Sermon Part 1: “Only Believe In What God Has Commanded You To Do!”
Happy Sunday Saints!
The word “Believe” is used literally hundreds of times in the Holy Bible. In the Gospel of John, “believe” appears more than 90-times, and 40-times in the Book of Acts. Belief is absolutely central to the Christian faith, and is considered the foundation for a relationship with God, for living according to God’s Word, and most important for this Sermon Series “Doing the Works of Jesus Christ.” (Rom.10:9, John 14:12, Heb.11:6)
Please know this, if belief fails, faith which is one of God’s greatest gifts to us, never gets a chance to work. Remember when Jesus came into His hometown of Nazareth and taught in their synagogues with great wisdom, but because of their “unbelief he could do no mighty works, accept to heal a few sick people by laying on of hands.” It was not because Jesus lacked the power to do the mighty works, rather He chose not to because of their intense unbelief, skepticism, and doubt in His “Authority.” (Matt.13: 53-58 & Mark 6:5-6)
Sadly in Christian Circles Today, we find many Christians who know little to nothing about the importance of belief in God and the work that He has Commanded us to do in the earth. So, in this Two-Part Sermon we explore what it means to “Believe,” and how to do it right. Saints, what do you think it means to Believe the Bible Way?
Introduction
When teaching on the word “Believe,” I often think about the story of the young daughter of Jairus a ruler of the synagogue who had died. Her story is recorded in several of the Gospels. (Matt. Ch. 9:18-19, 23-25, Mark 5:35-43, & Luke 8:49-56). The story has deep and profound personal meaning for me, as it reminds me of our late beloved Brother Martin. It was through Martin’s sudden death that I learned there is a “right way” to Believe, and a “wrong way” to Believe. I will explain more momentarily. Let’s read the account of the raising of Jairus’ daughter recorded in Mark 5:35-43:
35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Jesus Christ had heart-felt compassion on Jairus’12-year old daughter, took her by the hand and raised her from the dead, saying, "Talitha cumi," meaning "Little girl get up!" Glory be to God, Jesus told her to get up, and immediately she arose and walked, and He told the parents to give her food to eat. This was the second recorded account of Jesus raising a person from the dead.
The first was the deceased son of the widow woman at Nain. As the young man’s funeral procession passed by, Jesus had heart-felt compassion on the widow woman, and touched the bier (wooden frame) and told the young man to “arise.” Immediately, the young man sat up and spoke and Jesus delivered him to his mother. (Luke 7:11-17) While in the earth, Jesus raised from the dead not only the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow woman, and Lazarus His close friend, but also upon His Resurrection from the dead on the third-day, an enumerable number of the bodies of the Old Testament Saints rose out of opened graves and walked in the city of Jerusalem and appeared unto many. (Matt.27:50-53)
Regarding the raising of the daughter of Jairus, this mighty miracle demonstrated Jesus’ Power over death, even though the messengers had pronounced her dead; she got up and walked. Even when Jesus arrived at the house along with Peter, James, and John, and the child’s parents, in the midst of the funeral music playing and many mourners who had lamented long and hard at her death; laughing Jesus to scorn when He said “why are you making all this ado over the young child as she only sleeps;” yet the child got up! And Saints, what did Jesus require of Jairus in order to see his daughter raised from the dead? Jesus Commanded of him, “Be not afraid, only believe.” Yes, the Lord demanded that Jairus “Only Believe!”
Now Saints, on a few occasions I have shared my experience with the passing of Brother Martin who was a member of our Church, and I do so respectfully of his memory. Martin was as a son to me. He always called me “Father.” On the day of his death, I received a call from his Mother to come immediately to their home as Martin had just passed away. Before leaving my house, I prayed and God told me to go over to the house and “raise-up” Martin.
When I arrived at the house, in like manner to the story of Jairus’ daughter, there was a large gathering of mourners outside and inside of the small townhouse. His family wailed and sobbed greatly as I had never experienced before. I went into the house and immediately made my way to his Mother to console her. She told me that Martin’s body was lying on the floor in the upstairs hallway. As I made my way upstairs, there were family members lined all the way up the staircase and on the second floor landing. When I got to the top of the landing, Martin’s body was covered with a crimson-colored blanket.
