IF YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE- THEN ALL THE PROMISES ARE YOURS
PART TWO-WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED FAITH?
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
1. So, what is this faith thing all about?
· Hebrews 11 talks contains the Hall of Faith. Men and Women who trusted God and became giants of faith.
· What do you want to be?
· You’ve got to chase that dream.
· It isn’t gonna fall on your head one day.
· I would like to read Hebrews 11:1. This verse describes what Faith is and what these men and women attained.
· I am going to read it in three different Bible versions.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB)
1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2. Illustration of Faith
Let me tell you a true story that I heard from a preacher with a worldwide ministry. It illustrates this point so well. There was a Pastor’s wife who had what we used to call coke-bottle lenses in her glasses. Her glasses were super thick. She had extremely poor vision even with the glasses on.
She had been prayed for by a number of preachers who came through their church. She didn’t want to be prayed for anymore. She was tired of getting her hopes up and then for them to be only dashed. Let me say this: I get that. It is hard to keep exposing yourself in that way. If this is speaking to you and you have just resigned yourself to well God doesn’t’ want to heal me. Let me just say that isn’t true. I hope you will give God and the person who can truly function in this area another chance.
Anyway, they had an evangelist come to their church. He always prayed for people to be healed. The pastor’s wife basically tried to stay in the background, so he wouldn’t call her out for prayer. She thought she had made it. It was the last night of the special meetings and towards of the end of the service and well he called her out. He said I would like to pray for you eyes to be healed. She of course having a servant’s heart and being the pastor’s wife said ok.
So, he told her to close her eyes and then he prayed for her. Then he said “So can you see now? She began to open her eyes and he said firmly “close your eyes; I didn’t tell you to open your eyes, I just asked if you could see.” So, he prayed some more and then asked here again if she could see. She started to open her eyes and he said, “keep your eyes closed.” The pastor’s wife was thinking to herself “what kind of crazy trick is this; how can I tell if my eyes are healed if I don’t open them (makes sense right?).
So, then he told her something that was a game changer and can be one for you to. He said, “when you can see your seeing perfectly healed with your eyes closed, then when you open your eyes you will see.”
3. One of the truths of the Bible: You must walk by faith not by what you can see!
4. Remember this: Remember you always have to get the doubt out for the mustard seed to proceed.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Mark 11:24 (ESV)
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
