Message from the Pastor

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Faith Brings the Victory
1 John 5:4
- For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

We all are aware that we need to live in victory! Victory: the opposite of defeat. Who wants to be defeated? How can we live in victory when we live in a world full of sorrows, struggles, problems, pain, battles and bothers? FAITH brings the victory. Still, Faith is such a big word that sometimes its hard to really get a handle on it in a practical way. Here are 4 ways that Faith Brings the Victory:
I. The Prayer of Faith Brings Victory.
Mt. 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. The Hebrew Gospel reads it, "in prayer, and in faith"; and the Arabic version renders it, "in prayer with faith"; the prayer of faith; or that prayer which is sent up in the strength of faith.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.
Matthew Henry- Prayer must proceed from, and be accompanied with, a lively faith. There should be faith both in the person praying and in the person prayed for; the prayer that is effectual is not a cold, formal prayer but the prayer of living, vibrant faith.
The Prayer of Faith that Brings Victory is not just a matter of saying words that we call prayer- it is a special kind of prayer- Prayer that is Motivated by Faith- Launched in Faith- Propelled by Faith

II. The Promises of Faith Bring Victory.
Heb. 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God- we must believe That HE IS- (He Exists, He LIVES)and that He Rewards them that diligently Seek Him.
Peter said that we were given Exceeding Great and Precious Promises- we actually become partakers of the divine nature.
2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. In Jesus Christ every Promise of God is Secure!
Heb. 11:33 tells of those who “through Faith obtained Promises.” and 7 times promises are mentioned in Heb. 11. The Promises of Faith bring Victory!
READ the Promises; WRITE the Promises; REMEMBER the Promises; REFER to the Promises; RECITE the Promises

III. The Power of Faith Brings Victory.
Peter said that we are “Kept by the Power of God through Faith.” (1 Pet.1:5)
Jesus said that Mountains could be removed by the power of faith. While we no need to move physical mountains, we certainly need to move mountains in our lives:
Mountains of Fear- Doubt- Worry- Uncertainty- Financial woes- Mental turmoil- Emotional Strain- Stress- Despair and so on.
It’s true that we cannot accomplish much in our own strength; like the man who says, “I will lift myself up by my own boot straps.” It can’t be done. Still it is true that I Can Do All Things Through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Not that we are Able of ourselves- but our Ability is of God.
Not that we are Capable of ourselves- but our capability is of God.
Isa 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength:

IV. The Person of Faith Brings Victory.
Really, everything I have said up to this point is dependant upon this last fact. The Prayer of Faith is dependant upon this Person. The Promises of Faith are dependant upon this person. The Power of Faith is dependant upon this Person.
Heb. 12:1,2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty
Acts 3:12 Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Our Victory will not come in Politicians, nor in Doctors, nor in Lawyers, nor in Bankers, nor in Customers or Clients, nor in Supervisors or Employers, nor in Family Members, nor in Wealth, nor in Popularity, nor in Pleasures. Our Victory will come through JESUS CHRIST and Him Alone.
Yes, You can have Victory! Faith Brings the Victory: The Prayer of Faith; The Promises of Faith; the Power of Faith; The Person of Faith- Jesus Christ.