who we are… (My experience with the school teachers as they were delaying to give the relieving orders last week)

SHE IS A WOMAN OF FAITH: Matt 9:21-22 (cf. Mark 5:34), She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” What a great faith statement in the time of urgency and great crowd pushing him on his way.

Jesus found the great faith in her and said – v. 48, Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” The passage continues with Jairus’ daughter dead and Jesus rose her back to life.

THE POWER OF FAITH LEADS YOU TO HEALING

3.      THE POWER OF FAITH IN RESTORATION (Luke 18:35-43)

Miracles are not Wonders. Wonders are greater than the miracles. Wonders are restoring something that is irrevocable by human efforts. It can be healing or control over the nature, etc.

The miracle of restoring the sight of a blind man (Named Bartimaeus in Mark 10). Jesus looked at the persistence of the blind man – He was not bothered about the negative circumstance and rejection from the people. His faith is proved when he was shouted more in his adversity to Jesus (v.39), “He shouted more unto Jesus.”

Jesus’ Response in v. 42, “Your Faith has healed you.”

Similar instance we see it in Luke 17:11-19, “One among the ten lepers came back to Jesus to thank Him for the healing, Jesus restored his health and appreciated of his faith.

v.19, “Rise and Go: Your Faith has made you well.”

THE POWER OF FAITH CAN RESTORE ANY PHYSICAL / SPIRITUAL DISORDER.

Conclusion:

Do you understand the power of faith in your life and experience it in its fuller way?

·         Faith has power to SAVE you

·         Faith has power to HEAL you

·         Faith has power to RESTORE you

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Amen