How to Activate the Gospel [Audio]
In this message, which was preached at the Country Church in Ruthton, MN, Tom talks about the need to mix the Gospel with faith to obtain the results that God promised. Many people blame for lack of results, but unless the Gospel is activated through faith, it will not produce. Get activated today and receive the Word!
In this message you will learn:
- What is true faith.
- Who is the Gospel for.
- Four keys to activating the Gospel.
- How to overcome obstacles to your faith.
How to Activate the Gospel in Your Life
READING: Hebrews 3:14-4:3a
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2, KJV.
Hebrews 4:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)
faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it;
Our Gospel—Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried and rose.
Their Gospel—I will bring you into the promised the land.
Mixed—commingled. Illustration: Bag of cement mix. All the ingredients are there, but until the water is added and mixed in, it’s just dry powder.
A whosoever Gospel—John 3:16. Salvation is there, waiting for you! Many people are frustrated with God because they are not receiving what they need from God, but the problem is not with God, it’s with their ability to receive. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23, KJV.
MAIN THOUGHT: The Gospel (the Good News) is powerful to bring change into your life, but it must be mixed with faith (seeing, saying and doing) in order to be effective. How?
- Hear it—faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)
- See it—believing with an inward vision of truth (Hebrews 11:1, John 3:14-15)
- Say it—holding fast to the profession of your faith. (Hebrews 10:23)
- Do it—faith without works is dead (James 1:22, James 2:26)
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8, KJV.
1. Activating Faith for Salvation (Romans 10:9-17)
Hear it!—faith cometh by hearing.
See it!—sometimes our hearts just won’t let us believe Good News. We may assimilate the truth mentally, but in our heart we still have the negative image of failure, rejection and defeat. If you come from a background of self-loathing and abandonment, it’s HARD to believe in a God that loves you (John 3:16) and has mercy on you. If you’ve been treated harshly, it’s a challenge to receive God’s love. You have to open your nature so that God can REVEAL His love to you. In other words, you need to ALLOW the Holy Spirit to paint a new picture on the canvas of your heart. Until you do this, your faith will be flawed.
Say it!—”Yes Lord!”
Do it!—We must walk in our salvation. If we come to the altar and pray and confess Jesus and Lord, and then go back and live just like we did before, there will be confusion in our lives. We have to begin to practice the word. If you’re living in adultery, break it off. If you’re living with someone, move out. If you’ve been addicted, quit going to the bar. Change your behavior, and trust God to help you.
Example: Prosperity. You might hear the word of God. 3 John 2 for example. You may believe it and confess it, but then you need corresponding action. If you don’t work, you don’t use wisdom, if you run up your credit card, you may still be impoverished, because you walk is not lining up with your talk.
Example: Marriage: You need to find God’s promises for your marriage, because faith comes by hearing. Divorce and family disfunction is part of the curse. God blessed marriage. Psalm 128:3 Then you confess that over your wife and speak good words over your marriage. Then you need to cultivate that by corresponding actions. Work on the romance. Start honoring your spouse through your words and actions. Get you eyes on your spouse instead of having wandering eyes. Go on dates. Protect your marriage.
- Activating Faith for Healing (Mark 5:25-36)
“When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” Mark 5:27, 28, KJV.
After she heard about Jesus (Romans 10:17)
-Hear it! When she heard of Jesus.
-See it! She saw herself being healed.
-Say it! “I shall be whole.”
-Do it! She touched His garment.
- Activating Faith for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 9:9-13)
“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, KJV.
-Hear it (the promise of God)
-See it. (based on the promise)
-Say it. (agree with the Word)
-Do it. (speak in tongues)
CONCLUSION: Instead of blaming God for a lack of results in your life, begin to take responsibility for your walk of faith. It’s not such a mystery. You see it. You say it. You do it! And you will see the results in your life, in Jesus name.
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