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WHAT WE BELIEVE DETERMINES WHAT WE SEE FEBRUARY 4, 2007
INTRODUCTION Glass half full or half empty? Sometimes the hardest thing to have faith in concerning vision is that God has one for us (well, it’s just another empty exercise, nothing will really happen… we’re too small… we don’t have this or that or them…)
Read Hebrews 11:1- 12:3a. While we read this, I want you to think of all those things that are challenging your faith to believe that God is going to do anything with us at Whitepine. I want you to take all of those obstacles, fear of the unknown, fear of what it may and will cost each of us to go ahead- I want you to let the word of God speak into your heart and mind concerning these things and more. Listen.
OBSTACLES An old woman bearing a child… An entire sea parting so you can walk on dry land…
Faith to believe & see the impossible
What obstacles/barriers do you see to a growing vision here at Whitepine?
THE COSTS Abraham willing to give up his son, believing that somehow he wouldn’t really lose him… Moses choosing to be mistreated as a Hebrew rather than honored as Egyptian royalty… (read 11:26)
What are you afraid it will cost you to pursue & be faithful to God’s vision?
THE UNKNOWN Building an ark to save creatures from the flood, when it had never before rained on the earth… Leaving your homeland to go to a place God hasn’t named yet…
Blessed are those who have not seen and still believe
Can you articulate a fear of the unknown for you?
Hebrews text; God’s HS power; God’s revelation & anointing. Emphasis on faith in following vision. If I don’t believe something could happen, I can’t see it happening (can’t envision it).
‘Faith to move mountains’ text? This isn’t about the power of positive thinking (where the power of my belief makes something happen)- rather it is my faith in God that allows me to see what He can and wants to do.
1- Is God a god who desires what is best for us? 2- What IS best for us? To know and do the will of God 3- Is God a god with limitations? What would be too big for Him to do? 4- Where does faith come in? 5- where does it come from?
Role of the Word- knowing it & believing it
WRAP UP… LEADING INTO THE LORD’S SUPPER
Sacrifice of Jesus proves He has something in store… and that it was worth dying for.
His resurrection proved that it could happen- if Jesus can defeat the power of death and sin and hell, is there anything else that could beat him?
How did death & resurrection of Jesus affect his followers? What was the test of faith (that he would died and return)? How did Jesus prove himself? What was the result of faith? .
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