🎵Music🎵
Gotta take that off.
Alright, so again, welcome to church service.
If you can please take your hymnals,
we have a special song leader,
first time song leader,
coming to help us out this afternoon.
So, Lockie has volunteered.
I didn't ask him, he volunteered. He came and said,
hey, I'd like to try the song lead.
So, let's invite Lockie to come up here
and let's get behind him.
Try to sing as loud as you can, help him,
support him as a song leader.
Let's see how you go, Lockie.
Let's get this on here.
Alright.
Everyone, open your hymns to 410.
Faith is the victory.
Way note, 411.
Hold the fort.
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Good singing everyone
Turn to 245
The old account was settled
Lord I pray that the sermon will be blessed with your soul
I pray that you will fill Kevin's spirit
Pastor Kevin's spirit with your spirit
I pray that everyone will understand the sermon
And just now pray
Amen
245 the old account was settled
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The only count was seven, was ten, ten, eighty-three.
My name was at the top, and many things below.
I went from two to fifty-five, and settled long and good.
Long ago, I got a heartache.
Long ago, I settled.
The only count was settled.
Long ago, I had a dream.
And the record's clear today.
All the voices feel great.
The only count was settled.
Long ago.
The only count was settled.
Long ago.
I was in the city, and never tried to pay.
But when I walked ahead,
I saw the dream come true.
I settled.
I settled long ago.
Long ago.
Down my knees, walking down the street.
The only count was settled.
Long ago.
I had a dream.
And the record's clear today.
All the voices feel great.
And the only count was settled.
Long ago.
I had a dream.
I'd be home.
My savior's on the path.
I'll sit here, just to sit here.
It's quite a snow, because I can't come settled.
The dream was long ago.
The only count was settled.
Long ago.
Down my knees.
Long ago.
I settled.
Long ago.
I had a dream.
And the record's clear today.
All the voices feel great.
And the only count was settled.
Long ago.
There's a little trust of God.
He cleans up all your sins.
But God's He has provided you.
When you're too late to rest,
you're late to sleep alone.
He's given up.
After you've been all afraid.
And the only count was settled.
Long ago.
Down my knees.
Long ago.
I settled.
Long ago.
I had a dream.
And the record's clear today.
All the voices feel great.
And the only count was settled.
Long ago.
And the record's clear today.
Long ago.
And I can read my title clear.
Excellent. Okay, Brother Callum's coming up to the reading.
2 Corinthians chapter 5.
Oh, I've got the mic here for you.
Yeah, great job, Lockie. Definitely better than my first attempt.
Alright, 2 Corinthians chapter 5.
For we know that if our earthly house
of this tabernacle were dissolved
we have a building of God and house not made with hands
eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan earnestly
desiring to be clothed upon with our house
which is from heaven.
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked
for we that are in this tabernacle
do groan being burdened
not for that we would be unclothed
but clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Now he that hath wrought us
for the selfsame thing as God
who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit
therefore we are always confident
knowing that whilst we are at home in the body
we are also absent from the Lord
for we walk by faith not by sight.
We are confident I say
and willing rather to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent
we may be accepted of him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ
that everyone may receive the things done in the body
according to that he hath done
whether it be good or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord
we persuade men but we are made manifest under God
and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
For we commend not ourselves again unto you
but give you occasion to glory on our behalf
that you may have somewhat to answer them
which glory in appearance and not in heart.
For whether we be beside ourselves it is to God
or whether we be sober it is for your cause
for the love of Christ constraineth us
because we thus judge
that if one died for all then we are all dead
and that he died for all that they which live
should not henceforth live unto themselves
but unto him which died for them and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh
yea though we have known Christ after the flesh
yet now henceforth know him no more
therefore if any man be in Christ
he is a new creature old things have passed away
behold all things have become new
and all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself
by Jesus Christ and have given to us
the ministry of reconciliation
to wit that God was in Christ
reconciling the world unto himself
not imputing their trespasses unto them
and have committed unto us the word of reconciliation
now then we are ambassadors for Christ
as though God did beseech you by us
we pray you in Christ's stead
be ye reconciled to God
for he hath made him to be sin for us
who knew no sin
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father God we thank you for this chapter in your word
it's a powerful chapter Lord
and I just pray for our pastor as he comes up and preaches
and expounds on this Lord
that we be attentive
be with us fill us with your Holy Ghost
and fill him with your Holy Ghost
so that we all may be edified by the sermon in Jesus name. Amen.
Amen. Thank you brother.
Alright before I get into the sermon
I just want to
just a few quick announcements.