All eyes were on me, waiting to see what I would say and do. To my knowledge, his family and friends present were all Non-Christians; some perhaps Buddhists or Hindu. I stood over his body planning to do as God had told me; to raise him up. But Saints, in that moment I “froze.” I just stood there for several minutes, said a prayer to myself, and turned around and went back down stairs and ministered to the family. Shortly thereafter, the Baltimore, Maryland Coroner’s Office came and officially pronounced Martin dead and took his body away.
When I got back to my car, I felt a great deal of negative emotions, including embarrassment, guilt, and shame as I had not done as God Commanded. This was disobedience; this was sin that I had not raised Martin up. (Jam. 4:17) Driving home talking with God, I asked why didn’t I raise up Martin? God said, “You know why not. You were afraid, and did not believe. You must learn to only believe when you do my works.”
Thereafter, I officiated and eulogized Martin’s Home-Going Celebration Service, as well as officiated his Burial Service. We had a glorious time in the Lord. But, afresh within my brain was the feeling that I had let God, Martin, and myself down by succumbing to fear; fears of possible failure in raising him up, as well as what his family would think of my efforts. I felt sadness that Brother Martin was in the prime of his life (in his 40’s) and passed away, and the Lord wanted to use me to revive him and return him to his mother, wife, and two children. For many months I replayed that scene on the second floor landing, and promised God if the opportunity would ever come again that He told me to raise a person from the dead, that I would do it.
The Holy Ghost reminded me of God’s admonishment; that I had to “learn to only believe when doing His works.” Since God said I had to “learn to only believe,” I knew that meant the renewing of my thought-life (brain) had to take place on how to “Believe.” Also, since I was instructed to “learn only to believe” it meant there would be more opportunities to raise the dead, as well as to work other miracles for Christ’s sake in my Ministry.
So I took time and studied the word “Believe” in the Holy Bible; focusing on what it means to believe as a born-again Christian, as well as other Scriptures that chased away fear, and helped encourage and strengthen my belief. The Apostle Paul wrote at II Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Studying God's Word means with the guidance of the Holy Ghost intentionally reading, meditating on, and applying the Bible to know God, understand His Will, and be transformed into a “competent” and “skillful” worker of Christ. Studying goes beyond passive reading to include active reflection, prayer, and obedience, aimed at gaining wisdom, guidance, and spiritual transformation and growth. I entreated the Word of God concerning “Believing” like Joshua did upon the Commandment of the Lord, to: “Not let the Scriptures depart out of my mouth on believing, but to meditate day and night on them, to enable me to do according to all that is written therein, which brings forth supernatural prosperity and good success.” (Jos.1:8) Oh yes Saints, the Word of God to me is as the Psalmist wrote at Psalm 119:97-100:
97 O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
About one year after Martin’s death, I got a call from Minister Fernando, and he told me that his Mother had passed away in the hospital. With reverence and respect I tell of my encounter with her. (Several months earlier, I had visited Minister Fernando’s Mother during a hospital stay. She was very appreciative that I was close friends and the Pastor of her son.) I prayed before leaving the house, and God told me to go and raise her up. I said, “Yes Sir I will.”
When I arrived at the hospital, Minister Fernando and Sister Ebony were standing outside of the hospital in tears. I asked how they were doing and where his Mother was. Fernando said his Mom’s body was still in the room and he gave me the room number. When I arrived at the room, the lights were off and her body was disconnected from the medical apparatuses. I stood at the foot of her bed, and said in a moderate voice, “Wake up.” (Saints, I did not pray over her, speak in other tongues, nor did I say in the name of Jesus.) God had already told me to go and raise her up; so I did so under His Authority. I knew that God’s Voice Command and my Voice Command were “One” in the same, and I “Only Believed” (was fully persuaded) that she would wake up.
Fernando’s Mom immediately opened her eyes, and I went to her beside and asked if she remembered me. She could not speak, but smiled slightly and nodded her head yes. The nurse on duty came in the room, and said, “Oh my God she is alive!” I said, “Yes she is thank the Lord,” and they hooked her up to the machines again.
