Sermon Central
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Part 3 - The Believing Pillar Series
Contributed by Pastor Bruce A. Shields on Dec 13, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Part 3 in the House of Faith series dealing with our belief and how it directly effects our relationship with God.
The House of Faith
Part 3 – The Believing Pillar
† SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 11:23, 24
“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ’Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
PRAYER
We understand that although we are in a very physical existence, that there is a spiritual and unseen universe as well.
And in this spiritual unseen world there is a war going on right now as we speak.
You are either on the enemy’s side, the allied side, or you are going to be a trophy for the enemy.
There are no neutral grounds in the spiritual realm.
So we’ve discussed how God has prepared those who belong to Him. He has given us spiritual and powerful armor.
† This armor of God is ours; it can be used by those who belong to God.
But how do we acquire this armor of God? What must we do to qualify to receive it?
This is where the house of faith comes in.
The armor of God is our protection, like a roof protects those under it, so does the armor of God. It protects those under Gods armor.
So to qualify for the armor of God, we must first accept Christ.
Christ becomes our corner stone.
† And from that cornerstone, God builds us up with His word, thus forming the foundation which is the word of God that testifies through the prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ.
Our foundation is strong and solid!
Those who build upon this foundation are like wise men, and their house will withstand the coming storm.
Once we accept Christ and begin to read the word of God, through God building us we begin to set up our first of 4 pillars that will support the roof on our house.
† When we read the word of God, our thinking begins to change. We begin to see ourselves through the light of Christ as opposed to the light of the world which tells us EVERYTHING is OK as long as you’re not hurting anyone, regardless if you are hurting yourself.
During this time God is building us, we receive what is called DISCERNMENT. This is a God given ability that is given to believers so they know what the truth is, and what are lies.
† Using our discernment, we can begin to filter our thoughts and our thinking processes. This first pillar is set firmly on the foundation that Christ and the word of God has built.
We begin to throw out the trash, and only dwell on Godly thoughts.
As we continue to read, filtering out the trash from our minds, God continues to build us, and through the word of God, we begin to believe in the word.
This begins our 2nd pillar in our house.
† Because we changed our thinking, our believing pillar begins to appear.
This pillar is founded on the firm foundation of Christ and the word of God as well.
† This pillar is a result of the first pillar of thinking, and will be affected if anything happens to the first pillar.
If you allow garbage into your thinking, your pillar becomes weak, and what you believe will be effected by what you think.
This is why it is so important to God that you only think and dwell on Holy and Godly things.
If you have not changed your thinking since you have accepted Christ, then you won’t truly believe.
Christ changes lives! If your life hasn’t been changed since you’ve accepted Christ, then there is something wrong.
You need to examine if you are truly seeking God through His word and changing your thinking, filtering out the garbage.
Otherwise, you cannot experience this second pillar, believing, or, faith.
Jesus is trying to tell us something here in our scripture reading today.
† Mark 11:23, 24
“I tell you the truth,
In case you don’t have discernment, Jesus tells us that He’s telling us the truth.
if anyone says to this mountain, ’Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen
it will be done for him.
How many of us here today have mountains in our lives?
How many of us realize that we can’t move a mountain?
How many know that God can!
The road ahead may look treacherous, hard to travel, difficult terrain. Maybe even IMPOSSIBLE!
But Jesus makes a promise,
IT WILL BE DONE FOR THEM!
Who here wants God to take care of their mountain for them?