Number one
just a reminder
I mentioned this on Wednesday
so probably Tuesday
I'm going to make an effort to come here
and we're just going to get rid of a lot of clutter
a lot of stuff here
I'm going to change the flooring
in the baby mother's room as well
it has a foul stench in there
so that needs to be replaced
Brother Cladnick's doing some work for me
trying to get some flooring
some cheap flooring for us
that's good quality
but not too expensive for the church
we're going to get that replaced
I'm saying this now
because if you've got anything around the church
that belongs to you
that's a personal item
please take it home with you today
otherwise it might end up in the tip
I don't know
I'm not going to discriminate
whatever I find that I feel like
it shouldn't be here in the church building
it's going to the tip
so please be mindful
say you like a wallet or a phone or something
I'm going to be careful
but just anything else
if I just find a random sock out there
or something
if I just find a random hat
just laying around
it's probably going to go in the bin
or a random tie
I found ties
just laying around
I can't remember if they're mine or not
but anyway
just stuff like that
just things
please take it home
again when it comes to food items
if you bring any food
any biscuits
any drinks
please take it with you
at the end of the service as well
because I don't like those things
fermenting
and then it invites the insects
invites the rodents in the building
let's try to do the best we can
to keep this building
nice and tidy
so that's the first announcement
the next announcement
that I wanted to mention
it was actually brought
brother Mike
this is for you to know
but
this was brought up
by one of my
by Nicholas actually
so the new
the new bibles
that we're going to hand out
to the
to the converts
new converts at the door
don't hand any of them out yet
please
don't hand any of them out yet
please don't hand any of them out yet
because
huh
oh
can you go to that house now
I'm just looking at the back page
frequently asked questions
how do I become a Christian
oh no
it's simple
okay I like that
it's simple
but not easy
not easy
first you must confess
that you're sinful
okay
yep good
and have failed to honour God as you should
what does that even mean
you haven't honoured God
I mean look
even if you're a Christian
even a safe person
does not honour God sometimes
I mean every time we sin
we're not honouring God
you know
so I mean what does that mean
to honour
okay we're not honouring God
the way we should
next you must repent
agree
you must repent
but what do they define repentance as
turn away from sin
and selfishness
so you've got to stop being selfish
you know
you've got to start putting others ahead of you
you know
you've got to stop
you're not going to clean up your life
you've got to stop sinning
no one that's not easy
right
if this is the
gospel
that's not easy brethren
I mean
I wake up selfish every morning
I have to remind myself
to give myself
to the work of the Lord
or to others
you know
put my family first
and then it says
and trust God
so that's step number one
then
so step number one is
you know
you've got to clean up your life
then you must believe
Jesus' sacrifice
is sufficient
to save you
if it's sufficient to save you
why do you have to do step number one
anyway
to be your Lord and Saviour
that's it
and then it says
why will praying and going to church
naturally flow
from your decision to follow Christ
but what about those that don't go to church
are they not saved
like
is trusting Christ alone
and not going to church
not enough to be saved
do you have to do these extra things
to be
to have that confirmation of salvation
or is your confirmation simply
on the death burial resurrection of Jesus Christ
and so
please
don't
hand these out just yet
I think what we'll do
is make an effort
to get like a marker or something
and just cross that bit out
I don't know
maybe I'm going to have to read a little bit more
at the back
and see if there's anything else
that kind of doesn't fit
obviously
biblical doctrine
yes brother
do you want to say something
I got rid of them
because we've got new ones
yeah
I don't want
actually
if you had a look at them
they're already starting to bend
I think it's the humidity in this place
they start to
they start to bend
and
because it gets a little moist
but yeah
what we really want to do with these
is just keep them for
new believers
go so
it's a soul winning tool
alright
come to church
I know a few of you guys have this now
but just get in the habit
bring your own bible
you know
that's the best habit to have anyway
it's actually easier having your own bible
you know
you sort of know where to go
usually
when you've got your own bible anyway
anyway
those are the key announcements
that I wanted to make
so just be careful of these bibles
until we get them all marked out
alright
into the sermon now
let's go to the sermon
now brother Callum read for us
2nd Corinthians chapter number 5
and I just want to pull out
just a couple of thoughts there
actually let's read verse number 7 first
it's in parenthesis
for we walk by faith
not by sight
the title for the sermon this afternoon is
walk by faith
not by sight
walk by faith
not by sight
let's get a little bit of context there
look at verse number 6
therefore we are always confident
now if you're confident about something
you know it's true
alright you know something is so true
we are confident what
knowing that
whilst we are at home in the body
we are absent from the Lord
for we walk by faith
not by sight
this is again
we are confident I say
and willing rather
to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord
so what kind of confidence does Paul have
when he says these things
he says look
if I pass on
when my soul and spirit leave this body
I am confident that I'm going to be in the presence of the Lord
that's why he says
we walk by faith
not by sight
have you ever seen the Lord with your eyes?
have you ever seen heaven?
have you ever seen a soul or spirit leave the body?
we've not seen these things have we?
we've not seen these things
you know what do we have?
we've got this book
we black ink
alright we put our trust on this
I've never seen Christ crucified
I'm not talking about the Hollywood movies
I've never seen Jesus born in Bethlehem have you?
I've never seen God create things in the six days that he created all things
I've never seen those things
I've never seen Moses part the Red Sea
and yet the Bible tells us all these things took place
but you know what?
in my heart
I have full confidence that these things took place
full confidence
I have full confidence that Jesus came some two thousand years ago
and laid down his life for me
I have full confidence that he was beaten
he was crucified
his blood was shed
he was buried
I have full confidence that he came back from the dead
just as confident as I am
of seeing you seated in church today
I have the same trust confidence
I have the same belief that Jesus Christ came two thousand years ago and did that all for me
I have full confidence that everything that I read in the Bible is one hundred percent true
you know and like I've never seen these things have you seen them?
you know this is why the Bible says
we walk by faith not by science
in fact in order to be saved the very first thing you must do
is place your faith on someone you've never seen
you know you're placing your faith
hey faith comes by here in and here in by the word of God
hey if we want to increase in our faith
we must hear the word of God
in order for someone to believe in Jesus Christ
and trust in our Saviour
they must hear the gospel message coming from the word of God
that's where faith comes from
it comes from this amazing book
this wonderful book
okay it teaches us
it increases our faith
but hey yes we were saved by faith
and that's a wonderful thing
we've trusted that to be true
true for us
you know we're trusting Christ for salvation
Paul has
okay
but what else did we learn?
we said there that
we walk by faith not by science
you see salvation is not a walk
salvation is a one-time event
you place your faith on Jesus
you're born again
but when it comes to the rest of your Christian life
we are walking
we are so generous
we're passing through
we're walking
and sometimes we walk by faith
sometimes we walk by science
sometimes we walk in the ways of the Lord
sometimes we walk after our own sinful flesh
okay
but regardless of how we walk in life
if you place your faith on Jesus
you are saved
regardless of how you walk
hey
but I'm not saying that
hey being saved should be the end of it
I'm saying that once you have placed your faith on Christ
now you need to walk by faith
and not by science
now
this is one of the biggest challenges that I find in the Christian life
okay
to actually walk by faith
to make decisions based on faith
okay
because by sight makes a lot more sense
you know we often make decisions because of a logical decision
things that are brought before our attention
things that we can touch
things that we can see
things that we can
you know think about that may develop in the future
often our life is dependent upon sight
and there's nothing wrong or sinful with making decisions based on sight
don't get me wrong
there's nothing wrong with that
Jesus gave us eyes
he's given us a mind
he's given us the ability to reason
and so many decisions here we do make by sight
but listen
that is not the sole way
that we walk as Christians
if we're going to walk after the Lord
he wants us to exercise our faith
it is impossible to please God without faith
we must have faith in order to please God
it's the hardest thing to do
you know to make certain decisions
not because it necessarily makes logical sense
but we make decisions because we know it's in accordance to God's will
you know in accordance to God's ways
and the best way
because people ask me
how do I know if I'm stepping out in faith?
