God
is looking for a certain kind of faith. “Without faith it is impossible to
please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Here are three components in faith that please God.
#1 PERSISTENCE Four men carried a paralyzed man on a pallet
for Jesus to heal. Jesus was teaching in a home but the men couldn’t get near
to door because of the crowd. Most people would have turned around and said, “I
guess it wasn’t God’s will to heal him.” Instead, they climbed on the house,
tore a hole in the roof and lowered the man down in front of Jesus.
Luke 5:20 says,
“Jesus saw their faith…” Their faith was manifested by their persistence.
Jesus forgave the man’s sins and healed him.
#2 INSIGHT A Roman centurion had a servant who was sick
to the point of death. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” The soldier
said, “Just say the word and my servant
will be healed.” He knew that Jesus could simply say “be healed” and it
would happen. Jesus replied, “I have not found such great faith in all of Israel”
(Luke 7:9). He had insight into God’s ability and power that others in
Israel didn’t have. His servant was healed at the same time Jesus spoke.
#3 EXPECTANCY Peter and John went to the temple to pray. A
man who had been lame from birth was begging by the temple gate and was “expecting
to receive something from them” (Acts 3:5). The man was healed because of
his expectancy.
So
let’s put these things together.
God
wants us to keep persisting in spite of obstacles. “Pray at all times
and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1)
God
wants us to understand His power to do the impossible. “With God nothing
is impossible” (Luke 1:37)
God
wants us to expect Him to answer our prayers. “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe
that you receive and you shall have them.” (Mark 11:24)
And
then you’ll have faith that pleases God and moves Him to respond.
READ THE SERMON HERE “Jesus
Heals the Paralyzed Man”
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