WALKING BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT
PART 3
(Some information from: Charles Capp)
Pastor Tim P. Blaisure – 02/25/24 – Morning Message
Intro:
What people think is impossible, God says is possible through faith in your heart that is not mixed with doubt and unbelief, when we ask in this faith that comes through Jesus Christ, and His Word.
The faith you have in a doctors order to take a pill to get rid of your pain.
Is the same faith you use when you pray in faith for something.
Just your faith is in the word of your doctor and a pill instead of Jesus and His Gospel.
Foundation Scriptures:
Mark 11:23-24 NKJV
“ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Romans 10:17
“So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I. THE FAITH OF DOUBTING THOMAS:
John 20:25-29 NLT
“They told him,
· “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied,
· “I won’t believe it
· unless I see the nail wounds in his hands,
· put my fingers into them,
· and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again,
· and this time Thomas was with them.
· The doors were locked;
· but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them.*
· “Peace be with you,” he said.
27 Then he said to Thomas,
· “Put your finger here, and look at my hands.
· Put your hand into the wound in my side.
· Don’t be faithless any longer.
· Believe!”
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him,
· “YOU BELIEVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME.
· BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING ME.”
II. THE FAITH OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS:
Mark 10:47-52
“When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby,
· he began to shout,
· “Jesus, Son of David,
· have mercy on me!”
48 “Be quiet!”
· many of the people yelled at him.
· But he only shouted louder,
· “Son of David,
· have mercy on me!”
49 When Jesus heard him,
· he stopped and said,
· “Tell him to come here.”
· So, they called the blind man.
· “Cheer up,” they said.
· “Come on, he’s calling you!”
50 Bartimaeus
· threw aside his coat,
· jumped up,
· and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
· “My Rabbi,” the blind man said,
· “I want to see!”
52 And Jesus said to him,
· “Go, for YOUR FAITH HAS HEALED YOU.”
· Instantly the man could see,
· and he followed Jesus down the road.
III. THE FAITH OF THE WOMAN WITH A HEMORAGE:
Mark 5:28-29,34 NKJV
28 For she said,
· “If only I may touch His clothes,
· I shall be made well.”
· 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up,
· and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
34 And He said to her,
· “Daughter, YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL.
· Go in peace,
· and be healed of your affliction.”
Conclusion:
James 2:19-21
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
· Thomas proclaimed his doubt to the other disciples and told them how he would believe and have faith. Notice, Thomas went by sight but after he saw Jesus he never doubted again, and died for his faith as a martyr.
· Blind Bartimaeus heard from the crowd in the past about Jesus miracles and this time when he heard that Jesus was coming his way he cried out until Jesus heard him. Then when Jesus called for him, he threw off his blind garment and presented himself to Jesus. Jesus asked what he wanted, then Bartimaeus told him he wanted to see, and Jesus responded with “your faith has made you well.
· The woman with the hemorrhage had heard about Jesus and the miracles He did, she heard He was coming. In spite of her condition and the law against her being in public she said to herself if I can touch Him, I will be cured. She did what she said and immediately was healed. Jesus felt the healing power go out and looked for her. Then He told her “ your faith has healed you.
Not only do we need to hear the Word of God, but we need to speak it to ourselves until we have the faith in Jesus so much that we take action, reach out in faith, and receive with faith what we are asking in prayer and receive it.
“YOUR FAITH IN JESUS AND HIS WORD WILL MAKE YOU WHOLE.