Things That PROVE
We Do Not Believe… (Part2)
Here is an interesting question:
How long after a sinner repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ does God wait before saving him and giving him the Holy Spirit?
-Must he live 10 years in repentance and surrender?
-Only 5 years?
No, no, no!!!
IMMEDIATELY!
It is God’s pleasure to give you the Kingdom! (Luke 12:32)
When Jesus sees someone’s faith, He responds immediately.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Matthew 9:6-7 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
Matthew 9:20-22 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
This is an exciting observation, but a troubling one as well…
We read so many promises in the Bible for the Kingdom of God; miracles, signs, wonders, salvations and harvests (a hundredfold in this present world), etc… Why is it that so often, NOTHING HAPPENS?
What is wrong?
When we ask for things in Jesus name, but we don’t receive them, it is because we do not yet believe.
I am referring to born-again Christians here. These are folks that believed Jesus would save them, but that doesn’t mean they suddenly believe everything written in the scriptures!
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
“Faith to faith” suggests faith in this, then faith in that…
Before Paul was put in jail, did he have faith that God would deliver them?
Acts 16:23-26 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Of course, it is easy to say that others do not believe.
It’s tougher (for me, anyway) to say that I do not believe…
Jesus is wonderful about this because He tells us WHY we do not believe.
Then He tells us HOW to believe!!
Faith itself (trusting Jesus to handle a situation in His own, marvelous way) is simple; one Lord, one faith, one baptism… (Ephesians 4:5)
However, Jesus describes our faith in many ways. Particularly when our faith is useless or doesn’t work…
-Some would call these “false faiths”, because the people involved
thought that they had faith, but were disappointed in Jesus because
He didn’t respond the way they wanted Him to...
“O Ye of Little Faith…”
Matthew 6:30-34 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little (puny) faith?
31 Therefore take no thought (be anxious about), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
“Little faith” literally means “puny” or ineffective faith…
Similar to the idea that you stop lying by telling the truth, or you stop stealing by giving your money to the poor; you stop being anxious by looking for God to come to your rescue (seeking the Kingdom).
-Jesus assures you that every happy sparrow you see is PROOF that
God the Father already knows and is sending help to you.
Being anxious and stressed is PROOF that you do not yet have faith.
Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Make no mistake, these men were doomed. Sure, Jesus was on board; but the ship was SINKING! No reason to think that the other little ships were doing better…
Of course, God has ALWAYS been greater than the storms, diseases, mean bosses, etc… but will you trust Him to deliver you?
Being afraid of death is PROOF that you are not yet trusting Christ; you have no faith yet.
Matthew 14:23-33 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled (agitated, stirred up), saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid (fear, alarm).
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt (duplicate, double-minded)?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Of course, the disciples that stayed in the boat were afraid of everything and really weren’t even trying to believe… But Peter! Peter asked the Lord for faith! The Lord said “Come” and off he went!
That word “doubt” means double-minded. The wind was strong and noisy and Peter was distracted. He stopped realizing that it was ONLY JESUS that was keeping him from sinking. He feared the weather (Jesus might or might not save him from sinking)…
-The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can choke
(distract us from) the word of the Kingdom.
(Note: Jesus kept Peter above the water even when he lost faith; Jesus never loses faith).
(P.S. Peter could swim and probably did not fear drowning at this point: John 21:7)
Being double-minded is PROOF you do not have faith.
Matthew 16:5-12 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
We see here what happens when we ask others what they think of what the Lord says… In the previous example, if Peter had asked the others what to do, he probably wouldn’t have left the ship.
We also see what happens when we feel like we have made a mistake and forgotten something we think the Lord wants from us. We stop trusting in the Lord and start feeling “unworthy”.
-It’s ok to decide to pray an hour before going to work each day; but if
you didn’t pray this morning, are you “less spiritual”?
-God didn’t NEED YOU to make the world, why does it matter if you were
a “good boy” today? Faith is waiting for GOD to move!
Being self-centered is PROOF you do not have faith.
Luke 12:22-28 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least (little stuff), why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
This obstacle is a bit similar to the previous one. Consider the ravens:
-They do not work… They don’t plant the grain they eat. They don’t
harvest the grain either. They just sort of mooch off God!
-They also don’t have savings accounts or 401K’s!
