Where is your Faith? - Part-2

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[0:45] Luke chapter 8 verse 22. Now it happened on a certain day that he got into a boat with his disciples and he said to them, let us cross over to the other side.

[0:57] And they launched out. But as they sailed, he fell asleep and a windstorm came down on the lake. And they were filling with water and were in jeopardy.

[1:09] And they came to him and awoke him saying, Master, Master, we are perishing. Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.

[1:24] And they seized. And there was a calm. But he said to them, where is your faith? Let's all say that together.

[1:35] Where is your faith? Let's say it again. Where is your faith? Let's say it for the last time. Where is your faith? And they were afraid and marveled saying to one another, who can this be?

[1:50] For he commands even the winds and water and they obey him. And he said, where is your faith?

[2:01] In other words, what you needed was not waking me up. What you needed was not panicking.

[2:12] Panicking, thinking, what are we going to do now? The background to this story, you have to understand that these are experienced fishermen. They have been fishing most of their lives.

[2:23] And Jesus called them and told them that, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. All right. So these are fishermen. And they are experts at being on the sea.

[2:39] So being on the sea or being in the water or being in the boat is not a problem for them. Like they have seen wild situations. So for them to get to the stage where they were convinced that they were perishing, means the situation was very bad.

[2:56] They were convinced that they were perishing. So they came to Jesus and said, Master, Master, we are perishing, including you.

[3:07] That's when Jesus woke up and said, oh, no, no, you guys, you guys don't know what you're talking about. What is your faith?

[3:19] Now, I was carefully observing this text. And when Jesus said, where is your faith? In the first place, in account of Mark, I said, why are you so fearful?

[3:31] Why are you so fearful? Why are you afraid? Why are you afraid? So asking them about their faith had to do with the fact that they were afraid. So that if they were, so I was thinking about, did he ask them, where is your faith?

[3:46] Because if they had faith, they could have stopped their wings. They could have calmed it all. He said, where is your faith? Because they were just afraid.

[3:58] Now, when you look at the context very carefully, he asking them about where their faith was had to do with the grim situation and the danger in which they found themselves.

[4:09] And they were afraid. They were so sure. Definitely what was going to happen was negative and their lives were about to end. So I believe very much that where is your faith was not so much as to just commanding, but, oh, thank you, Holy Spirit.

[4:27] Thank you, Jesus. I like that. Where was Jesus when all this was happening? He was where? Where was he then? What was he doing in a boat? When you read Matthew, Matthew's account, Matthew said he was sleeping on a pillow.

[4:43] I mean, only God knows why they added that. He was sleeping on a pillow. When in the middle of a storm, he was sleeping on a pillow. Why?

[4:55] I like the way one great man of God said, can you imagine? Jesus go to the hospital and they said, Jesus has been admitted on the hospital bed and he's lying down.

[5:08] Can you imagine Jesus? Can you imagine Jesus? The doctor said, Jesus, you can't be healed. Can you imagine Jesus married and he can't have children? Can't happen to Jesus?

[5:22] Can you? I like the way Bishop Yedipo said that. I said, can you imagine I'm Robert with a gun at Jesus and said, my friend, bring all your money. Can you imagine Jesus in a car crash and they are trying to cut him out?

[5:43] Can't happen to Jesus? Jesus? And I said, can you imagine Jesus beating his wife? Married and beating his wife.

[5:57] So, on the same note, can you imagine Jesus in a boat and all of them are sinking and they will perish? Why did he go to sleep?

[6:15] I like what Pastor Owen said. I like that answer. It's better. What did you say again? He knew he was going to the other side. So, the storm can't stop him.

[6:27] The storm can't stop Jesus. Because the storm couldn't stop him. So, he was just sleeping and they were partying.

[6:39] They were frantically saying, Master, Master, we're dying, we're dying. And he was resting. He knew the storm was there. He knew it. I was as soon as they went, the storm came.

