Pastor Dmitriy Leo teaches on faith: Three Conditions for Growing in Faith (09.09.2012). Dmitriy Leo is an international minister and pastor of Father’s Blessing Church (www.imbf.org), a person of faith whose ministry is accompanied by miracles, healings, and the supernatural.
Three Conditions for Growing in Faith
Sermon Notes
THE WORD OF THE LORD
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
If we need faith, it will come to us from hearing the message about Christ. Everything we need for faith is already in the Holy Bible. We simply need to nourish ourselves with this Word, as with bread. The more you meditate on the word of Christ and about Christ, the more knowledge of Christ you receive. Faith comes together with knowledge.
The same applies to testimonies not recorded in the Holy Bible—modern testimonies of what Christ did and is doing. When we hear testimonies about Christ, we gain knowledge of Christ. Knowledge of Christ builds our faith in Christ.
ACTIONS OF FAITH
James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
A seed, if it is not placed in favorable soil, will not bear fruit; faith is the same. If you do not place your faith in favorable conditions, it will not bear fruit. Practice faith at all times, regardless of the results you see. However, we are talking specifically about “actions of faith,” not simply “actions.” We can do many things that do not require much faith, but that is not what I am talking about; I am talking about “actions of faith.”
Before Heidi Baker saw the first blind person receive sight, she prayed for dozens of blind people and saw no results. Despite the failures, she continued to demonstrate her faith. Thus, her faith grew to the required level, and miracles began to happen. Today, there are so many miracles in her ministry that people have stopped being surprised when the dead are raised.
Those who frequently practice healing the sick see many healings. Those who do not pray for the resurrection of the dead will not see the resurrection of the dead.
PRAYER OF FAITH
The reason the disciples could not cast out the demon was their lack of faith.
Matthew 17:19 Then, when they were alone with Jesus, the disciples asked: – Why couldn’t we cast out the demon? Matthew 17:20 Jesus answered: – Because you have little faith…
But Jesus did not leave the disciples without an answer; He showed them the importance of prayer.
Matthew 17:21 This kind of demon can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.
But Jesus told them not merely about the importance of praying, but of praying PRAYERS OF FAITH.
Matthew 17:20 Jesus answered: – Because you have little faith. I tell you the truth: if your faith were even the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” – and it would move; nothing would be impossible for you.
Many people pray, but not many see answers to their prayers. Prayer and the prayer of faith are different kinds of prayer. Jesus teaches us that it is through the prayer of faith that we receive answers.
Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
When we are faced with a sick person and want them to be healed, an emotional prayer will not help us. To see results, we must pray the prayer of faith.
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will heal the sick: the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
When we are faced with a huge problem, it will not be moved by an emotional prayer, but only by the prayer of faith.
Mark 11:23 I tell you the truth: if anyone says to this mountain, “Get up and throw yourself into the sea!” and does not doubt in their heart, but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
When we pray, we should not simply voice our needs; God already knows about them. God knows our needs even before they arise.
When we pray, we must believe that after our prayer, what we prayed for will happen. We should not pray just for the sake of praying; we should pray to see an answer.
When our prayers cease to be emotional prayers and become prayers of faith, we will receive answers to every prayer.
