…Notes…

Faith and Increase

1. Introduction:

      Key verse for this year:  1 Corinthians 3:6

      Key Words: (i)  Faith – taking hold of God for the Releasing of the

                                            Supernatural.

                          (ii) Increase – People added in the local church

                                   – Bay City.

This Term:             *  February:  21 days prayer and fasting  -  Focus:  God

                        *  March:  40 days of purpose                  - Focus:  Purpose

                        *  April:  Mandarin Convention                -  Focus:  Mission

                                      Heavens Gates - Hells Flames      -  Focus:  Mission

2.   Focus is on Increase:

(a)  Acts 2:48  “..and the Lord added to the church daily such as

                             should be saved..”

• God's plan is for souls to be saved, added to church, build!

• Must get rid of “Small God” - small church – God wants to impact  the city.

• Acts 5:14  “.. and believers were added to the Lord – multitudes..”

(b)  Must breakthrough to a new level:

• The church remained around 400 members for some time.

• We were called to impact the city – region – leave a legacy.

• We cannot settle or we will become irrelevant to the purpose of God.

• Increase:       *  Visitors – People attract people.

*  People saved – Believe!

*  People added – Belong!

*  People committed to build the church. 

  Must focus effort on increasing or influence in the city – people.

3.  Increase requires prayer:

• Matthew 21:13  “My home shall be called a house of prayer”.

• Jesus cleansed the house of God – Local church

• Jesus re-established the priority of prayer.

• We are the home of God individually and corporately.

• We are tenants in our house  - not owners – He can evict us!

…Notes…

· Key purpose of Prayer:

(i) Develop a meaningful Relationship that is intimate and 

ongoing with God.

· Relationship => living in the constant awareness of the presence of God.

• Relationship => two-way communication - must listen.

• Revelation is the result of the relationship.

• If you don't focus on the primary purpose – the relationship will become frustrating. 

• John 5:19  “the Son does nothing except what he sees the Father does”.

- Jesus' life focused on the relationship – prayer and the  

      Word of God            .

-     Relationship develops the sinner → servant → sonship.

        (ii)  Establish Legal grounds for Supernatural Investments:

Colossians 16:17

• God created everything to exist in balance and order.

• The universe function under the system of law – natural & spiritual.

• Physical laws govern all of physical creation = predictable.

• Spiritual laws governs both physical and spiritual realm.

• Law of prayer – releases the power of God to override natural circumstances.

- God has given men free will – to obey or rebel.

- When man obeys – conditions are set up for God to move.

Eg.  Pharaoh did not release Israel until they prayed.  Exodus

   Israel did not prevail until Moses prayed.  Exodus

• The prayer of faith releases the hand of God to move and intervene.

• James 4:2  “You do not have because you do not ask”.

• Daniel 9:3  “Fasting adds intensity to prayer”.

4. Increase requires Laborers:

Mathew 9:36  “Pray the Lord of harvest – Send labourers”

·   God doesn't just do it!  - He uses people.

·   The key need is for labourers – people who will work, serve.

Eg.         - Noah builds an Arc.

               - Moses confronted Pharaoh.

- David destroyed Goliath.

…Notes…

- Nehemiah builds the walls.

- Peter preached.

Mark 16:20 – “..and the Lord worked with them.. “

• Requires a committed effort.

• How many added to church this year becomes your influence?

· Prayer and Fasting

· Life Purpose

· Invite friends – people attract people

• Haggai 1:9   God complaints about His people – running to their own homes in stead of putting their interest ahead of building the house of God.

· Result – lack of supernatural increase.

· Colossians 2:19  “Body increases with the increase of

                                                  God”

Key factor: Faith  -  Vitality  -  Unity.

Lay aside your own interests – commit to building the house of God.  Increase.

…Notes…