Stretch

-
Mark 3:1-6
Jesus's first words to the man with the crippled hand were: "Step forward".  This means to "Arise into the midst".  Jesus next told him to "Stretch out your hand." If he wanted wholeness his first step was to take a step- forward.The man was used to the crippled hand- he had gotten used to it, had adapted to it. Between "Step forward"  and "Stretch out your hand"- there was a battle raging in the man's mind. The battle between these two statements was in his mind. He had to make the decision of what he was going to do- step forward and receive Christ's healing, or go on like he had in the past. His faith was being tested and stretched.

God wants to stretch our faith. We say we want revival-- God says "Step forward" and "stretch forth". We have to win the battle in our minds. We have to believe that God is going to do what He says He is going to do. Our minds become our biggest obstacle to what God wants to do in and through us. We must conquer all the thoughts, fears, statements and reasonings that go on in our minds. The battle is won in our mind first.

Luke 9:37-43a
A young boy was being tormented by an evil spirit but the disciples were not able to cast out the spirit. Jesus answered: "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." He was speaking to a group of unbelieving people. They were not allowing their faith to be tested and stretched. Anyone who has gone through some form of physical therapy have probably used the long rubber bands to stretch their muscles. After awhile, especially if the rubber bands have not been used, they lose their flexibility. They dry rot. You go to stretch them and they fall apart in your hands.  It is the same with us. Some of us have a faith that is dry rotted from not being stretched.

Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus and his disciples got into a boat. A bad storm came up suddenly and the boat was filled with water. But Jesus was asleep. The disciples had to wake Him up. He asked them: "Why are you so fearful,  you of little faith?" This little faith means a faith that lacks confidence, it is underdeveloped. It is a faith that hasn't been tested and stretched. Like those dry rotted rubber bands, their faith just fell apart. Jesus expected them to take care of the situation, but instead they became fearful. They weren't allowing their faith to be stretched.

God brings many tests and trials into our lives. They are not meant to destroy or discourage us. They are meant to stretch our faith. Remember- the battle begins and ends in our minds. The space between stepping forward  and using our faith to believe is as big or little as the battle inside of us. Sometimes we must put reasoning and rationalization aside- and stretch our faith and believe that what God has said- that He will do. Stretch your faith today. Let it be stretched out like those rubber bands- and let it accomplish its purpose.

(Taken from Pastor Keith's sermon 8/19/2012

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Identity

-
Image
(Taken from Sis.Suzanne Parsons' message- 1/28/2015) Luke 6: 43-45 43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."   In some ways the Church has lost its identity. It seems that we blend in more with the world than we are  separate from it. Years ago many in the Church held on to a strictness in outer appearance, for instance. They stood up against the world in their convictions. Yes, many became harsh and judgmental in this attitude but through the years, the Lord has shown many that it isn't in outward appearance that determines a holy life, but it is our life itself- our actions
Read more

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?

-
1 Samuel 15:13-16 In this text Saul is confronted by the prophet Samuel because Saul didn't obey the command to totally destroy the Amalekites. The  spoil was considered a sacrifice to God. But Saul didn't do that. Instead he spared King Agag, the best of the sheep, oxen, lambs and all that was good. ( Verse9 ). When Samuel confronted him on his disobedience (even while the sheep were bleating and the oxen were lowing)-- Saul denies that he has done anything wrong. What have I done wrong? Instead in verse 13 he makes a statement --"I have performed the commandment of the Lord". It is as if he is saying- Look at me--- I've done a good job! I did what the Lord asked me to do! Aren't I great! Later, Saul gives various excuses as to why he did what he did (or better said- didn't do what he should have done).   Samuel looks at him and says "Be quiet!". When God confronts us on issues that are not pleasing to Him, I can imagine Him looking at
Read more

THE HARVEST

-
Matthew 9:37-39: "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"     God has set individual Christians and churches in specific fields. Harvest will come but we must be obedient to the Lord and allow Him to prepare us for the harvest. We can not wait until harvest time and them make sure everything is good to go. No, we must prepare now for time will be short when it is time to harvest.   We must allow God to do the work in us so that His light will shine out from us. Then others will be attracted to that light. Are there people in your pathway that seem to bother you? They may be a nuisance to you or obnoxious or just difficult to get along with. These very people may be part of that harvest to come and we must show them God's love now. As we do this, we are "cultivating" the field for the harvest. Our neighbors, co-work
Read more