I immediately left the room and went outside to find Fernando and Ebony, and told them in my best slang: “Man your Momma ain’t dead, go and see her now!” I think Fernando said something like, come on Pastor for real? I said again, “She ain’t dead, go see for yourself!” With excitement he and Ebony immediately went back to her room, and she was yet alive. That day, I thanked God for giving me the opportunity to “Only Believe!” My soul had been revived, and on that day, I learned the difference between Believing the “right-way,” and Believing the “wrong way.”
In the case of Brother Martin’s death, while I knew God was willing and able to raise him from the dead, I was not fully persuaded that God would work through me to do the miracle. On that second floor landing, I was consumed with fear and could only hear and see death all around me and yielded to the circumstances of death. Instead of obeying God and bringing to Martin’s body the quickening Power of the Light of life.
While in the case of Fernando’s Mom, before I even left my house, I was “fully persuaded” that his Mother would be revived when I got there. I knew God would do a miracle through me because I had learned to “Only Believe.” I had no concern whether doctors, nurses, or other family members would be present in the room when I got there; I was determined without wavering to wake her up no matter the circumstances. Saints, I learned something that may offend some folks in Christian Circles, but its ok, as it’s surely the Truth. And that is, miracles will not happen as long as we are waiting on God to perform them. While God is the final Authority in all matters, He has called and given to His sons and daughters in Christ the “Authority” and “Power” to do miracles, signs, and wonders. (Acts 1:8) But, these miracles, the same works Jesus Christ performed while in the earth, and greater works as He sits at the right-hand throne of God, are exclusively reserved for those who will “Only Believe” in Him. (John 14:12)
As such, we must with earnest intent and diligence learn to “Only Believe.” Saints, let me explain to you what Bible Belief is, and share with you the steps I used to renew my thought-life to become transformed, from a fearful and disobedient servant of Jesus Christ, into a faithful miracle worker for Christ’s sake.
Take Hold of Bible Belief and Never Let Go
Before giving the definition of “Believe,” just look at a sampling of Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures in which the word “Believe” appears, along with its context, as it serves as an sure anchor to each Scripture of Promise. Renew your thought-life to the importance of “believing.”
Matthew 21:22: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mark 9:24: And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mark 11:24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Hebrews 11:6: 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.
Romans 15:13: Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
John 20:29: Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Genesis 15:6: And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
John 14:1: Let not your heart be troubled: Ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 16:31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Isaiah 43:10: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Matthew 9:28: And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Romans 13:11: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Write this definition down and never forget what Bible Belief is all about. The word “Believe” in the Greek translation is “pisteuo,” which conveys the meaning “to place all of one’s trust in the Truth.” (We are fully persuaded in the Truth) God’s Holy Word (Jesus Christ) is Truth. So when we “Only Believe,” we exercise our free-wills to place all of our trust in God’s Word regardless of circumstances, and God counts it for Righteousness. Yes, God credits the perfect Righteousness of Jesus Christ to a person’s account based on their “Belief” in Him, not based on self-works.
When we “Only Believe,” it’s based solely upon the Authority of Almighty God and the Testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we “credit” God’s Holy Word as “Absolute Truth;” we credit the Holy Bible as Absolute Truth that we are to place all of our hopes and trust upon. This is the kind of belief Abraham (the father of many nations and ruler of the world) exhibited before God, when at age 99, he considered not his old age, nor the barrenness of Sarah’s womb, but was “fully persuaded” that what God had Promised, Isaac his son, (Gen.17:19,18:10, &14) he was able to perform. And, God imputed this belief to Abraham for righteousness. (Rom. 4:20-22) Abraham, not staggering at the Promise with unbelief, but being “strong in faith” went in to Sarah, she became pregnant and bore Isaac to Abraham in his old age, at the very Time God had Promised him. (Gen.21:2)
Saints, consider this. In the natural, we considered the words of our loving parents as “trustworthy” when they gave to us our names at birth. Repeatedly, with love and patience, they told us our names, and had us rehearse saying and writing our names; establishing our identity. In so doing, we came to learn, know, and “trust” that our names are what they called us, and no one can, nor ever will convince us otherwise. Furthermore, for many of us, our parents shared legal proof showing our names on birth certificates and other documentation, which validated belief in our names. We accept and credit and live by our native name designations because we consider our parents as “Trustworthy Authorities.” Yes, we are fully persuaded; only-believe, in the veracity of our parents when they gave to us our birth names.
