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Knowing God—A Study in 2nd Corinthians
Moving Beyond Knowledge into Experience—
Igniting the Tinder of Truth by the Fire of the Spirit
Gene Cunningham - February 24, 2010
Beauty for Ashes #3
We are priests. Priests have the privilege of representing men before God. We should be praying. Do we have the faith required? Abraham believed God would provide the sacrifice — Jehovah Jireh. Mary and Martha said that Lazarus would not had died if Jesus had been there (Joh 11:21-22). Jesus tells Martha that He is the resurrection "I am" (Joh 11:23-26). "Did I not tell you if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" (Joh 11:40). Three words for "signs": 1) Supernatural event — miracle; 2) "Wonder" emphasizes the effect on the people; 3) "sign" miraculous event with spiritual meaning. Are we living or just existing? What's lacking? Faith (Heb 11:1, 1Jo 1:1). In the Gospel of John there are eight signs and eight "I am" statements.
in Rom 1:16-17 Paul says "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believes, to the Jew first and also to the gentile. For in it is righteousness is revealed from faith to faith as it is written. The just shall live by faith". Are we moving from "faith to faith"? Are we living or just existing? What's missing? Faith. "IS faith" — Faith needs to have the emphatic position in our life (Heb 1:1). Habbakuk expressed faith through complaint (Hab 1:1-5, Hab 1:12-17). God responded by telling him he was to "live by faith" (Hab 2:4). "Faith is the substance (hupostasis — incarnation, foundation) of things hoped for" (Heb 11:1). How long has it been since you had a sense of the reality of the person of Jesus Christ? In Ephesians the key is Paul's prayers (Eph 3:14-21). Paul began singing the victory song before his deliverance. Faith is substance, but also conviction. The Lord is a Shield that surrounds us on every side. David described the Lord this way. The shield of faith "with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph 6:16). If Christ is our Shield why does so much come through? Only that which comes through glorifies or magnifies the Shield. God allows what is for His glory. We know the story ends well for Christ. How will our personal story end? If we follow we are assured the victory. Faith is required to follow Christ. God says "I AM" and "Faith IS". "He who comes to God must believe that He IS and a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb 11:6). If we begin to live by faith, we have a foundation under our feet and conviction in our heart, but also receive a reward.
Conference notes for this series can be found [HERE]
Scripture References: John 11:23-26, Habakkuk 1:1-5, Hebrews 11:6, John 11:21-22, Hebrews 1:1, Ephesians 6:16, Romans 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 1:1, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:1, Habakkuk 2:4, John 11:40, Habakkuk 1:12-17
From Series: "Beauty For Ashes - Florida 2010"
Have you ever stood in great need of comfort and encouragement? If so you know that in time of affliction there is no thought or word that has deeper meaning nor any possession of greater value than that of effective and genuine comfort. The objective of this study is to equip us to have the assurance that there is comfort available and to know how to be comforted as well as how to be a comfort to others in the fires of affliction.