The lilies are even worse!! They don’t even sing; just stand around “looking pretty”. They do smell nice…
When we are poor, unemployed or unskilled in the things of the world or the Church, we often feel we don’t deserve great things from God.
Luke 12:29-31 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful (suspended) mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In this case, the word doubtful means “suspended”. That’s to say we are waiting for things to improve before trusting Christ for His Kingdom to come.
If you are waiting for some future time to believe, you have no faith.
Luke 12:32-34 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
It is SO EASY to give away someone else’s money!
If you are a Christian, ALL of your money is actually God’s. This includes all ten tithes! At any time, God may direct you to give money to others. If you believe “all these things shall be added to you”, you will be delighted to give (and be known for giving).
If you are stingy, you do not yet have faith.
“Impossible Faith”
By impossible faith, I mean to say that under certain circumstances it is impossible for us to have faith…
Rich men…
Matthew 19:23-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed (struck by this), saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible (not able); but with God all things are possible (able).
It is a very difficult thing to be a rich Christian! Of course, isn’t it easy to stop being rich; just give away all the wealth…?
-Jesus says that it’s impossible for rich men to do that unless they are
with God.
-It’s very easy for “poor” men (like me?) to criticize wealthier people. We
often think that they should “share the wealth” (with us?)…
-Jesus didn’t actually suggest that. He said “Give alms”. Christians
don’t actually need alms, God promises to meet their needs Himself.
Rich men are rarely saved. When they are saved, it is a marvelous thing. It really does take an “act of God”. Remember Jesus’ tomb was given Him by a very wealthy man (Joseph of Arimathaea)…
Matthew 27:57-60When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Faithless men…
Mark 9:14-29 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed (utterly astonished), and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless (not with faith) generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help (aid quickly) thou mine unbelief (faithlessness).
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing (not even one), but by prayer and fasting.
The problem here was that the disciples needed to have faith FOR this poor family. The father and child were suffering terribly and the disciples were useless…
-The prayer and fasting referred to here are for the disciples (they did not have
faith).
Quite often, we are called upon to believe for OTHER people who for one reason or another do not have faith. Notice that the scriptures never tell us to pray for ourselves, but for each other.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him (God); for he careth for you.
Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Will you believe today??
We Do Not Believe… (Part2)
Here is an interesting question:
How long after a sinner repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ does God wait before saving him and giving him the Holy Spirit?
-Must he live 10 years in repentance and surrender?
-Only 5 years?
No, no, no!!!
IMMEDIATELY!
It is God’s pleasure to give you the Kingdom! (Luke 12:32)
When Jesus sees someone’s faith, He responds immediately.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Matthew 9:6-7 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
Matthew 9:20-22 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
This is an exciting observation, but a troubling one as well…
We read so many promises in the Bible for the Kingdom of God; miracles, signs, wonders, salvations and harvests (a hundredfold in this present world), etc… Why is it that so often, NOTHING HAPPENS?
What is wrong?
When we ask for things in Jesus name, but we don’t receive them, it is because we do not yet believe.
I am referring to born-again Christians here. These are folks that believed Jesus would save them, but that doesn’t mean they suddenly believe everything written in the scriptures!
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
“Faith to faith” suggests faith in this, then faith in that…
Before Paul was put in jail, did he have faith that God would deliver them?
Acts 16:23-26 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Of course, it is easy to say that others do not believe.
It’s tougher (for me, anyway) to say that I do not believe…
Jesus is wonderful about this because He tells us WHY we do not believe.
Then He tells us HOW to believe!!
Faith itself (trusting Jesus to handle a situation in His own, marvelous way) is simple; one Lord, one faith, one baptism… (Ephesians 4:5)
However, Jesus describes our faith in many ways. Particularly when our faith is useless or doesn’t work…
-Some would call these “false faiths”, because the people involved
thought that they had faith, but were disappointed in Jesus because
He didn’t respond the way they wanted Him to...
“O Ye of Little Faith…”
Matthew 6:30-34 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little (puny) faith?
31 Therefore take no thought (be anxious about), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
“Little faith” literally means “puny” or ineffective faith…
Similar to the idea that you stop lying by telling the truth, or you stop stealing by giving your money to the poor; you stop being anxious by looking for God to come to your rescue (seeking the Kingdom).
-Jesus assures you that every happy sparrow you see is PROOF that
God the Father already knows and is sending help to you.
