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PREAMBLE :
What indeed is faith? In the book of Hebrews 11 : 1, 6 , faith is described as follows :
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
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.” (Hebrews 11:1,6).
Faith creates in us hope and to believe in things, which could be impossible to believe, and to agree that such things are possible and will come to pass. Faith makes us to believe that there is God and that He is a rewarder of them that put their confidence in Him. This faith must be tested. The test could come in many ways, not only by tribulation, as it is thought to be, but our righteous living could be challenged by principalities and powers or by the act of God.
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THE MESSAGE OF THE MOMENT :
Bible teachings to drive this message will be given thus:
Some lawyer asked Jesus to tell him, “who was his neighbour?” And Jesus answered by illustrating the parable of the good samaritan. Read Luke 10:30-37. A man on a journey fell among thieves who beat him, stripped him and took his possessions and left him half dead. A priest came by, looked that way and took another direction. A Levite came by and saw him and took another direction , but a Samaritan came by looked that way and had compassion and took him to an inn after making provision. And Jesus asked :
“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:36-37).
The priest is believed to be one who stands in the presence of God to intercede for the people, the Levites are people set aside for God’s work. They were expected to demonstrate faith on this neighbour on the high way. But both of them failed. A Samaritan who could be called a sinner in the concept of the Jews expressed love.
And I say to us in this message that we must never allow unbelievers to teach us righteousness.
James admonished us thus :
“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:15-17).
We must show our faith by our work. Faith without work is dead.
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).
The Words For Us Today:
- We must support those in need as an act of faith.
- We must appreciate God’s work like the
Samaritan leper. Jesus asked:
“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” (Luke 17: 16-18).
- Make Thanksgiving an act of faith.
Sometimes some believers swallow thanks due to God. Moses was asked to speak to the rock, but he struck the rock as if it was through his power that water came out of the rock. When we declare a thanksgiving service, we are openly letting people to know what God is doing for us as part of His world agenda. But if we do not do so, we are like saying ” it is my power that got me this wealth or other depending on the issue at hand.
- Can God count on us?
Support the cause of God as an act of faith.
Jesus spoke about works done in faith in the following passage. This is a long passage indeed, but read it faithfully.
Reading from Matthew Chapter 25 :
25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him,saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew (Matthew 25 :36-40).
MY COMMENT ON THIS:
(i) A pastor is living in your vicinity, who you know full well is in desperate need and you make a mockery of him and describe his worn out shoes, you are equally describing Jesus by your actions or words.
(ii) A mission project is suffering in your church and you are busy telling the world that the church is engaging in projects beyond its ability, note that you are equally talking to Jesus. Living faith will not say “go in peace, but will give you what to go with”. There are times the suffering man is not asking for your prayers, he is like the man at the beautiful gate who needed healing not just money, but never knew that.. Why pray for me when I need the food infront of you? There are times when our presence is the answer and not our prayers. God sends us sometimes as an answered prayers, but we might ignore it and do what we want.
(iii) Some do not participate in community projects, which are for common good. They will in their stingy attitude categorize it as the work of the heathens.
The work we do in the name of God in the community is the evidence of our faith. And Jesus said :
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20).
Our faith must be tested. May God help us to live right.
Miracle Valley Messages .
REV. PROF. P C NNAOCHA
WEBSITE: www.mvgmng.org
April 2018. outreach.mvgm@yahoo.com. 08037179735
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