[6:51] Or Jesus in the plane and said, the plane is going to crash. It can't happen. So, that alone made them know that this thing, we are going to the other side.

[7:02] We are not going down the sea. And so, we are in and they are getting frantic. And I try and get up. And I'm just relaxing. And they are trying to get up. I'm just relaxing.

[7:13] Because it's okay. So, after they shake me, shake me and try to manage to get me. So, they woke Jesus up. Jesus didn't get up. They woke him up. After I say, okay, storm, stop.

[7:26] I say, guys, where is your faith? So, it's not that they are faith to stop the storm, calm the storm. But they are faith to know that nothing can affect them.

[7:41] Because, so, watch this. The point I want to make here is, Jesus operated by faith. He was, that's why you could sleep.

[7:53] So, he said, where is your sleep? Go and take your faith tablet and go to bed like me. Take the faith tablet. Don't walk by sight.

[8:05] Walk by faith so you can sleep. Because Jesus was talking about they are sleeping. They are resting. They are relaxing in God. Stop fretting.

[8:18] Relax in God. What you are afraid of will not happen. What you are afraid of will not happen. Stop fretting.

[8:29] You have been threatened with all sort of letters. All sort of reports. All sort of medical records. All sort of situations. And all sort of history.

[8:42] So many things are threatening you. Stop being threatened. Stop fretting. Your future is okay. The future is in your interest.

[8:54] It is for you. Amen. See, I'm not singing. I'm not singing. So then, when you have faith, it's not about whether storm comes or storm doesn't come.

[9:08] Faith already has the results. It's just like football. Manchester United versus Carice United. And Carice United won the match.

[9:20] It was a major match. And we won the match. And then there's a replay on television. And you are watching it. You already know the results. So, it doesn't matter.

[9:32] It sends some top players out. So, Carice is playing with eight against eleven. Even though that situation looks so bad.

[9:44] Because you already know the end results. It doesn't make you fret. Because the victory has already been guaranteed by faith.

[9:55] Faith is the substance of things hopeful. The evidence of things not yet realized. You will marry. I said, you will get married.

[10:07] You will get married. You shall have your children. Your business will do well. You will get a better job. You will do well. You will not be hospitalized. In the name of Jesus.

[10:22] So, Salibi. Amen. Where is your faith? And so, today I want to focus more as I told you yesterday about what, why do you actually need your faith and what faith can do?

[10:37] Then tomorrow I will talk about how to release this faith that you have. Where is your faith? Ask someone where is your faith? Where is your faith? So, today I am talking about what faith can do.

[10:50] Or why faith? What faith can do? Or why faith? Because without faith you are sinking. Hallelujah.

[11:03] Don't be. Thank you, Jesus. I like this one. Whoa. I like this one. Don't, don't, don't. Don't be so eager to get the conditions changed. Amen. I'll say it again.

[11:21] No money. No job. No this. And a letter has been written. The letter has not been overruled. So, you are so worried. I wish someone would just, the boss would rewrite the letter and say that we have canceled it.

[11:37] Don't be so eager. See, most of us, ah, thank you, Jesus. This is good. Most of us, our prayer is based on we want to see a situation changed. So, many people say God has let me down.

[11:48] Why? Because the thing hasn't changed. I want to be married. I want to be married. I want to be married. I want to be married. By the end of September, I want to be married. And at the end of September, you're not married.

[11:59] And so, I've been let down. I'm losing the contract. I'm losing the contract. Over a million contracts.

[12:11] One million contracts. I've got. And I'm losing it. I'm losing it. Oh, God. And you've been praying. I'm fasting. Putting the box. Praying. And guess what? You're praying for what? The results. So, you're praying that this condition stays.

[12:24] But you see, the most important thing we have to realize is that the future is secure in spite of the conditions. The conditions can change or not change. Because whether there was storm or no storm, Jesus was going to get to the other side.

[12:37] So, then they were talking. Jesus said, the storm. The storm. The storm. Jesus said, the storm is not a problem. Where is your faith? Sleep. That's what I'm going to say. So, you may not see a change, a radical change in a situation.