well the number one way
as I explained to you
faith comes by hearing
hearing by the word of God
you know if you've got a decision to make
and you know that maybe it doesn't make logical sense
okay
but what you want to do is test it
in accordance to God's word
is it compatible with God's word?
is it compatible with the will of God?
you know
is this decision I'm going to make
is it contrary to God's will?
obviously if it's contrary to God's will
you cannot step out by faith
because you're not doing it by faith
our faith comes from God's word
you know God allows us to make so many decisions in life
if those decisions line up with God's word
then you are free to step out in faith
and say Lord I've tested this in accordance to your word
I believe this is the way you want me to walk
I'm going to walk in accordance to your will
your way
and you have to test it out
you know you have to place your faith
and trust that God will come through
and see you on the other side
the biggest step that I've ever had to make
walking by faith was starting this church
you know to leave the comforts of Sydney
to leave what I know
to leave the people that I know
and make a decision to come up here
and start a church
I mean look I'm not saying that I'm some hero
a lot of people, many people have done this
many pastors have stepped out in faith
gone and started a church in an area
and got things going
and there's a lot of risk
you know when you've got a larger family
there's a lot of risk
you know am I able to get enough work
am I able to provide
am I able to look after
you know are people going to attend the church
can I even preach
you know X amount of times every week
you know can God use me for these things
you know am I going to be successful as a pastor
am I going to fail
there are so many thoughts
and just making a move
just moving from city to city
from city to city
is enough of a work
enough of a labour
you know finding a place to start a church
finding a place to live
all of these things required me
to honestly just take a step in faith
and you know if I was just reliant
if I was just reliant on sight
it would never have happened
never would have happened
you know the church down in Sydney
it's another step in faith
you know going there
and look you know
I don't really enjoy the travel
right now I'm travelling every week
back and forth
okay I've committed to that
I've committed that for ten years
I told the church down there
well it's already almost four years
so we've got six years to go
but you know it's not something I really enjoy
I don't really enjoy waiting there in the airport
you know flights are delayed
sitting there
I've been jammed into an aircraft
now wearing the masks
you know
and then trying to get my way out of the airport
when you land in Sydney
and maybe catching a train
getting picked up sometimes
by the time I'm preaching on Thursday
I'm exhausted just from the travel
it's not something that I necessarily really enjoy
okay
but what I do enjoy
is being a blessing to God's people
what I do enjoy is being able to preach
and help somebody
in their understanding of the Bible
you know being amongst other believers
knowing that there's a church in Sydney
that's going out preaching the gospel like we are
and winning souls
and then I get excited about those little things
but you know what
if I did not step out in faith in that area
if this church
remember you guys
felt it was the right decision to make
to go and start that church
we stepped out in faith
it's a bit of a risk
right
a new pastor
I think it was like eight months as a pastor
just trying to get this church together
stepping out
and going to start another church
you know
and I truly believe
that
and I have the confidence
that a man will rise
that God has someone
in mind
that will take over that church
it just requires patience
but
as we mature in the Lord
you know
we start to make these decisions by faith
and then we do see the Lord come through on the other side
even though sometimes
it may not make logical sense
okay
alright
can I get you to please turn to Romans chapter 1
turn to Romans chapter 1
I just wanted that one thought from 2 Corinthians 5 there
but please go to Romans chapter 1 please
go to Romans chapter 1 and verse number 16
we're just turning to a very familiar passage to many of us
Romans chapter 1 verse number 16
the Bible says
for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ
for it is the power of God unto salvation
to everyone that believeth
to the Jew first and also to the Greek
man that would have been so much better
to have that in the back of the Bible
instead of whatever we read in there
okay
I mean that's it
salvation
it's the gospel
it's believing
it's salvation
it's believing the death and resurrection of Jesus
hey to the Jew first also to the Greek
regardless of who you are
it's the same message that saves
verse number 17
for therein
is the righteousness of God revealed
and I love this
from faith
to faith
as it is written
the just shall live by faith
so we have two thoughts
our first thought there is about salvation
the fact that by believing on Jesus
believing the gospel
is what saves us
but the next thought is
that the just shall live by faith
it's not just being saved which is wonderful
but the next step is to live in accordance to faith
to place your faith on the word of God
and take the steps necessary
to be closer to the will of God
going from faith to faith
the faith that saved you
to walk in a life of faith
and it's not easy
it's not easy
because again you might say hey
I know God's word says so
I know God says
I've got to walk in accordance to God's will
but many times
your friends
your family
people that know you
they may stop you
say what are you doing
it doesn't make any sense
why?
because they're operating by sight
and again there's nothing wrong with sight
many decisions are made by sight
but you must understand
as a Christian
we also make decisions by faith
we walk by faith
you know every day
is a day that you can practice your faith
walking in accordance to God's will
can I get you to turn to Matthew chapter 6 please
turn to Matthew chapter 6
as I said to you
the title of the sermon was
walk by faith
not by sight
and I know it's hard
I know it's very hard
to make certain decisions
that don't make logical sense sometimes
where sight is not clear
but you're just stepping out in faith
because you know the promise of God's word
I'm going to quickly read to you
while you turn to Matthew 6
I'm going to read to you from Acts 14 21
it says
why do we need to practice our faith?
