Unlocking the Power of Faith in God

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound possibilities that faith in God can unlock in our lives. We began with a light-hearted story about a prophetic prayer that led to a baby boom, illustrating God's sense of humor and His power to bring about unexpected blessings. This set the stage for a deeper discussion on the nature of faith and the miraculous. We shared experiences from our missionary work, highlighting how God is moving powerfully across the globe, particularly in regions like Asia and Africa, where young people are turning to Christianity in droves. This global revival is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, which is not just a doctrine but the very power of God when preached with faith and expectation.

We delved into the concept of faith, emphasizing that it begins where the will of God is known. It's not about claiming things outside of God's will but aligning our desires with His purposes. We discussed the importance of believing in the possible, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. Through personal anecdotes, we illustrated how God can redeem and transform lives, no matter how broken or dysfunctional they may seem. The key is to embrace the truth that with God, all things are possible, and to live with the expectation that He can do the impossible in and through us.

We also touched on the dangers of small thinking, especially in small communities, and encouraged a mindset that embraces the vastness of God's capabilities. By sharing stories of individuals who dared to think outside the box, we were reminded that innovation and breakthroughs often come from those who believe in the impossible. Finally, we concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to open their hearts to the possibilities God has for them and to live in the fullness of His promises.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith and the Will of God: Faith begins where the will of God is known. It's crucial to align our desires with God's purposes, understanding that true faith is not about claiming anything we want but about believing in what God has promised. This alignment opens the door to experiencing God's power in our lives. [01:07:08]

2. Global Revival and the Power of the Gospel: The Gospel is not just a doctrine but the power of God. When preached with faith, it brings about transformation and revival, as seen in the global movement of young people turning to Christianity. This revival is a testament to the Gospel's power to change lives and communities. [49:53]

3. Redemption and Transformation: No matter how broken or dysfunctional our past may be, God's redemption is greater than our pain. He can transform our lives, heal our wounds, and give us a new beginning. It's possible to live completely healed and free from the past. [01:16:52]

4. Thinking Beyond Limitations: Embracing the vastness of God's capabilities requires us to think beyond our limitations. By believing in the impossible and daring to think outside the box, we can experience breakthroughs and innovations that align with God's purposes. [01:14:04]

5. Living Above the World: It's possible to live in this world but not be overcome by its evils. By focusing on God's Word and His promises, we can rise above the negativity and live in peace, love, and joy, unaffected by the world's chaos. [01:28:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [43:01] - A Prophetic Baby Boom
- [44:36] - Missionary Adventures
- [46:39] - Global Revival
- [48:27] - The Challenges of Travel
- [49:53] - Revival in Asia and Africa
- [50:57] - The Nature of Revival
- [52:09] - Jesus Takes the Wheel
- [53:08] - Leadership and Change
- [54:42] - The Power of the Gospel
- [56:45] - Faith and Miracles
- [57:34] - Raising the Dead
- [59:46] - Mission Work in Africa
- [01:00:36] - The Possibility of Faith
- [01:01:38] - The Sovereignty of God
- [01:03:39] - Jesus and God's Will
- [01:04:41] - The Will to Do God's Will
- [01:06:19] - Faith and God's Will
- [01:07:08] - Faith and Possibility
- [01:08:23] - Overcoming Small Thinking
- [01:11:36] - Unity and Possibility
- [01:12:13] - Thinking Outside the Box
- [01:14:04] - Embracing the Impossible
- [01:16:02] - Redemption Over Pain
- [01:17:53] - Leadership and Change
- [01:19:14] - The Possibility of Change
- [01:20:01] - Peace on Death Row
- [01:21:00] - Family and Redemption
- [01:23:12] - Church Unity
- [01:24:38] - Freedom from the Curse
- [01:25:51] - Redemption and Sin's Power
- [01:26:55] - Living Above the World
- [01:28:09] - Overcoming Evil
- [01:29:22] - Finding True Friends
- [01:30:39] - God Supplies All Needs
- [01:32:04] - Finding Worth in God
- [01:33:46] - Being Led by the Spirit
- [01:34:46] - The Perfect Will of God
- [01:35:33] - Embracing God's Possibilities
- [01:36:59] - Prayer and Commitment

