HAVE FAITH IN GOD

Mark 11:20-25     

Key Verse: 11:22

“’Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered.”

            Happy New Year! At the first day of the year 2024, we are here to hear the word of the Lord, our God. What a wonderful way to start New Year. For 3 days, we have heard the messages from Isaiah 40, Acts 1, and Ezekiel 37. Also we have heard Revelation FS presentations. Today, I am going to sharing the word of God from Mark 11. It seems like we are studying the bible randomly here and there. It is not so. Each passage teaches about who God is, what God’s will is for us, and how we should respond to God as God’s holy people in this generation.

As we learned from Isaiah, we may put our hope in the everlasting God. Then, we will not grow weary or be faint for God will renew our strength to serve God’s flock in Rutgers campus. We may grow to be Jesus’ witnesses through 1:1 Bible Study. We may join together and constantly pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in our ministry. God will pour out His Spirit upon each of us, Dream and Vision Team, and our bible students, so all who are like dead spiritually may come to life. We may grow to be Spiritual soldiers of God for this campus and this nation. We may see God’s vision to raise 7000 Bible teachers from Rutgers campus through our 1:1 bible Study.

It feels good to start New Year 2024 afresh. People love to make long to-do lists with New Year resolutions. We hope that everything will go well and this year will be trouble-free or worry-free; everything will go as planned. But, we all know that it is nothing but a dream. Definitely, there will be troubles, challenges, and hardships. We will face some issues which are more than we can handle by our own strength and wisdom. Then, what do you think we need to overcome all kinds of challenges and hardships and carry out our mission in this year 2024? Yes. We need power. Not physical power, but the power of God. In today’s passage, Jesus teaches his disciples how to have such power. Jesus said, “Have faith in God!” This is the spiritual secrete to live victorious life. Faith in God gives us power; power to overcome hardships and carry out our mission; power to move mountains even. Most of people like to talk. Talking is important. But more importantly we need power. It is because the kingdom of God is not the matter of talk, but of power. Through this passage, we may learn how to experience the power that overcomes the world by having faith in God. 

First, the power of mountain moving faith

            This event took place during Jesus’ Passion Week. Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king, riding on a donkey’s colt. People welcomed him as the Messiah, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The next day, Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem from Bethany. Jesus was hungry. He found a fig tree with a lot of leaves. He expected to find some fruit on the fig tree. But there was none. Then, Jesus cursed the tree, saying “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and cleared the temple, driving out all animals and merchants. It made the religious leaders furious, for Jesus ruins their businesses in Temple. Then, they were planning to kill Jesus. These were happened within 2 days. Soon or later, it would be Passover and Jesus would suffer and die on a cross. That was why Jesus came to Jerusalem, as the Messiah, as the king of salvation.

The next morning, Jesus and the disciples were on the way to the city again. As they went along, they saw a fig tree that Jesus had coursed. It was withered from the roots. Peter remembered what Jesus had said and he exclaimed, “Rabbi, look the fig tree you cursed has withered.” Peter was so excited and so amazed by Jesus’ power. Even though he had a big mouth, his words did not have any power. As a top disciple, he wanted his words to have power, like Jesus’ words.

Then, how did Jesus help him? Let us read verses 22. “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Jesus did not mention a method, a skill, or technique. Rather, Jesus directed Peter to the source of power, God. He taught Peter how to experience it, saying “Have faith in God.” Firstly we should know in whom we put our faith. It is in God. Some people put their faith in money, economical or political system, science, or someone. Usually a younger brother trusts his older brother, thinking he is the most powerful, not knowing that there are many others more powerful than his older brother. At some point later, the younger brother becomes disappointed upon discovering this fact. Like the little boy, we have all experienced disappointment or despair by placing our trust in something or someone. 

Then, who is God?  Why and how does he become the source of power for us to overcome the world even? God is the God Almighty. With him, all things are possible. The Bible tells us how God revealed his Almighty power in many ways. God reveals his power in creation. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth with his words. God said, “let there be light” and there was light. God created the land, the sea, and so many kinds of vegetables and plants, flowers, trees, and so many kinds of animals. Moreover, God created the vast universes. The earth we inhabit seems huge, but it is quite small compare to the sun. And the sun is just one of 100 billion stars in the milky way galaxy. Moreover, there are 200 billion galaxies. All natures reveal God’s mighty power. As we consider all these, we cannot but sing, “…Then sings my soul, my Savior God to there, “How great Thou art.”