Being anxious and stressed is PROOF that you do not yet have faith.
Mark 4:35-41 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Make no mistake, these men were doomed. Sure, Jesus was on board; but the ship was SINKING! No reason to think that the other little ships were doing better…
Of course, God has ALWAYS been greater than the storms, diseases, mean bosses, etc… but will you trust Him to deliver you?
Being afraid of death is PROOF that you are not yet trusting Christ; you have no faith yet.
Matthew 14:23-33 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled (agitated, stirred up), saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid (fear, alarm).
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt (duplicate, double-minded)?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Of course, the disciples that stayed in the boat were afraid of everything and really weren’t even trying to believe… But Peter! Peter asked the Lord for faith! The Lord said “Come” and off he went!
That word “doubt” means double-minded. The wind was strong and noisy and Peter was distracted. He stopped realizing that it was ONLY JESUS that was keeping him from sinking. He feared the weather (Jesus might or might not save him from sinking)…
-The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can choke
(distract us from) the word of the Kingdom.
(Note: Jesus kept Peter above the water even when he lost faith; Jesus never loses faith).
(P.S. Peter could swim and probably did not fear drowning at this point: John 21:7)
Being double-minded is PROOF you do not have faith.
Matthew 16:5-12 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
We see here what happens when we ask others what they think of what the Lord says… In the previous example, if Peter had asked the others what to do, he probably wouldn’t have left the ship.
We also see what happens when we feel like we have made a mistake and forgotten something we think the Lord wants from us. We stop trusting in the Lord and start feeling “unworthy”.
-It’s ok to decide to pray an hour before going to work each day; but if
you didn’t pray this morning, are you “less spiritual”?
-God didn’t NEED YOU to make the world, why does it matter if you were
a “good boy” today? Faith is waiting for GOD to move!
Being self-centered is PROOF you do not have faith.
Luke 12:22-28 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least (little stuff), why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
This obstacle is a bit similar to the previous one. Consider the ravens:
-They do not work… They don’t plant the grain they eat. They don’t
harvest the grain either. They just sort of mooch off God!
-They also don’t have savings accounts or 401K’s!
The lilies are even worse!! They don’t even sing; just stand around “looking pretty”. They do smell nice…
When we are poor, unemployed or unskilled in the things of the world or the Church, we often feel we don’t deserve great things from God.
Luke 12:29-31 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful (suspended) mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
In this case, the word doubtful means “suspended”. That’s to say we are waiting for things to improve before trusting Christ for His Kingdom to come.
If you are waiting for some future time to believe, you have no faith.
Luke 12:32-34 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
It is SO EASY to give away someone else’s money!
If you are a Christian, ALL of your money is actually God’s. This includes all ten tithes! At any time, God may direct you to give money to others. If you believe “all these things shall be added to you”, you will be delighted to give (and be known for giving).
If you are stingy, you do not yet have faith.
“Impossible Faith”
By impossible faith, I mean to say that under certain circumstances it is impossible for us to have faith…
Rich men…
Matthew 19:23-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed (struck by this), saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible (not able); but with God all things are possible (able).
It is a very difficult thing to be a rich Christian! Of course, isn’t it easy to stop being rich; just give away all the wealth…?
-Jesus says that it’s impossible for rich men to do that unless they are
with God.
-It’s very easy for “poor” men (like me?) to criticize wealthier people. We
often think that they should “share the wealth” (with us?)…
-Jesus didn’t actually suggest that. He said “Give alms”. Christians
don’t actually need alms, God promises to meet their needs Himself.
Rich men are rarely saved. When they are saved, it is a marvelous thing. It really does take an “act of God”. Remember Jesus’ tomb was given Him by a very wealthy man (Joseph of Arimathaea)…
Matthew 27:57-60When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Faithless men…
Mark 9:14-29 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed (utterly astonished), and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless (not with faith) generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help (aid quickly) thou mine unbelief (faithlessness).
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing (not even one), but by prayer and fasting.
The problem here was that the disciples needed to have faith FOR this poor family. The father and child were suffering terribly and the disciples were useless…
-The prayer and fasting referred to here are for the disciples (they did not have
faith).
Quite often, we are called upon to believe for OTHER people who for one reason or another do not have faith. Notice that the scriptures never tell us to pray for ourselves, but for each other.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him (God); for he careth for you.
Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Will you believe today??
