Messages on Faith
Stepping Out By Faith
by Pastor John Khng, Nov 30, 2008
Scripture Reading: Heb. 11:6, 8, 16; Jos. 3:13; Mat. 14:27-29; Acts 16:9-10
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Jos 3:13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon a heap.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus
Act 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Introduction: What is faith? Define faith
When missionary John Paton was translating the Scripture for the South Sea islanders, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey that to them. One day while he was in his hut translating, a native came running up the stairs into Paton's study and flopped in a chair, exhausted. He said to Paton, “It’s so good to rest my whole weight in this chair.”
John Paton had his word: Faith is resting your whole weight on God. That word went into the translation of their New Testament and helped bring that civilization of natives to Christ. Believing is putting your whole weight on God. If God said it, then it’s true, and we’re to believe it.
Faith in Acrostic
Faith is Forsaking All I Trust Him – We heard this often
New Version - Faith is a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him -- Corrie ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place
“Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.” -Augustine.
Humorous Story that goes to illustrate whether we are really trusting God
A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:
"Is anyone up there?"
"I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?"
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer."
"That's all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch."
A moment of pause, then: "Is anyone else up there?"
Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, p. 3.
Stepping Out By Faith:
I. Trusting God to Provide for us a Better Place – Gen. 12: 1-3, Heb. 11:8,16
II. Trusting God to Open the Way to Greater Blessings – Jos 3:9-17
III. Trusting God to Perform a Miracle through Our Obedience – Mat 14:23-32
IV. Trusting God to Save Souls through His Calling to Preach the Gospel – Act 16:9-10
Stepping Out By Faith:
I. Trusting God to Provide for us a Better Place – Gen. 12: 1-3, Heb. 11:8,16
A. God called Abram to leave his country, his father’s house, his relatives and his friends – Gen. 12:1
B. “Ur of the Chaldees (an idolatrous country), to go into the land of Canaan (land of promise, a place to be given to him as an inheritance – Heb. 11:8);” – Gen. 11:31; out of idolatry to worship the true and living God.
C. Moving out from here to a new place of worship – a better place
D. We do not know what is going to happen in the future just like Abram – “he went out, not knowing whither he went.” – Heb. 11:8
E. We are stepping out by faith trusting God to provide for us.
F. The better place is not on earth. It is in heaven – Heb. 11:16
G. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie ten Boom
II. Trusting God to Open the Way to Greater Blessings – Jos 3:9-17, 13
A. There was a very great obstacle stopping the Israelites from going into the promised land – River Jordan comes between the Israelites and Canaan, the promised land.
B. River Jordan was overflowing at the time when Israel wanted to cross it – Jos. 3:15 – God was the One who opened the way for His people to cross on dry ground – 3:5, 13, 15-17
C. There may be big obstacles between us and the blessings of God but God can open the way for us to obtain His blessings – we need to believe and obey His instructions – just like the priests dipped their feet into the water, we need to step out by faith.
D. In fact all the Israelites excercised faith when they went walking on dry ground across River Jordan – remember the water above stood and rose up upon a heap and the water below were cut off – Jos. 3:16 – it takes faith to walk on the river bed with the huge wall of water on the right side, being held back by an invisible force produced by God.
E. We believe as we step out by faith, God will open doors to greater blessings for all of us – Amen!
III. Trusting God to Perform a Miracle through Our Obedience – Mat 14:23-32
A. The disciples were in the ship. Jesus walked on the water to go to them.
B. Peter once he knew that it was the Lord who was walking on water – asked that he could also walked on water – v. 28
C. Jesus said to Peter, “Come” and Peter stepped out of the ship by faith – v. 29 – and what a miracle – Peter walked on the water to meet Jesus.
D. As long as Peter looked to the Lord, he could continue to walk on the water but once he looked at the winds and the waves, he sank and he cried out to the Lord to save him – v. 30
E. Jesus is saying to us today, “Come” – will you come to Him by faith?
F. I have learned one precious lesson here that when we obey God by faith, we need to continually look to Him in order to keep experiencing the miracles and blessings of God. If you take you eyes off Jesus, you will sink into troubles – time to cry out, “Lord, save me” the shortest prayer in the Bible. A prayer that is suitable for everyone, for every occasion and for every place.