God’s Almighty power is also revealed in His Redemption. At Mt, Sinai, God said to Israel, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, oppressed by a cruel Pharaoh. They were powerless to get out and cried in anguish. Then, God delivered them with his mighty power. His mighty hands set them free to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. When we consider God’s power, it is infinite and endless. That is why nothing is impossible with God.

His mighty is also revealed in salvation for sinners. We cannot save ourselves. By our own whit, wisdom, or working,  salvation is impossible. But God can.  God alone can save us through Jesus though we are undeserved. There is nothing else that is too hard to do.

Then, the question is how we can access this power? Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” We access God’s power by faith in Him. Faith in God gives us access to his power. Having faith in God is like having Wifi Password. The internet is available all around us. However, to access it, we need WiFi password. In the same way, the power of God is always available. And anyone who has faith in God can access this power with faith.

            Then, what does it mean to have faith in God? It means to depend on God alone as our source of power and strength. In fact, Jesus had trained the disciples to depend on God in many ways since they began to follow him. For example, once Jesus fell asleep in the boat during a storm. When the disciples fell into fear, Jesus planted faith in God in their hearts by saying, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mt4:40) Another time, Jesus challenged them to feed 5000 people by faith in God, saying, “You give them something to eat.”(Mk6:37) When they brought 5 loaves and 2 fish by faith, Jesus prayed to God and then fed 5000 people with 5L2F they brought. When Jesus and 3 top disciples went up the Mountain, the other 9 disciples failed to drive out a demon from a boy. Once again, Jesus taught them the power of faith by saying, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”(9:23) Again when the disciples heard that it is impossible for a rich to enter the kingdom of God, they were deeply despaired and said, “who can be saved?” Then, Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”  (10:27) Jesus repeated taught them to have faith in God alone; depend on God alone as their source of power.

“Have faith in God” This is the secrets to experience God’s power and strength. When they depended on God alone, they could grow as powerful, independent servants of God. In the book of Acts, we can see how the disciples had been changed. Truly, they became powerful servant of God, when they depended on God alone. Peter led 3000 people to repentance and to believe in Jesus. Peter and John healed a crippled man bagged for money. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”(Ac3:6) Then, the man walked and went with them, walking, jumping, and praising God. When Peter depended on God alone, his words became powerful. It was no longer a man of big mouth, but of real spiritual authority and power.  Have faith in God! Depend on God, the creator, the redeemer who is almighty, eternal, compassionate, loving, holy, and righteous. So, this passage is not about moving a mountain, but about faith in God.

            Then, how can we exercise our faith in God? Look at verse 23. “Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in their heart but believe that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”      Here a mountain refers to something that is impossible to move; something that makes us powerless, hopeless and eve fearful. It refers to troubles, hardships, and challenges we may face. Do you have such immovable mountains? It could be addictions, sickness, fear, failures, financial trouble, disasters, all kinds of conflicts, relationship problems, school studies, and so on. These mountains are so huge and heavy that we would never have even thought of moving them. We might just give up doing anything or run away because of our powerlessness. Then, we become despairing and depressed.

However, Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” Whenever we confront these mountains such troubles, hardships, or challenges, we should have faith in God; we should depend on God as our source of strength and power. By faith in God, we should confront these mountains as the great opportunities to experience the power of God. Confronting these mountains, we should speak words of faith such as “Go, throw yourself into the sea.” Then, through these troubles and challenges, our faith can grow and we can experience the victory by the power of God.  

Thank God for blessing UBF to experience the great power of God through ISBC 2023. After enduring the Covid pandemic and lockdown, it was hard to turn off our computer, come out of our homes and meet each other face to face. Last April, we heard that fewer than 500 people were registered though it was just 3 months before the conference.  There were many problems such as travel restrictions, visa problems, and financial need. How could we dare have a large international conference in that situation? But God gave us this situation to reveal God’ power. By faith in God, coworkers began to pray for 2000 attendants. P. Ran Ward and Daniela and M. Jose had visited our NJ Chapter and shared the prayer topic boldly by faith. And then, God worked. People’s hearts opened, travel restrictions were removed, visas were granted, financial resources were provided. So many people came. 2258 attendants came including 567 international delegates. Many young people repented sincerely and accepted Christ. Many chapters are revived. many people were renewed for their fall semester ministry.

