Ever increasing faith

By Pastor Enoch Adeboye   |   24 April 2016   |   1:51 am

Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:6 -… without faith it is impossible to please Him (God) he who comes to GOD…must believe…He is and… a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Bible Passage: Hebrews 11:1-16

Introduction: Faith is the firm, unshakable and unquestionable belief in the efficacy, ability, claims or power of someone or something. It transcends reason, intellect or circumstances. It is the main pillar of every religion and governs the conduct of men. The bible describes it as the substance of hope and evidence of the unseen, Heb. 11:1. And it is very powerful. Everyone, even the atheist has to believe in someone or something. Without faith, the world as we know it is impossible. In the Christian race, faith has levels, from as small as a mustard seed to a robust mountain moving faith.

Obtaining Faith

Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Faith is built by hearing and obeying. We also need to read, study and listen to the written Word, testimonies and meditate on them. Faith comes, when we remember the things that God has done for us in the past and we share our testimonies, 1 Sam.17: 37. We can also receive the gift of faith by seeking and asking God, Lk.17: 5; Rom.12: 3; Eph.4: 7; 1 Cor.12: 7, 9, 11; Heb.12: 2; Acts 8:12; Rom.10: 14-17; Jn.20: 31; 2 Tim.3: 15.

Increasing Faith

An alive and living faith will be active, and like all living things, should not remain stagnant. Growth is the surest evidence of life. Deep study of scripture leads to deep revelation, as the deep calls to the deep. We must also pray persistently for a closer walk and more faith. Purity and holiness are required for a greater degree of intimacy and trust. We must also be prepared to confess and demonstrate our faith always and everywhere. Finally, we must separate ourselves from agents of fear and doubt. Ps.119: 18; Heb.11: 13; 1 Thess.5: 17; Lk.18: 1; Jam.1: 21-22; Jam.2: 17-18; Gal.2: 20; 1 Jn.2: 15; Jam.4: 4; Rom.8: 35-39.

Conclusion

Doubt, unbelief, fear, anxiety and other negative emotions are more dangerous than we realise and can be a major obstacle to the full attainment of God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Doubters are damned. Fear torments and destroys. Faith resurrects and brings back to life. If a professing Christian does not believe the resurrection of Lazarus after four days in John 11 or the resurrection of Christ on the third day, then all his “faith” is vain and he is worse than an unbeliever, 1 Cor 15:16-17. This will not be our lot in the mighty name of Jesus.

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False prophets 2

By Pastor Enoch Adeboye   |   17 April 2016   |   2:18 am

Memorise Colossians 2:8 – Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 13:1-30
Introduction: Last week, we looked at true prophets and teachers and the operation of the false versions in the body of Christ. Today, we will have a look at the dire consequences of such false operations. “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high standing nonsense that come from human thinking…and the spiritual powers of this word, rather than from Christ” Col 2:8 NLT.
Consequences
We need to be extremely careful, as even the chosen believers are at risk of being deceived, as the Lord Jesus Christ warned. This is why those who are cock sure of their standing in Christ should be vigilant. Perhaps a little self- examination from time to time is expedient. On the other hand, these liars often confuse and capture the innocent, ignorant and weak. Believers could be turned against each other and others who had been freed by Christ could be lured back into bondage. Matt.24: 11; Jer. 27:15; 1 Kgs. 13:1-30; 2 Pt.2: 1-3; Acts 20:28-30; Gal.5: 1; Col.2: 8.
Judgment
The false teachers and prophets are enemies of the Cross of Christ. God will disinherit and destroy them. They are living under a curse. Eze. 13:9; Jer. 14:15; Jer. 23:21-40; 1 Jn. 2:26-27. God Himself said He would lift His hands against all prophets, who see false visions and tell lies. They will be banished from the comity of the nation of Israel and their names will be blocked and they will never set foot on their land….
Conclusion
A genuine follower of Christ, who is not carefully watching may fall victim to these wolves. We need to collectively watch and pray. At the very beginning of the ministry of our Lord Jesus, Satan sought to distract Him by misquoting the Bible and making subtle changes to both the text and the context. He came, when Jesus was thought to be particularly vulnerable after forty days and nights fasting. Jesus responded with the right text and true meaning of every distorted scripture and Satan retreated. But only for a while. He came back again and again. And failed again and again. The Lord will give you victory over the wiles of the arch enemy of man and the dark prince of this world at all time in the mighty name of Jesus.