The Audacity of Faith

Text: Mark 9:23 “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” The New King James Version. (1982). (Mk 9:23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Intro: During the presidency of President Barrack Obama, there was a phrase that President Obama used and that was “The Audacity of Hope.” that is a very interesting phrase.

This morning I want to consider what the Scripture says about the “audacity of faith.”

What is Faith?

A. One Dictionary said, “Confidence in and commitment to God and Jesus Christ. These attitudes remain sure even though the objects of faith are unseen. true faith is seen in obedient action, love and continuing good works.” (Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.)

B. Scripture gives us the definition of Faith in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

C. The first step to any move of God is Faith! The first step in prayer must be Faith in God!

The author of Hebrews goes further in vs. 6 with this principle and says, “But 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 diligently seek Him.”

Mark: 11:22 “ And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God”

My Favorite Illustrations Living by Faith

Living By Faith

Do you say that you do not live by faith? But you do. It is simply a matter of in what or whom your faith rests. A husband eats food cooked by his wife without having it tested to see if it contains poison. Why? Because he has faith in his wife that she will not try to poison him. You accept paper money as legal tender because you have faith in your nation’s monetary system. These are but two of many examples of how you live by faith.

2. The first step in reaching bold Faith, strong Faith, powerful Faith is Faith in God!

A. Mark gives us an example here in vs. 23; he says, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Do you have any Mountains in your life that need to be moved? Do you have the “Audacity of Faith” to pray those mountains out of your life!

My Favorite Illustrations Trust/Faith

It is one thing to believe about God; it is another thing to believe in Him.

True faith not only abides in time of trouble but is strengthened by it.

3.Scripture gives us many examples of the Audacity of Faith”

A. Hebrews 11- Able offers a more excellent sacrifice; Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death; Noah built an ark and was saved; Abraham obeyed when he was called to go to the place which he would receive as an inheritance; Joseph’ when he was dying made mention of the departure of the Children of Israel; you can read on in this famous chapter of faith of the Audacity of faith.

B. But will you allow me to reach beyond this chapter!

Through the Audacity of Faith:

In John 4, the Samaritan Woman was saved and many more

In John 4:46 the Royal official’s son was healed before he got back to his house

In John 5 a crippled man who sat near the pool of Bethesda had waited for many years to be healed when the waters were troubled. but when Jesus came by he was healed because of his faith when Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk!

In Luke 5:12 , a leper has the “Audacity of Faith to looked for Jesus and when he found him asked for healing saying , “Lord if You will, You are able to cleanse me.” and Jesus because of his faith reached out his hand touched him and healed him!

In Luke chapter 7; the audacity of faith that the Centurion had for the healing of his servant. He had faith that if Jesus would just say the word it would be done!

My Favorite Illustrations Faith through the Storm

Faith through the Storm

I first rode an airplane in 1945, flying from Mobile, Alabama, to Atlanta, Georgia. Going and coming the sun was shining, and we had a smooth flight. I trusted the plane, or else I would not have flown in it.

My third flight was to Miami, Florida. The flight down was so smooth. I was sold on air travel. But on the return trip, we had to travel through a terrific storm. Flying through the storm cloud was like flying through buttermilk. The plane bucked and reared. At times I could not even see the wings. Once when we hit a down draft, I did not know if we were five thousand or five feet off the ground. I thought the wings had broken off. I was sure we were falling.

When we landed safely in Mobile, Frances met me at the airport. After I told her what had happened, she said, “I knew something was wrong. You are green in the face.”

Well, that experience shook my faith in flying. Until one day I said to myself, “That experience should have strengthened my faith in flying. I now have seen what a plane can endure and still land safely.”

A parallel exists to having faith in God. When we see how He can bring us safely through life’s storms, our faith in Him is strengthened that He can do it over and over again.

4. What can the Audacity of Faith do to meet your needs today?