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 9:17-23
2. Romans 1:16
3. Romans 12:21

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Observation Questions:

1. In Mark 9:17-23, what was the father's request to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to the situation? How does this passage illustrate the concept of faith and belief? [01:00:36]

2. According to Romans 1:16, what is the significance of the Gospel, and how is it described in the sermon? [54:42]

3. How does the sermon describe the global revival happening in places like Asia and Africa, and what role does faith play in this movement? [49:53]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea of thinking beyond limitations and embracing the vastness of God's capabilities? [01:14:04]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story in Mark 9:17-23 challenge the common understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility in matters of faith? [01:01:38]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Gospel's power is not just in doctrine but in its ability to bring about transformation and revival? [54:42]

3. How does the sermon address the concept of redemption and transformation, particularly in relation to personal past experiences and pain? [01:16:52]

4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of small thinking, especially in small communities, and how can believers overcome these limitations? [01:08:23]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you felt something was impossible. How can the message of Mark 9:23, "All things are possible to him who believes," change your perspective on that situation? [01:02:33]

2. The sermon emphasizes aligning our desires with God's will. Identify an area in your life where you need to seek God's will more intentionally. What steps can you take to align your desires with His purposes? [01:07:08]

3. Consider the global revival mentioned in the sermon. How can you contribute to the spread of the Gospel in your own community or beyond? What practical steps can you take to support missionary work? [49:53]

4. Think about a past hurt or brokenness in your life. How can you embrace the truth of God's redemption and allow Him to transform that area? What specific actions can you take to move towards healing and freedom? [01:16:52]

5. The sermon encourages thinking beyond limitations. Identify a limitation you have placed on yourself or your community. How can you challenge this limitation and embrace the vastness of God's capabilities? [01:14:04]

6. Romans 12:21 advises not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. How can you apply this principle in your daily interactions, especially in challenging situations? [01:28:09]

7. Reflect on the idea of living above the world's chaos. What specific practices or habits can you incorporate into your life to focus more on God's Word and promises, thereby rising above negativity? [01:26:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Desires with God's Will
Faith begins where the will of God is known. It is not about claiming anything we want but about aligning our desires with God's purposes. This alignment opens the door to experiencing God's power in our lives. When we understand what God has promised, our faith becomes a channel through which His power flows. This requires a deep understanding of God's will, which can be discerned through prayer, scripture, and a relationship with Him. By aligning our desires with His will, we position ourselves to witness His miraculous work in our lives. [01:07:08]

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's will more clearly? How can you begin aligning your desires with His purposes today?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The Gospel is not just a doctrine but the power of God. When preached with faith, it brings about transformation and revival, as seen in the global movement of young people turning to Christianity. This revival is a testament to the Gospel's power to change lives and communities. The Gospel's transformative power is evident in the stories of individuals and communities experiencing profound change. It is a reminder that the Gospel is alive and active, capable of bringing new life and hope to those who embrace it. [49:53]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: How have you seen the power of the Gospel transform your life or the lives of those around you? What steps can you take to share this transformative power with others?

Day 3: Redemption Beyond Our Past
No matter how broken or dysfunctional our past may be, God's redemption is greater than our pain. He can transform our lives, heal our wounds, and give us a new beginning. It's possible to live completely healed and free from the past. God's redemption is a powerful force that can bring healing and restoration to even the most broken areas of our lives. By embracing His redemption, we can experience freedom from the pain of our past and step into a new future filled with hope and possibility. [01:16:52]

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your past that you need to surrender to God's redemption? How can you begin to embrace His healing and transformation in that area today?

Day 4: Embracing God's Vast Capabilities
Embracing the vastness of God's capabilities requires us to think beyond our limitations. By believing in the impossible and daring to think outside the box, we can experience breakthroughs and innovations that align with God's purposes. This mindset challenges us to expand our vision and trust in God's ability to do more than we can imagine. By stepping out in faith and embracing the possibilities God has for us, we can experience His power in new and exciting ways. [01:14:04]

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to think beyond your limitations? How can you begin to trust in God's vast capabilities and embrace the impossible today?

