LORD, I BELIEVE! By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
The father of the deaf and dumb demon possessed boy was desperate! He wanted to have his son delivered but he didn't have much faith. He had asked the disciples of Jesus to cast the tormenting demon out of the boy, to no avail.
The Scribes and Pharisees were probably there to discourage the father and to ridicule and dispute with the disciples of Jesus. The Scribes and Pharisees' attitude towards divine healing and the ministry of Jesus and His disciples was negative. Their attitude regarding Jesus was seriously flawed!
When Jesus came down from the mountain, He demanded to know what was going on. The father of the child spoke up and said, "Master I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to Thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not.
“And he said, Of a child. And at times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." (Mark 9:17-22)
What words of unbelief and hopelessness: "I've tried everything, now I'm prepared to try you, if you can do anything"! Jesus rebuked him by putting the onus on him: "I can always do something. The problem isn't with Me - the problem is with you and your unbelief and with some of My disciples who lack faith."
IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL RECEIVE!
The man realized his bankrupt condition, repented, and cried out, "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief". Jesus healed his son by driving out the demon that had possessed him and made him deaf and dumb. He stated: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)
By God’s grace, I have declared this powerful truth for sixty years. I can state unequivocally that the miracles He has performed when we have truly believed and asked in faith, have been many. All glory to the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord! God’s Word is True, and the Devil is a Liar! Jesus said: “With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)
After reading this Scripture or hearing a sermon from this text, a hymnwriter penned the following song: "Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe. Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe."
God’s Word has brought peace, comfort, joy, hope and faith to the hearts of millions down through the ages. JESUS Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He alone is the Salvation of the world and the Prince of Peace! He promised; If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth!"
There is such authority and finality in this Scripture - such power and life! The Master Himself uttered these words of faith, hope and truth! God’s Word is TRUE through time and eternity... "All things are possible to him that believeth"!
How refreshing and how beautiful to be serving a strong, powerful, mighty, and omnipotent God who never changes, who never grows weary, who never grows old and who never forgets what He has promised.
It is very comforting to me as a servant of Jesus Christ to know that He is constant forever - unmovable, unshakable, and always keeping His Word; totally true, totally powerful, and totally honest! What a God we serve - what a Creator, what a Redeemer, what a Saviour and Deliverer, Physician and Friend!
No wonder the hymnwriter wrote the words "Man of Sorrow, what a Name for the Son of God who came; Ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!"
NO TROUBLE EXPRESSING HIMSELF!
Some people are shaken by the promises of Jesus - they are plagued by carnality and unbelief to the extent that it shadows or taints their belief in Jesus, under the guise of modernism or rationalism. They feel the teachings of Jesus are too simplistic and argue there must be a more intellectual approach to Christ and His salvation than simply by believing and accepting His promises, gifts, and graces.
"Thinking themselves to be wise, some so-called Christians become fools!" (Rom. 1:22) Trying to understand God rather than believing Him, they put more value in their traditions than in the Word of God, making the Word of none effect in their lives.
JESUS said: "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," (Matt. 15:9) St. Paul warns that because of this they heap to themselves teachers who have itching ears and being filled with erroneous doctrines and false teaching, are led farther into sin, darkness, and apostasy.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4)
The Christian Church must rid itself of man's ideologies, philosophies, traditions, dogmas, and thoughts that conflict with the Holy Bible, God's Sacred Word. As we read the Words of Jesus in simplicity and expectancy, we will see God's power in action as Faith rises in our hearts.
Let us settle it once and for all - if Jesus said it, it is TRUE! St. Paul gives us the answer to this when he declares in Romans 3:3-4, "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar".
The Bible states: "Heaven and earth shall pass away", but Jesus declared, "My words shall not pass away". (Luke 16:17) Hallelujah! Jesus had no trouble expressing Himself and always spoke plainly so therefore we conclude that He meant what He said and said exactly what He meant.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
Here it is in black and white, in simple, easy to understand language. "All things are possible to him that believeth!" How many things is, All Things? All things, means all things. If you can believe, you will receive the answer to your prayer.
