FAITH FOR DIVINE PERFORMANCE
Luke 1:28-38,45
Faith (believing) precedes Divine Performance. “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45).
The fundamental demand of Christ from virtually all miracle-seekers who came to Him for Divine Performance, was faith ( e.g. Matthew 8:13; 9:28; Mark 9:23,24; John 11:39,40). There is more to faith than thinking positively, being optimistic and upbeat.
Your faith must have bases otherwise it is hollow. Be determined to overcome the barriers to your faith in order to enjoy the blessings from Divine Performance.
“If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all” -Spurgeon.
P1. The Bases of Faith for Divine Performance
Romans 10:17; 15:4; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 89:34-37; Luke 1:37,38,45
Your faith must have support, grounds and foundation:
Being born again into the family of Christ
Anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:18,19)
Supernatural power of God (Jeremiah 32:17,27)
Examples of Divine Performance (Hebrews 11)
Sacredness and surety of God’s promises (1 Kings 8:56)
“True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie. It is enough that God has said it” – Tozer.
P2. The Barriers of Faithlessness to Divine Performance
2 Corinth. 5:7; Matthew 14:25-31; Mark 5:22-24,35-42; 6:1-6 Identify and deal with the barriers to your faith:
Bad news
Apathy and unnecessary arguments
Rationality (logic) – 2 Kings 7:1,2,16-20
Report from doctors
Impatience (Hebrews 10:35,36)
Education and experience
Relatives (Job’s wife, Sarah)
Science (1 Timothy 6:20,21)
“The faith of Christ offers no buttons to push for quick service. The new order must wait the Lord’s own time, and that is too much for the man in a hurry. He just gives up and becomes interested in something else” –Tozer.
P3. The Blessings from Divine Performance
Luke 1:38,45; Hebrews 11:6; Matt. 6:33; 1 Corinth. 15:19; 2 Peter 1:1-11
Deal with the barriers and receive the blessings:
Beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Long life (Psalm 91:14-16)
Economic and all-round prosperity (Psalm 128:1-6)
Salvation (Psalm 32:1,2)
Sanctification (1 Thess. 5:23,24; 1 Peter 3:1-6)
Integrity (Proverbs 22:1)
New name (Jacob and Jabez)
Godly home and marriage
Spirit’s baptism (Isaiah 44:3,4)