Subtitle (wheelbarrow faith)
We have talked about the strength it takes to keep relationships going, the integrity and truth at the core of any great relationship, the righteousness given to us because of Christ and the choices we must make to walk in righteousness to keep us and our relationships alive, and last week we talked about always being ready, prepared to handle any situation so we might remain in peace in all of our relationships.
This week I want to talk about being willing to get into the wheelbarrow. I’ll explain that in a moment
Ephesians 6:10 – 18
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
In 1859, French daredevil Charles Blondin stretched a rope 1,100 feet across Niagara Falls. He then proceeded to walk across the rope, 160 above the falls, while blindfolded. The crowd that had gathered cheered wildly. He then walked over the falls pushing a wheelbarrow. Some accounts of this story claim that he filled the wheelbarrow with 150# of dirt. When he completed this feat, the wildly cheering crowd again greeted him.
Blondin then asked the gathered crowd, “Do you believe I can walk over the falls again with the wheelbarrow?” And the crowd responded with a hearty “Yes!”
Blondin then asked the gathered crowd, “Do you believe I can walk over the falls again with the wheelbarrow?” And the crowd responded with a hearty “Yes!”
Blondin asked, “Do you believe I can walk this tightrope with someone in that wheelbarrow?” Again, the crowd responded with a hearty “Yes!”
“Who then, will get into the wheelbarrow?” Blondin asked. And you can guess the response of the crowd. There was not a single volunteer.
The crowd believed firmly that Blondin could take a person across the tightrope in a wheelbarrow. However, believing it wasn’t enough.
You see; there is a difference between “belief” and “faith”.
Today we are going to talk about wheelbarrow riding faith
Paul said
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
Roman shields were rectangular in shape so joined together they could act as a wall against any attackers
They also were made out of wood, leather, and metal. The purpose for the mix of materials was to extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy.
You see when a volley of flaming arrows would be shot; it tended to slow the soldiers down. The shield was designed to take these hits and extinguish the arrows.
The enemy loves to attack relationships with jealousy, division, anger, frustration, and misunderstanding to do his best to destroy relationships.
That is why Paul says hold up the shield of faith to stop the arrows of the devil
What are the ways to build and/or apply our faith?
Believe in the word of God
I know this may seem simplistic but one of the first challenges after creation was to the validity of God’s word.
Genesis 3:1-3
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
If we don’t know the word of God and believe it we will fall for anything that sounds like it. I hear all of the time “this is not what a loving God would do” My question is do you define love in the way God defines love and have you read the Bible and how a loving God protects people always.
Then there are those who have read parts of the word and add their own to it “nor shall you touch it” why was that a problem? If she believed she would die if she touched it then when she did and did not die she would believe everything is a lie.
As a church this is what we believe
We believe that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 this is the basis of that tenet of our faith
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
John tells us this John 20:31
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
We can not pick and choose what we believe but some things are harder to understand if you do not have someone teaching you. If you have questions do like many others have, send them to me and I will answer them to help you understand better.
God’s word is filled with wisdom on building stronger relationships
Handling problems with people
When applied the principles in scripture can cause every relationship to be at its best.
When we know and believe in the Word of God, it doesn’t matter how many arrows the enemy may shoot our way, we know what God’s word says, remember how many times it has kept us focused and defended us and the arrows can’t even burn us because we are protected by the shield that says though every man is a liar God’s word is true
Trust in Jesus
I say “trust” in Jesus because it must go beyond mental assent to faith in him. It must God from your brain to your heart
Remember the illustration about the wheelbarrow faith?
There is a difference between believing in Jesus and putting your faith in him
Belief is mental assent believing that something can be done faith is actually putting your trust in someone or something.
It is not merely enough to believe that the Bible is true you must place your trust in it and the God who created it.
James puts it this way
James 2:19,20
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
You have to know that God is going to get you through anything. The demons know God, they believe in Him but they do not have faith in Him that is how they became demons in the first place.
Trust in Jesus is more than believing it is saying, “God I am letting go of the steering wheel and giving it to you”
I mentioned this scripture last week but allow me to take a slightly different view of it this morning. The good deeds, I would challenge you with this today are that you are showing you trust in Jesus by what Jesus said
Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;”
John 13:34
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
It is easy for us to lash out at people who hurt or offend us, it is easy for us to not like people that think differently than we do. These are all the things that the world does.
If Jesus is truly in charge then we allow Him to handle all of these things, we are confident in His leading, plan, purpose for our lives. This helps us see people differently, through His eyes
Ladies and gentlemen we are the overcomers, we are empowered by the Spirit of the living God people hate Christians because they are afraid, they persecute real men and women of God because their Father has lied to them. People fear real men and women of God because we are drawing people to a loving, living powerful God the world wants to create a personality cult you see it in Hollywood, entertainment field, athletics and even in the church. Satan hates anyone coming into freedom in Christ so he will do and mask whatever he needs to, to keep you in bondage to a thing or person rather than God. These are fiery darts sent to do sneak attacks because there is not freedom or joy in trusting in people or things only in trusting in God
Act in obedience to God’s Word
Our world is broken in so many ways.
They live in unforgiveness, they live in a world of manipulation and control. They live in a world were they are driven to the point of exhaustion and hopelessness.
You see the enemy of our soul not only shoots flaming arrows at us but everything made in the image of God.
The world is hopeless! We are walking in faith so they can see it.
When we believe in God’s Word, trust in Jesus for everything then we will naturally, because of these two things, want to live in obedience not out of a burden or law but knowing that it is the only way for us to be free.
Our obedience requires us to walk in forgiveness always as we forgive we bring freedom to ourselves and others.
Our obedience causes us to not try to control or manipulate others, guide encourage yes, but the world is full of manipulation we in our security can point them to truth, joy and freedom because we are walking in those things.
We begin to study the word more…we begin to spend more time in prayer and sharing our faith
We leave a victim mentality which I am afraid is creeping into the church. We are only a victim, if we do not live by God’s Word, trust Jesus, and act in obedience
Because with these three keys the shield of faith is up full and every dart of the enemy is extinguished.
I know it is work but it is real and the strength, overcoming power, life and anointing that comes with it not only brings freedom to us but to the world around us.
If you are willing to climb into the wheelbarrow and allow Jesus to walk you across the high wire you are in for a real adventure of a lifetime.
Where is your faith this morning? Are the darts or arrows getting through? Have the gotten through?
It takes nothing more than standing on God’s word, trusting the Jesus has the wheelbarrow of your life and you are getting into that wheelbarrow in obedience to Him