Faith for the City

Pastor Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:  Matthew 19:23-26 (Background:  Rich young ruler)

I.          With man it is impossible to change a person. With man it is impossible to change a city.  With man it is impossible to change a region.  BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

II.        All things are possible TO HIM who BELIEVES

A.        Genesis 15:1-6  It take more than a vision to get results.  It takes faith in the God who gives the vision.

            1.         Vision reveals potential.

a.         True vision always comes from God.  We are not talking about your own desires.  Abraham had a desire.  But God approved his desire by giving him divine vision, a divine promise.

b.         Twelve spies saw the goodness of the PROMISED land

c.         The people could not enter because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19)

d.         The people fell short of God’s promise because they did not mix faith with what they heard (Hebrews 4:2)

e.         Hebrews 11:6  “But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must BELIEVE THAT HE IS (able), AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.”

            2.         Vision mixed with faith in God brings potential into reality.

3.         God is looking for people who will believe in Him to do what He has revealed that He wants to do.

B.         Mark 9:14-27 (Healing of a child with a demon)  Verse 23:  “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES1’”

C.        Mark 11:23-24  Faith to move mountains.  Verse 24:  “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask WHEN YOU PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE (have received) THEM, AND YOU WILL HAVE THEM.”

D.        I John 5:14-15  “Now this is the CONFIDENCE (boldness) that we have in Him, that if we ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL HE HEARS US.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ASK, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE the petition that we have ASKED OF HIM.”

            1.         Is it God’s will that sinners be saved?

            2.         Is it God’s will that the city be saved?

                        a.         Nineveh:  God desires to save cities.

                        b.         Nehemiah:  God desires to restore cities.

III.       Persistence in Prayer (Prayer with faith)

            A.        Luke 11:5-8  Parable of the friend who comes at midnight

                        1.         Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray (Luke 11:1-4).

2.         Jesus was teaching His disciples the importance of PERSISTENCE in prayer

            a.         The friend said “NO”

b.         Has your situation said NO or NO WAY?

c.         Persistent prayer is unashamed pestering in a NO WAY situation

d.         You cannot “save your own face” when you are seeking God’s face

e.         What are you unashamedly pestering heaven for?

            B.         Luke 11:9-13  Keep (and keep on) asking, seeking and knocking

            C.        Luke 18:1-8  Parable of the Persistent Widow

                        1.         Purpose of this parable:  To pray and not lose heart

2.         How many of you have lost heart and stopped praying?  This parable is for YOU!

3.         The unjust judge said “NO”

4.         This widow had NOTHING except the ability to be persistent

5.         The judge responded to her PERSISTENCE.

6.         God will avenge His own elect speedily who CRY OUT TO HIM DAY AND NIGHT (persistence) though HE BEARS LONG with them.  God does delay, but there is a TIME when the answer will come SPEEDILY (i.e. “suddenly”)

a.         Revelation 5:8-10  The bowls must be FULL of incense.  Quantity of prayer and not just quality of prayer is important to God.

b.         How full are our bowls of incense for the city?

c.         If we will be persistent, there will come a TIME when the bowls will be full and SUDDENLY God will answer!

7.         What are you pestering heaven for?

            D.        Matthew 15:21-28  Faith of a Gentile woman

                        1.         The disciples told her “NO”

2.         JESUS told her “NO” and even referred to her as a “dog”

                        3.         She kept being persistent in the face of “NO” and “offenses”

4.         Jesus said,  “O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be done to you as you desire.”

5.         Jesus changed his NO to a YES because of the woman’s persistence.

6.         What are you pestering heaven for?

            E.         Isaiah 38:1-6  Hezekiah’s life extended and the city defended

                        1.         Hezekiah was sick unto death.

2.         God sent a prophet to tell him that he was going to die and not live (NO)

3.         Hezekiah wept bitterly and cried out to the Lord.

4.         God sent the prophet back to tell him not only would his life be extended fifteen years, but that He would defend the CITY.

5.         What are you weeping bitterly for?  We are sick and our cities are dying.

6.         What are you pestering heaven for?

IV.       IT’S TIME TO BELIEVE GOD

            A.        What has God promised you?  What vision has He given you?

            B.         Have you lost heart and given up praying?

            C.        Repent, believe in God, and regain your persistence in prayer.