Thus, having belief in our names, as an act of faith, routinely we take action to use our names for personal identification, to claim ownership of things, to show respect for our parents and society, as well as recognition for effective communication. Are you following me Saints?
When we “Only Believe,” (are fully persuaded) in the trustworthiness of something, (in this case our names given to us by our parents), by faith we boldly take action to use our names in the course of daily living. Our belief in our birth names leads to the release of faith with corresponding actions to use them in all manner of living and communication. Without believing in our legal names, we would never take action(s) to use them in the course of life. In fact, we would unlawfully use another name as identification, which would lead to such things as processed document errors, the denial of benefits, tax audits, and potential fraud charges.
Saints, if we “believe” to the point of being fully persuaded in the authority of our parents and the veracity of their words in naming us, how much more then should we credit the Words of our Heavenly Father God as “Trustworthy” who created the cosmos, Mankind, all things seen and unseen? How much more having credited His Words as Trustworthy should we be willing to appropriate the gift of faith to do the works of God?
When studying to “Only Believe,” first, I went to several Scriptures that give witness of the “Trustworthiness” of the Holy Bible, with the foundation and understanding that Jesus Christ’s Resurrection from the dead on the third-day serves as central proof of God’s existence and divinity, and validation of Jesus’ identity as the only begotten Son of God.
Furthermore, because I have believed with my heart and mouth the Gospel and eternal Testimony of Jesus Christ, repented of sin, accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, received water baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost; I know that God in Christ Jesus abides in me, and I in Him. (Is. 53:1 & I John 4:15). Thus, I am compelled to renew my thought-life (brain) to be transformed in all manner of thinking and living in accordance with the Word of Almighty God who cannot lie nor fail. (Rom. 12:1-2) I understand that as I study, and believe with my heart, God’s Word, God credits the perfect Righteousness of Jesus Christ to my account, and empowers me by faith to receive the Promise contained in His Word.
Key Verses on the Trustworthiness of the Holy Scriptures, include:
- II Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
- Psalm 19:7 (NIV): The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Matthew 24:35 (ESV): Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
- II Peter 1:21 (NKJV): ...prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
- Psalm 12:6 (NIV): And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
- John 17:17 (ESV): Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
- Numbers 23:19 (NIV): God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill.
Saints, here is a “News Flash” for you: “God is not a human being, and His Thoughts and Words are infinitely higher than those of any human being.” When you read and study the Holy Bible do not consider the Scriptures as the mere and meager words of human beings set in human intellect, reasoning, and philosophy. In Numbers 23:19, it states that “God is not a man that he should lie,” which means God is perfect, unchanging, and always faithful to His Word; unlike fallible humans who break promises or change their minds. The Scripture emphasizes God’s “Absolute” Integrity, Holiness, and Trustworthiness, which provides assurance to believers of the hope and Promises from God are secure and everlasting.
Upon God’s declaration that His Word is Truth, Perfect, and Endures forever, we must credit His Holy Word as “Trustworthy.” Moreover, since God’s Word (Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding) created the cosmos and all things contained therein, and will never pass away, we must esteem the Word of God as the highest Authority, and live by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. (Luke 4:4 & Heb.1:3)
For my life, when I open the Holy Bible and read the first Verse of Genesis Chapter 1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” I conclude that I must fear God and keep His Commandments because the “Holy Threeness” created all things. Whatever God says goes and so I must go with it; “Only Believing!” Say this with me Saints and record it as a memory of faithful declaration:
“I only believe (completely trust) in God’s Holy Word above all things and the people of the earth. God’s Holy Word is infallible, unchangeable, and indestructible. God has given me His Holy Word so that my words and actions will also be infallible, unchangeable, and indestructible when appropriated by faith in my life and in the lives of many other people that He has called me to serve.” Amen, so let it be done!
