THE POWER OF FAITH: THE POWER OF FAITH Dr Barry Chant Wesley International Congregation Sunday 10 August 2003


1. Have faith in God: 1. Have faith in God The prayer of faith is primarily an expression of faith in God himself. Like any father he will always do what is best, whether we like it or not. So we TRUST him because he always acts towards us-- with love with power with fairness with faithfulness with goodness


Have faith in his promise: Have faith in his promise God has given us many promises on which we can base our faith God has committed himself to keep his Word. See 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 145:14 He will give us what he promises (Luke 11:9-13) Peace (John 14:27) Salvation (Acts 16:31) Healing (Mark 16:18; James 5:14) Deliverance (Colossians 1:13) Daily needs (Lord’s Prayer) Victory (Romans 8:37; 2 Cor 2:14) Power (Acts 1:8)


Four levels of faith: Four levels of faith So why don’t God’s promises always seem to come to pass? In the Bible, effective faith is the province of at least four groups of people


1. Personal faith: 1. Personal faith Personal faith may be the determining factor Many times Jesus told people it was their own faith which healed them See Matthew 9:22; Luke 17:19; 18:42; See also Act 14:9 There is great power in individual faith! But if healing does not come it can be unfair to blame people for not having enough faith. It is not always up to them alone.


2. Vicarious faith: 2. Vicarious faith The faith of another may be the determining factor A centurion (Matt 8:13) Friends of a paralytic (Matt 9:2) A Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:28) We must not underestimate the power of faith exercised on behalf of others Eg parents with children


3. Ministering faith: 3. Ministering faith The faith of those ministering may be the determining factor Jesus’ disciples at Tabor (Matt 17:20) Those who minister to the sick need to minister in faith. When people are struggling, the faith of the ministers can often make the difference!


4. Community faith: 4. Community faith The faith of the community at large may be the determining factor eg Nazareth (Mark 6:5,6) Consider Augsburger’s three realms: Macrocosmos-- realm of God Mesocosmos-- realm of spirits Microcosmos-- realm of humanity In Western society, the mesocosmos is ignored. There is a general scepticism. Cf PNG


4. Community faith: 4. Community faith The church community can also live in a realm of unbelief--denominationally and locally As a church we can lift our faith to a higher plain. While recognising God’s sovereignty, we must not use that as an excuse for complacency in ministry to the needy. Eg Martin’s comment last week: we all need a miracle of faith!


How faith is strengthened: How faith is strengthened By prayer (Luke 17:5; Mark 9:24) By the Scriptures (Romans 10:17) By the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:9) By confession (homologeo = ‘saying the same thing’ -- Romans 10:9,10; Hebrews 10:23) By praise (2 Chron 20:21,22; Psalm 34:1-3) By love (Galatians 5:6) By fellowship (Hebrews 10:25)


Claiming the victory: Claiming the victory Let’s claim the victory in Jesus’ name There is a realm of faith we have yet to tap. By God’s grace we can do it! Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians. 3:20-21