CHRISTIAN FAMILY FELLOWSHIP, PDO, MUSCAT.
FAITH THAT OVERCOMES
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eb 11, John 5:4Introduction:
As Christian pilgrims, the road to our destination is not quite smooth as there are mountains to go over, many rivers and seas to cross, deep valleys to go through, giants to overcome and lands to possess. After the death of Moses God spoke to Joshua saying, "Only be thou strong and very courageous……that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.’~ (Joshua 1:7). That courage is the overcoming FAITH that can enable the Christian to scale through the huddles on the road to the promise land - Heaven. We do not need anything less than that courage (FAITH) to .overcome today’s complex and sophisticated world. 1 John 5:4, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our FAITH."
Consider the following statements. (a) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth by the word of mouth. (b) Jesus Christ is the son of God. 1-le died for our sins and resurrected the third day. (c) There is a place called heaven and another place called hell. — These are strong statements of fact but require Faith to believe. What then is Faith and how can we obtain it?
Heb ll:1, Matt 8:8-l0, I Pet I:7-9, Eph 3:12, Phil l:6. Rom 10:17
Faith is not Logic. It has nothing to do with ones power of analysis or inference to predict an outcome. It is simply absolute confidence in God and in His son Jesus Christ and obedience to His spoken word.
2. Would you describe the Faith demonstrated in each of the following scriptures as strong, weak or or ‘nil’ Faith?
(a) Noah: Genesis 6:13-14, 22; (b) Lot and Abram: Genesis 13: 7-13; (c) Matt 14: 25-31,(c)
Moses: Exodus 14:14-21; (d) Thomas: John 20:24-29; (e) Mark 16: 1-15; (f) Daniel 3:16-18;
(g) Matt 8:23-26; (h) Matt 17: 14-17 (i)Num 13: 27-33; (j) Matt 26:35, 69-75
From the Scriptures above explain the phrase "Faith that overcomes". Do all Christians possess this type of Faith? What are some of the opponents of Faith.
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Overcoming Faith produces a miracle and not the other way round, hence it is necessary for every Christian to build up his/her Faith to the level where it can produce the desired result. In what ways can we build up our Faith?Daniel 1:8, Roman 10:17, Matt 17: 14-21; James 1:5-8, 22-25; John 15:7; Prov 3:5; James 2:26; Matt 10:28.
Ponder over this, "That Yesterday’s Faith that moved mountain may not quench Today’s fiery flame." There is need therefore to ensure that the Faith is sustained to overcome in all situations. Judges 16:20, Exodus 17:8-14
4. Sometimes it may require a Christian to pay a costly price while exercising his Faith. What should be the Christian attitude in such situation?
Heb 11: 35-38; Acts 8:55-60; Dan 3:17-21; Acts 5: 22-29, 40-42.
5. The reward of Overcoming Faith:
(a) Victory over sin. lPet 1: 3-5. (b)Victory over ill-health, Mark 5: 33-34, (c) Prosperity. Joshua 1:5-9, Phil 4:19 (d) Power/Authority. Mark 6:7-l2Mark 16: 17-18, (e) All things are possible. Mark 9:23
Conclusion: " And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony....", Rev 12:10-11. Do you have Faith in the blood of Jesus? Do you have that Testimony in your life that can overcome the enemy?