Having Strong Faith | Part 2

What is the first step in having a strong faith, listen closely to Adrian Rogers Morello churches are to advertise signs and miracles and wonders that advertisement about Jesus did it ever.step number one and having a strong faith number one is to hear the word of God, not signs, not one is not ecstasies, not suppose a miracle. Faith is listening. Faith is taking God's word. The word of God welcome to month worth finding found truth of the gospel presented in the practical teachings Adrian Rogers part one of today's message. We learned that in the kingdom of heaven. Faith is the medium of exchange. Whatever we received from God is according to our faith, which is why it's important to strengthen our relationship with.

There are four steps in developing a strong faith.

If you have your Bible turn to John chapter 4 begin in verse 46 as Adrian Rogers shares more about having strong faith from the word of God, a story about a man who came to Jesus in this manner. I would call it a superficial faith even worse are superstitious faith went from superstitious faith strong faith saving faith and that's what I want us to see today and I hope that you today will grow in faith. Now this man had a problem that was a son that was sick as no woman wanted Jesus to heal his son and the dark soil of that problem was the soil in which the seed of faith would grow but won't strong faith. Do you really would you like to really believe God, and please God. The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God, no matter what else to do. I don't care how beautiful you saying how sacrificial you give circumspectly the wall.

How faithful you serve. If you're not believing God do not pleasing God without faith it is impossible to please God and the greater your faith, the greater glory God gets the more pleased he is with it and by faith man gives God pleasure and by faith God gives man treasure real treasure. So let's see here. Something about a strong faith begin reading with me and chapter 4 verse 46 so Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And it was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum when he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went on to him and besought him that he would come down and heal his son for he that is, the sun was at the point of day.

Then said Jesus unto him, except PC signs and one is he will not believe that Jesus is not giving that just simply as a statement of fact, he was giving that as a rebuke to this man Jesus is rebuking this man who was looking for signs and wonders. The nobleman set on him, sir, come down ere my child I Jesus said on him, go thy way by son liveth. And the man believed the word metronome. I'm actually here, Bible doing the scar that the scroll that handyman believe her. Now are you ready to have a strong faith, what you really like to have a strong faith. Would you like to be able to believe God and lay believing handle the promises of God. Let me lay three things on your heart. First of all what I want to call the problem a superstitious faith or if you'd rather problem of a superficial faith makes no difference how you say it at first. When this man first met Jesus. His faith was almost nonexistent.

Look again in verse 48 go back and look at it then said Jesus unto him, except PC signs and wonders, you will not believe this man that was based on signs and wonders. Evidently his motto was saying is believing you would be amazed how many people today want signs and wonders. They want visions they want emotions they won't dreams. They won't deliver shivers and icicles going up and down the spine of angels playing tic-tac-toe on the ribs. They want something so they can say I know I'm not Israel now lives a now I've touched.

Now smell. Now I have heard and now I know it is real old daily assign God to me to wonder about Jesus did perform miracles, no S&M butts about that and why did he do it. Why did Jesus give signs and wonders well.

He did that authenticate his ministry, but the miracle was not for the miracle site, the miracle was that you might believe on Jesus and have eternal life. Not that you might seek a miracle but a Messiah, not a sign but a Savior that is also clear that the apostles did signs and wonders. Some people think that will be signs and wonders because they were done in the New Testament, but these were the signs and wonders done by the apostles put this verse down second Corinthians 12 verse 12 truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patients in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Now the apostle Paul had power to do miracle signs and wonders, and mighty deeds. And God authenticated the ministry of the apostles with signs and wonders. Hebrews chapter 2 verse four for that verse down God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. According to his own will that they did not have the power to signs and wonders, according their own will, but God took the apostles and because they were apostles and they were setting the foundation of our faith.

God authenticated a ministry with signs and wonders, but folks that is not the program for the whole age God has given us something better than signs and wonders and I want to show that the lesson what is wrong with demanding assign what is wrong with what this man first did when Jesus rebuked him and said except PC signs and wonders, you will not believe modified Jesus said an evil and adulterous generation seeks assign a boy that's pretty strong and evil and adulterous generation seeks assign Eliza so bad. First of all is dishonoring to God. Why is dishonoring to God for you to say, God give me a sign give me wonder so I can lean I will something I can see I wasn't back in touch.

I was of the active case that was something I can smell just give me your word in the Bible says he believe that God has made him a liar liar seeking signs and wonders dangerous number one it dishonors God number two. It can be deceiving to you.

It can be very very deceiving signs and wonders can easily perceive the Bible says if it were possible Satan would deceive the very handle it. You had some wonderworker some miracle worker. Some sign give her some soothsayer some emissary from Satan deceive you, and you go falling off after something else because of some sign in some wonder Jesus at an adulterous and sinful generation seeks after a sign it is dishonoring to God, and it may be very deceptive demand.

