The Ministry Part 4

25th May

1. We need ministers and people who are strong in faith like Abraham.

Romans 4:19-21
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He (GOD) had promised He was also able to perform.

Abraham was PURSUING THE PROPHESY that God had given him that he would have a son and be the father of many nations. Rather than look at the obvious impossible physical circumstances, he chose to focus on the prophesy and that made his faith stronger which led to him giving glory to God. This then strengthened his faith further to the point that there was no doubt that God could and would do what He said He would.

A. WE NEED FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD.

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
In Jeremiah 5:21 and Ezekiel 12:2 it speaks about people being able to hear but not hearing and being able to see but not seeing. So there is another factor to consider and that is we must have our spiritual ears open and hear with our heart so that the word of God gets into the core of our being and takes our faith to another level.

B. WE NEED FAITH IN THE GOD OF THE WORD.

2 Timothy 1:!2
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 

Paul was in prison and possibly even with a death sentence over him when he wrote this encouragement to Timothy. However, he did not let his circumstances affect his faith. 
Instead he had complete confidence in who God is. 

  1. We need faith for salvation Acts 16:31
       Paul and Silas led the jailer to the Lord and they all trusted God for forgiveness of sin.

  2. We need faith that the Lord will take care of us. Psalm 37:23-24
       Our steps are ordered by the Lord and He is and will continue to be faithful in caring for us.

  3. We need faith that the Lord will provide  Philippians 4:19
       The Lord is our supply and He knows our every need. 
       He is interested in the big and small details of our lives.

  4. We need faith to serve the Lord no matter what happens  Joshua 24:15 
       Joshua made up his mind that regardless of what others did, he would serve the Lord.