Faith Beyond Time: Embracing Present Possession and Trust
Summary
### Summary
Today's message focuses on the profound relationship between faith and time, emphasizing that true faith transcends the limitations of time. Drawing from Luke 17:6, we are reminded that even faith as small as a mustard seed can command a sycamine tree to be uprooted and cast into the sea. This illustrates the power of faith when it is unwavering and not bound by temporal constraints. The essence of faith, as discussed, is not about religious denomination but about a deep, trusting relationship with God and His promises.
We explored the concept that faith and time are fundamentally different. While the world often measures faith by the passage of time, God does not. Faith, in its truest form, believes in present possession. This means that when we pray and believe, we must act as though we have already received what we are asking for, regardless of the visible evidence. This principle is crucial in avoiding the trap of being discouraged by delays or the apparent lack of progress.
The message also touched on the importance of not allowing time to dictate our faith. Using examples like waiting for a life partner or healing, it was highlighted that focusing on the time element can lead to impatience and poor decisions. Instead, we should trust in God's timing and remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that His promises are true and will manifest in due time.
Furthermore, the sermon emphasized the need for full persuasion in our faith journey. Being fully persuaded means being completely convinced of God's promises, to the point where external circumstances do not shake our belief. This level of faith requires a continual renewal of our minds through the Word of God, allowing it to wash away doubt and unbelief.
Finally, the message concluded with a call to live in a state of gratitude and praise, celebrating the fulfillment of God's promises even before they manifest physically. This attitude of faith not only honors God but also strengthens our trust in Him, making our faith journey a powerful testimony to others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Transcends Time: True faith is not bound by the constraints of time. When we pray and believe, we must act as though we have already received what we are asking for, regardless of the visible evidence. This principle helps us avoid the trap of being discouraged by delays or the apparent lack of progress. [08:52]
2. Present Possession: Faith believes in present possession. This means that when we pray, we must believe that we have already received our answer. This mindset shifts our focus from waiting for the manifestation to living in the reality of God's promises now. [13:43]
3. Full Persuasion: Being fully persuaded in our faith means being completely convinced of God's promises, to the point where external circumstances do not shake our belief. This requires a continual renewal of our minds through the Word of God, allowing it to wash away doubt and unbelief. [52:20]
4. Faith and Gratitude: Faith is inherently grateful and praising. When we truly believe that we have received what we prayed for, we celebrate and give thanks to God even before we see the physical manifestation. This attitude strengthens our trust in God and honors Him. [01:10:27]
5. Faith in Relationships: The message also touched on the importance of faith in relationships, particularly in marriage. It emphasized the seriousness of the covenant made before God and the need to make wise decisions before entering into such commitments. Once the covenant is made, faith and trust in God are essential to make it work. [24:36]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:23] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
[05:48] - Recap of Last Week's Message
[07:23] - Understanding Faith and Time
[08:52] - Faith Transcends Time
[10:25] - Defining True Faith
[12:00] - Faith and Present Possession
[13:43] - Faith is Higher Than Time
[15:16] - Faith and Healing
[16:54] - Faith Refuses Timetables
[18:32] - Knowing When You Received
[20:06] - Faith and Salvation
[24:36] - Faith in Relationships
[30:36] - Faith and Life Decisions
[32:03] - True Faith Believes in Present Possession
[36:09] - Faith Does Not Consider
[39:14] - Faith in the Invisible
[42:02] - Abraham's Example of Faith
[46:08] - Magnifying God's Promise
[49:12] - Trusting God's Power
[52:20] - Full Persuasion in Faith
[55:01] - The Power of Agreement
[58:15] - Faith in Financial Provision
[01:01:21] - Faith for Our Children
[01:04:01] - Living in Faith
[01:08:44] - Celebrating in Faith
[01:10:27] - Faith is Grateful and Praising
[01:12:28] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 17:6: "And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."
2. Romans 4:19-21: "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
3. 2 Peter 3:8: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 17:6, what can faith as small as a mustard seed accomplish?
