Faith’s Focus
A contrast in faith focus
Heb 11:6 (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
This isn’t a blind faith
This isn’t a faith in your faith
This is a specific, focused faith.
This is a faith IN GOD!
Faith’s Focus
Luk 17:6 (ESV)
6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Small faith in an infinite, all-powerful God versus huge faith in self or man or anything else
Faith’s Focus
Man crawling across the ice
Must get across or freeze to death
Team of horses roars down and crosses
Both get across but one is accomplishing far more because of full commitment, proven faith
Tested the ice
vs just trying it out
vs not crossing at all
-
(Setting)
Act 12:12 (ESV) When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Read Act 12:13-25
-
Act 12:13 (ESV) And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
Act 12:14 (ESV) Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.
Faith’s Focus
Act 12:15 (ESV) They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”
Act 12:16 (ESV) But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.
Faith’s Focus
Act 12:17 (ESV) But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
Act 12:18 (ESV) Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
Act 12:19 (ESV) And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
Act 12:20 (ESV) Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food.
Act 12:21 (ESV) On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
Act 12:22 (ESV) And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
Faith’s Focus
Act 12:23 (ESV) Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Faith’s Focus
Act 12:24 (ESV) But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Act 12:25 (ESV) And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
=
Weak faith isn’t failing
Failure comes with faith in the wrong solution
Faith’s Focus
Facing toward God or facing away from God
Which way are you facing?
Where are you aiming?
Aiming for or away from God?
It’s not the strength of your faith, it is the strength of what you have faith in!
Faith’s Focus
Dan 4:28-37 (ESV)
