April 29, 2012 – Pastor Tim – “We All Have Baggage” – Click to download
The first step toward appropriating the promises of God is the same as the first step toward salvation, healing, or any other blessing that God promises; that is, for the person in need to know what the Bible clearly teaches, that it is God’s will to bless them. Each individual person must be convinced by the Word of God that his or her promise or deliverance is the will of God; for it is impossible to have real faith for the promises of God as long as there is the slightest doubt as to its being God’s will.
It is impossible to boldly claim by faith a blessing or promise which we are not certain that God offers, because the power of God can be claimed only where the will of God is known.
Faith begins where the will of God is known. Faith must rest on the will of God alone, not on our desires or wishes.
God’s way of saving the soul, of healing the body, and of the doing everything else He wants to do, is to send His Word—His Promise—and then keep the promise wherever it produces faith.
The second step to be sure we are right with God is 1 John 1:9. As believers, admission of our sin does not alter our position before God, but it does enhance our peace with God. Our relationship won’t be altered, but the intimacy will. Because God has always loved us and always will.
Confession does not create a relationship with God, it simply nourishes it.
Faith is the union of our hearts and wills with God’s will and purpose; and where this unity is lacking results are impossible.
Faith always implies obedience.
Therefore, before seeking anything from God we should yield ourselves to the “first and great commandment.”
Step Three: We will now endeavor to make plain how to appropriate God’s promises. Getting things from God is like playing checkers, when, after one person moves, he has nothing to do until the other player moves. Each man moves in his own turn. So, when God has provided healing, or any other blessing, and sent us His Word, it is our move before He will move again. Our move is to expect what He promises when we pray, which will cause us to act our faith before we see the promise fulfilled.
God never moves out of His turn, but He always moves when it is His turn.
Fallen nature is governed by what it sees, by its senses, but faith is governed by the pure Word of God, and nothing less than expecting God to do what He promises.
Even when we do act our faith, symptoms do not always disappear instantly. After Hezekiah was healed, it was three days before he was strong enough to go up to the House of the Lord. (Hang in there—believe the promise.)
Faith therefore, is being so convinced of the absolute truth of the declarations of God which are recorded in the Bible that we act on them.
This week’s scripture references (all verses quoted in New King James Version unless noted):
– Matthew 11:28
– James 1:6-8
– Romans 10:10
– Romans 10:14
– 1 Thessalonians 2:13
– Proverbs 4:22
– Romans 10:17
– 1 John 1:9
– Mark 1:15
– Psalm 37:4
– Exodus 15:26
– Deuteronomy 7:15a
– Psalm 32:1 (GNT)
– Proverbs 3:7-8
– Ephesians 6:3
– Psalm 84:11
– Mark 12:30
– Psalm 91:14
– Mark 11:24
– Mark 10:27
– James 5:14-15
– Hebrews 11:1
– Psalm 119:89
– James 2:18
– Matthew 11:28
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