Sermon Info
Summary
Jesus calls us to a life of faith. So often we think this life is only about what we can see, but the spiritual realm is unseen. Yet, this is where the miracles happen. When we “live by faith and not by sight,” we are able to “see” with our spiritual eyes the great things God is doing. Never lose the awe and wonder of what God is doing in your life, in His Church, and in our world. Only Jesus can change a heart, heal, redeem, and restore. Our God is at work. Place your life in His hands and trust Him to do great things through you for His glory. Live by faith.
Content
Expect Great Things From The Lord
When Jesus came to His hometown to teach at the synagogue, the people were suspicious of Him and the authority with which He taught. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith (Mark 6:4-6).
When the people of Nazareth looked upon Jesus, it was easier for them to see the town carpenter than to see The Son of God. They saw the physical but struggled to see the spiritual. They acknowledged the miracles and wisdom, and yet it was difficult for them to have faith in Him.
Jesus says the people of Nazareth lacked faith. According to Hebrews 11:1, Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hear this, church: we can become so familiar with the idea of Jesus that we lose our awe and wonder at who He really is and what He really means for the people of this world. We can be in a church and notice its visible growth, but lose our sense of the invisible spiritual impact God is making through it. We can experience a little bit of success, and fall for the trap of having faith in ourselves rather than in Him.
When Jesus looks at our lives, do you think He’d be amazed at our faith, or amazed at our lack of faith? Church, let’s have the faith to pray for big things. Expect great things from Him! Our God is a God of Miracles. Let’s not forget about the amazing things He’s done in the life of Rolling Hills Community Church, and in our families’ lives, and in Moldova and The Amazon. Let’s remember that the same Jesus who walked on water and turned five loaves of bread and two fish into a meal for over five thousand people is with us today. He can, and will, move in mighty ways again.
How We Can Grow in Faith
Calling the Twelve to Him, He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits (Mark 6:7). Jesus gives us experiences to grow in faith. The twelve disciples spent lots of time learning from Jesus and watching Him perform miracles. But eventually, the time came for them to be sent on mission to do work in His name. The disciples’ mission of evangelism was both a service to God’s people, and an opportunity for the disciples to step out in faith.
Thankfully, He doesn’t send us out alone. The disciples were sent out two by two for a reason! The buddy system works on school field trips, and apparently it’s also good for sharing the Gospel in new places. In our church community with other believers, we are made stronger. And even in moments that there’s no other person in the flesh with us, Jesus is always with us. The Holy Spirit lives in all believers, guiding and prompting us to say and do what is pleasing to God.
These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. — Mark 6:8-9
Jesus told the disciples to pack light. Do you know that nervous feeling when you leave on a trip that you might’ve forgotten something you need? Oftentimes, God’s call comes on short notice! And when we’re on a spiritual mission for Jesus, we don’t want a ton of physical stuff slowing us down. If God wants you to do something, He will take care of the details. He will provide for you in your hardship.
Philippians 4:19 says, My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:32 reads, He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Read, know, embrace, and have faith in God’s promises! Set your mind in gratitude on everything He has already done for you in life, and remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
When we live by faith, God can do miraculous things. So, just like the disciples handing Him the loaves of bread and fish, put what little you have into God’s hands, and watch Him work!