[12:50] But your future, as God has said, is settled. Oh. The future is settled for you. So, as you journey towards the future, the vehicle.

[13:07] Is what? Faith. Faith is your vehicle. Faith is the results. Faith is your realm. So, you stay in it. And you keep going.

[13:18] And when people are screaming, you see all the storms. But you can still sleep because you know that you are getting there. How are you going to get there? I don't know. Even if the boat sinks. And everything.

[13:29] I will still get there. How is it going to? I just don't know. I'm still going to get there. Because I have already seen myself there. By faith. So, when they said we are going down.

[13:44] Jesus said, where is your faith then? Why are you saying you are going down? Then jump into the faith mode. And you can't go down. So, don't let the storm threaten you.

[13:54] Once you have faith. What you need is not another person to help you. Remember this. The help of man is not reliable.

[14:09] There is no future in the help of man. I thought my friend is there. He would just do it for me. I know. You know what?

[14:19] Sometimes God lets certain people let you down. If you are a woman of God. A man of God. It is necessary for people to let you down. That is the one I was talking about.

[14:31] The workers meeting. I was saying that. No. Leaders meeting. Sometimes people will let you down. As a pastor. People you trusted so much. They will let you down with a kiss.

[14:44] They will be clapping for you. And letting you down. Oh. Go boy. Go boy. And if you don't take care. And you look at conditions. And not looking at God. You will be so hurt and damaged.

[14:55] Because people you were looking up to. People. God has designed us like that. We have been designed to let one another down. Some of us are wives.

[15:10] Sometimes your wife will let you down. You are so hungry. Your husband will let you down. Your husband will let you down. He has promised that.

[15:20] As for this holiday. There is nothing that can. See the money that is coming. As soon as it comes. We are going to you. And the money came later. And I said. Oh the money I used it for. For a wide screen television. So.

[15:34] People will let you down. Some of you. Hey. Jesus. This is good. Some of you are becoming. Favored by our bosses. And it is entering your head. Be careful. Be careful. Be careful. Your boss is beginning to like you.

[15:46] Be careful. Not for amorous reasons. He is not interested in that. She is not interested in that. She genuinely likes you. Every opportunity comes. Oh.

[15:57] Let's. You go. The company keeps pushing you. And lifting you. So you think they just like you so much. Actually they do like you. But be careful. They don't have it in them to like you permanently.

[16:10] They can't do it. So if you begin to cash in on their liking. You'll be hurt. You'll be hurt. I'm not talking someone has been hurt before.

[16:22] You'll be hurt. Some of us. Our best friends have hurt us. Because you knew. Your best friend told you. You knew. If you lose your job. Don't worry. My house. You can come and live with me.

[16:32] As long as you can. Only to prepare yourself. To lose their job. You're calling. It's not answering your calls.

[16:44] No answering your calls. And you say. Oh. I'm planning. You know. My room. Now there's the conditions. So I'm trying to rent the other. Other. Other flat. So. Sorry. Sorry. You know. I like you.

[16:54] But sorry. You know. I can't help you. Then you say. Okay. This one can't help me. This other person can't. Listen. When friends let you down. It's a sign.

[17:05] That God is giving you opportunity. To refocus. Your priorities. And your. Your focus. When people let you down. It's not that they are bad. Okay. Don't take it. Don't take it on them.

[17:17] God loves you. That's why. God loves. As long as. Bible says that vain is the help of man. As long as you hook onto the help of man.

[17:28] It's not healthy. It's not healthy for your future. It's not healthy for your children. It's not healthy for your seed. Because the seed of the righteous is not meant to beg for bread.

[17:41] So. As soon as you begin to focus. The righteous. The Bible says that. The righteous. It says that. For in. In. By faith. Okay. Romans chapter 1 verse 17. For in it. The. The righteousness of God is revealed.