why must we continue in our faith?
because there's much tribulation in this world
there are many sorrows
there are many difficulties
that we go through
life can be challenging
you know I've said
financial problems
health problems
relationship problems
there's so many struggles and issues
that come up in our life
car problems
there's so many things that come
and in order to be able to get through
to the other side
you know with a cheerful heart
we must practice faith
we must walk in faith
you know my job as a pastor
is to exhort you
to continue in the faith
the reason I read that passage
is because I like the fact that
Paul is going from city to city
visiting different churches
and that's how I feel at the moment still
going from city and Sunshine Coast
back and forth
again I'm not a hero
I'm not going to as many cities as Paul is
okay
and trying to run multiple churches
trying to get pastors in place for that
I've only got two to look after
but it's a lot of hard work
you know
it's a lot of hard work
and as I said to you
in my flesh
I don't enjoy it
in my flesh
I don't enjoy the travel
but once again
I do enjoy the fact
that it allows
another group of believers
down in Sydney
to fellowship
to work together
to do a work for God
to bring people into the kingdom
that gives me a lot of joy
you know
I'd love to start other churches
in other places in Australia
but you know what
it requires
a measure of faith
to step out
and to see what God says
and to see God open the doors
and to do that
hey maybe it's not my job
maybe it's the job of some other man
in this church
or the job of a man
there in Sydney
I'm not sure
but I want to encourage you
to increase in your faith
I want to encourage you
to walk in faith
again
faith is not
oh I think I'll just do
X, Y and Z
and I'll just do it
no faith means
you go to God's word
you confirm this is what
God's will is for you
and you just step out and do it
say God
I've seen it in your word
Lord
you can open the doors
I'm going to step out
and trust you
because I'm trusting your word
okay
I'm not trusting
the intellect
that comes from man
you're there in Matthew 6
Matthew 6 verse 30
so if we
want to walk in faith
we need to increase in our faith
there are several stories
in the Bible
where the Lord Jesus Christ
speaks of people's
little faith
okay
so I want to have a look
at these stories
why does Jesus Christ
sometimes refer to people
as having little faith
and then maybe
you can identify yourself
in that situation
and you know
man I have to increase
in my faith then
okay
if I'm struggling
in some of these areas
Matthew chapter 6 verse number 30
through the Gentiles seek
you know what
if you start to worry
about these basic little things
Jesus Christ would say to you
oh ye of little faith
you see it's God's job
to provide these things for us
obviously
a man has to go out and work
obviously you have to do these things
what God has instructed us to do
you know
to walk in faith
doesn't mean
just wait for the man
to come from heaven
no to walk in faith
is God what does your word say
man you go to work
you provide for your family
you do that
and God will make sure
that your most basic needs
are taken care of
your food and your clothing
I'm reminded
of the empty shelves
right
the wool wharves
and the coals
and the empty shelves
during the panic
of the pandemic
you know what
and I don't know
how did you react to that brethren
when you started to see
on the news
these shelves are empty
the meat's all gone
you've gone to the shops
and there's no toilet paper
how did you react
our year of little faith
I'm sure some of us panicked
I'm sure there was some
man
am I going to take care of my needs
or am I going to take care of my family
man it was so hard
when there were restrictions
and the limits
you know
I think it was like
you can only take two jars
of pasta sauce
and boy
when my family's eating pasta
we need four or five
jars of pasta sauce
and it's like man
you can only take two
so I go to the car
walk back in
take another two
I just made it twice as hard
all these limits
you can only have this many eggs
man
I felt like showing people
this is my family
you know
but you know
if that panic ever fell upon you
I don't know
you know
this unsaved world
they panicked
didn't they
they panicked
they're emptying out the shelf
they're filling up
and look there's nothing wrong
with having a full stock of food
like a full shelf of food
it's just for those
maybe harder days
I'm not saying that
you know
the absolute minimum
or something like that
it's fine to have a little bit
in your pantry
and things like that
but really
it depends upon the Lord
like even if the shelves
are being emptied out
I just know that
God's going to provide
you know
but these are things
that people sometimes
get concerned about
and I'm just trying to show you
that if this was a concern of you
then Jesus Christ would say of you
oh ye of little faith
you see
you need to increase in faith
you need to be able to trust God
that as long as I'm doing
exactly what the Lord wants
as far as being a provide
for me and my family
then God's going to make sure
it's all taken care of
can you please go to Matthew 14
Matthew chapter 14 please
Matthew chapter 14
and verse number 28
Matthew chapter 14
and verse number 28
Matthew 14, 28
it says
and Peter answered him
and said Lord
if it be thou
bid me come unto thee
on the water
this is an amazing story
I think a lot of people
are amazed at this story
okay
Jesus Christ
the disciples are on the ship
Jesus Christ comes walking on the water
Peter sees Jesus walking on the water
and goes I want to do some of that as well
I want to walk on the water
it sounds awesome
you know
I want to see this miracle
in my own life
this ability to
overcome the laws of physics here
okay
and then verse number 29
and he said come
Jesus said yeah come
alright
and when Peter was come
down out of the ship
he walked on the water
to go to Jesus
isn't that amazing
now we know that Jesus
okay
Jesus is the son of God
he's God manifest in the flesh
but Peter
a man like you and I
was able to walk on water
that's amazing
alright
it's amazing
you know what happens
I want you to notice what happens
so
he's able to walk on water
his focus is on Jesus right
his focus is on Jesus
I'm walking toward Jesus
and he's able to accomplish
an amazing thing by faith
to walk on water
and notice what happens
there in verse number 30
but when he saw
the wind boisterous
he was afraid
and beginning to sink
he cried
saying Lord save me
and immediately Jesus
stretched forth his hand
and caught him
and said unto him
O thou of little faith
wherefore didst thou doubt
and when they were
come into the ship
the wind ceased
what
I feel
again
sometimes I feel sorry
for people in the Bible
I mean Peter's done something
that I'm never probably going to do
at least not in this life
maybe the new resurrected body
we can walk on water
I don't know
but Peter's able to
he's able to take some steps
on the water
and even then Jesus Christ says
little faith
O ye