2. In Romans 4:19-21, how did Abraham demonstrate his faith despite his and Sarah's old age?
3. What does 2 Peter 3:8 tell us about God's perception of time compared to ours?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between faith and time? [08:52]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have faith that transcends time, as described in the sermon? [08:52]
2. How can the concept of "present possession" change the way we pray and believe for things? [13:43]
3. What does being "fully persuaded" in faith look like in practical terms, according to the sermon? [52:20]
4. How does living in a state of gratitude and praise before seeing the physical manifestation of God's promises strengthen our faith? [01:10:27]
### Application Questions
1. Think about a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you shift your mindset to believe in "present possession" of God's promises? [13:43]
2. Are there areas in your life where you have allowed time to dictate your faith? How can you change your perspective to trust in God's timing instead? [08:52]
3. Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. What steps can you take to become fully persuaded of this promise, as Abraham was? [52:20]
4. How can you practice living in a state of gratitude and praise for God's promises in your daily life, even before you see them manifest? [01:10:27]
5. In what ways can you apply the principle of faith in your relationships, especially in making wise decisions before entering into commitments? [24:36]
6. Identify a specific area where you have been discouraged by delays or lack of progress. How can you renew your mind through the Word of God to wash away doubt and unbelief? [52:20]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group to live by faith and not be discouraged by the element of time? [08:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Transcends Time
True faith is not bound by the constraints of time. When we pray and believe, we must act as though we have already received what we are asking for, regardless of the visible evidence. This principle helps us avoid the trap of being discouraged by delays or the apparent lack of progress. Faith, in its truest form, believes in present possession. This means that when we pray and believe, we must act as though we have already received what we are asking for, regardless of the visible evidence. This principle is crucial in avoiding the trap of being discouraged by delays or the apparent lack of progress. [08:52]
Mark 11:24 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Reflection: Think of a prayer request you have been waiting on for a long time. How can you start living today as if God has already answered that prayer?
Day 2: Present Possession
Faith believes in present possession. This means that when we pray, we must believe that we have already received our answer. This mindset shifts our focus from waiting for the manifestation to living in the reality of God's promises now. By doing so, we align our actions and attitudes with our faith, demonstrating our trust in God's timing and His ability to fulfill His promises. This approach helps us to remain steadfast and avoid the pitfalls of doubt and impatience. [13:43]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to start living as if it is already fulfilled? How can you change your daily actions to reflect this belief?
Day 3: Full Persuasion
Being fully persuaded in our faith means being completely convinced of God's promises, to the point where external circumstances do not shake our belief. This requires a continual renewal of our minds through the Word of God, allowing it to wash away doubt and unbelief. Full persuasion is about having an unshakeable confidence in God's ability to do what He has promised, regardless of what we see or experience in the natural world. This level of faith is built through a deep, personal relationship with God and a consistent intake of His Word. [52:20]
Romans 4:20-21 (ESV): "No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with doubt. What specific scriptures can you meditate on to strengthen your faith in this area?
Day 4: Faith and Gratitude
Faith is inherently grateful and praising. When we truly believe that we have received what we prayed for, we celebrate and give thanks to God even before we see the physical manifestation. This attitude strengthens our trust in God and honors Him. Living in a state of gratitude and praise not only uplifts our spirits but also serves as a powerful testimony to others about the faithfulness of God. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have already received in faith. [01:10:27]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What is one thing you are waiting for God to do in your life? How can you start thanking Him for it today, even before it happens?
Day 5: Faith in Relationships
The message also touched on the importance of faith in relationships, particularly in marriage. It emphasized the seriousness of the covenant made before God and the need to make wise decisions before entering into such commitments. Once the covenant is made, faith and trust in God are essential to make it work. This involves believing in God's ability to sustain and bless the relationship, even in challenging times. It also means being patient and trusting in God's timing for bringing the right person into your life. [24:36]
Ephesians 5:31-32 (ESV): "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."