[17:53] From faith. To faith. So. I put it. In between faith. For. The righteousness of God is revealed. From where? Faith. To faith. In between faith.

[18:05] And so. The. When the Bible talks about the righteous. I've never seen the righteous forsaken. It's actually talking about the one who is walking by faith. So you can't be looking to men.

[18:17] And think you will be forsaken. Or you didn't get that. When people like it. Thank God. Like them back.

[18:28] But thank God. They like you. But remember. Your source. Is God. Now. That has been one of our strengths. In Kairis. This church. There is no one person.

[18:40] I like it. The way. The old man put it. He said. This church has not got anyone to go and say thank you to. No one person.

[18:52] No one person. Can claim that anything that is happening in Kairis. I am the main person behind it. No one person. No. I'm telling you. I stand here publicly and say. No one person.

[19:03] Not even me. No one person. These new additions you see. I'm talking. If I tell you. What it runs into. It's interesting. It's interesting.

[19:15] But how God gets these things done. I don't have an idea. When. When your job is going well. You think. Oh. As for me. My head is good. When you are in good health.

[19:28] You think I eat well. That's why. Hey. And I've been exercising. No. No. Please. Exercise. And eat well. Because at least. It gives a certain level of guarantee.

[19:40] So long as health is concerned. But there are people. Who are exercising better than you. And eating. Far. Far. Far. Far. Far. Better. Fully organic.

[19:52] Even the organic. There are differences. There are shifts. And they are dying. So.

[20:14] And a number. so you just sit in it you are gone every time you meet me I'll be there sitting and you are gone you never know anything like cars giving problems you never know because you are just blessed enjoying the ride until one day you discover that cars can give problems and your whole world turns around and you realize this thing is messy it's disturbing, it's frustrating so the point I'm making here is that when things are okay don't let it enter your head keep focusing on God keep knowing that it is God who sustains you it is God who makes things working it is God who keeps making things working so what, if things seem to be okay and they begin to get wobbly it still doesn't matter because you know that he who started the work is going to finish it he who has begun the good work shall perform it nothing is reliable enough nothing is certain nothing nothing

[21:18] Bishop Franco Fusopia said when we human beings when everything is going well we don't think when everything seems to be okay please you must always define who is keeping you who is taking you that's what happened to the guys they thought their boat was God is going to take them to the other side they didn't know that it was faith so when storms came they realized that they were in jeopardy so they went to break Jesus and Jesus said where is your faith it is faith that takes you there in the first place you shouldn't have focused your confidence on the good condition of the boat or the good conditions of the seas that's not what guarantees where you are going did you hear what I said their good condition is not what guarantees where you are going and you can write this down their good condition is not what guarantees where you are going and yet their bad conditions cannot stop you from getting where you are going so then your destiny is not based on conditions where you are going has not got to do with your conditions now if God said

[22:38] I'm going to take you then you might as well switch into faith gear walk in the realm of faith if God said he's going to take you then don't look for the help of man if he comes fine in this church people can choose to I'll give my title I'll give if you give fine if you stop giving nothing stops do you know we found a secret keeping our eyes on their collar because if we keep our eyes on their collar we will not beg for money I beg please I beg I beg please if you don't give we can't pay I beg if you don't give I beg no no no God is doing something he is doing his own project that is why every wise person knows that and who understands the work of faith and understands covenant practices sees what God is doing and connects himself connects himself that is why it will be against destiny it will be a travesty of destiny or against your destiny to come into such an atmosphere and say we won't take offering no no no it's not good for where you are going you need your offering to connect to the grace on the house you need the offering you need it the grace is just going it's just flowing so you need it is somebody getting something this is what many people don't know and they are dying halfway they are they are not enjoying their work with God they are not seeing the manifestation of everything they are not because they lack insight insight is crucial in the journey of faith insight is what crucial on the journey of faith how you understand things how you get things is very important