Since faith comes from the Word of God you must read, believe, and act upon His Word, to receive faith for your prayers to be answered. Remember, God always keeps His Word to the letter. You can trust Him totally to fulfill His Word.
There is nothing impossible with God. Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible". (Mark 10:27) Many times we run into impossibilities and roadblocks in life, but faith in Christ makes the difference.
Faith destroys the prefix and performs the miracle that changes impossibilities into possibilities! With Jesus in the vessel, we can smile at the storm and with our hand in His hand we can meet any challenge and overcome it, defeat every enemy, slay every giant and find the answer we need. The Scripture declares, "...all things work out for good to them that love God who are called according to His purpose". (Rom. 8:28)
The Bible says, "Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus..." (2 Cor. 2:14) St. Paul declared, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us". (Rom. 8:37). Thank God for glorious victory through Jesus Christ our triumphant, victorious, and glorified Saviour and Lord. Certainly, all things are possible to him that believeth!
Jesus called the people of that generation faithless and perverse simply because they had not been able to cast the devil out of a deaf and dumb lunatic boy. He asked them the question, "How long shall I be with you?" How long shall I suffer you? He fully expected His disciples to do the same work He was doing and He expected them to grow in faith so that they would continue to do so after His departure!
Jesus cast the devil out and healed the boy. His disciples asked Him why they could not cast the devil out, even though Jesus had already given them power to do so. (Matt. 10:1, 7, 8). He answered, "...because of your unbelief, for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matt. 17:17-20)
The angel Gabriel carried the same faith-building, positive message as Jesus and the Early Church! When he was sent to Mary the Virgin, with the message of the birth of Jesus, Gabriel told her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would conceive in her womb and bring forth the Christ child. Mary asked, "How shall this be seeing I know not a Man"? Gabriel answered by saying, "...with God nothing shall be impossible". (Matt. 17:37) Thank God!
Faith is the key to the Kingdom of God, and prayer unlocks the door. Have faith in God. Have faith in God my friend, have faith in God!
For faith in God will move a mighty mountain. Faith will calm a troubled sea. Faith will make the desert like a fountain. And faith will bring the victory. The Scripture states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God", (Heb. 11:6) but with faith nothing is impossible! (Mark 10:27) Where does it come from, who has it? How do we get it?
WHAT IS FAITH?
The Scripture says: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen". (Heb. 11:1) This verse begins with the word NOW - I think that is very significant - FAITH is "a present time reality" - Faith is in the now - not yesterday and tomorrow, only now.
The faith of some people is reflected in Martha the sister of Lazarus - when they drew near to the grave of her dead brother she said, "If Thou had been here (past tense) my brother had not died". Jesus said, "Your brother shall rise again".
She answered that she knew that in the resurrection (future tense) some great day in the distant future he would rise again. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life". (John 11:25) She had faith for the past and for the future but not for the present!
This is how some Christians believe - "Oh, yes, God created the worlds out of nothing - Jesus performed miracles and did mighty signs and wonders, the disciples did the same - oh yes, we believe in the exploits of God's children in the past - that's true.
We also believe in the great things which are about to happen in the future - like the rapture of the church, the resurrection of the just and the unjust in the first and second resurrections. Oh yes, we believe in eternity and heaven and all that, but we do not believe God can or will heal the sick or perform miracles now.
We have faith in the past and in the future but right now there is nothing in the miraculous, supernatural realm available. God's Word rebukes these unbelievers and skeptics when it says, "Now faith is..." Faith is available to God's children today and thank God, faith gets the job done in this generation just as much as it got the job done in the past generations. Praise God.
NOW FAITH IS!
Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole. Thy faith hath saved thee", and "According to your faith be it unto you". (Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50; Matt. 9:29) St. Paul said, "Now faith is (today) the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". (Heb. 11:1) When you have faith you will soon have what you have believed for, and that which you have hoped and prayed for becomes reality!
Faith brings a miracle, according to God’s Word! The secret, however, is that you have a substance (faith) within you that is real even though it is invisible. It is the gift of knowing that God’s promises are true, and what you have asked for will glorify God! Real faith will produce the real physical evidence that cannot be denied or dismissed!