The Trustworthiness of Our Inheritance of Forgiveness
In my study time on “Only Believing” the next thing I had to do, knowing full well that God’s Word is Trustworthy, is to forgive myself for the act of disobedience in not raising Martin from the dead. According to the Apostle Paul, through the precious blood of Jesus Christ and with abundant grace, God has given to us an “inheritance of forgiveness.” (Eph.1:7, Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:13 & Matt. 18:21-22) Most Christians do not realize God has made us “owners” of forgiveness. Meaning God has placed into our “stewardship” the Authority and Power to forgive the sins of others committed against us, as well as our own sins committed against God and others. For if you did not own forgiveness, how could you forgive as Commanded by the Lord? (Matt.18:21-22)
Paul also wrote at Romans 8:1-3, that there is no condemnation (guilt, shame, blame) for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. “For the Law of the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.” Building upon these Scriptures, the Holy Ghost reminded me that God had not given me the “spirit of fear” and its torment over not raising Martin from the dead. Rather, God has given to me the Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. (II Tim.1:7)
Upon these Promises of forgiveness and freedom from sin, I “Believed” that the blood of Jesus Christ had washed away my sin of disobedience on the cross of Christ. I repented and released myself from the sin, and claimed complete victory over all of the negative emotions experienced in not raising Martin from the dead; the stress, anxiety, worry, fear, embarrassment, and guilt was from the enemy Satan. As I meditated on, and became fully persuaded of my inheritance of forgiveness and what God had given me: power, love, and a sound mind; Satan and his torments completely left me!
Oh Saints, this is a good thing for you to practice in daily living, as the enemy tries to tempt you to fear, become stressed, anxious, shamed, and/or guilt-ridden about any disobedience with God’s Word in your life. Meditate and receive God’s gift to you of forgiveness and His great Power, Love, Sound Mind so that you can think, speak, and do things according to His Way(s) of doing things. Say right now, “God has given me the Spirit of Faith, Power, Love, and a Sound Mind because I completely trust in His Holy Word!”
Trustworthiness in Receipt of the Life of Jesus Christ
The third step I took to “Only Believe,” is I studied the Scriptures on “who God in Christ Jesus has made me to be.” I started with John 1:10-12, then moved on to I John 3:1, and lastly Colossians 3:3-5. Check it out.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
I John 3:1:
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Colossians 3:3-4:
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Jesus Christ first came to the Jews and in large part they rejected Him, and He turned to the Gentiles, and as many of us who “Believe” in Jesus, God has given to us the “Power” (Greek Word “Exousia,” meaning the “delegated right” or “authority”) to become the “sons” of God. Yes, because we “Believed” in Jesus, God gave to us the right to become the sons of God and have an intimate relationship with the Holy Threeness; called “eternal life.” (John 17:3)
Oh Saints, what Love God has commended towards us that while we were yet in sin Christ Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Thereby, clearing the way for the adoption of son-ship through the Spirit of God, for all who believing with their hearts and confession with their mouths of the Lordship of Jesus Christ are saved. (Rom. 8:15 & Gal. 4:4-7) And, now that the Holy Threeness dwells within our born-again hearts, our old-Adamic nature is dead and has past-away, our lives are hidden in Christ, and the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ is our life!
My favorite testimony and confession of faith that I have for decades shared with the Saints at Exousia Ministries, and encourage you to adopt for your own lives says: “The Word of God is Me. The Life and Jesus Christ is Me and God wants Me, wants you, and wants us all to Believe!”
In Christian Circles, not nearly enough do we meditate on the reality of who we are in Christ Jesus; we are the “sons of God,” showered with God’s Love and filled with the fullness of God. Saints, when was the last time you called yourself “a son of God?” Do you know and see from within your born-again heart that you are a son of God? You are born-again by the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, not by human flesh and endeavor, but by the Will of God! (John 1:13)
Furthermore, in God’s eyes, you are not recognized nor affiliated with any religious denomination, political party, ethnic group, zodiac sign, or social group. You are God’s Property, spirit, soul, and body and have been made a son of the Most-High God to bring to Him praise and glory! (I Cor. 6:20) You are a son of God, and as such the world does not know you, because it did not know your big brother Jesus Christ! It’s not possible for the people of the world to identify and understand the person of the son of God, because you are a “new creature” in Christ that never existed in the world before; destined to do new and great things never seen nor heard of by human knowledge, might, or understanding. (II Cor. 5:17) And, what God expects of you is to “Only Believe!” To “Only Believe” that through Him you can do the seemingly impossible. (Luke1:37)
Say it with me aloud, reminding yourselves, “I am a son of God!” Yes, you have a new spiritual nomenclature from God the Father; you are His “son!” Notice, as you believe and say it, you are transformed into that which God has made you. Maybe even in the same manner in which you practiced writing your birth name as a child, you should write down and rehearse for yourselves over and over that you are a “son of God.” When you say who you really are: High and Lifted up becomes your mental/moral ascent; far above the appetite for sin, worldly pride, and love for things of this world. Your affections become set on things in Heaven (spiritual things) and not the things of the earth. (Col.3:1) Ambitions and zeal become set on the things that God’s Heart is set on, and to do those things that are pleasing in His sight alone.