Reflection: If you are single, how can you trust God with your future relationships? If you are married, what is one way you can demonstrate faith in God's promises for your marriage today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What God wants us to do is get out of the mindset of a timetable, because when we're focused on the timetable, it can be a trap. It can be a trick of the enemy to trip us up and to get us out of faith. One thing I want us to understand today is faith and time are different. Directly opposed, they have nothing to do with each other. Faith and time have nothing to do with each other." [08:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith, according to Scripture, is our trust relationship with God almighty, with God the Father. How many of you, understand that today? Amen. Just wanted to say that for people. I know you guys might know it, but there may be people that could be hearing this and don't understand when we talk about faith." [12:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Faith is higher than and cannot be limited by the clock. Let me say that again. Faith is higher than and cannot be limited by the clock. I was listening to a preacher earlier this morning, and this morning, and this morning, and this preacher said a scripture, and I don't know where the scripture is, but I know we have a lot of distinguished ministers in the house, and these guys might know where this verse of scripture is, but the preacher alluded to a verse of scripture where the Bible says that the Lord will step out of heaven and time will be no more." [13:43] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Faith says, even when I don't see it, he's working. His power is at work. Even when I don't feel it, he's working. His power is at work. The word is working. It's working. You see the tumor hanging off my face. I see the promise and believe he's working. He's working. Listen, he may be working in the root system, in the invisible, you know. He may be working underground where you can't see what's going on. He may be working in the root system, but I want you to know that tumor is withering and dying by the root, because I believe, even when I can't see it, you're working." [39:14] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Faith is grateful and praising in Jesus name. Because faith is fully convinced it has it right now. Faith celebrates before physically seeing it. See, everybody's waiting to celebrate. Well, I'll tell you what, bless God. I get once I once that doctor tells me there's no more cancer, man, you better make room. I'm going to be cutting the rug. I'm going to be shouting and praising and dancing. God, you missed it. You missed it. I said you missed it. Because when you really truly believe that you've come into full possession of it after you've concluded with in Jesus name, you're going to celebrate right now." [01:10:27] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Faith refuses to be limited or dictated to by a timetable. So here's the deal. If you are going to set yourself in a position to believe God for something, what you must do is get the time element out of your mind. You know, with as many people as are here today, everybody's believing for something different, the whole I just use something that everybody can relate to, physical healing. So if you're going to posture yourself to truly believe God for physical healing. Now let me tell you something. You are not really believing God for physical healing if you don't have a set time, like, where yet you can go back to and say, on this certain time, I believed I received my healing." [16:54] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith does not consider. Consider meaning faith does not give credence to. Faith does not revere or respect as ultimate truth. Faith does not focus on the contrary to the word of God. Faith, listen, faith looks beyond the natural limitations to the word of God. That's Bible faith. Faith looks beyond the natural limitations to the word of God, the power of God, the promise of God, the waymaker." [37:18] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Faith is being fully convinced, fully persuaded. Look at verse 21 again of that same chapter, Romans 4. Look at verse 21 again. It says, and being fully persuaded. Somebody say persuaded. Say it again, persuaded. One more time, persuaded. See, one of the problems is we're not fully persuaded. So in other words, we hear a truth. It gets us excited because who's not going to get excited at the prospect that you don't got to be in pain anymore? Who's not going to get excited at the prospect that there's a possibility you don't have to take insulin for your blood sugar anymore? Who's not going to get excited at the, at the prospect that the day could come where you don't have to take high blood pressure anymore? Who's not going to get excited about that? But here's the problem. We hear these truths. We get excited, but we don't allow ourselves to become fully persuaded. Or in other words, we're not fully convinced." [52:20] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you have a child that doesn't walk with God or act like they want to walk with God or has no hunger for God, treat them like they're already in the church. When I say treat them like they're already in the church, don't preach to them. You know, preach and preach and preach. Some people, all they do is preach, preach, preach. But just be quiet. Don't preach. Love them like you love a brother who's serving the Lord. Amen? Talk about Jesus normally. Don't be weird or just trying to, you know, prove something to them. Or trying to show off in front of them. Just be normal. Talk about the goodness of God in a normal way. You know, just in other words, get into the routine of seeing them fully in. Become fully persuaded that they love God more than you." [01:01:21] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I'm not going to get it. I already have it. Once I say in Jesus name, I already have it. Once I say in Jesus name, see, that's the, that's the deal right there. That's it right there. Once you say, in Jesus name, baby, you ought to cut loose. You ought to start dancing, shouting, crying, rolling, swinging from a shanty. You man, you ought to have a party because once you say in Jesus name, you got it. Don't matter what's going on in the outside. Doesn't matter what's going on in the physical. Doesn't matter what it looks like in the natural. Once you say in Jesus name, baby, have church because you got it." [01:06:58] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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