DISCIPLESHIP
The Power of Faith
By Christy Wimber
The Vineyard Churches
CBN.com
– How important is faith? It takes faith to even believe in Christ; it takes faith to believe that what God says is always right and true; and it takes faith to trust and walk in that each and every day. However, if you’re faith doesn’t continue to grow in your relationship with Christ, you won’t have the faith to see God’s Kingdom come not only in your life, but in the lives of those around you.
Whatever faith you have inside of you will determine the outcome of the faith level you’ll have for God at work around you. If you don’t have faith for God to move, there’s a good chance you won’t be looking for anything to take place.
Do you realize that the message of your life; what you spend your time, money and energy on will scream how much faith [belief] you have put in Christ?
When we read all through the Gospels we see how Jesus loved and always responded to anyone that had faith. He loved it. He loved it when those placed their full trust in Him. (Matthew 8:5-13; Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 5:21-24; Luke 19:1-10).
Also, what’s so amazing is that Jesus said you don’t even need a lot of faith. Jesus in fact said that just a little amount can move mountains. In other words just a little faith can do amazing things in your life and in the lives of those around you. (Matthew 17:20; 1 Corinthians 13:2).
Jesus said our faith could be compared to a mustard seed. What’s interesting is that a mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. But it also is a seed. A seed is worth more when it continues to grow. You water and feed the seed of your faith by giving it nourishment. We get nourishment by reading Gods Word; worshipping; praying. All those things feed the seed of faith in your life. (Matthew 17:20).
Hebrews 4:16 speaks that we should have confidence; which actually means faith—to approach God’s throne of grace. Saying you believe is one thing.. Walking that out, day in & day out is another… Lets break it down…what faith is and why faith is so important.
Why Faith is Important
Without faith it’s impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Jesus is the object of our faith, reliance and hope.
Q: If the Bible says our faith comes from God; what does that say about us when we place faith in other things?
Faith is a gift, and gifts are imparted.
Since faith is a gift; just like all the other gifts - that means you cannot earn it. It’s a gift. It’s given to you; all you have to do is ask, and after you ask believe that it’s yours. It’s now time to walk in it.
We can also ask God for more faith.
Believing what God says to us is true; even if we don’t see it happen right away.
- Look at the lives of those that lived lives marked by faith in Hebrews 11.
The interesting theme in Hebrews 11 is found in the great stories of the amazing people that have gone before us is that these people believed in what God spoke to them, even though some didn’t see things come to pass in their lifetime. I’m sure they were disappointed or confused at times not seeing things come as they had thought; yet they had confidence in their God.
Q: When you don’t see things happen for you when you think they should, what response do you usually have? Do you still continue to go forward or do you start to question God?
Faith is a Verb
Being full of faith is one thing; However, It’s not just about saying you believe—its actually doing something to show how much you believe.
Most people don’t share Christ with others or step out to pray for them because they’re afraid to be embarrassed, afraid to be rejected. However if you want to see God move in the lives of the people around you; taking risks is a part of stepping out.
It’s important to remember; “What if no one shared Christ with you?”
Faith is spelled R.I.S.K. (John Wimber)
Having a strong faith in what Christ has done for you should be enough to compel you to share God with others. If you don’t share your faith in Christ, something isn’t right.
Think about the things you talk about. You usually talk about things that are most important to you. Who a person is eventually makes its way out of their mouth. You
talk about what you truly believe in. If you’re relationship with God is so important to you, and you understand that Christ himself has rescued you from hell, then of course you would want others around you to not only be saved, but to also experience and know Him as well.
Don’t think about the risk so much as the great opportunity you have too be a bridge for others to experience God almighty. Don’t think so much about what could go wrong; instead ask God to fill you with faith to share.
Don’t be one that wishes they had stepped out more.
Theodore Roosevelt
“It’s not the critic who counts; or the man who points how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena --who at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievements, and who at the worst, if he fails at least while daring greatly. His place will never be with those cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Q. How important do you think it is that we share our faith with others.
Jesus said: Matthew 10:32-33
Application:
Application:
- Read Acts 1:8 and write how you think this passage talks about how we share our faith.
Application:
Q. In what ways do we share our faith with others?
- The only Bible many people around you will read will be YOUR life.
- Your life story is the most powerful message you carry. What God has and is doing in your life.
- Matthew 5:16
Application:
How to Share Your Faith with Others
- First, explain God’s purpose & peace (Romans 5:1; John 3:16; John 10:10).
- Most people choose to be separate from God. They don’t have the peace & abundant life God’s planned for them. God created us in His own image to have abundant life, but He also gave us a free will- with freedom of choice. (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
- That means our attempts (good works, religion, philosophy, and morality) to reach God fail (Isaiah 59:2).
- The bridge to God is the cross (1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:8).
- Therefore, God has provided the only way. However each person still must make the decision themselves if they desire to receive Christ. Its each persons own individual responsibility as to whether or not the will say yes to Christ.
- We must trust Christ ourselves as our Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation (Revelation 3:20; John 1:12; Romans 10:9).
- Remember to talk with the person on a personal level. Again your story and what God has done in your life is very powerful. Also, it’s not about how ‘together’ you are now; it’s about how you know that in spite of your weakness’ you have met the One that can make all things new!
Learn more at CBN.com's Share Your Faith Feature
Personal Reflection
When was it that you first found faith in God?
What was your experience like? Was it a physical reaction when you first felt like you experienced or saw God for the first time? What did it feel like to you?
What was it that made you first believe?
Do you feel like your faith is often challenged?
If so, what emotions do you go through? Do you feel guilty for questioning what you believe?
What is the best way you have found to fight unbelief?
When you feel a lot of faith, why is that? Is it something you did, or something you prayed or did you just feel at times that you have a lot of faith for God to show up?
What did that feel like personally to you?
If faith is walked out means risk taking is a normal part of the Christian life do you find that you’re a person that loves to take risks in life? Why or why not?
Christy Wimber has been a part of the Vineyard Movement since it started. She worked at Vineyard Ministries International for several years until Vineyard Music was formed. She then served as the Director for Worship Conferences and Training at Vineyard Music until resigning in 2001. Christy has released several materials containing John Wimber's teachings and writings during his thirty-year ministry. In 2006 she released her first book titled, The Way In is the Way On as well as Everyone Gets to Play, released in 2008. Her two most recent book releases with Destiny Image Publishers are titled, Amazed by the Power of God, and Catching God’s Heart. She also released a DVD with Carol Wimber on the history of the Vineyard Movement titled, Back to our Roots.
She has a new book to be released in 2010.
Currently, she has a new website up that contains John Wimber teachings from the early days of the Vineyard until John’s passing: YorbaLindaVineyard.com.
Christy has spent the last several years setting up a ‘Wimber’ library at Regent University in Virginia, as well as one at Bethel Church in Redding, CA to be offered in the future.
Christy writes for “The Church Report” which is a Christian Newsletter that reaches over 170,000 weekly. She also works with CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) co-hosting the television show 700 Club Interactive as well as the web-based show Spiritual Gifts Webcast alongside Gordon Robertson.
For 21 years Christy has traveled around the world teaching on the Kingdom of God at various conferences and retreats. In 2006 Christy and her husband, Sean, began the Yorba Linda Vineyard church in which Christy is the Senior Pastor. She and Sean have been married for 20 years, and have two children, Camie Rose, 18 years, and John Richard II, 10 years. They reside in Yorba Linda, California.
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