Dmitriy Leo, senior pastor of Father’s Blessing Church, shared a message: “Radical Faith.” Excerpt from the online service “Foundations of Faith – 7,” dated October 23, 2021
I want to pray now that we would have radical faith. And the radical nature of faith is expressed not only in how you ask. Listen carefully. It is also expressed in how you act in times when a miracle is needed. I’ll repeat that.
Because when we talk about radical faith, people often hear it somewhat distortedly. They hear it as though we are asking them to shout louder, simply to raise the volume of our voices. But I sense that what we need to pray about now is being radical when we need to take action. Because very often it is action that puts faith into action and brings it to life. And many people lack precisely this action.
In other words, there is shouting: “I will have it!” But when it comes to taking action, there is not enough radicalism. There is enough radicalism in one area—gathering together, shouting a lot, and making declarations. But there is not enough radicalism at some point, in a very urgent moment, to do something.
I like the testimony of one man. I respect him as a person of faith and power. And his decision, his action, is an example for many of us. I will not mention his name, but some of you know his story, his testimony. He has told it many times. But may this story, this testimony, encourage us that in extreme moments of life, it is important for us not only to speak radically, but to take radical action.
Listen to me. Because many people live from one radical declaration to another. I will tell you that in most cases, this is not enough. There must be radical action at the kairos moment—that is, at the specific moment when you must take this action, or it will be too late.
This is a missionary who devoted many years to serving in places where others do not want to serve. He sent 20 pastors to one settlement so that they could preach there, minister, lead people to Jesus, and then establish a church there. These were his first 20 assistants. But the people who live there have their own religion and customs, and they are aggressively hostile toward Christians.
He stayed home, while his ministers left. It was a long distance, requiring many hours of driving. Then he was informed by radio that something terrible had happened. Some madman who disliked Jesus and the preaching of the Gospel had taken out a weapon and shot those 20 pastors. He killed them all; they were lying dead in a ditch. This is a true story, friends. It happened not long ago. It is a true story. I heard this man tell it himself.
He drove there and prayed, “Lord, perform a miracle, perform a miracle.” Because, you understand, these were 20 pastors, 20 of the best pastors, 20 heroes of faith, 20 strong men. Just like that, some madman took a gun and shot them. And when he arrived and saw that his 20 ministers really were lying dead in the ravine, their bodies riddled with bullets, with blood still seeping and flowing in places, he fell to his knees and asked the Lord for a miracle. He kept asking and asking.
Here it is—the kairos moment. There are moments when radical action is needed right now. Right now.
And here is what he said. He was praying, and he began to see how first one person stood up, then another, and then all twenty stood up. This was a mass resurrection of the dead. He even saw the bullet wounds they had heal, leaving no holes. Accordingly, the bullets disappeared somewhere as well. What a miracle. Hallelujah!
I want to pray that, you know, we would have radical faith.
Let us pray that we would have the courage to take radical action. Because radical actions very often determine people's destinies. Our radical actions.
Yes, then the police arrived there and caught this madman. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The story became even more interesting after that. They later interceded for him and provided evidence that the people were alive, resurrected by God. And the police faced a strange choice. There was a crime, there were witnesses, and yet these people were withdrawing their statements.
And they withdrew their statements in order to lead him to faith. And they led him to faith; this madman became a preacher. They released him, and he became a preacher. This is the continuation of the story.
But this is the right action. Who wants to take radical action? It is very dangerous.
I will ask you to stand. I want to pray because, you know, in my life I have not done many extraordinary, radical things. And think carefully before you stand. This is a serious risk. And if you remain seated, believe me, I will certainly not judge you. Because this is very, very serious. But I know for certain that God can hear and answer this prayer. This will mean that you may find yourselves in situations—don't be afraid now—where radical faith will be required of you.
This does not mean that God will create bad situations. No. God tempts no one with evil, nor is He tempted by evil. That is, God does not create bad situations for you to deal with later. No. I was talking about something else.
If we are ready for this, then at some point God may lead us to a certain place, to certain people, so that we will be ready to pray. And these moments are not always pleasant.
Once we came to a house where a child had just died. He was still warm. While the ambulance was on its way, we had time to pray for his resurrection. But he did not rise. Yet there were other victories—victories that came because we acted radically.
This radicalism is connected not merely with certain numbers, but with people's lives and serious answers. But God needs such people. The pastor I just mentioned is a challenge to us. Because thanks to him, so many people remained alive, and a madman also came to faith, was set free, and became a preacher. Such people are needed today.