G. We are stepping out by faith trusting God to do miracles or wonders among us:
1. Abram was promised great blessings from God - “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” - Gen 12:2,3 - God did greatly bless Abram according to what He had promised him.
2. “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” – Jos 3:5 – God through Joshua promised to do wonders for them and He did.
3. “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” – Mat 14:28 – Peter asked a favor from the Lord and his was granted – he could walk on water – he did the impossible thing – you could also – just step out by faith.
Miracle can happen today:
In 1853, when young Hudson Taylor was making his first voyage to China, his vessel was delayed near New Guinea because the winds had stopped. A rapid current was carrying the ship toward some reefs and the situation was becoming dangerous. Even the sailors using a longboat could not row the vessel out of the current. “We have done everything that can be done,” said the captain to Taylor. But Taylor replied, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.” There were three other believers on the ship, and Taylor suggested that each retire to his own cabin and pray for a breeze. They did, and while he was at prayer, Taylor received confidence from God that the desperately needed wind would be sent. He went up on deck and suggested to the first officer, an unbeliever, that he let down the main sail because a breeze was on its way. The man refused, but then they saw the corner of the sail begin to stir. The breeze had come! They let down the sail and in a short time were on their way!
Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 240
IV. Trusting God to Save Souls through His Calling to Preach the Gospel – Act 16:9-10
A) “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” – Act 16:9
B) “. . . immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. – Act 16:10
C) There are souls needing the gospel here and also out there at our new location – Whenever God opens the door to a new place – the purpose is for us to spread the gospel – we must remember why we are moving to a new location – to have a more effective gospel ministry – not just having a better place but having a better ministry.
D) Step out by faith – if God is calling you to serve Him in the gospel ministry – our church by God's grace could support you for Bible training to become a preacher, a pastor or a missionary but you must be willing to step out by faith.
E) There may be trials and sufferings associated with the call of God. When we answer the call of God, it does not mean there will be no suffering - The call of God led Paul and Silas into being beaten and thrown into the prison for Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
God Honors Faith
Faith honors God and God honors faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple labored faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana - country is positioned in southern Africa, and bordered by the countries of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert. Finally the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season.
They stayed; and for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that he wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.” God honored that dear woman’s faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord’s super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived. - Source unknown
Conclusion:
Measuring Faith Attitudes
Experiencing a life-changing faith, having a close relationship with God and desiring to please God above all else are strong earmarks of belief for born-again Christians, according to a recent poll comparing America's religious attitudes.
In a nationwide survey, 1,210 adults were asked? (those responding yes):
Scripture Reading: Heb. 11:6, 8, 16; Jos. 3:13; Mat. 14:27-29; Acts 16:9-10
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Jos 3:13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon a heap.
Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus
Act 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Introduction: What is faith? Define faith
When missionary John Paton was translating the Scripture for the South Sea islanders, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey that to them. One day while he was in his hut translating, a native came running up the stairs into Paton's study and flopped in a chair, exhausted. He said to Paton, “It’s so good to rest my whole weight in this chair.”
John Paton had his word: Faith is resting your whole weight on God. That word went into the translation of their New Testament and helped bring that civilization of natives to Christ. Believing is putting your whole weight on God. If God said it, then it’s true, and we’re to believe it.
Faith in Acrostic
Faith is Forsaking All I Trust Him – We heard this often
New Version - Faith is a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him -- Corrie ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place
“Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.” -Augustine.
Humorous Story that goes to illustrate whether we are really trusting God
A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:
"Is anyone up there?"
"I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?"
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer."
"That's all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch."
A moment of pause, then: "Is anyone else up there?"
Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, p. 3.