Now let's move as I want not only the problem of superficial faith, superstitious faith, but notice the progression of strong fight. I want you to see how this man moved from a weak faith to a very strong solid substantive fate and I would give the steps because their progressive steps here. He moves from signs and wonders to the word and that let me give you a step step number one he heard the word of God.

Look, if you will, in verse 50.

And so Jesus saved him him go thy way, thy son liveth. And the man believed the word number one. He heard the word of God limiting what faith is. Faith is not naming it and claiming faith is not receiving from God what you want. Faith is accepting from God what he gifts hear the word of God. Notice this man. He's a nobleman he's trying to tell Jesus what to do but no one say that to him so calm down. That is, you come with me, on Lord, I would it take you to Capernaum Meadows verse 50 Jesus saved on him, go thy way cases come Jesus as you go, you go here to tell me what to do here to demand me command me to take care of me to listen to me to get a word from me Romans 10 verse 14 says that is how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believe and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher and then Romans 10 verse 17 so then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Now folks, if you want strong faith you got to hear the word of God what faith is.

Listen to me, faith is taking God at his word that sink in faith is taking God at his word, the man believed the word Jesus said to him, and he heard Jesus habitats is very important that he would have faith.

Number one, you must know what God said and if you want others to have faith. You must tell them what God is said and that's the reason Paul said, how can they hear without a preacher, well I churches are who advertise signs and miracles and wonders that advertising no doing. Jesus did amended advertising the word of God. Step number one and having a strong faith number one is to hear the word of God. Number two is to believe the word of God. Now look at verse 50 and the man believed the word you see that Jesus is a name, go thy way, thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that step number two in faith is not enough to hear the word of God. You can sit here and listen to me preach this company. Only the Lord God, you have faith you have to believe the word of God.

20 Savior and I can't believe that's my problem.

I just can't believe back to you sir matter you Mdm. that you can believe if you want to. Bible says he that believe not, God has made them a while why you say I have intellectual problems.

No you don't. You have intellectual problems. Your problem is not intellectual, it is moral. Your problem is not in your head is in your heart is a line of some intellectuals and only the Bible will I know some intellectuals of the Solano some foolish people who believe the Bible. I know some foolish people don't what we believe is not contrary to reason. It goes beyond reason. Faith is a gift of God and a person wants to believe God will enable that person to believe and never say to God.

God, it is not my fault if I don't believe the Bible says whatsoever is not of faith is sin is a faith is not saying signs and wonders, your faith is.

Faith is a response to the character of God.

That's why when Jesus came this. He laid aside all the glory to splendor the majesty that he had that was inherently his own. He kept his deity and in human flesh and walked in sandaled feet, and we saw him is no formula, and is no beauty that we should desire him and come and am a Jew chariot in the display of glory. He came to the portals of the virgin's womb born in a smelly stable I worked in the carpenter shop but yet that was in Jesus Christ the grace the glory of the fullness of God that when a man's heart was right. He heard Jesus he know that Jesus is speaking with authority and his heart. Response to him listen when your heart is right. Your heart will respond to the word of God in faith. Just like my eye response to light when my eyes right in my ear response. The sound when my ears is right. Your heart will respond to God when your heart is right and that heart respond is faith is not God does miracles know when God speaks speaks to his word. There's something in you that says that is true. The Holy Spirit of God whispers a man to your heart, and he well imparted to your heart, you must hear the word of God. Number two, you must believe the word of God.

Jesus saith unto him, and then it says and the man believed the word of God, that you not there yet is the third step.

Not only must you hear the word of God. Not only must you believe the word of God, you must obey the word of God again on verse 50. Look at it Jesus as on him, go thy way. I watch this and the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken on him and he went his way. He went his way and then as he was now going down in support. He does exactly what Jesus tells him to. This is what the Bible calls the obedience of faith in Romans 16 verse 26 no real faith is real faith is belief with lights on real faith dome is that it is belief with legs on. James told us in James chapter 2 verse 26 for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. You live strong faith. If you do not obey the word of God.

You hear the word of God you believe the word of God and then you obey the Lord God had this man still had his superficial superstitious fate, he would've still been there, begging Jesus + a wonder.

But no, just leave it with Jesus. The does exactly what Jesus tells them to do and he believes the word of God. Now I want to know something very interesting. Now concerning faith after he believes the word of God hears the fourth and final step, which shows he has a strong faith he is resting in the word of God. Look, if you will. Now in verse 51 and as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him say by son liveth, then inquired he of them the hour in which he began to amend. I don't miss this and he says under them yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew it was at the same hour in the which Jesus faith in him by son liveth. Now the point is this. It has been 24 hours 24 hours when they just signed it well when my son did well yesterday at what time.

Well, that about one in the afternoon and immense it will last just when I was talking to Jesus. That's just when Jesus said to me, go thy way, thy son lives. I would ask your question. If you have a son that was 70 miles away and Jesus and said July way, thy son lives. What would you have done it went straight home. Most of straight home want to say the say about this, about 70 miles he had been there five or eight hours by foot. Even there two hours by charities, a nobleman, he certainly would be on his feet, but 24 hours a pass 24 hours a past that he's not going home yet. Tell me one.

