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WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN YOUR FAITH FIZZLES? Introduction:
God commends faithfulness, the exercise of faith, but condemns
faithlessness (Heb 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him." There are three things about
faithlessness in this passage I would like to focus on. How does God
respond when your faith fizzles? I. FAITHLESSNESS DELIGHTS
THE DEVIL (VV.37-40) A. Demonic Victory (vv.37-39) This man “cried out” because he was in trouble. His son has no control over himself. This man is not concerned with the crowd, but with Jesus helping his son! (Illus: if you let the crowd control your faith, you’re in trouble; if you let the crowd intimidate your worship, you’re in trouble!) You don’t have to please the crowd! (Illus: demon possession; drugs, alcohol, etc. – there is a spiritual root to it and the devil is after out young people). How do you overcome? Come to Jesus! B. Defeated Christians (v.40) “They could not” Now I know why the Lord left these behind; somewhere along the way their faith had fizzled. Faith is something that you have to nurture. You need to fuel that faith; you need to feed your faith. (Illus: that’s why there is some music that I can’t listen to; some TV shows and movies that I can’t watch etc. They’ll diminish my faith). I need something that fuels and feeds my faith! I need the Word of God in me! (Rom.10:17). Christian friend, you need to be ready with the ministry of Jesus when called upon and you cannot help others in Jesus Name if your faith has fizzled. (Illus: the devil is not afraid of religious people who speak religious words; but he trembles when the soundly saved steps forward in faith speaking the Word of God with a life that backs it up!) II. FAITHLESSNESS DISPLEASES
THE LORD (VV.41-42)
A.
Frustration
Endured Jesus was frustrated in His humanity. “Faithless” = without faith; not believing. “Perverse” = to be twisted, to turn aside; to be distorted. It’s as though Jesus lifts His eyes and says, “You know what’s wrong with you disciples (My Church), instead of you affecting them out there, they’ve affected you!” The world’s thinking is all fouled up and distorted and instead of you holding the course and being a dynamic force for God and right, you have simply become a mirror that reflects the culture of your day!
B.
Faith Demonstrated Jesus shows them how faith works calmly and deliberately. III. FAITHLESSNESS DISABLES
THE CHRISTIAN (VV.43-45) A. Spiritual Performance Hadn’t Jesus already given them the authority to do the things that he did? We are to do the things that Jesus did! That takes power and the only way to exercise His power is to have an undiluted child-like, tuff faith in a Holy God and the Word He has inspired and given us and placed in our hand! Faith; I can’t preach without faith; I can’t win anyone to faith in Christ without faith; you can’t teach without faith; you can’t control your temper without faith; beloved, you cannot do anything for God without FAITH! B. Spiritual Perception You cannot understand God or what He’s doing without faith. (Illus: how many are in churches today and just don’t get it…blessing can be falling all around and some don’t get it, why? No faith). Conclusion: Faith pleases God. Lost friend, have you placed your faith in Jesus as Savior? Christian, are you feeding your faith? Is your faith flaming for our Lord or has your faith fizzled?
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