[24:31] Jesus said where is your faith ask someone where is your faith they just shall live by faith I wrote in my notes here that in a stormy situation don't cry for help first stay in faith when you find yourself in a stormy situation don't cry for help first what do you do stay in faith because that's what guarantees your destination that's what Bible says in Matthew chapter 9 verse 29 that be it unto you according to your faith so your faith will define the nature of your journey or your destiny because I've said that let me start with that then so what can faith do for you why faith and then when I was preparing my notes and I wrote down what what what faith can do do do for you or do to you or do in you it's like

[25:42] I had a voice something spoke to me in my inner mind which was like revelatory I knew that this is likely to be God telling me something that instead of writing what faith can do rather what you can do in faith so as for faith it's a realm so when you are in faith the things that you can do amazing amazing and I see someone having wonderful testimonies what's been happening is that many people are that thing is very devastating disturbing for people waiting for special men of God to be praying for them that's what happened to the disciples they had to go and wait Jesus man of God man of God there is a storm man of God there is a storm what is your faith so they started the storm and started lecturing them why is your faith and then they started saying what kind of man is this they are always distracted by happiness when Jesus was telling them what is your faith they were wondering what kind of so it's like you are preaching to the people and they are just looking at your hairstyle you are teaching some deep stuff and their minds are on something else faith we need your faith you need your faith because

[27:10] Matthew chapter 9 verse 29 says that be it unto you according to your faith now that is a very serious statement if your faith is big it's going to be unto you big if your faith is small it's going to be unto you small so it says that the defining factor so long as God is concerned of your marital future the defining factor so long as God is concerned of your health is not your doctors the defining factor of your financial future is not your back account or your certificate so your future is not necessarily in your certificate stop fretting even these people

[28:11] I have a better certificate I've been trained I've studied farther than them I've done and so what that is not the case so your future so long as God is concerned has everything to do with your trust in God Bible says that because they trusted in Daniel chapter 2 verse chapter 3 verse 28 they said that God sent his angel and delivered Daniel Shadrach and Abednego because they trusted in him he delivered his servants who trusted in him that's going to be your testimony in the name of Jesus Christ they went into the fire they said no don't worry and then when you go take time and read the story it's a very interesting story it's a very interesting story and then when they came out then he made a decree that everyone should worship this God and he made a sign into law that anyone anywhere in the world who says anything negative about this God because they trusted in God

[29:19] Daniel was in the lion's den in Daniel chapter 6 verse 23 and the king sent to go and check on he was fine for the first time normal human being spoke unsent spoke from the lion's den he was there and he was talking he was talking lions were there ready to eat he was talking Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him because he what it wasn't because the lions were not hungry it wasn't because he was very intelligent but it was because he believed in his God did someone get him he believed in his God believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved you and your household Daniel believed in his

[30:20] God Shadrach measured and they trusted in this God so he delivered them faith what can it do for you or what can you do through faith faith will define your destiny faith defines destiny let's all say that together say it again please you know how we got to we go here as a church faith we are here by faith we are in this building by faith we are in the city of London by faith and so long as we keep our faith we will keep growing going growing growing growing going and nothing can stop us somebody shout hallelujah hallelujah number two which I wanted to be number one initially but because I mentioned destiny first number two we are saved by faith yes we are saved through faith so we need your salvation is guaranteed only by faith not by doings so my text was

[31:31] Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 talking about how we are saved by grace through faith okay so salvation comes through faith let's all say that together please say it again salvation comes through faith and number three I like this one number three we stand by faith second Corinthians chapter 1 verse 24 if every one of these nuggets I'm giving can take us the whole day second Corinthians chapter 1 verse 24 it says that not that we have dominion over your faith but our fellow workers for your joy for by faith you stand for by faith what say I stand by faith oh say it again please say

