UNVEILING THE OVERCOMING FAITH

STUDY SCRIPTURE:

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith

1 John 5:4 (KJV)

The bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Like we learnt in our last month’s series, you access faith in God’s presence. You will be stagnated in your walk with God and other life’s activities if you fail to build on your faith. Today, we will gain insight on the ‘Overcoming Faith’. By the end of this message, I ask God to impart you with an overcoming faith in Jesus name. Amen!

What then is an Overcoming Faith?

It is the faith that makes you a mystery and master over life (John 3:8).
An overcoming faith is a faith that sets you free from all forms of slavery and deceit (Romans 8:15).
It is the faith that sets you free from fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

What this Overcoming Faith deals with?

An overcoming faith deals with the spirit of death (Psalms 23:4, Hebrews 2:14-15)
It deals with wickedness
It deals with fear (fear of failure etc.)
It deals with the negative issues of life (in regards to your health, marriage, academics e.t.c.).
It deals with spiritual bondage.

How to access this Overcoming Faith?

The knowledge of who you are in Christ (1 John 4:4). Your fellowship with God enables you to gain victory over the evil one. Your personal experience with God determines how bold you will be over situations.

Further Scriptures: 1 John 2:13, Isaiah 41:21, revelation 13:7, Numbers 13:30.

Prayer Line: Oh LORD help me to strengthen my relationship with you so that in Jesus name Amen.

THE LAWS OF SPIRITUAL POWERLESSNESS (PART2)

STUDY SCRIPTURE:

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat

Luke 22:31 (KJV)

In this series so far we have treated the law of ‘wrong heart for God and His things’ as the first law of spiritual powerlessness. A wrong heart deprives a man from accessing spiritual power needed for impact (Acts 8:21). Today, we will start by understanding the two types of spiritual power. They are:

Power to live daily: this is the power that enables you to be an example to believer (1 Timothy 4:12). It is the power to embrace sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). It is the power that exempts a believer from personal condemnation (Romans 8:1-2).
Power to win daily: this is that enables you to suppress the power of the enemies attacking any area of your life. It destroys the oppression of the devil over your health, academics, finances, family and marriage.

The absence of the power to live daily and the power to win daily can deprive a believer of his love for God and cause him to backslide.

LAW #2 – SPIRITUAL CARELESSNESS

The second law of spiritual powerlessness is the spirit of carelessness (Luke 22:31). When you think that you have grown in the area of spirituality, you are bound to fall therefore you need to take heed.

The manifestations of spiritual carelessness

It manifests in the over confidence of oneself. You need to be spiritually sensitive in order to checkmate this attitude.
It also manifests in lack of consecration. You must be sober and prayerful in order to preserve your consecration (1 Peter 5:6)
It manifests when you are ignorant of spiritual shortage of oil. To escape spiritual shortage of oil you need to activate or develop;

Your prayer alter
Your consecration
Your worship lifestyle

Prayerlessness is as a result of carelessness (2 kings 4:1-33).

Prayer Line: Oh LORD ignite my prayer alter, to burn for you in Jesus Name Amen.

Laws of Spiritual Powerlessness

Study Scripture:

You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Acts 8:21 (NIV)

The role of power in the life of a believer can never be ignored. The currency of the end-time church is power. If you are powerless, you will be oppressed by the devil. Power is not collected by proxy, it is collected intentionally in the place of prayers.

Two types of spiritual power are:

Spiritual power to live daily in Christ
Spiritual power to win and subdue the activities of satan in the world

Presently, there is a broad exhibition of powerlessness amongst believers.

LAW #1: A WRONG HEART FOR GOD AND HIS THINGS

A wrong heart for God is simply a heart that goes after God only for what the individual wishes to get from God. Some people use God as a spiritual insurance company. They attend church services in search of job, husband/wife, child, etc. This is the reason behind the powerlessness of many Christians.

The book of Acts 8 vs 1-21 tells the story of a Simon who understand the value of power. Before he met the apostle Philip, he was making money from the Samaritans from his wizardry. He followed Apostle Philip everywhere because of the signs and wonders that were performed by God through Philip. On seeing people receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by Apostles Peter and John; he offered them money to receive the same power. Apostle Peter rebuked him for trying to purchase the gift of God with his money.

Two things could be observed here; the first is that Simon repented and got baptized, yet his heart was not right with God. He was after signs and wonders. The second is that Apostle Philip did not discern that Simon’s heart was not right with God though he was following him everywhere.

This is the same thing we see in our churches today, many people want to buy God’s power with their money but that is not the perfect exchange. Power is accessed with a genuine heart for God. Power increases by reason of pursuit of God. Power increases at the desperate seeking and searching of God. Power leakage occurs by reason of pursuit after material things. Power is not bought with money but with a right heart.

Prayer Line: Oh LORD, purge my heart from lust after material things and give me a genuine heart for you in Jesus name. Amen!

Stirring Up Violent Faith

Study Scripture:

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

Hebrews 4:2 (NIV)

This month, we received God’s prophetic word thus: HIS POWER IS MY WINNING TICKET. THEREFORE, I SHALL ESCAPE ALL THE EMBARRASSMENTS OF THE DEVIL. You must understand that what makes you a winner is violent faith. You access your winning ticket with the instrument of faith. The prophetic instrument for the advancement of your life above satanic embarrassment is through the instrument of faith, and not just any kind of faith but violent faith.

Let’s look at some scriptural examples; individuals who won by violent faith:

The blind beggar who cried out to Jesus for help; ignoring the rebuke of the people around him. His violent faith yielded his healing (Luke 18:35-39).
The relatives of the paraplegic man who opened up the roof to lay him before Jesus. This violent action of faith brought about his wholeness. (Luke 5:18-24).
The widow of Zeraphath who had faith in the word of the prophet and acted accordingly. Her faith fetched her abundant food in the midst of famine (1 Kings 17:12-14).
Elisha who was desperate to receive a double portion of his master’s anointing. His violent faith granted him access to his desire (2 kings 2: 9-14).

Instruments That Makes Faith Work

Love for God (Galatians 5:6).

Faith is expressed in love. True lovers of God are violent faith activators. Once you are a genuine lover of God, you can easily give out whatever He demands of you and faith will always provide for you. True lovers are givers, sacrificial and responsible believers. The faith of a true lover will always work. Love driven faith oppresses the devil. Faith is impotent without love.

Praise (Psalms 100:4).

To access violent faith, you need to be a person of praise. Whenever you praise God, faith is released.

Further Scriptures: Psalms 63:2, Daniel 3:18, Genesis 12:1, 2 Chronicles 20:20

Prayer Line: Oh LORD, give me a heart that is full of love for you in Jesus name. Amen!