Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6 has become a Scripture I bring before you on a regular basis. The reason is because that verse is the foundation for accomplishing great things for God. It is a simple statement where it is written, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
I do not have to remind you of the power and authority that characterized Jesus’ ministry. The Scriptures are replete with miracles from walking on the water, feeding 5,000 with a few fish and bread, healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead.
Yet there is an astonishing passage in Mt 13:54-58. It tells of Jesus going to his home town of Nazareth. Verse 58 records, “And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”
There was one reason why few miracles were done in Nazareth. They didn’t believe!
When we lack faith, God is not the one who loses out… WE ARE! God is God… He is in heaven… He has no need of anything or anyone. WE need HIM, His power, and to act on our behalf! And according to the Scripture, it is lack of faith prohibits all those things from happening.
God could act alone, but he doesn’t. In fact there are only 2 time in Scripture where God acted alone… Creation & Redemption. All other times God used men & women to accomplish His purpose!
I’m glad people have had enough faith to trust God’s will and plans…
I’m glad Noah didn’t say to God, “I don’t do boats…” I’m glad Abraham didn’t say, “I don’t like babies.” I’m glad Moses didn’t say, “I don’t cross seas…” I’m glad David didn’t say, “I don’t do giants…” I’m glad Mary didn’t say, “I don’t do virgin births…” I’m glad John didn’t say, “I don’t do baptisms…” I’m glad Paul didn’t say, “I don’t do Gentiles…” And I’m glad Jesus didn’t say, “I don’t do crosses…” Amen?!
THE greatest victories take place when God’s people act in their faith of the sovereign Lord.
Let me ask you a question. If God said something once, how important would it be?[i] What about twice? Three times? There is something in the Scripture God says no less than EIGHT TIMES! Do you want to know what it is?…
At least EIGHT TIMES in Scripture God says He can do anything… ANYTHING!
The first is found in Gen 18:12-14. There 99 year old Abraham was told that his 90 year old wife was going to have a baby. Sarah laughed in disbelief at such a proposition. God responded by saying that nothing was too difficult for Him.
The second is found in Num 11:23. There the children of Israel were tired of eating manna while wandering in the desert. They wanted meat! Moses didn’t think it was possible given their situation. Then God tells Moses that His power is not limited… He can do anything!
Then in Job 42:1-2, after Job’s suffering, he had seen God for who He really is. Then he affirmed, “I know that you can do all things…”
The next passage is found in Isaiah 59:1. The Jews didn’t believe in God’s awesome sovereign power. But once again the Scripture reiterates that God can do anything, anywhere, anytime!
In Jeremiah 32:17 & 27 we read about the Children of Israel being in Babylonian captivity. They were a powerful and brutal nation. God said He would deliver the children back to their promised land. Jeremiah wondered how this could happen given this nation’s strength. But once again it is set forth that NOTHING is too difficult for God. Mighty Babylon fell in ONE DAY!
Now let’s move to the New Testament. After the rich young ruler left Jesus, the disciples wondered aloud how ANYONE could be saved. Jesus responded in Matthew 19:26, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Do you remember when Mary was visited by the angel that told her she would bear the child of God? She asked how it was possible since she had never been with a man. Gabriel told her in Luke 1:36-37, “Nothing will be impossible with God.”
The last passage is found in Romans 4:20-21. There Paul is talking about the great faith of Abraham and the birth of a son well after Sarah’s childbearing years. He writes that Abraham was fully convinced that “what God promised, He was able to perform.”
Listen! That is true not only for this building… but EVERYTHING in your life! God can literally do ANYTHING!!!
I want to be involved in something that is so big, that the ONLY way it can be described is “A God Thing…” I want people to say, “I know Ron Ethridge. I know his gifts and abilities and HE couldn’t do that! The only explanation must be that GOD DID IT!”
When it comes to this building and providing the financing for it… to the tune of several million dollars… there is only one thing that can prevent it being done. A lack of faith on OUR part!
Since Jesus brought everything into existence by the spoken word, do you think HE can provide for us to build? Since Jesus overcame death & sin, can He provide for us to build? Since Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, walked on the water, fed the 5,000… can He provide what is needed to build this building? THE OBVIOUS ANSWER IS YES!
Now. Since all of that IS true, do you think God can provide YOU personally with what YOU need help in building for HIS glory? Can He handle ANY situation you encounter in life?
We want to build for people to stand in awe of God. We want to provide a place for more people to worship God. We want men, women, boys, & girls can be saved! We want to build so that all men will know that Jesus is Lord & King over all cities, nations, and KINGDOMS!
But there is only one thing that can prevent that from happening. A lack of faith.
A lack of faith regarding God’s power & authority… Over God’s ability to provide… over God’s will to build. A lack of faith that God wants us to build for His name to be magnified in Oxford.
This building is not about me, any committee, or anyone else in this church. This building is about GOD… His will, plan, and purpose to save sinners, & for His name be glorified!
Now is the time for FBC to be involved in something so awesome, so big, that it is beyond every one of us. It is time to be involved in something that can only be explained as “A God Thing.” And it is time for all of us to seek God for His will about how to be involved.
The church has overwhelmingly affirmed several times that pursuing this building IS God’s will. God has confirmed that this building is right for us and good for His kingdom.
This affirmation dates all the way back to several decades ago when members of this church saw the need for the corner property. It dates back that property coming available when it seemed impossible. It dates back to purchasing the house next to it without incurring any debt. It dates back to the “How Big Is Your God” emphasis when you gave over $100,000.00 in one day!
What we need to do is go back to an earlier emphasis… How big is YOUR God? How much faith do you have IN HIM?
The success of this endeavor is not restricted by God… He can do ANYTHING! AMEN?! The sole matter that will determine whether or not this building is built, hinges on our faith IN GOD and our obedience TO God.
So I ask that you seriously pray about what God would have you to give. I ask you to give generously with a cheerful heart. I ask you to give so that generations to come will be blessed by God.
Will you? Will you give to see God honored and worshipped? Will you give for His name to be lifted up? Will you give for scores to come to know Christ? In 2 Cor 9:6-8 we read this…
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
So regarding the future of FBC’s building program I echo the words of Jesus from Mt 9:29 “May it be done to {us} according to {our} faith…” I close by PRAYING Ephesians 3:20-21…
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (In Jesus Name) Amen.
[i] Idea from a message preached by T.W. Hunt at FBC-Center Point, AL. 8/99.
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