UNBELIEF IS AN ENEMY TO OVERCOMING MOUNTAINS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY JANUARY 26, 2020.

SUBJECT : UNBELIEF AS AN ENEMY TO OVERCOMING MOUNTAINS!

Memory verse: “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.." (Matthew 21 vs 21.)

READ: Matthew 17 vs 19 - 21:

17:19: Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could not we cast it out?”
17:20: So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you, If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move From here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
17:21: However, this kind does not out except by prayer and fasting.

INTIMATION:

Unbelief is the state of not believing, being skeptical, or lack of faith. Mountain represents difficult obstacles we face in life. Unbelief is an enemy to overcoming mountains (difficult obstacles) of what seems to be impossible. In Matthew 13 vs 58 we notice that Jesus did not operate in the power of God in His hometown because of the unbelief of the people: “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13 vs 58.) Unbelief blinds people to the truth and robs them of hope. Believe, ask God for a mighty work in your life, and expect Him to act. Look with the eyes of faith.

Also, the disciples of Jesus could not cast out the demon in the boy, although they have been given the authority by Jesus to cast out demons, but they had not yet learned how to appropriate the power of God. The disciples seem to be somewhat embarrassed over their inability to take care of the demon possessed boy. It was unbelief on their part, not on the part of the one who was healed. However, the qualification for being able to command the power of the supernatural demanded that they believe. Their faith was filled with doubts and fears. 

It is important to drive unbelief from your life. And one of the ways this is accomplished is through prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting help us clear obstacles to our faith and faith-filled actions. Fasting, coupled with prayer, is one of the most powerful weapons to receiving a breakthrough and overcoming unbelief. Jesus preceded His ministry with fasting and returned in the power of the Holy Spirit into Galilee. Jesus didn’t struggle with unbelief, and He operated in faith throughout His ministry.

Many have wondered about Jesus’ statement that if we have faith and don’t doubt, we can move mountains. Jesus, of course, was not suggesting that His followers use prayer as “magic” and perform capricious “mountain moving” acts. Instead, He was making a strong point about the disciples’ (and our) lack of faith. Jesus’ frustration is with the unbelieving and unresponsive generation. His disciples were merely a reflection of that attitude in this instance. Jesus’ purpose was not to criticize the disciples but to encourage them to greater faith. 

Jesus said to the disciples that their faith was too small. It is the power of God, plus our faith that moves mountains. The mustard seed was the smallest particle imaginable. Jesus said that even faith as small or undeveloped as a mustard seed would have been enough or sufficient. Perhaps the disciples had tried to cast out the demon with their own ability rather than God’s power to act. There is great potential in even a little faith when we trust in God’s power to act.

If we feel week or powerless as Christians, we should examine our faith, making sure we are trusting God’s power, not our own ability to produce results. If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Only then will you be able to overcome the obstacles that may stand in your way. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. Although, the growth or change will be gradual and imperceptible, soon the faith will have produced major results that will uproot and destroy competing loyalties. We don’t need more faith, a tiny seed of faith is enough if it is alive and growing.

Faith is the complete trust and loyalty to God that results in a willingness to do His will. Faith is not be the source of power, God is. Faith is not something we use to put on show for others. It is complete and humble obedience to God’s will, readiness to do whatever He calls us to do. When one prays in faith, it is that God answers prayer. Though He may not answer in the manner we deem correct, or at the time we feel we need an answer, He still answers our prayers. The amount of faith isn’t as important as the right kind of faith—faith in our all-powerful God. Christians, therefore, must always pray with a positive attitude that God is working in answer to their sincere prayers of faith.

God will answer your prayers but not as a result of your positive mental attitude. Other conditions must be met: (1) You must be a believer; (2) you must not hold grudge against another person; (3) you must not pray with selfish motives; (4) your request must be for the good of God’s kingdom. To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. If you focus only on your request, you will be left with nothing if your request is refused.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the right spirit of faith, to believe according what is written, that I may speak accordingly, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!