[32:33] I stand by faith so for by faith you stand in other words when your faith becomes wobbly guess what you are likely to fall see when people when you hear people begin to talk I'm tired I'm tired I'm tired I don't even want to join I'm tired I don't want to give again I don't want to give my title again I'm tired I don't want to join the department again I'm tired it's a faith problem somebody just stepped on my toe and I'm not even going to go and when you go some of these ushers the way they behave it doesn't even want to make me to go to church it's faith problem it's faith problem faith problem faith problem I don't even want to worship again because the ushers have spoiled my worship if ushers spoiled your worship it's a faith problem think about it you came to worship an ushers or quarry sociologically if you think you can understand the way I was treated the way someone treated me it doesn't really make me flow anything but my brother if you have faith this thing become trivial so watch this as a pastor this is why sometimes people are in church but the thing has not hit they are on the highway the frequency of supernatural move of God because so many things easily distract them so when you come to the devil knows what to do he will send this usher to come and step on your toe in a way because he knows that that's what will get you out of faith if an usher speaks to me like this

[34:10] I feel like going home then you get up I'm going home you have a faith problem say faith shall faith because why we stand by faith we stand he said and having done all things to stand stand stand therefore stand we stand by faith we stand by faith we stand by faith storms storms can come rains can come sunshine can come hotels can come but we stand by faith situations will come and go and you will still be standing so now does it make sense when you just said where is your faith that's why you think you are sinking you thought you were sinking because your faith has gone on holiday but if your faith is in place you can't sleep knowing that you stand by faith you're suffering by faith not by the hand out from friends not by some good jobs those things can be very convenient they come in very handy but when one door shuts and you are walking by faith and that door opens immediately that's how it works so you are not pinned to that door it's like you have this keys you go into a big building and there are different outlets or exits and you have the keys to other places you go here and you realize that no

[35:53] I don't like this door or this door is messing up you just don't start crying I'm stuck no you just go use the other key open and so then your exit is not based on the behavior of the door door you need a door to exit it's not based on the because there are so many doors your exit is actually based on the application of your form which is your faith you are not going down you are not going down your enemies will be you will live long to see that you are starting strong they will see that you are starting strong your business is not going to collapse your marriage is not going to collapse your children are not going to go where what your health is not going to go down you are going to stand strong when you are 60 years you'll be strong when you are 70 years you'll be strong when you are 80 years you'll be strong because we stand by faith the women in my family normally when they are 40 or 38 then they develop problems or fibroid or people take things like normally marriages don't work in our family what kind of family are you talking about whose family your earthly background ok I can understand but now not when you are now in place because you stand by faith when you are standing by faith not no wind no wind no wind can blow you because you know what when you stand by faith the winds obey the winds obey you now

[37:53] Jesus didn't command the winds because he was just supernaturally powerful he commanded the wind because you know that wind can't stop me wind clear off clear off what manner of man is this that even the winds and the storms obey him say storm go some say yes sir I see that happening in somebody's life before the end of this year I profess over your life you will experience amazing testimonies before the end of this year you will experience amazing testimonies you will be standing you will keep standing when everyone is losing their job you will keep standing when everyone is losing their house you will keep standing when everyone is losing their health you will keep standing what happened to the masses can't happen to you because you will keep standing by faith by faith we stand I see someone standing strong in the name of Jesus shout by faith we stand by faith we stand by faith we stand we will be here they will go go and come they will still find us standing hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah one of the things that used to discourage people

[39:22] I remember I preached to them get born again I know some people have experienced that before you're afraid what if I start going to church start serving Christ very seriously I become born again and I'm afraid I may backslide.

[39:37] And it's like I made all this noise. How many of you have heard things like that before? Yeah. By faith we stand. Just enter. Never be worried about, so what if?

[39:48] What if I do this and then I'm not able to do this then? What if God is asking me to take a step, obey him? What if I do that and I remember when we were doing the building project.

[40:00] This is the covenant way of supply. We were running out of cash. And so, and then God prays on my heart to send a seed.

[40:13] Say seed. Say seed. One of the things that worked for me so well in my work with God, I've discovered is seed. Seed. Because there's no harvest without seed.