Thank God for the work of faith last fall semester in NJ even. We began to pray for 12 New Bible students by faith.  Though we were rejected numerously, we went out campus faithfully to reach out student.  Young Leaders had Fall Bible Academy and invites campus students to Bible Study. God had blessed our faith with 7 new bible students including 4 faithful sheep. Whenever we confront mountains, we may speak the word of faith by faith in God Almighty. By faith in God Almighty, we may pray – “God, give us 7000 Spiritual leaders.” -“Lord, give us Rutgers campus.” – “Lord, give us 12 new Bible students!” -“Lord, raise Dream Team to be bible teachers for Rutgers.” – “Lord, raise Vision Team to meet Jesus personally through Baptism bible study.” – “Lord, Empower young leader team to offer themselves as living sacrifices.” – “Lord, change America into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Who dare pray such things? Only those who have faith in God. By faith in God, we may pray!

To have faith in God, we must overcome doubt. Strangely as we seek to have faith in God, doubt can arise in our heart. The more we struggle not to doubt, the more doubt arise. It is devil’s work. Doubt is Satan’s deadly weapon. This doubt is based on lies about God and the world is full of these lies. If we listen media, YouTube video, and many kinds of worldly presentations, these lies come in our hearts. Because of Internet, tick tock, Youtube shorts, many listen to lies from the moment they open their eyes to the moment they close their eyes to sleep. These lies make us weak and make us doubt.

To overcome doubt and exercise our faith in God, we need to listen to the word of God; the word of Jesus – the word of eternal life. When we listen the word of truth, we come to have faith in God. As we learn from Ezekiel, when dry bones heard the word of God, they came to life and became a vast army of God. This is why we should study the bible, gather daily bread and write testimonies. Let his truth fill our minds and fill our hearts.  “Have faith in God!” In the year 2024, we may confront  mountains by faith in God, so that we may experience the mighty power of God.

Second Faith that prays and forgives (24-25)

After telling his disciples to have faith in God, Jesus said this. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be your.”(24)

How does prayer relate to having faith in God? Without faith, we cannot prayer. Prayer is how we depend on God practically. We express our faith by praying, believing God is already bringing about what we ask for. As we learn in Acts 1, in such dangerous time the disciples did not run away. Instead, they gathered together and constantly pray for the Holy Spirit. They truly believed that they would receive the Holy Spirit, God’s gift.  So, they remained in Jerusalem, and constantly prayed until they receive the Holy Spirit. When we pray in this way, the Lord reveals himself to us. Thank God for Angela’s prayer.  Since she had begun to pray for her house church, Satan had tried to hinder her prayer in many ways. But, she believed that she had received her husband in her prayer. By faith in God, she faithfully remained in campus mission by holding on to 2 Tim 2:15 to be Bible teacher for campus mission. Then, as she prayed, she received what she prayed for by faith. Such prayer will not hindered or changed by circumstances or situation. Regardless our human condition or situation, God whom we believe will answer our prayer as we believe and pray. Emmanuel began to pray for his house church to have a son this year. May God bless his pray to be father of many nations. By faith, let us pray for Dream Team to be excellent Bible teachers, spiritual leaders. Thank God for granting us 7 spiritual leaders for campus mission in 2024. Through them, God may raise up 24 new Bible Students in the year 2024

Jesus continued in verse 25. “and when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” As God leads us to a right relationship with him in prayer, he wants us to have right relationships with each other. God is very serious about us forgiving others. Jesus said, “…if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them…” The words anything and anyone tell us there is no justifiable reason not to forgive.  We are not allowed to hold grudges in our hearts as Jesus’ people. Many wonder how forgiving others related to faith in God. It is because forgiving others is so hard that we need to have faith in God to forgive others.  When we have faith in God’s forgiveness of our sins, we can forgive others. When we remember Jesus who hung on a cross, bleeding and dying, and prayed for sinners, saying “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” we can forgive others. Since Jesus forgave us, sacrificing his life, we must also forgive others in such way. It is possible for us when we have faith in God who forgive all our sins through the blood of Jesus.

As we begin this new year, we may try to do many great things. But the most important thing God wants from us is to have faith in God. Let us ask God to fill our hearts with faith. By faith in God, we may challenge mountains of disciple making through 1:1 bible Study. By faith in God, we may forgive each other, so that we may co-work together for campus mission. May 2024 be the year of moving-mountains, year of prayer and year of forgiveness.