Day 5: Living Above the World's Chaos
It's possible to live in this world but not be overcome by its evils. By focusing on God's Word and His promises, we can rise above the negativity and live in peace, love, and joy, unaffected by the world's chaos. This requires a conscious effort to prioritize God's truth over the noise of the world. By anchoring ourselves in His promises, we can experience a life of peace and joy, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. [01:28:09]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel overwhelmed by the world's chaos? How can you begin to focus on God's promises and live in His peace today?

Quotes

1. "I understand Christians who don't like to travel and who love their home. I'm no different from you. I don't like to travel. I don't like to travel. I don't like to travel. I don't like to like the last, the last trip. They put us, we got on the plane one hour. I mean, we, we got up, we got on the plane and immediately we're told to get off. As soon as we got on, we're told to get off. We waited an hour. We got back on the plane and we sat there for five hours, no water, no movement, no, you know, we're sorry. Just, you know, they kept saying 25 more minutes and that turned into five hours. So I don't like that any more than you don't like that. So it's not like that. It's not like that. It's not like that. It's not like that. It's not like that. It's not like we have this glamorous life. So I understand Christians who love their home and they don't like to travel. I understand you, but I don't understand you. If you say God lives in your heart and you don't love the world for God, so love the world. And you say God's in you and you don't care two cents about the world. That's kind of a disconnect. Don't you? Don't you think? We should have some compassion for the world." [48:27] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We'll go back to time. Thailand in January, over 140 students in the Bible college. Only three of them are over the age of 40. God's moving in the young Buddhist communities of the Asian world. And the young people are flocking to Christianity and leaving Buddhism. Hallelujah. They're leaving Islam in East Africa and they're leaving witchcraft. There is no way Islam or witchcraft is going to win in East Africa. The gospel is on fire and it's spreading. And we don't have church in Africa like you do here. We start at 930. We get out around two and nobody complains. It's not like America. After 20 minutes, you get the, oh, on, y 'all. You want revival, but you might want it your way. I don't know that it comes your way." [49:53] (69 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You know how you got saved, right? You believe someone was raised from the, so people do still get raised from the, it's possible. And we saw a multitude of churches off of those two miracles. Multitude of churches out in the bush start because, you know, people get raised from the dead. News travels. So we just did, we just preached it one way and we started seeing results like crazy. I mean, just normal people coming back and average people, and we didn't get into, are you an apostle, are you a prophet, are you, we just said, just go do it, just go do it. Had a young single lady named Upendo, she came back two years after graduation and she wanted to greet me and she had learned English and because I told him, I said, if you learn English, the whole world will open up to you. So she learned English and she came back. I said, Upendo, what have you been doing? She looked at me real strange. She said, I've been doing what you told me to do. I said, well, which part? She said, well, I work in Arusha. I save my money and I go out in the bush and I found a place, a region out in the bush where they didn't have any churches and I take two bags. One is my Bible and my tablet. The other is food. And she told me how many kilometers she walked. And later I went, because, you know, Americans, I went back to my room. It was like a 20 -mile trek. Out in the bush. And in two years, she started four churches. Young 20 -something -year -old single person started four churches. And it dawned on me when I got back to the room, hey, you know how that happened? I never told her she couldn't. I just told her she could and released her and she went and did it." [59:46] (114 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want to talk to you about what's possible with you. Turn with me to Mark chapter 9. Mark chapter 9. Now, I'm going to go quick. Blessed are the brief. Shall be invited back. It's not a scripture, but maybe it should be. Mark chapter 9, verse 17. Then one of the crowd answered and said, Mark 9, 17. Teacher, I brought you my son who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down. Foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to your disciples that they should cast it out, but they could not. He answered. Answered and said, oh, I'm sovereign God and everything's up to me. No. You know, the teaching on the sovereignty of God has hit a resurgence of popularity right now in America, especially among young people. And it concerns me because this teaching about the sovereignty