Faith-Filled

Intro and Tension

got lost near Pemberton - Emma just kept saying, it’s ok, I have faith in you to get us out

Emma’s faith was not in our car, the place, not a super power, her faith (however mistaken) was placed in me.

What do you do, when you have no idea where you’re going?

Today, talk about being faith-filled - About what to do when you find yourself in unfamiliar circumstances.

Romans 1:17 ESV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Title: What to do, when you have no idea what you’re doing My Hope: You will realise - Faith not something you conjure up | Not super power = it’s trust in the one who is faithful - It’s all about the integrity of God.

**prayer**

New Sermon Series; The Almighty and all of us

Partnering with God Almighty - To do His kingdom work here | going through our values - We want to reflect the heart of God.

One of our main values We are Truth-seeking, Spirit Lead, Faith Filled - Warriors of God.

We said, this was 2 part, now 3 part.

First thing - We have to realise that something powerful happens when a church comes together; unity = commanded blessing.

No doubt in my mind, here for a reason - We are going to make an impact on world - Show them love of Christ, break ground - Partner with God in the new thing that He is doing - to do that ,we are going to need some Faith - We are going to need warriors, that are free.

1 Minute recap on last week.

We said = Gap between salvation and liberation.

**Show Jail Cell**

We said some people get use to stronghold - but Jesus said;

John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

this is why we are Truth-Seeking - Not because we want to be religious, follow rules, goody two shoes, but because Jesus promises us LIFE that is truly LIFE and FREEDOM from what ever stronghold is.

we said that the Son brings resurection into your life.

We then said that seeking truth not enough = Jesus left something else

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This Power = Holy Spirit. HS will convict you - How you need to follow = As we follow, we find ourselves breaking bondage.

however.

*Go in cage and play out*

What happens when we get out - We find ourselves in scenarios never been in - We need Faith to take next step - never taken it- Need to believe something will happen, that has never happened

How do we do that?

Did a message couple of months ago on faith - Listen to it - Give you background - but Let’s dive in;

What is faith | How we live by Faith | What is your next step. Author of hebrews;

Hebrews 10:35–36 ESV

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Before Hebrews 11 - Just before hall of faith. What does he say? Don’t throw in towel - You have seeked truth, you have followed conviction of HS, you out of stronghold, now = time to endure - how? by Faith.

Remember Romans = The righteous shall live by faith.

So what ever Faith is - It’s suppose to be lifestyle, not an event -

Faith is not a concept you visit, it’s a lifestyle that you posess.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

1st thing, Faith must have substance - Must be attached to something - Faith is only as meaningful as the substance that it is attached. If faith in wrong thing - not going to do much. Let me explain - Some people, would say they have “Little faith” in west coast eagles - because they rubbish - The faith is small, because the object that we are placing our faith in is useless.

Faith in significant substance, produces signficant results - What makes faith is what you believe about the substance. **Maybe illustration**

Faith is not necessarily how you feel. Faith is not first and foremost an emotion | Emotions do not have intellect | They don’t think, they feel - Feelings shift base on info recieved - Faith is tied to substance - That substance provides a promise - Which is not yet seen or experienced but are convinced is real based on the integrity of the subject who is calling for the faith. When Lions played Eagles - Everyone had faith in lions -

their faith didn’t make the lions play better - The Substance was the substance - and they did what they said they where going to do.

Who is the subject calling for our faith? It’s God.

When you don’t exercise faith, you are challenging God’s integrity - You are calling God a liar.

Formal definition - Faith is acting like God is telling the truth.

Not feeling, not saying, it’s ACTING. that’s why it’s called WALKING BY FAITH.

What does it mean to walk by faith? It is the evidence - What you believe about God must be married to what you do in light of that belief. God is real. God has power. God makes promises - but you need to step. Faith is acting like it is so, even when it’s not so, in order that it might be so, just because God said so. Problem; Walking with God often means you walk against culture.

Jesus was AMAZED 2 times in gospels - One at home town , couldn’t do miracles - they didn’t KNOW HIM. 2nd time when the centurian said “Just speak it out” because He knew who Jesus was. He knew integrity, of subject matter. As a church, do we know the integrity of subject matter? do we believe what God says?

Hebrews 10:22 ESV

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

As we launch into a new season - if Jesus looked at your trust level in God - Would he be amazed with how much you acted as if he was telling the truth, or the lack of trust?

Think about the last week - what great faith steps did you take? Did you attempt something that if God didn’t come through for you, it wouldn;t of happened?

Imagine if God answered every prayer last week and it was immediate - What difference would there be in world?

may be thinking; “Yep, my food was blessed, I had travelling mercies” - But, called to be BOLD. As a church, I feel that God is calling us to be FAITH FILLED. Trusting Him with every decision!

What do we need to know? (transition)

You can not play it safe and please God

The greatest thing is, having faith = being obedient to God

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If you can do everything in own power, you don’t need God. honestly - Faith is messy - People think that people with great faith just float around - Opposite - their driving around in woods, always fending off doubts from enemy, Speaking God’s truth into the situation - Reading their bible - getting attacked -

Why? they are in unchartered waters. People that float, have no faith - They have agenda.

Having faith is getting nudge and acting, not sprinkling Jesus on your agenda and hoping it works out. Story in BIble - Jesus on water - Disciples in boat, Jesus asks them to step out - Only one was Peter -

Our fear of failure, stops us from taking a step of faith. You might be in strong hold - Knowing Jesus can set you free - Convicted of something your doing - Asking now from God to step out - for Change

What is it for you?? *Examples**

What’s going to happen when you step out of boat? You need to step out, to find out.

2. As long as you have a gaurantee, you don’t have faith - Most of us want gaurantee - Building = Show us the plan, give us the idea, let us figure it out, no I can’t - because I don’t know how God is going to do it - I just know, with all my heart, my soul, my mind - He is going to do it. We are going to reach thousands for Christ - I know it. I have faith. Do I know exactly how right now? No.

You can have faith, or you can have control, but you cna’t have both.

3. To step toward you calling - you have to step away from your security.

**Faith story about stepping out, Scooby Doo Roller Coaster**

Some of us don’t wannt step out - You gotta let go - How is it going to end up? If you knew, you wouldn’t step out.

Hebrews 11:8 ESV

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

He did not know where he was going - just let go - and when you do that, you keep your eyes on Jesus.

So, Would God be amazed at our faith, our trust in him, that we call him TRUTH, or amazed at our lack of faith / trust?

Close

How does this play out?

I believe it will play out as a Church and personally for you - As a church we are going to take a few big steps of faith.

for you? what is it?

Is it tithing? Is it that you will finally find out 90% of something with God’s blessing goes further than 10% without - Is it keeping pure? Is it a calling? is it laying something down?

who are we?

Truth-Seeking, Spirit Led, Faith Filled - Warriors of Faith.

You have no idea what 1 truth seeking sprit led, faith filled decision will do.

When God looks at our Church and looks at our Faith I want him to be amazed with how much we trust Him - Because I believe in the next 12 months - He will do far more abundantly than we ask or think in this Church.

Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

What freedom will you find? And what will we do as a Church to bring Freedom to the world?

**prayer**