[40:25] It's your seed that determines your harvest. You want apple fruits? Want apples? Plant apple seeds. You want bananas?

[40:36] Plant banana seeds. So if you want satsuma, plant satsuma seeds. But you don't plant satsuma seeds and expect it to reap plants.

[40:48] So it's your seed by faith that defines your harvest in God.

[41:01] It's your seed by faith that defines your harvest in God. If you want to harvest in God, show me your seed by faith.

[41:13] If you don't have a seed by faith, your harvest in God will never show up. And then to become a long pity party, wishful thinking, oh, one day, one day, oh, one day, I have hope, oh, I have hope, oh, I have hope.

[41:30] One day, I know God is a faithful God. One day, one day, everybody's passing you by. One day, one day, one day. And you say, oh, God understands that I can't sow a seed because the situations are bad.

[41:40] So God understands, oh, oh, one day, oh, one day. And then one day you say, oh, this thing doesn't seem like it works. We took a seed.

[41:56] We sent it to certain senior men of God. Hey, this thing like, the way it works is strange. When you apply, when you begin to pray by faith, faith.

[42:07] Now, can I submit this to you? Can I submit this? As a man of God, you know what I've discovered? I am a dangerous giver by faith. We send some seeds around.

[42:18] Just wait, wait, we send some seeds around and then all of a sudden, it was like tap. Oh, this one is so good, brothers. Oh, you need to see this one.

[42:32] I feel like clapping for God. Wow. This one. What, what, what, what, what can we do in faith? Why faith? Because, hey, I think let's look at the scripture first.

[42:46] Romans, Romans. Hey, Romans chapter four, verse 16. Oh, Lord, we love you. You have, you see, so, it's not just that we have, we have the keys and yet people can't enjoy the fruits.

[42:59] Oh, can we read the first sentence together? Let's go. Therefore, it is of faith, but the man who is according to Christ.

[43:11] One more time. Therefore, it is of faith, but the man who is according to Christ. All right, so, you know, it's not, it's not, this scripture, it's not strange to ask. if you want it to be according to grace, the only way is faith.

[43:31] Right? So, faith, the next point is that faith makes grace effective. You need faith to enjoy grace.

[43:47] You need faith to enjoy grace. Let's all say that I need faith to enjoy grace. I need faith to enjoy grace. My, my brother, a typical text is Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8.

[44:02] Who do you remember was there? Bible scholars, what's in Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8? For by grace are you saved through faith.

[44:12] Okay, so, how are you saved? By grace through faith. So, it takes the faith to make grace effective. You understand that? So, in Romans chapter 5 verse 2, I like that text.

[44:29] I like that text. Verse 1 talks about, therefore, we have peace with God. Okay, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 2, through whom also we have access by faith, what?

[44:43] into this grace, in which we stand. Okay, so we have access by faith, into the grace. So, it takes faith to have access into grace.

[44:55] Paul said, I am what I am by the grace of God. If there's anything you need in your life, it's favor. It's the grace of God. What time is it? Faith time.

[45:06] What time is it? Faith time. If you want to enjoy favor, you want to enjoy the grace of God, it just requires faith. It takes faith to enter favor.

[45:18] So that what, I mean, even to find a married partner, it takes favor. I can guarantee you, it has not got to do with your height, your size, your shape, your background.

[45:34] It has not got to do with none of that. Because people have the same, whatever, and they are doing okay. It's not their face. Some people, they don't have a clue how to do makeup.

[45:47] They don't know it. If you give it to them, you will know that it's like the, a child has done water, water, water painting. They come and it's like, they, they, they, they, but you don't know why this man said that, that's the one I want.

[46:01] And brother, don't think it's just about your job. As someone say favor. Because, first, first John chapter five, verse four, says that this is the victory that overcomes the world.

[46:17] If you are afraid, are you losing battles? Are you losing opportunities? Overcome. Faith will make you overcome. Say, I overcome. For whatsoever is born of God, overcomes the world.

[46:29] And, this, is the victory, this, is the victory, that has overcome the world. Even our faith.

