How to grow in Faith (4) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 21-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

21st December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (4)

Text: Mark 9:14 - 24

* When you develop your faith you will be able to withstand the challenges of life

* Unbelief is a major issue for many people, including Christians

* Unbelief can be defined as:

(a) Questioning the ability of Christ

→ this takes place subtly in the heart

(b) Questioning the ability and power of Christ in you

 ★ Luke 10:19

(c) Questioning the potency of your own faith

(d) Wondering if what you are believing God for is His will

→ This is the greatest sign of unbelief

→ God wants you to have that thing you are desiring

→ Every good and perfect gift comes from God

* Faith takes you to a realm where nothing is impossible

★ Luke 1:37 → ''Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises.”

★ Mark 9:23 → "If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."

☆ Effects of Unbelief:

1. Unbelief hinders people from receiving God's promises and blessings that could be theirs

★ Jonah 2:8 → "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them."

2. Unbelief prevents people from becoming what God has destined them to be

→ Many people cannot accomplish what God created them for

★ Judges 6:12-15

3. Anyone afflicted by unbelief cannot please God

★ Hebrews 11:6

→ It takes faith to please God

How to grow in Faith) (3) (Pastor Ambrose Nwogu) 16-12-2015

★ MY SERMON NOTES

@ NDIC/DMO Chapel,

Central Business District,

Garki - Abuja

16th December, 2015

Speaker: Pastor Ambrose Nwogu

Topic: Prevailing by faith (How to grow in Faith) (3)

Text: Matthew 17:14-21

* The power or potency of faith is not a function of its size

* The potency of faith depends on its genuineness, completeness and authenticity

→ It must not be tainted by fear or sin

* The very situation that men could not handle, Jesus can handle

* We need to make an honest self-examination of your self

* Unbelief is the greatest thing that undermines the potency of faith (verse 20)

* Except unbelief is dealt with, faith cannot grow

* You must get to the point that you can confidently say: "I know that my redeemer liveth." 

☆ What is Unbelief?

1. Unbelief is doubting the ability and the power of Christ to do what he said he will do

★ Isaiah 40:28 →"Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the eternal God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary; and his understanding cannot be fathomed."

* There is nothing that God cannot do

* Once you doubt the power of Christ to do anything, unbelief is at work

★ Matthew 9:22 →"When Jesus turned and saw her, he said, “Be courageous, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And from that very hour the woman was well."

2. Unbelief is doubting the power of Christ within you, yourself

★ Luke 10:19 →''Look! I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy’s power, and nothing will ever hurt you."

* You must not diminish or downgrade the power of God which is invested in your life

* You must not live a powerless life

★Philippians 4:13 →"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

★ Psalm 27:1-3 →"The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom will I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom will I be afraid? When those who practice evil, my enemies, and my oppressors come near me to devour my flesh, they stumble and fall. If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear. If a war is launched against me, I will even trust in that situation."

★ Proverbs 18:10 →"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger."