Fear Not – Only Believe

1.  Introduction

· Mark 9:23.  All things are possible to him that believes.

· Faith is the foundation for the life that pleases God releases supernatural.

· The man was in desperate need of a miracle, - he wrestled with unbelief.

Spirit of Unbelief

· Fills the atmosphere and quenches faith   • Feels mocked for desiring to believe

· Feel overwhelmed by impossibilities        • Feel like withdrawing from God (Heb 3:12)

· Feel intimidated like a grasshopper          • Feel hardened towards God. (Heb 3:13)

· Feels like God is remote – distant            • Feels afraid or despair.

· If you can believe – “all things are possible.”

· God desires us to break out of limitations and possibilities become reality.

Spirit of Faith

• Fills the atmosphere with Life.           • Boldness… “We can do it”
• Nothing seems impossible                   • Feel empowered to face giants.
• Confidence – God is at work             • Desire to step out into the unknown
• We choose what we focus on – e.g.  Peter walked on water and sank when he changed his focus.

2.  God can bring forth Life where there is death.

Mark 5:22-24.  Jairus. – Daughter dying.

Vs23. • Daughter -   His only daughter - 12 years old - dying - on point of death

- Tremendous emotion, turmoil and fear

- Believing for healing!

Vs35. • Delay     -     Jesus apparently sidetracked to minister to a woman

- News of death – fear, dismay, resentment?

- “Seems” as though God doesn’t care - my situation is impossible

“Be not afraid – only believe!

Vs 37-40. • Direction = tumult of weeping and wailing.

- People “laughed at him to scorn”.

· Unbelief resists the Power of God

· Nehemiah 2:19.  The opponents of Nehemiah, they laughed, scorned and despised him.

· Evil spirits will always arise to attack Faith – ridicule it.

· Jesus “put them all out”

· We must deal with things that attack and erode faith.

· Jesus created atmosphere for miracle to take place.

3.  How to cultivate your Faith.

• We must be proactive in resisting unbelief and cultivating our faith.

(i)  Prayer and Fasting

• Matthew 17:21.  This kind only comes out by pray and fasting.
• Fasting humbles the soul/flesh and sensitises your spirit.
• Strong prayer and fasting can overcome demonic resistance.

(ii)  Renewing Your Mind.

(a)  Meditation in the Word of God

Isaiah 26:3.  You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.

Mind = 3385 = imagination, conception, purpose.

Stayed = 5364 = to take hold of, to rest upon.

E.g.  Peter in Boat.

(b)  Remembering what God has done.

Ps 77:10-12.  I will remember the works of the Lord.

E.g.  David – lion and bear.

(iii)  Speaking the Word of God.

Heb 10:23.  “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith with out wavering….”

E.g.  Mary – “Be it done to me according to your word” Luke 1:38.

E.g.  Paul – “I believe it shall be as the Lord has told me.  Act 27:2.

E.g.  Joshua – spear held out over Ai.

(iv) Perseverance

Heb 6:12.    Let us not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise.

Heb 10:35.   You have need of patience that after you have done the will of God you might inherit the promise.

E.g.  Elijah – persevering prayer.  1 Kings 18

E.g.  Widow – persevering prayer.  2 Kings 18

(v) Fellowship with Men of Faith.

Heb 3:14

E.g.  Jonathan and David – strengthened him in the Lord.

Mark 5:41-42.  I say to you arise.