of God has elements of truth, but at the end of the day, it's the laziest theology anybody can ever have. Because it's que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. But listen to how Jesus talks." [01:00:36] (87 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I come from a messed up home. Messed up. Messed up. Messed up. Well, they're trying to commit. They're trying to commit suicide four times by the time I was 14. She was institutionalized three times. My brother spent the most part of his adult life in prison. Ended up murdering a man. Then he killed himself. Dad killed himself. Mother died young. Look, I don't say that for pity. I say that, look at me. You know what I found out? Redemption is greater than my pain. I said redemption is greater than my pain. It's possible to live completely healed of whatever tried to mark you. It's possible to live healed of whatever past you came out of. What God did in Christ is greater than what Satan did in Adam. So you got to be careful about how you talk about your pain. Don't be talking about it like it's some prize that God can't do anything and that you're some special case that your life has been so horrible that redemption can't fix it. No, honey. Let me just tell you, any way you've been broken, God can put you back together. But you have to, you have to come to a place where you look at yourself in the mirror and say, you know what? It's possible." [01:16:02] (103 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "It's possible to have a great marriage. No matter how bad it's been, it's possible that it can be good. See, I got bad kids. It's possible they can change. It's possible they can find Jesus. I've got horrible grandkids. It's possible for them to find Jesus. It's possible. Some of the, listen, some of the people that I met in life, there's, there's, there's a group of men. This is years ago. They're already dead. And you say, how do you know they're already dead? Because they were all on death row. McAllister State Prison. Just a few weeks, they were all going to be put to death. And they sent me in there to minister to them. I came out crying. They taught me more about peace and love and joy than I ever learned outside the, in the Bible college. They said, we're ready. We made a mistake. And Jesus paid for our sin. But now we get to pay, pay for what we did with our physical lives. And we're going to face it. We're going to tell those people we're sorry for what we did. And we're going to face death with joy. Those men had more peace than anybody I've ever met. It's possible. It's possible on death row to have more peace than people outside. Isn't that crazy? God is a God of the impossible. Can you say amen? All I want to do today is stir you up to think about what might be possible in your life." [01:20:01] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "It's possible for you to live free from any curse of the law. You say, what's the curse of the law? Look it up. Write this down if you're a note taker. Deuteronomy 28, 15 to 68 is the curse of the law. When you read through those things, and they're horrible. I mean, if you ever want to get depressed, just read it. But Deuteronomy 28, verses 15 to 68 shows me what I don't have to put up with as a believer. I don't have to have children and lose them to the world. I don't have to have a wife and my best friend sleep with them. It's in there. I'm redeemed from the curse. Poverty, sickness, and death. Here's some more. It's possible to receive everything Jesus did in redemption. Forgiveness of sins. Total deliverance from demonic power. Not only from sin's penalty, but from sin's power. I don't have to give in to temptation anymore. Sin's power is broken." [01:24:38] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "It's possible to live in this world, but live above it. You know what I'm finding out now? People in church vexed by evil. Vexed by evil. You know, that's a plot of the enemy to vex your spirit over the evil that's in this world. The Bible says Lot, listen. 1 Peter said Lot was a righteous man. He was a righteous man who was vexed because of the behavior of the people he lived around. Now, listen. It's interesting that the Bible calls him righteous, but that dude was ineffective. He was not affecting anybody around him. Not only he had a crazy idea of throwing his daughter out in the street and letting the men do with her what they wanted. How crazy is that? And then he couldn't motivate his family to get busy enough to get out of Sodom. That means he couldn't motivate his family to get out of Sodom. That means he had no influence over his own family. The angel had to grab him and drag him out. He was vexed. He had become ineffective. And let me just say, you know, in love, as much as I can say, sometimes people, they go so deep into politics, they stay vexed. If you stay watching news all day long, you're probably going to stay vexed. But you need to. You need to put your nose more in the Bible than you do whatever news outlet you're watching because they're not selling any good news." [01:26:55] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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