what did he say exactly
O thou of little faith
wherefore didst thou doubt
now obviously
there was a moment
of great faith
trust in Jesus
his focus was on Jesus
alright
I'm walking toward Jesus
regardless of what
you know
my sight tells me
sight should tell me
if I step on water
I will sink
but I've got the faith
that I'm going to be able to
walk right on water
toward Jesus
and he was able to take a few steps
and brethren
this is what you need
in order to increase in your faith
you just have to set
your focus
your eyes on Jesus
and say Jesus
what do you want me to do
what does your word say
Jesus Christ is the word of God
okay
manifest in the flesh
what do you want me to do Jesus
you write
you see it
you know what God's will is
and you step out
and you'll be able to walk on water
symbolically
okay
you'll be able to do great things for God
simply because you've trusted
and you've placed your eyes on Jesus alone
Jesus what do you want me to do
regardless of what sight tells you
as long as God's word lines up
with your decision to make that step
God's going to see you through
but why
does Jesus Christ say
O thou of little faith
because when Peter saw
the wind
the boisterous
he was afraid
when he saw
the waters
when he saw the waves
when he saw the storm
he got distracted
his eyes moved away from Jesus
and he started to think about
how difficult
I mean the challenge of the storm
the wind's blowing
he got distracted
his eyes lost focus on Jesus Christ
and then he began to sink
that's why Jesus Christ says
O thou of little faith
and brethren
we cannot be distracted
by this world
there are turmoils
there are problems
there are wars
there are so many things
brethren there's always problems
in this world
you know what
one of the best things you can just do
is turn off that TV
turn off that internet for a while
and just set your eyes on Jesus
I promise you tomorrow
there's going to be a new disaster
tomorrow there's going to be a new turmoil
tomorrow there's going to be a new conflict
tomorrow there's going to be a new variant
of the COVID virus
or whatever other new virus comes out
tomorrow there's always going to be some other problem
and brethren if you want to increase in your faith
you say you know what
I'm going to shut all that off
I don't want to be distracted
by the storms of life
I'm going to set my eyes on Jesus
and you'll be able to do some miraculous things
walking by faith
taking those steps
that you otherwise thought impossible
we cannot be distracted
this world is so distracting
there is so much propaganda
there is so much programming
there is so much content
to be consumed on the internet
and all of that there
serves the purpose
to distract your eyes from Jesus Christ
so when you take off your eyes off Jesus
Jesus Christ would say to you
O thou of little faith
please go to Matthew 16
go to Matthew 16 verse 5
Matthew 16 verse 5
Matthew 16 verse 5 says that
when his disciples were come to the other side
they had forgotten to take bread
so they've got no food
verse number 6
then Jesus said unto them
take heed
and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and of the Sadducees
so leaven
we know that's like yeast
a type of yeast
and he's talking about the leaven of the Pharisees
and the Sadducees
so we know the Pharisees and Sadducees
did not
well most of them
the majority of them did not trust Christ
many of them were enemies of the Lord
many of them were reprobate
and so the leaven
is their false doctrine
we understand that
but in hindsight we understand
Christ is speaking about
the false doctrine
the false teachings
of the Pharisees
and the Sadducees
but look how the disciples respond
verse number 7
and they reasoned among themselves saying
is it because we have taken no bread?
like why would Jesus use the word leaven
okay we forgot bread
maybe that's what he's saying
right
he's kind of like this
is he being a little bit critical
by the fact that we forgot bread
okay
verse number 8
which when Jesus perceived
he said unto them
O ye of little faith
why reason ye among yourselves
because ye have brought no bread
do ye not yet understand
neither remember
the five loaves of the five thousand
and how many baskets ye took up
neither the seven loaves
of the four thousand
and how many baskets ye took up
so that's like
oh man we forgot the bread
Jesus having a go at us
for forgetting the bread
Jesus look don't you remember
we fed five thousand men
plus women and children
another time we had seven loaves
and we fed four thousand men
right with seven loaves
women and children
as well
right
he says look
you know
you've got little faith
if you think I'm so concerned
by the fact that you forgot the bread
okay
why were they struggling
why did Christ say
that they had a little faith
because they had forgotten
the miracles
that God has already done in their lives
they've forgotten the wonderful
miracles that Jesus Christ performed
right in front of them
and brethren we all have an experience
okay
I'm not talking about some Pentecostal experience
but we've all
you know we've been saved right
we've seen the hand of the Lord
hey we had a salvation today
for the men
hey that's a miracle
that's a miracle
isn't it
salvation praise God
a soul going to heaven
you know God has done so much for us
he's
you know we've
we've gone to prayer
and God has answered the prayer
I'm sure there are things
that you've gone to God about
and you've seen his hand perform such miracles
you know what
when you're struggling with faith
you need to remind yourself
go back to the past
God has come through for me before
God has done X, Y and Z for me before
I know he can do it again
okay
but we struggle with that don't we brethren
because we walk by sight sometimes
so how can God do
what I need him to do
well because he's done it before
he's done it in the past
he's fed the 5,000
he's fed the 4,000
no bread's not a problem for the Lord God
and so when you find yourself lacking in faith
unable to walk in faith
I want you to remember
what God has done in your life
say well I'm not sure what he's done
well are you saved
that's an amazing miracle
the confidence of knowing
that you're going to heaven
hey you've got a burden
that most people in the world have
they don't know what the future holds
they're hoping the scientists
will come up with some plan
to long
to
for
life's
future
for life to continue
you know freezing brains
and freezing bodies
or downloading people's memories
into a computer based system
you know these are the stupid things
that this world thinks about
they haven't got the truth of God's word
we have the confidence
that if I left this body
that I will be in the presence of my Lord
that's a huge burden off our shoulders
isn't it
yeah it is
you know God at least
he saved you
can we start there
okay
do you think that's all God wants to do
hey he wants to save you
now he wants you to walk in his ways
and he can do amazing miracles for you
just remember the great things
that God has done in your past
and that will increase your faith
for the future
