HANDOUT FOR SERMON: HOW DOES GOD DO IT?                                                                  “A Lesson on Increase My Faith Lord.” September 19th, 2021, Manchester, TN 9:30 a.m.

INTRODUCTION:

God described in the Bible is a living, active, caring, and involved God from the first book in the Old Testament called Genesis until the last book of prophecy in the New Testament called Revelation. If you are one who believes in the God of the Bible, then our lesson today is for YOU! The concepts of faith and trust are mentioned throughout the Bible. I think we all would admit we have struggled some with our faith in God and the will of God in our lives.

Do you ever feel your faith inadequate to handle the challenge you have in life?
Do you ever fell your faith isn’t as strong as it should be?
Are you struggled with the growth and completion of your faith?
Do you look at others and say, “I wish my faith was as strong as their faith!”
What about trusting God- do you trust God completely, in all things?
Faith and trust are closely connected by not the same thing.
Faith is believing in God, in what He is, in what He says and in what He can do for you.
Trust is the willful choice that God will do what He has promised, promises and says!

Scripture: Psalm 40:4, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 56:3-4

LESSON:

1.WHAT THE LORD WILL DO FOR YOU AND WITH YOU? It is so amazing: all the things God says He will do for His people. Why do we shy away from the from the reality of an active God in our personal lives and in the world today?

Psalm 107 A psalm that shows us that God is involved in the lives of the wicked and the righteous. Please read this notice all the God is involved in.

WHY DON’T I TRUST IN GOD? Why do we say: “Well I know God will not do this or that!” Are we claiming we know how & why God works?  Why do I doubt in God being involved in my life?

Scripture: Psalm 28:7, Psalm 37:4-7.

Everyday challenges test our trust in God. Fear and anxiety weaken our faith and trust in God and can rob us of our faith.  Jesus own apostles admitted this. Their questions indicates that Christ & God could suggest or do something to help to increase their faith.

Scripture: Luke 17:5 (verse 1-5 The seriousness of following Christ.)

“Increase My faith.” What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 Faith is conviction, conviction of things not seen. Means firmly held, persuasion, stance, or belief.  We all have times in our lives that we should cry out to the Lord and say: “Lord, increase my faith!”  Why cry out if you don’t believe in a God who will do it!?! You may ask: “Why would God do that?” or “How will God do it?”

HOW DOES GOD DO THIS?

CONSTANT BIBLE READING/STUDY. The word of God is spiritual food. How often to you eat food? Why do you we eat food? Feasting on the word of God-gives us spiritual nutrition and development. The secret is “Every Day!” Remember the word of God is powerful and living! We must do better at “ingesting” and “digesting” it every day.

Scripture: Matthew 4:4, Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 119

CONTINUAL PRAYER. God speaks of constantly prayer, daily prayer and contacting Him. We are told not to quench the Spirit, if one does not read the word of God daily and one stops praying to God the result is- we quench the Spirit in our personal lives. The result we lose any benefit that God promises in reference to the Spirit, His Spirit or the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, 19 & 21,

TRIALS & DIFFICULTIES. Bad things happen – these become an opportunity to increase our faith and endurance. Facing trails to for our benefit. Therefore, God allows them to come into our lives. The Bible is filled with people who work through the temptations and trials of life and come out of it strong, more determined and blessed. God promises to give us strength, assistance, and peace in our fight with our trials.

Scripture: James 1:2-4, James 1:15.

NEW RELATIONSHIPS. A quote: “You will be the same person you are today in 5 years, except fort the people you have meet and the books that you read.” Things change us, influence us, and can even improve us! There are good and there are bad influences and companionships or relationships! God has changed me because of the people I have met! The people right here in this building, the Manchester Church, my church family. I am a stronger grown-up person, a better person because of my connection with YOU! God works through people!

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:2-5, Acts 18:24-28, Acts 2:42-47

(Aquila & Priscilla: Acts 18:2, 18. 26, Romans 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19)

BEING OPEN MINDED. (A willingness to listen, hear, consider and to reason!) If you are not growing ins faith – you are not into building relationship or not into reading the Bible, and books and reasoning about your faith! We need to read more about the Bible from people who know more than us! Consider the Ethiopians Eunuch, Apollos and other Biblical examples. Today books can cause us to challenge our faith, thoughts and practices.

Scripture: Acts 18:4, Acts 17:11, Acts 8:30-31, Galatians 2:11-14, Acts 15.                                                                                CONCLUSION:  Mark 9:21-24 A father with a demon possessed son.