Sermon Central
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Deeper Work In Us Through Faith In A Mighty God
Contributed by Ian Johnson on Jun 10, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Walking by faith brings us into the supernatural power of God. The Spirit works in us to accomplish things that are impossible to our understanding. So there is a large measure of faith required to gain inward growth.
As we press further into walking in the Spirit, it becomes obvious that faith holds a major key to our seeing & hearing in the Spirit.
Walking by faith brings us into the supernatural power of God. The Spirit works in us to accomplish things that are impossible to our understanding. So there is a large measure of faith required to gain inward growth.
Our expectations are sometimes misdirected when it comes to faith, often we look for God to show His power in our temporal needs: Healing- finance- relationships etc.
All these things are wonderful. But the bible declares the greatest things He does are internal.
20 Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Think about it for a moment, only internal things in our life will go with us into heaven!
The new car you are believing God for, will not be in your eternal garage in Heaven. But the character built into your life by seeing "That which is not" will go with you!.
Our problems are not usually due to our environment, our environment may be bringing these issues to our attention, but our problems are usually deeply personal, and the result of not seeing as God sees in a given situation. Fixing the environment doesn’t repair the person. If I lived in a better house If I had a better father If I had a happier childhood If – if – if – if.
David was a man who allowed God to work on the inside!
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The story of David & Bethsheba, is a perfect example of God working eternal values into David. David saw with the eyes of the flesh and it got him in Hot water with the Lord. The consequence of his fall caused David to see into the Spirit. So a potentially disastrous situation was turned into Glory for the Lord, and a transformed David on the inside. It was a hard lesson but look at what happened when David was finally forced to see into the Spirit by Nathan the Prophet.
1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my shameful deeds— they haunt me day and night. 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. 5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you. 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. 15 Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you. 16 You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.
A) Create in me a clean heart, O God. This is more than just a promise; it’s a cry of faith for God to do an inward work in a desperate heart!
David was called a man after Gods own heart! The natural David had a few issues, but the spiritual man was quick to react in faith. It’s not about turning over a new leaf; it’s about faith in an amazing God to transform the sinner’s heart. It’s "His power at work within us!"
Some of us have turned over more new leaves than you could find in the rainforests of Brazil! David was asking for something deeper than just a washing or covering kind of forgiveness, He was asking for something impossible for man "Create" a clean heart. He used the same word as found in Gen 1:1. He was asking in faith for something he knew could not happen outside of God. A new heart!