can you please go to Matthew chapter 8
go to Matthew chapter 8 verse number 23
Matthew chapter 8 and verse number 23
some of these are similar
but Matthew 8 23
it says
and when he was entered into a ship
his disciples followed him
and behold
there arose a great tempest in the sea
in so much that the ship was covered with the waves
but he was asleep
now look
if I was one of the disciples
all right there's a sea
I know Jesus is in the ship
I understand that
but look
the storm's so great
that even the waves
even the water started to come into the ship
I mean
again I feel sorry for people
because I know
I'd be like man
we're gonna drown
and I'm not a very strong swimmer
so you know
I'm probably done
I'm probably finished at that point right
where's Jesus
oh he's sleeping
verse number 25
and his disciples came to him
and awoke him saying
Lord save us we perish
verse number 26
and he saith unto them
why are ye fearful
oh ye of little faith
so what else did we learn
when we're fearful
Christ would say about you
oh ye of little faith
you know
when you think you're going to Paris
Jesus where are you
sometimes it feels
Jesus are you sleeping
God where are you
I need you now
I need you to step in
and do something amazing
you know
we're trying to wake up Jesus
from his sleep
save us
you know
there's no reason to be fearful
when we have Jesus on our side
and brethren yes
Jesus slept
because he was in a physical body
with the same limitations that we have
he needed his rest
but you know what's wonderful about being a Christian
we can anytime
just go to the Lord in prayer
say Lord help us
Lord I'm a little bit afraid
I'm a little bit fearful
you know yes
I am struggling with a little bit of faith right now Jesus
can you please step in and help me
can you please increase my faith
we should turn to the Lord when we're fearful
but understand
at the end of the day
there really is no reason to be afraid
okay
the one that we ought to fear of course
is our Lord God
the fear of the Lord
is perfect
converting the soul
let's keep going there
verse number 26
right now we have flooding again don't we
some family in our church
struggling there in Gympie with the floods
you know what
God is in control of the weather
okay
you know
at the end times
people are going to be afraid of the weather
you know
I kind of feel like our society is trying to get programmed in the idea
oh the weather's out of control because of
you know global warming or whatever
or global cooling or whatever it is
the hole in the ozone
is there still a hole in the ozone layer
I don't even know anymore
but you know what
my whole life I've been hearing how
mankind is destroying the
you know the planet
you know every time you spray some
deodorant you've destroyed the planet somehow
the ozone layer or whatever it is
that's all I hear about you know
but here's the thing
you know what
you know what when we're fearful about the weather
you know
God says oh you have little faith
Jesus just has to speak the words
and he can change it immediately
speak the words and it's all calm
and it's all fine
you know what
if Jesus wants to step in
and fix the weather
and do whatever he wants to with the weather
so be it
he can do what he wishes
we don't need to be afraid
okay
we just
have our dependence on Jesus
know that he's there with us
you know
fear
is a sign
that you're struggling in your faith
okay
fear God
fear God first of all
and you'll notice that the rest of your fears will die away
okay
can you please turn to Matthew chapter 10
Matthew chapter 10
actually no
go to Matthew chapter 8 please
go to Matthew
oh you are in Matthew 8
look at verse number 8
so we've looked at some passages
where Jesus Christ speaks about little faith
and again
I see myself in that category
I can see myself in a ship
like I told you
the water's coming in
I can see myself being fearful
alright
so
and I think if we're all honest
there are certain times
where we can probably say
yep
you know
we're struggling with faith a little bit
you know
if we're to walk in faith
then
obviously having little faith
is going to limit our ability to do that
and we're going to be dependent on sight
the waves roaring
right
the fears that upset us
but I want you to now notice
Jesus Christ speaks of another man
this time
not about his little faith
but by his great faith
and this is Matthew 8
Matthew chapter 8
verse number 8
it says
it says the centurion
and of course
it's about the centurion
hey
he's a Roman
he's a Roman centurion
he's a Gentile
is he not
centurion
you know
it's like the word century
means a hundred
you know
this guy's a commander
of about a hundred soldiers
that's why they're given these titles
of centurion
the centurion answered and said
Lord
I am not worthy
that thou shouldest come under my roof
but speak the word only
and my servant shall be healed
isn't that amazing
you know
Jesus would actually go
and physically touch somebody
and heal him
you know
the Roman centurion says
you know what
I'm not worthy for you
to even come into my house Jesus
I know if you just speak
my servant will be healed
I mean that's faith
that requires a lot of
and he's not even a Jew
right
he's a centurion
verse number 28
sorry
verse number 9 sorry
he says
for I am a man under authority
having soldiers under me
and I say to this man go
and he goeth
and to another come
and he cometh
and to my servant do this
and he doeth it
so he goes look
I know my own experience
because I have authority
that what I ask my servant to do
they will do it
what is he saying
he says Jesus
you've got authority
I've got authority
I know things happen
when I call the shots
but Jesus
I know you've got authority
you just have to speak
and my servant will be healed
and then it continues there
in verse number 10
when Jesus heard it
he marvelled
and said
I always wonder
like when Jesus says he marvelled
Jesus is like man this guy
like Jesus is like wow
this guy has the faith
this guy has trusted me
right
it says
verse 10
when Jesus heard it
he marvelled
and said to them that followed
verily I say unto you
I have not found so great faith
no not in Israel
out of all the people
Jesus Christ has come across
as he's preaching the gospel
as he's doing miracles
and great works
this is the man
with the greatest faith
that he's come across
and he's not even a Jew
isn't that amazing
he trusted Christ
why did he have such great faith
because he knew that Jesus
was a man of authority
he knew that when Jesus speaks
it gets done
you know what Reverend
one of the things
that will increase your faith
is to simply remember
the power
the authority
okay Jesus Christ
our King of Kings
our Lord of Lords
this world
from our perspective
looks like it's out of control
but Jesus is above it all
the Lord God looks down
Lord God is not surprised
at this world
alright
you know regardless
of what prime minister
we get after the elections
next week
regardless of that
Jesus is still in charge
he's still in control
he's got the authority
he can destroy that government
if he wants
