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?
24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
I have seen miracles in this church through prayer requests to God!
They asked that their mountain be removed and cast into the sea, and God ANSWERED BECAUSE of their belief!
I can think of many occasions of Christ healing people in the Bible, and in everyone I am remembering, it says “because you believed, or your belief has made you whole, etc...”
Do you have a problem believing in your life?
You are not alone.
† LUKE 24:1-27 – On the road to Emmaus
They were slow to believe in their hearts because they did not study the scriptures as they should.
Remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
If you are slow to believe, read your Bible more!
† John 20:25
“25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he (Thomas) said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."”
† John 20:27
“Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Jesus tells us “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.”
This is our faith. And through reading the scriptures, our faith can grow and fill our hearts with what our mind and thinking are filled with.
† 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
Do you want miracles and God working in your life?
Read God’s word and your faith will grow, and through your faith God will work in your life!
† John 7:37 – 39
“37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as[3] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”
We receive the Holy Spirit by believing in Christ.
Nothing is possible in our lives without the Holy Spirit.
Unless we believe, we tie God’s hands and He cannot work in our lives.
Our hearts should not only be filled with Gods word, but there should be flowing out of us streams of living water!
Is the Holy Spirit alive and flowing in you today?
What is overflowing in your heart?
Is it Gods word and Holy Spirit?
Jesus tells us more of the truth in;
† John 10:2-5
“1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice."”
Do you think you’re going to get into heaven by any other way but the gate?
There is no other way but through the gate, and Christ is the shepherd at the gate.
We listen for His voice.
Do you know your shepherds voice?
Do you belong to Him?
Years ago I hear God’s voice for the first time.
I wanted God to use me, I wanted to serve Him in my life.
I was praying and He said to me, You will help a family for Christmas. They have 4 children, and if you don’t help, they will not have a Christmas.
I asked who they were, but got nothing else.
Months went by, but I held on to my faith and what I believed to be God’s voice.
My mother overheard 2 women talking in a store one day, and one said, If someone doesn’t do something for these 4 kids, they will not have a Christmas this year.
Almost to the word, what God had said to me.
Months after God spoke I had my answer. And I obeyed.
I heard His voice and recognized it.
And it was because of this encounter that to this day, Terri and I do this for families every year. This was the first year I decided to ask the church to get involved, and it has come together nicely.
We listen to our shepherd’s voice; He leads us beside still waters. He protects us and guides us through the safest path. Leading us in His direction.
Do you know His voice? Jesus says;
† John 10:26 – 30
“26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[4] ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one."”
PRAYER
Father, we thank you for your son.
We thank you for your Holy Spirit and Armor for protection.
We continue to pray for your mind within us, and your will in our lives.
Build us, establish your word within our hearts.
We pray for help with our disbelief, and pray that we read and search the scriptures daily so that you can build our faith and belief.
We pray to hear your voice Lord.
We want to hear you, so that we may follow.
We pray that if anyone hear may be questioning their relationship with you, that through the Holy Spirit, you bring them forward so that we may pray with them.
We may lay hands on them.
Let there be a renewing of minds here today.
Let there be an overflowing of our hearts with you and your Spirit Lord.
Let us be yours completely, Heart, soul and Mind.