Lay Claim to the Trustworthiness of Heirship
In studying and learning to “Only Believe,” like a fresh sponge immersed into a bucket of water, I fully soaked-up and absorbed the refreshing anointing of my heirship in God in Christ Jesus. As the children of God, we have been made heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:17) By the exceedingly great richness of the Grace and Loving Kindness of God in perpetuity, we have been given as an inheritance of not only forgiveness of sins; but also of God’s Blessings, Righteousness, and the Kingdom of God. (Eph.1:3, II Cor. 5:21, & Rom.14:17) No human father loves and gives gifts to his children, as our Heavenly Father Loves and gives gifts to His children. (Matt. 7:11) Saints read what our Trustworthy Father God has given to us, recorded at II Peter 1:3, and “Only Believe!” (Become fully persuaded.)
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
II Peter 1: 3 Amplified:
For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through [a]true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Peter wrote that our Father God has bestowed upon us everything necessary for “A dynamic spiritual life” and godliness! My God Saints, have you ever contemplated, given serious consideration that God has equipped and given to you “A dynamic spiritual life?” Our lives should “continually” be filled with testimonies of how through the Power of the Holy Ghost we have defeated Satan and the kingdom of darkness, and delivered many people out of the clutches of Satan and brought them forth into the Presence of Almighty God! We ought to be known in Heaven and on earth as “soul winners” for Christ!
Through the Power of the Holy Threeness,” God has not only given to us everything that pertains unto life of a physiological nature like money, food, water, shelter, clothing, and health; and of a psychological nature such as love and belonging with family and friends, safety and security, and personal growth and a sense of human belonging in society. But, exceedingly above and far beyond the gifting of all physiological and psychological human needs, God has equipped us with a “supernatural” spiritual life in Christ!
Even Today, as I contemplate this great Promise that God has given to me a “dynamic spiritual life,” I become filled with great joy and am ready to go to war against spiritual forces of darkness and bring people into the marvelous light of Christ Jesus! This is the Life of Christ that has been given to us, as He ministered when on earth and as He is forever seated at the right-hand throne of God the Father in all Power, Dominion, and Authority. The dynamic spiritual life that God has given us to mirror before the people of the world was summarized eloquently by the Apostle Peter concerning the life of Jesus Christ that he observed, recorded at Acts 10:38:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jesus Christ was Anointed by God with the Holy Ghost and Power and filled-full of faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly love and kindness, and most of all “love and obedience to God the Father.” (Php. 2:5-8) Thus, He was equipped with everything He needed to have a dynamic spiritual life. These same spiritual and moral qualities God has given to all who “Believe” in Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God.
In no area of your born-again heart are you lacking of things to live out a Christ-like life on earth, as God has Anointed you with the Holy Ghost and Power. (Acts 1:8) Now say this with me Saints, “God has given to me a dynamic spiritual life!” Like Jesus’ Life, you have been given the Power and Authority to obey God in all things; to conquer all sin in your personal life; to live life without sinning; to defeat the devil in all of his temptations; to forgive the sins of others; to preach the gospel and win the lost to Christ; to do all manner of miracles; including healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demonic presence and oppression in people, and many more God-good works. As God was with Jesus, He also is with you!
Praise God, when you are “fully persuaded” (Only Believe) that God has given to you a “dynamic spiritual life” there is no temptation of fear that can stop you from doing the works of God as Commanded by Jesus Christ. (John 14:12) There is an unction from the Holy Ghost in your born-again heart; a knowing, that you have been anointed and empowered by God to bring glad tidings to the oppressed and to relieve all manner of sufferings of people. Daily, you remain present and on call for God to use; ever-ready to practice the faith of God to move mountains in the lives of others not possible by human might or intellect.