he can pull down that politician
he can rise up another man
listen when it comes to authority
there's no greater authority
than our Lord God
you know what
if the authorities
are giving you a hard time
or you're becoming fearful
of the authorities
you go to the higher power
you go to the higher authority
which is the Lord God
it's all in control of the Lord
alright
sometimes we get afraid
because we think
man the world
what's happening in the world
you know all these little things
that are developing
just trust the Lord
it's in his hands
say Lord I don't understand it all
God we have wicked politicians
we have wicked laws
coming through
but Lord it's in your hands
I'm trusting you
to do something great
please see me through
please help me to continue
doing your works
regardless of how
this world is going
it's in your hands
the Lord God
has the highest authority
and I want to remind wives
you know
you've got a head over you
that's your husband
okay
that's an authority
hey but if your husband
is not performing
the way he should
if he's not loving you
the way he should
if he's not being
a spiritual leader
the way he should
go to his authority
go to Jesus
and say Jesus
I need you to do
a great thing
in my husband's heart
can you please change him
can you please help him
be a man that walks
after his ways
okay
you know
I'm fearful of that
all the time
I think about men
okay my wife's under
my authority
I understand that
but Jesus Christ
is looking down
at my performance
okay
Jesus Christ is the one
that has authority
over me
and really
Christ has authority
over us all
Christ has authority
over this church
Christ has authority
over this world
Christ has authority
over all the governments
all the power
that is in this world
Christ is above that
there are concerns
when I remember
it's all within
the hands of God
he's got it under control
the way he wants it to be
can you please turn to
Romans chapter 4
Romans chapter 4 please
Romans chapter 4
verse number 19
someone else that had
great faith
we looked at someone
in the New Testament
someone in the Old Testament
was Abraham
referred to here
in Romans chapter 4
verse 19
Romans chapter 4
verse 19
speaking of Abraham
it says
and being
not weak in faith
so if he's not weak in faith
he's strong in faith
right
not being weak in faith
he considered not
his own body
now dead
meaning that
his body cannot
produce kids
okay
when he was about
a hundred years old
I mean what's the likelihood
that you're gonna have kids
when you're a hundred years old
okay
your body's dead
in that regard right
then it says
neither yet the deadness
of Sarah's womb
Sarah's run out of eggs
okay
she's run out of the ability
to produce children
she's gone from menopause
there's no
you know by sight
this couple
cannot have children
but you know what
Abraham was not weak in faith
the Bible says here
verse number 20
he staggered not at the
promise of God through unbelief
so what causes
unbelief causes us to stagger
not trust the promises of God
look at this
but was strong in faith
giving glory to God
and being fully persuaded that
what he had promised
he was able also to perform
and of course Jesus
the Lord God gave
Abraham and Sarah a child
okay
of course
even in old age
you know
so what we see here
to be strong in faith
is to trust
the promises of God
to trust the promise
you know what
if God promises something
from his word
just go with it
God said it
it must be true
I'm not making this up
I'm not making up some
life or some situation for me
if God's word promises it
it's true
regardless of what my sight says
regardless if my body is dead as it were
if God promises it
it's going to happen
your trust
in the promises of God
his promises are found in the Bible
Reverend if you're lacking in faith
you need to get your head into the word of God
you must read the promises of God
and say you know what
this is for me
what God promised
it's not just to some
Abraham
these promises aren't just to some
David
the promises aren't just to some
you know
Peter
and Paul
and John
the promises are to me as well
I have the power of the Holy Ghost within me
I have the ability to understand the scriptures
I have the ability to walk in faith
even if it doesn't make sense logically
it doesn't make sense by sight
Reverend we've been given such a privilege
to take steps
and see the promise of God
and say God I'm just going to do it
regardless of what I think
I'm just going to do what the word says
and God's promise must be true
it has to be true
ok
and when you can trust that
you'll increase in faith
you'll have great faith
if you just trust the promises of God
can you turn to Romans chapter 12
Romans chapter 12 verse number 3
Romans 12 3
I hope you can absorb some of this
because I want us to be people that walk by faith
you know I want us to be a little bit more faithful
this week than we were last week
a little greater faith
you know
an increase in our faith
but just like anything
in order for something to increase
for you to get better at it
you must put it into practice
alright
this is why we can't just be hearers of the word
but we have to be doers
we have to put it into practice
we have to practice our faith
ok
you know sometimes we go
door to door soul
and we say
you know some might say
yeah I'm a Roman Catholic
but I'm not a practicing Catholic
what are they saying
I don't put into practice
I don't really do what the Catholic judge wants me to do
alright
we don't want to be
non-practicing Baptists
that's not what we want
we want to be practicing Believers
alright
we want to practice what we've heard
and we look at Romans 12 verse 3
Romans 12 verse 3
how can we practice this
let me show you
Romans 12 verse 3
it says
for I say
through the grace given unto me
to every man that is among you
not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think
but to think soberly
according as God have dealt to every man
the measure of faith
Reverend every man
every person in this church today
has been given from God
a measure of faith
okay
so we don't want to do things out of pride
and out of self
self strength
we want to do things in accordance to God's will
in accordance to God's strength
in accordance to God's will
God has given us all a different measure of faith
what I'm starting to say here is
we should not compare ourselves one to another
because it's a different measure
okay
what could that different measure look like
well let's keep going there
it explains it to us in the passage here
verse number 4
it says
for as we have many members
in one body
and all members have not the same office
notice that
not all the same office
we're geared differently
we're made differently
we're created differently
different skill sets
different personalities
you know
verse number 5
so we being many
are one body in Christ
and everyone members one of another
look at this verse number 6
verse number 6
notice that
so some of us have been given the gift
to preach
but we're not going to preach exactly the same
because let us prophesy according
to the proportion of faith