Stepping Out By Faith:
I. Trusting God to Provide for us a Better Place – Gen. 12: 1-3, Heb. 11:8,16
II. Trusting God to Open the Way to Greater Blessings – Jos 3:9-17
III. Trusting God to Perform a Miracle through Our Obedience – Mat 14:23-32
IV. Trusting God to Save Souls through His Calling to Preach the Gospel – Act 16:9-10
Stepping Out By Faith:
I. Trusting God to Provide for us a Better Place – Gen. 12: 1-3, Heb. 11:8,16
A. God called Abram to leave his country, his father’s house, his relatives and his friends – Gen. 12:1
B. “Ur of the Chaldees (an idolatrous country), to go into the land of Canaan (land of promise, a place to be given to him as an inheritance – Heb. 11:8);” – Gen. 11:31; out of idolatry to worship the true and living God.
C. Moving out from here to a new place of worship – a better place
D. We do not know what is going to happen in the future just like Abram – “he went out, not knowing whither he went.” – Heb. 11:8
E. We are stepping out by faith trusting God to provide for us.
F. The better place is not on earth. It is in heaven – Heb. 11:16
G. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie ten Boom
II. Trusting God to Open the Way to Greater Blessings – Jos 3:9-17, 13
A. There was a very great obstacle stopping the Israelites from going into the promised land – River Jordan comes between the Israelites and Canaan, the promised land.
B. River Jordan was overflowing at the time when Israel wanted to cross it – Jos. 3:15 – God was the One who opened the way for His people to cross on dry ground – 3:5, 13, 15-17
C. There may be big obstacles between us and the blessings of God but God can open the way for us to obtain His blessings – we need to believe and obey His instructions – just like the priests dipped their feet into the water, we need to step out by faith.
D. In fact all the Israelites excercised faith when they went walking on dry ground across River Jordan – remember the water above stood and rose up upon a heap and the water below were cut off – Jos. 3:16 – it takes faith to walk on the river bed with the huge wall of water on the right side, being held back by an invisible force produced by God.
E. We believe as we step out by faith, God will open doors to greater blessings for all of us – Amen!
III. Trusting God to Perform a Miracle through Our Obedience – Mat 14:23-32
A. The disciples were in the ship. Jesus walked on the water to go to them.
B. Peter once he knew that it was the Lord who was walking on water – asked that he could also walked on water – v. 28
C. Jesus said to Peter, “Come” and Peter stepped out of the ship by faith – v. 29 – and what a miracle – Peter walked on the water to meet Jesus.
D. As long as Peter looked to the Lord, he could continue to walk on the water but once he looked at the winds and the waves, he sank and he cried out to the Lord to save him – v. 30
E. Jesus is saying to us today, “Come” – will you come to Him by faith?
F. I have learned one precious lesson here that when we obey God by faith, we need to continually look to Him in order to keep experiencing the miracles and blessings of God. If you take you eyes off Jesus, you will sink into troubles – time to cry out, “Lord, save me” the shortest prayer in the Bible. A prayer that is suitable for everyone, for every occasion and for every place.
G. We are stepping out by faith trusting God to do miracles or wonders among us:
1. Abram was promised great blessings from God - “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” - Gen 12:2,3 - God did greatly bless Abram according to what He had promised him.
2. “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” – Jos 3:5 – God through Joshua promised to do wonders for them and He did.
3. “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” – Mat 14:28 – Peter asked a favor from the Lord and his was granted – he could walk on water – he did the impossible thing – you could also – just step out by faith.
Miracle can happen today:
In 1853, when young Hudson Taylor was making his first voyage to China, his vessel was delayed near New Guinea because the winds had stopped. A rapid current was carrying the ship toward some reefs and the situation was becoming dangerous. Even the sailors using a longboat could not row the vessel out of the current. “We have done everything that can be done,” said the captain to Taylor. But Taylor replied, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.” There were three other believers on the ship, and Taylor suggested that each retire to his own cabin and pray for a breeze. They did, and while he was at prayer, Taylor received confidence from God that the desperately needed wind would be sent. He went up on deck and suggested to the first officer, an unbeliever, that he let down the main sail because a breeze was on its way. The man refused, but then they saw the corner of the sail begin to stir. The breeze had come! They let down the sail and in a short time were on their way!
Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 240
IV. Trusting God to Save Souls through His Calling to Preach the Gospel – Act 16:9-10
A) “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” – Act 16:9
B) “. . . immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. – Act 16:10
C) There are souls needing the gospel here and also out there at our new location – Whenever God opens the door to a new place – the purpose is for us to spread the gospel – we must remember why we are moving to a new location – to have a more effective gospel ministry – not just having a better place but having a better ministry.
D) Step out by faith – if God is calling you to serve Him in the gospel ministry – our church by God's grace could support you for Bible training to become a preacher, a pastor or a missionary but you must be willing to step out by faith.
E) There may be trials and sufferings associated with the call of God. When we answer the call of God, it does not mean there will be no suffering - The call of God led Paul and Silas into being beaten and thrown into the prison for Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
God Honors Faith
Faith honors God and God honors faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple labored faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana - country is positioned in southern Africa, and bordered by the countries of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert. Finally the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season.
They stayed; and for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that he wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.” God honored that dear woman’s faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord’s super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived. - Source unknown
Conclusion:
Measuring Faith Attitudes
Experiencing a life-changing faith, having a close relationship with God and desiring to please God above all else are strong earmarks of belief for born-again Christians, according to a recent poll comparing America's religious attitudes.
In a nationwide survey, 1,210 adults were asked? (those responding yes):
'Is your faith very important to your life' 'Do you desire a close personal relationship with God' 'Is it more important to please God than to achieve success or the acceptance of others' 'Does prayer really make a difference in your life' 'Do you have a responsibility to share your faith with others' |
|
Margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent
Source: Barna Research Group, by Monica Seaberry and Mike Paquette, 1998 Religion News Service, quoted in Moody, July/August, 1998, p. 37
Stepping out by faith
I. Trusting God to Provide for us a Better Place – Gen. 12: 1-3, Heb. 11:8,16
II. Trusting God to Open the Way to Greater Blessings – Jos 3:9-17
III. Trusting God to Perform a Miracle through Our Obedience – Mat 14:23-32
IV. Trusting God to Save Souls through His Calling to Preach the Gospel – Act 16:9-10
Faith is Forsaking All I Trust Him
Faith is a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him
During an especially trying time in the work of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor wrote to his wife, “We have twenty-five cents - and all the promises of God!
Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 242
This is what real faith is all about – Trusting God to do the impossible.
Faith And Doubt
Doubt sees the obstacles.
Faith sees the way!
Doubt sees the darkest night,
Faith sees the day!
Doubt dreads to take a step.
Faith soars on high!
Doubt questions, “Who believes?”
Faith answers, “I!”
— Gospel Banner
"Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible."
“Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.” - Augustine.
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." – George Muller
Source: Barna Research Group, by Monica Seaberry and Mike Paquette, 1998 Religion News Service, quoted in Moody, July/August, 1998, p. 37
Stepping out by faith
I. Trusting God to Provide for us a Better Place – Gen. 12: 1-3, Heb. 11:8,16
II. Trusting God to Open the Way to Greater Blessings – Jos 3:9-17
III. Trusting God to Perform a Miracle through Our Obedience – Mat 14:23-32
IV. Trusting God to Save Souls through His Calling to Preach the Gospel – Act 16:9-10
Faith is Forsaking All I Trust Him
Faith is a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him
During an especially trying time in the work of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor wrote to his wife, “We have twenty-five cents - and all the promises of God!
Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 242
This is what real faith is all about – Trusting God to do the impossible.
Faith And Doubt
Doubt sees the obstacles.
Faith sees the way!
Doubt sees the darkest night,
Faith sees the day!
Doubt dreads to take a step.
Faith soars on high!
Doubt questions, “Who believes?”
Faith answers, “I!”
— Gospel Banner
"Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible."
“Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe.” - Augustine.
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." – George Muller
© Copyright 2016 Mount Calvary Baptist Church. All Rights Reserved.