Understanding Believing
3-26-04 Friday morning
Things that affect and impede the successful development of faith and believing
Remember the parable of the sower: Mark 4:13-20 vs. 14 (the entering in of other things). Also see Matthew 6:19-23 vs. 22,23 being focused. Also reference I Corinthians 9:24-27 concerning keeping your focus and direction regarding your development. Also, John 8:26-31 concerning being a disciple by continuing in His Word, knowing the truth and being set free.
II Peter 2:4-8: The vexing of Lot’s righteous soul in hearing and seeing unlawful deeds (unlawful meaning unlawful according the right standards of the Great Judge and God of all).
God separated Abraham so he could have focused insides on Him and His promise. This is called being sanctified or set apart. Genesis 15:1-6, Matthew 17:14-21 vs. 21.
See 2nd Corinth. 6:14-21; 7:1, James 1:18-21 concerning the insides and the soul.
Proverbs 4:23, Matt. 12:31-36
If Believing is being open to a thing or allowing something to get into your heart; and if believing is: What you see on the inside of you, what you feel on the inside of you, what you think on the inside of you and what you say on the inside of you, then I can see the challenges that people
have attempting to develop their believing with all of these other distractions in their lives without setting themselves apart.
These exposures and words come from satan (2nd Corinth. 4:4) and the World
Genesis 3:1-12, II Chronicles 32:1-29
Exposures contrary to what you say you desire or more importantly contrary to the Word/will of God become impediments and hindrances to the successful development of believing God and His promises. These exposures come from the world (Lot, Genesis 13:9-13, I Peter 2:9-11 vs. 11).
Unhealthy Fellowship with the world ---I John 2:15-17, Ephesians 5:8, John 8:23-56, John 4:10-14, Hebrews 11:10, Col. 3:1-3
Fellowship defined---having things in common and a mutual sharing of resources. You are eating at the same table. You are drinking from the same cup. You are open to the same things.
I have nothing in common with the world
I am alive with the life of God (Gal. 2:20). The world is not (Ephesians 2:1-3, 11-12)
I am healed with the health of God (Exodus 3:15). The world is not.
I am rich with the wealth of God (Matt. 6:25-33). The world is not.
I am strong with the strength of God (Ephesians 6:10). The world is not. (Col. 2:8, 16-22; Gal. 4:9
I am wise with the wisdom of God (I Corinth. 2:1-16). The world is not (I Corinth. 1:20-32)
I am free with the freedom of God (Col. 1:13, John 8:28-33). The world is bound (II Peter 2:18-22)
I listen to the voice of God (John 10:27). The world does not (I John 4:1-6)
I see with the light of God (I John 1:5-7). The world does not (Matt. 6:20-23) the world’s light is darkness (Isaiah 8:20, Eph. 4:17-23)
My source is different (John 4:10-14)
How does one combat such contrary forces?
Separate oneself-II Cointh. 6:14-18, II Timothy 20:20-22, Matt. 17:21, Proverbs 18:1
Choose life –Deut. 30:11-16, Hebrews 11:25, John 6:63-69
Learn to recognize the enemies to the development of your believing –I John 5:21, Song of Solomon 2:15, James 1:21, 2nd Corinth. 7:1, Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1-3, Matt. 16:21-23, Genesis 15:11, Matthew 13: the birds are enemies, stony ground, thorny ground are enemies.
The dominant thing that should be believed should be the Word of God (John 4:48-54 vs. 50
How did God Help Abraham and Gideon’s unbelief (Mark 9:22-24)? Genesis 15:1-6, Judges 6:7-24
A. A word- Judges 6:12
B. A Sign- Judges 6:17-23
C. A dream – Judges 7:9-19
The Relationship they had with the Lord facilitated them hearing from God and helped them to get the word, sign and dream. The relationship set them apart. The word, sign, dream was designed with the intent that they may believe (John 11:15, John 20:30,31)