or according to the measure of faith
this is what I'm saying
don't compare ourselves one to another
you know please don't take this view
well who's preaching today
I like this preacher
I don't really like that preacher
hey maybe he's preaching
according to the proportion of faith
that God has given him
hey but he's putting it into practice
is the point
okay
we had brother
brother Lockie right now
put into practice
you know
the ability to try to solid
hey try to find
is this a gift that God has given me
you know
let me find out
let me try
say yeah it's the first time
the proportion's there
you know
I mean
we've got to practice on these things
right
what has God given me
how can I use that
praise God
I get excited when someone
wants to do something
just anything
for the cause of Christ
we're one members of one body
soul winning
praise God for you
you know
for those that went out today
thank God for the soul that got saved
again you know
it's good to have a plan
it's good to be organised
all that is important
but don't forget
don't compare yourself one to another
okay
hey you can learn
good things from one another
but please
never take this view
of that person
so much
better soul winning than I am
hey mate
you practice in accordance
to the proportion of faith
that God has given you
you know
I'm like here trying to make everybody
into a robot
and you've got to greet people
the same way
and say things the same way
you know
and have the same
you know
ability to strike up conversation with people
hey
we can work on these things
let's practice these things
if God has given us a measure of faith
let's put it into practice
the more we practice it
the better we'll get
the more our faith will increase
and the more our faith increases
the more we can do for the Lord
verse number seven
or ministry
let us wait on our ministry
ministry is to serve one another
hey maybe
you know
different areas of service
within the church
or he that teacheth
on teaching
or he that exhorteth
on exhortation
I love that as well
you know
some people have been given
the gift to just
exhort someone else
what does that mean
to build someone up
to make someone feel better about themselves
and some people have that gift
right
you might come to church
not feeling that great
you know
didn't have a really great week
and you've got a certain brother
that comes alongside
just encourages you
you know
well if you ever felt encouraged
by a certain brother
and you know that
hey man every time I talk to this person
I just get lifted up
then you know they've been given this gift
they've been given this measure of faith
and praise God that they're practicing it
praise God that they're using it
to be an encouragement
to be a friend
to lift other people up
to support other people
he that giveth
let him do it with simplicity
hey some people have
financially more than others
and they're able to give more
he that giveth
hey it's a measure of faith
hey but practice it
right
if God has given you
a measure of wealth
practice it
give it
give it to the work of God
alright
put it into practice
we're not here to be selfish
we're here to serve one another
he that ruleth
with diligence
some have authority
to be able to coordinate
and get things together
he that ruleth
with diligence
he that showeth mercy
with cheerfulness
you should know that as well
you know some of us
are more merciful to others
than you know
like we may have
a measure of mercy
and we put up with somebody
but you know
they've gone too far
and for others
if you're like
he hasn't really gone that far
like because we've got
a greater measure of that faith
we could be more merciful
to other people
so again I don't compare
you know someone says
oh man I've reached the end
of my mercy
that's all you've got
you know
but you've got to exercise that
you know
you've got to exercise
so you can increase
in that area as well
you know
let's never say that
I just have no mercy
that's a problem
if you have no mercy
okay
but what I'm trying to show you
brethren
is that
God has given us
a measure of faith
and I hate
I hate it when Christians
compare
one another
I hate it when Christians
compare one family
to another family
when Christians compare
children to other children
it's the most stupid thing to do
because God has made us
all different
he's given us
different skill sets
he's given us
different measure of faith
but brethren
you know
don't use the excuse
I haven't been given much
no
what have you been given
take what you've been given
and practice it
put it into practice
increase in your faith
increase in your service
and I have no doubt
if God sees you practice
the measure of faith
that he's given you
he's going to increase it
even more
but why would God give you
more skills
more abilities
if you don't even practice
that God has already given you
okay
so we walk by faith
it doesn't always make sense brethren
but I hope I've given you some thoughts here
of how you can apply these things
or maybe you thought you were very faithful
but then you looked at some of these stories
when Jesus Christ says to others
that they've had little faith
and you go yeah man that's me
I've been there
you know
I need to increase in my faith
you know
I'm very thankful for faith
you know
I know it's a term that
gets thrown around a lot
but I'm so thankful
that I know
that if I die
I will be in heaven
I know that
if I'm struggling
I can turn to God
and he will hear me
he will help me
I have no doubt that
you know
if I've committed sin
and I go to God
and I confess that sin
that he's going to forgive me
right there and then
you know what
I have no doubt
that if I serve you
you know
that I put my effort
to preach God's word
and to do what I can as a pastor
with this office that God has given me
that I'm going to get rewarded in heaven
for the great things
that God will look down upon
and reward us
each individually
you know
individually
just take what you've got
and use it
it'll increase your faith
God has given you that measure
okay brethren
let's pray
Heavenly Father
Lord I just want to thank you
for your word
Lord thank you for salvation
thank you for faith
thank you for that
salvation
is easy
it's believe on Jesus Christ
and thou shalt be saved Lord
and God I pray that we will take
you know
this simple practice
of placing our faith
and trust in Jesus
and then we will take our faith Lord
and apply it every single day of our lives
to trust you
to trust your word
to trust your promises
Lord if we're lacking in faith
help us to turn to your word
to read it
to trust in the promises
to step out in faith Lord
even when sight says otherwise
Lord help us to put into practice
these things that you've given us
thank you for the measure of faith
help us to find the gifts
that you've given each one of us Lord
and to use it Lord
for your kingdom
we pray these things
in Jesus' name
Amen
Alright brethren
please take your hymnals
and let's turn to hymn number 410
410
and let's sing
faith is the victory
410
and let's sing
faith is the victory
Faith is the victory