I really don't know. Maybe so tired that he's been sitting up my sons bedside all this time and his sons at the point of death.

Now Jesus says your son is alive. This is fine thank you. He is resting and what our Lord has done and it is what I will call the rest of faith, here's a Scripture that I copied out for you.

Psalm 37 verses five through seven. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth our righteousness is the light and thy judgment as the noonday rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. That is not demanding proof is not even hot footing at home to see if it has happened the rest of faith is the mark of Rio faith of real faith. He says you don't bring forth your righteousness as the noonday bill thought about that. The Lord says you just rest of me is just like the sun coming up the friend you can hurry the sunrise but you can't stop and you can hurry God and you can stop in the Bible says either believes in him shall not make haste. And here's this man he's just gone from a superficial faith to a strong faith. He hears the word of God.

He believes word of God. He obeys the Lord God he rest in the word of God and if you learn how to know that you listen to past now you're going to be blown about you can be stampeded by all kinds of things you get a bulldog grip on the word of God and only trying to live my emotions and feelings and visions and dreams signs and wonders they had. The purpose now if I get sick or I have a love when the sake can I pray and ask God to heal that level. Of course, of course. And does God heal and answer the prayer of cool good idea sign in wonder calls but is not something that causes me to believe in him. God doesn't always heal the sick, I come to him and I asked him and and I thank God that he heals and I believe he is heal me. Is it wrong to go to a doctor, not at all. Jesus said in Matthew nine verse 12 they that whole don't need a doctor but they that are sick ways A's talk about spiritual things generally use the truth to illustrate spiritual things with a window straight spiritual things will I so want you to get sick to pray and then you go to the doctor and do what the doctor tells you to do that. Here's the last thing I we really got her here. I want you to see now the provision of saving faith we talk a superficial faith strong faith and not moves to saving faith.

Look in verse 53 so the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said in him by son liveth, and himself believed, and his whole house but wait a minute I thought already believe.

Well know this is a different kind is moving up another notch. The man believes now not in the miracle worker, but in a Messiah. This time the man is born again, he believes in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Can you imagine them getting home. What a time of rejoicing. That must've been as they hug. He sees his son is well and so forth. And in this man's is no way my limitation imitated by Jesus levitate about the Messiah and they come to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because that's what the gospel John is written about these things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing you might have life through his name Jesus did not come as a healer.

Jesus came as a Savior. Luke 1910, Jesus said the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost and so even heal everybody PA went the pool of Bethesda.

There were many sick people that he just heal one as we go see in another chapter know all of these are miracles that point to the greater miracle, which is the new birth, I wrote a book called believe in miracles, but trust in Jesus. Trust in Jesus.

Don't put your faith in miracles. The only reason for signs and miracles and wonders are to trust in Jesus now suppose this boy had gotten. He and he never got say think about.

Suppose he got healed and never got say then he live a few more years and I'm go to hell this you hear the word of God you believe the word of God. You obey the word of God and you rest in the word of God. Don't be looking for some sign someone to some miracle is going to get you out me tell you something.

Jesus is the Savior he suffered live bled and died for you rose from the dead and if you trust him.

I promise you, according to his word, he will save you and he will keep you and one day will be gathered around the throne to give him praise for ever and ever and ever believe in miracles, but trust in Jesus and you go from a superficial plate to a strong faith saving faith is what matters. Father God I pray today in the name of Jesus that many will give the hearts to Christ and be saved you want to be saved.

Only God to the prayer I want to pray this prayer dear God just prayed.

I'm a sinner I'm lost my sin deserves judgment, but I need mercy I repent of my sin. I'm sorry for my sin I returned from my sin, Lord Jesus.

I open my heart I receive you now as my Lord and my Savior. Forgive my sin cleanse me and save me right now. I don't ask for failing. I don't look for signs. I believe your word I stand on your I trust you to save me. Thank you for doing it. Lord Jesus, now Lord, I will obey your word and make it public. I will not be ashamed of you. A man if you prayed to receive Jesus Christ just now, let us celebrate with you good or discovered Jesus page on our website to find answers there. You may need about your newfound faith never response section as well. You can share your testimony with us, or how this message is made a difference in your life go to LWF.org/radio and click the tab that says Discover Jesus, God bless you and welcome to the forever family of God, let us hear from you today if you like to order a copy of today's message.

Call us at 1877 love God and mentioned the title.

Having strong faith this message is also part of the insightful series, the Bible, the book of the ages. If you'd like that complete collection all 12 powerful messages: 1877 love God or you can order online it LWF.org/radio or write us at love worth finding box 38, 600 Memphis, TN 38183 if you want to strengthen your faith get a good grip on the word of God. Don't look to the miracles, but to the Messiah do not follow the signs saying we hope will join us next time.

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