…Notes…

Breaking Through Resistance to Faith

1. Introduction:

1 Corinthians 3:7    'A year of 'faith and increase'.

Romans 15:13    “Now the God of all hope fill you with joy and  peace in believing that you might abound in hope”.

· Hope = to anticipate with pleasure, to confidently expect   something not yet seen.

· God desires you abound in hope – be full of positive expectancy.

· The key for this happening? -  “Through believing” - ie.  The exercise of faith.

· Faith is what releases the power and resources of God into your life.

· Faith enables you to access the supernatural realm and see miracles happen.

· Mark 9:23  If you can believe – all things are possible to him the believes.

We are not limited by circumstances, we can choose to change them.

We are limited by our “attitude” and believing.  Ephesians 3:20

2.  Breaking Through Resistance:

·   To see miracles and increase from God

            - must break through resistance.

           - whatsoever is not of faith is SIN.

Mark 5:24-34 'Woman who received a miracle'.

       (i)  She believed God:

                 (v27)  “When she had heard of Jesus”.

· There is a difference between faith and hope.

Hope: to anticipate with pleasure, confidently expect 

            something not seen.

Faith:  to know, to be completely persuaded that what 

           God has said will happen.

· People often mistake hope and faith.

…Notes…

· Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped 

                               for, the evidence of things not yet seen”. 

-  Substance = 5287 = hupostasis { hoop-os’-tas-is}  = to set

                                       under, support, confidence.   

  -  Evidence   = 1685 = elegchos { el’-eng-khos} = a proof,   

                                        that by which a thing is proved or 

                                        tested, conviction.

· Faith comes when you hear the Word of God and become joined to it.

· It is a “Rhema”, something made alive within you by the Holy Spirit that you hold fast 

onto – become joined to.

· Compare Hebrews 4:1-2  'Word preached did not profit –

                                                   become not mixed.

Profit = 5623 = opheleo { o-fel-eh’-o} to benefit,  be useful,

                         to prevail, gain advantage. 

Mixed = 4786 = sugkerannumi { soong-ker-an’-noo-mee} to 

                                 mingle together, combine, assimilate.

      Hearing is not enough – must be joined to what God says.

                    Eg. Mary – Luke 1:38        Mary's council  - John 3:5

(ii) She Pushed Through the Resistance of Circumstances:

· Circumstances = what you have experienced – what things “look to be”.

· (v26)  Her problem:       *  Secret – unable to share.

             *  Financially draining.

             *  Persistent – 12 years.

             *  No hope of change.

             *  aggravated by treatment.

· When focused on the circumstances, you cannot see the possibilities of God.

· You must focus your attention “what God says” not “what God looks like”.

· Eg.  Numbers 13   Giants, fortified cities – “We are well able!”.

Faith focuses on “what God says” about the circumstances.

 (iii)  She Pushed Through the Persistence of People.

· “She came in the press -  great crowd pushing along.

· People often mean well but resist you breaking through.

· People express words – negative, unbelief, opinions.

·

…Notes…

This creates an atmosphere of resistance you must break through.

Eg. Numbers 13:30   “Caleb silenced them”.

   Eg. Mark 6:3-6  “Jesus marveled at unbelief – then pushed

                                through”.

*  Found those who are receptive – separated from 

   others.

*  Taught/Spoke the Word of God.

Unbelief creates a heavy atmosphere that settles over people  and quenches the power of God – must break through it.

 Eg.  Mark 5;37 and 40  They laughed him to scorn ie, “laughed down”.

·   Jesus separated himself from those who ridiculed, 

grieved and skepticism.

(iv)  She Pushed Through the Resistance within herself:

· (v 28)  She spoke within herself .

· Resistance arises within mind, emotions,  - you must align with God's word. (Matthew 9:22)                                                                                       

· The woman spoke to herself – confessed – layed out her with to God.

· Philemon 6   Faith is communicated by acknowledging the word of God.

· You must learn to encourage yourself - “I believe”

     “I choose”

                  eg.  David encouraging himself in the Lord  -  1 Samuel 30 

(v) She laid hold of Jesus' Garment with Expectancy! :

            (Matthew 9:20)

· Hem of garment = fringe, tassel, border.

· Hem of garment represented Gods Covenant Word.  Numbers 15:36-39)

· She laid hold of her covenant rights with God.

· Immediately she received a miracle.

· What will you break through to lay hold of God's Garment? Proven to you?

Note:

            Jesus notices when faith is exercised:

(i)      He affirmed her - “Daughter”

(ii)      Called for her to Testify

(iii)Blessed her - Healing from inner torment

                          -  Shame broken