Saints who live dynamic spiritual lives are forever growing with God deeper in love, faith, and hope; and make fervent prayer with all the Saints. They come to confidently realize that Christ Jesus is living through them and perfecting their performance; forever conforming the Saint into the image of Jesus Christ as seated at the right-hand throne of God in Dominion and Authority, as King of kings and Lord of lords. (Php.1:6) They come to confidently realize that as Jesus is, so are we in this world; (I John 4:17) with boldness we are to assert our God-given Authority and Dominion over the whole earth; because Christ lives through us as He is in Heaven.
Praise God, God is not in control, He has lovingly delegated to us control over the affairs of the earth! (Rom. 8:32) Saints please cease from saying when we don’t have human answers to life’s problems, “God is in control.” Instead, remember that God has given to you a “dynamic spiritual life” to bring miracles and the Promises of God written in the Bible into physical manifestation under the Authority of Jesus Christ and the Trustworthiness of the Word of God.
God has laid in store for your glory, supernatural good things, not seen nor heard of by human knowledge, because you love God, and the Holy Ghost is going to make them known to you, so that through “Only Believing” you can do the mighty works of God. (I Cor. 2:9-10 & John 16:13-15) I stress again, no miracle can happen, nor any of the manifold New Testament Promises given to us can we receive into manifestation, unless we “Only Believe” to perform miracles and faithfully confess the Promises without wavering into manifestation! (Heb.10:23)
Lastly Saints, “Only Believe” in Jesus Christ’s Commandment and empowerments given to His disciples, recorded at Matthew 10:7-8, as they have also been given to you.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Dynamic spiritual Saints, perform miracles. As they are fully persuaded, as the disciples were, that Jesus has given them Power against all of the forces of darkness of Satan’s kingdom. (Matt. 10:1) Under the Authority of Jesus Christ, dynamic spiritual Saints preach the gospel, lay hands on the sick and heal them, raise the dead, cast out devils; and they do even greater works not written in the Holy Scriptures. All because they “Only Believe” in what they are Commanded by Christ to do. (John 14:12) Not only do they use the Lord’s Authority to set captives free, but they also “commend the same authority they have been given to do miracles to those they have healed.” For Jesus said, “freely ye have received, freely give away." This shows the “progressive nature” of the dynamic spiritual life God has given to us; as it’s replicated in others we Minister to who would “Only Believe” in Jesus Christ.
Saints, given everything I have taught on steps for “Only Believing,” be transformed in your thought life: Be fully persuaded that God and the Word of God is the Final Authority for all existence, and is Absolute Truth. Be fully persuaded that you are a son of God and the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ is living through you and will be perfected in you until the coming of the Lord. Be fully persuaded that God has predestinated you to do the same works of Jesus Christ; great and mighty works never seen in the earth, as God expects for you to live a dynamic spiritual life before Him.
Remember that it’s with your heart and mind, hands, feet, mouth that God has chosen to use to call all the people of the world to Salvation through Jesus Christ. To show forth manifold miracles that the people of the world might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing they might have life through his name. The continual study of the Word of God, coupled with an effectual prayer-life keeps the born-again Christian in a posture of readiness to do the works of God whenever the opportunity arises.
Saints, I urge you not to be a hearer of the Word only today. But, also a faithful doer of all that is written, and move forward with a Holy zeal to go even deeper in personal study of “Only Believing” in the Word of God and other topical studies as well. Study the Word of God as a life-time commitment for living. The more you practice “Only Believing,” in the things you are studying, the more God will credit the perfect Righteousness of Christ to your account, and by faith, use you to do great and mighty exploits in the earth that mirror the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 17:7-8, says you are “blessed of the Lord” because you have chosen to trust and place your hope in the Lord. As such, God has planted you like a “Tree of Righteousness” by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but your leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
In accordance with Isaiah 61:3, as the tree of God, within and outside of the Church of God, you will comfort those who mourn, give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness that God may be glorified; all because you have chosen to “Only Believe” that the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ is flowing from within and out of your born-again heart. Freely you have received the Power and Authority of God to do mighty works, freely give it away! Amen, for the preaching of the Word of the Living God. “Only Believe!”
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