The Bible says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him". (Heb. 11:6). Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole". Again, the Bible says, "If you have faith as a mustard seed... nothing shall be impossible unto you..."
FAITH IS THREE THINGS!
Faith is not complicated. Faith is simple and easy to understand, and easier to get. People have made it difficult, and they have placed a certain aroma of mystery around divine healing and the miraculous. It is true that God works in mysterious ways His wonders to fulfill and if we stay true to His Word, and trust solely in Jesus Christ’s Redemptive work for us on the Cross, He will bless us!
1. Faith is coming to God!
2. Faith is
believing that God is.
3. Faith is
expecting an answer when you pray.
The Bible says, "...so then he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6)
Firstly, you wouldn't come to God for help if you didn't need help. Secondly, you would not come to God if you could help yourself. Thirdly, you wouldn't come to God for help if you didn't realize that He was stronger than you are and was able to do for you, what you couldn't do yourself.
Finally, if you came to God for help you must have believed that there was a possibility of Him helping you. I therefore conclude that everyone coming to God in prayer, asking for help, is displaying a certain amount of faith. If you have prayed and not received what you asked for, do not be discouraged. Keep on believing, praying, and thanking God and He will surely bless you!
FAITH IS BELIEVING THAT GOD IS:
Faith is also believing that God is - that He exists - and that He is the God of the Bible, the Almighty, Omnipotent, (all powerful) Omniscient (all wise) and Omnipresent (everywhere present) God, who created all things (Col. 1:16) and by whom all things exist (Col. 1:17). He is the Eternal, Everlasting, Judge and Sustainer, Healer, Physician and Saviour of fallen man!
Faith is believing that the Bible is the Word of God completely, totally and without exception! That the Bible is the infallible rule of faith and morals, able to make one wise unto salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord! Yes indeed, the Holy Bible is the unchangeable, indisputable, indestructible, immutable, infallible, irreversible, and holy Word of God. It has no equal or even comparable competition!
Faith is believing that Jesus Christ is the Messiah - the Christ, the Anointed One, the Divine Paraclete, the King of kings and the Lord of lords and the Only Saviour of the world!
Faith is believing that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, was conceived by the Holy Ghost, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, descended into Hades and rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended into Heaven, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High and will return to rapture the Church and judge the quick and the dead.
FAITH IS EXPECTING AN ANSWER WHEN WE PRAY:
"...And that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6). Here is the crux of the whole matter! Most people know enough to come to God with their needs, they also believe that God exists, but they do not expect an answer when they pray. Many people pray and pray but do not expect an answer to their prayers. How sad! Real faith is expectation!
Real faith expects an answer when you pray, or it isn't real faith. Jesus made it very plain when He said, "And whatsoever ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive it and ye shall have it". Expect God to forgive you when you ask Him to, expect God to heal you when you petition the Throne of Grace for a Miracle. Expect Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit when you call upon His Name.
He said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13)
LORD, I BELIEVE!
The father of the lunatic boy cried, "I believe, help thou mine unbelief". I believe that is a prayer we all need to pray! First the declaration. Yes, Lord, I believe but help me in my weakness and frailty, to expect a miracle. Give me real faith Lord, the kind of faith that gets the job done!
The hymnwriter wrote the second verse to this song - "Lord, I believe, Lord I believe, All things are possible, Lord I believe; Lord I believe, Lord I believe, All things are possible, Lord I believe". Finally, the third verse of this song goes like this: "Lord I receive, Lord I receive, All things are possible, Lord I receive."
Let me repeat, Jesus said, "Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them". (Mark 11:26); "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened". (Matt. 7:7-8)
Jesus said, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven". (Matt. 18:19) Jesus was so definite with total confidence and optimism. There was no doubt whatsoever and no unbelief.
I repeat, our Lord Jesus said, "Believe Me...Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I do...I will do it"! (John 14:11-14). Here then is the Good News! Jesus said, "It shall be given you". "It shall be done." "That will I do." and "I will do it." Believe it and ask Him in total confidence and watch the miracles happen in your life! Amen.
Max Solbrekken World Mission, Box 44220 RPO Garside, Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; My Face Book; YouTube; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donations to [email protected]. Thank you and God bless you!