[46:41] You see? It's our faith. Say, my faith. Overcomes. Say, my faith overcomes. Alright. So, if you, if you, if you're walking in faith, you are an overcomer.

[46:54] No wonder the scripture says that, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who, who loved us. Right. And then, the next one, is, oh, I like this.

[47:06] Hebrews chapter 11 verses, what does it say? Without faith, it's impossible to do all. Let's read it that, let's read it together. Let's go. Let's go. Can I have those on this roll to read, please?

[47:22] Let's go louder. But without faith, it's impossible to please God. But without faith, it's impossible to please God. Sorry, already out loud. Loud. But without faith, it's impossible to please God.

[47:33] No, you can't please God without faith. If you don't get, if you don't have faith, you can't please God. Alright. But you need, you need God's presence. Now, this is where I want to submit to you, in, in Proverbs chapter 16 verse 7, the Bible says that, if a man's way please the Lord, okay, when a man's way please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

[47:56] You need to please him to enjoy peace. Pleasing God guarantees your peace. Alright. So, but you can't please God without faith.

[48:08] Please, stop focusing on doings. any doing that lacks faith behind this, doesn't get the attention of heaven. Did somebody get that?

[48:20] You can dance the wildest dance. Without faith, it don't, that's why people, sometimes people can come to church, and I dance one too, I'm tired, I'm sitting down, my waist, my leg, my nose, my head, no, but if you are in faith, then you're dancing, you know you are doing this unto God.

[48:37] And then the dance registers in heaven. When you are, you are sowing your seed, and you are doing it, sometimes you know that it looks like, you don't have enough, but you know that this is the way forward, by faith you sow your seed, then you get heaven's attention.

[48:52] You can't come to church, because if you don't come to church, somebody will ask you, where were you, you didn't come to church. What should make you come to church, is your faith in God. Your faith in God.

[49:03] So, if your faith in God, if your faith in God, brings you to church, who can make you go back? Then somebody will upset you. You came for God.

[49:14] Every obstacle, you can clear it. You don't care. You can clear it. You came for God. Sometimes you are tired, but you came for God.

[49:26] Came for God. Do you have someone who came for God here? Shout out to God. Shout out to God. Shout out to God. Shout out to God. Shout out to God. I came for God. I see someone just entered. Send me a text message before the service.

[49:38] Pastor, we're in a hurry coming, and then just before we left the house, the car decided not to start. If you don't take care of you, stay at home. You say, oh, okay, after all, rest of your life, now service is ready. No, but it came for God.

[49:49] So, even the latter part, your faith makes you, you can get more than people who were here from the beginning because of your condition of your heart. Faithful heart. I came for God.

[50:01] I came for God. I came for God. People who come for God, when they are coming to church, they are in a hurry, when they are late. When I see people sometimes who are late, coming to church, and walking like drunkards, I look at that.

[50:17] I say, God, I'm missing. Because, as a pastor, then you know that we still have a distance, some journey to go because to get people rewired to understand the dynamics of enjoying the blessings of God.

[50:33] You are not trying to have dominion over your life. Oh, no, no, that's not necessary. I like the way Bishop Frank put it. He said, how long can you keep somebody down? You want to be in charge of people, control? How long will you be?

[50:44] It's harder to keep people down than to raise them up because if you keep them down, every human being is meant to be trying to rise. So, at the end of the day, you will develop back problems trying to keep somebody down for a long time.

[50:56] You give up. You give up. So, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1, verse 24, not that we are trying to have dominion over you, but we are dominion over your faith. We are helpers of your faith.

[51:07] Okay? Not that we have dominion over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy. By faith we stand. You're not trying to, I want to help somebody's faith.

[51:18] Socially, I see someone to be blessed. Did you get something tonight? Come on, let's appreciate God. Hallelujah. Thank you for listening. For more resources, please visit caris.org or call us on 0207-740-9960.

[51:34] God bless you.