And I will remind you that once, when I was sitting there—I love watching the generals of faith—I was watching. And after I finished watching one minister, I said, “Lord, who else should I watch? Who else? I like the generals of faith.” And the Lord said to me, “You are the generals of faith.” And that deeply touched me because I did not expect such an answer. I expected God to tell me, “Go watch so-and-so next.” He said, “You are the generals of faith! And they have finished their course.”
He said something that touched me very, very deeply and still does: no one had taken their place. And then I experienced joy and sadness at the same time. Joy that we are the generals of faith, and sadness that they had gone, and no one had taken their place.
We were just sitting in the pastor’s office. “In the pastor’s office” sounds grand. In the little room we were given. We were sitting in a humble room. In Pokrovsk, our pastor’s office has a table, a little kettle, and soft chairs. But there, we were like birds perched on a little rod in a cage—parakeets.
We were just talking and remembering heroes of faith whom we knew personally, spent time with, ate with, and who have gone to be with the Lord. Heroes who did such great things, on the level of an entire nation. We were talking about our Indonesian friends who are now with the Lord. We said, “Look, they have gone, and no one else has taken their place.” And so I want to pray for radical people with radical actions to rise up.
Many people have radical faith. But we need people with radical actions. Some people need to do things that will make others’ hair stand on end. Then there will be radical miracles. Then there will be great miracles.
“Father, we are honest before You. There are things we are even afraid to do, because we do not know whether we will succeed. But we know that Jesus was not afraid. And the apostles were not afraid. Because of this, many people were saved, and many received life, healing, and deliverance. God, because of such radical actions, many people remained alive. And we know that we need to take the place of those generals who have gone to be with You—the people of faith and power who have gone to be with You.”
I pray for everyone hearing my voice right now. I pray that You would raise people up. And I am not asking somewhere abroad. They are praying for their own people there. I am praying for those who are here, who are here now, who are listening. God, raise up strong people. And let no one look at their profession. Let no one look at their current position or financial situation; let nothing stop anyone.
Because once Peter also thought he would always catch fish. And perhaps the other apostles also thought they would continue practicing their trades, but You called them to something greater. And You showed them great things and accomplished great things.”
That is why I tell everyone: do not look at who you are now, what you do, where you live, or what your salary is. Do not confuse or mix these things with spiritual matters. In the spiritual realm, we have different ranks and a different purpose. If you will, we have a different spiritual rank from what we currently have here on earth.
“And in the name of Jesus Christ, let this army rise up, Lord. We pray—let us all intercede—the army of the Lord’s strong ones. Not those who hide. An army of strong ones. Not those who scatter and sit at home, but those who scatter in order to do God’s work. In the name of Jesus, let an army of those strong in faith rise up—people who can be sent on serious assignments, who will act radically, and who will not agree with lawlessness.”
They will stand up and say, “I do not agree with this! Let a miracle happen. I do not agree with this! Let a miracle happen in the name of Jesus!” God, seize such people with Your Holy Spirit. Seize such people with Your power. Seize such people, in the name of Jesus Christ.”
May God release angels to help you, in the name of Jesus, so that you will go to places where others are afraid to go and do what others are afraid to do. In the name of Jesus. And each person in their own sphere: some in politics, some in business, some in ministry—each in the sphere to which they are called. In the name of Jesus, may you go where others are afraid to go and do what Jesus would do in your place! Hallelujah!
And let us say: “Lord, I thank You that You always give us the opportunity to move forward. And help me take this step, in the name of Jesus—a step of faith.”
I receive a word that many people need just one step in order to get out of the place where they have been stuck for many years. Where something has remained unresolved for many years, they need just one step. You know, let us all prophetically take this one step.
I’ll say it again: I hear this from the Lord—many people are just one step short. And that is good news. Let’s say, “Amen!” God did not say that you need to walk a mile; God did not say that you need to journey for 40 years. What He just said is that many people are just one step short of crossing over, if you will, their Jordan or their wilderness—or whatever you are facing. One step! And that is not much. Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord! Glory to You! And we prophetically carried out this action.
Do you know what what I heard means to me?! It means that, in reality, it is not difficult to get through what seems difficult for us to get through. One step—you can simply step over, according to the Word of the Lord. You can step over it. But will He find faith?!
We need to take these radical steps of faith. Take this step of faith! Perhaps you have been struggling with finances for a long time. Perhaps you have been struggling with finding work, or your relatives have found themselves in difficult circumstances. And one radical step will be the solution for you.
And I know the questions: “What? What? What should I do?” There are as many situations as there are people here, and each person has their own situation and must decide what to do. There is no universal answer. The step of faith—that is the secret. But as for which step to take and what to do, the Holy Spirit must show you what you need to do in your particular situation. Hallelujah.
Text prepared by Marina Serkova
