The Power of Faith
The power of faith is the ability to trust in God's Word and accept His perfect righteousness through Christ, rising above our fears, circumstances, and sin.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the transformative power of faith, explaining that through Christ's sacrifice, believers are granted perfect righteousness despite their struggles with sin. He highlights the misconception that one must first clean up their life to be accepted by God, asserting that salvation comes solely by grace through faith. Wilkerson encourages believers to rise above their fears and doubts, resting in the truth of God's Word that assures them of their righteousness in Christ. He reminds us that true faith is not about our efforts but about trusting in what Jesus has accomplished for us.
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Oh, what a wonderful thing the power of faith is!
God's Word tells us that Christ paid for the sin of humankind with His own blood at the cross; that He fulfilled the law and removed the curse; that He ransomed us from the claims of hell and the devil; that He lived a sinless life, keeping the law at every point; and that He will present us before the Father with a perfect righteousness.
The Word goes on to tell us we can have Christ's perfect righteousness attributed to us -- that God will consider us as perfectly righteous in Jesus -- if only we will believe what He has accomplished for us. Please understand that I am speaking of those who have repented of their sins.
Oh, how my flesh recoils at the simplicity and ease of it all. The flesh cries, "No way! It can't be that easy. I have to help; I must pay something. After all, I still have problems in my life. I still struggle with sin. I can't expect Him to consider me righteous because I still have so many things needing improvement. I need to clean up my act first."
Certainly there may be tears on our part. We have to be humbled and broken, but a river of tears alone will not save anyone. A lifetime of struggles will not save anyone. God says, "It must be by grace through faith. No flesh shall glory in My presence!"
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith" (Galatians 5:5).
"Righteousness . . . which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9).
My faith has to rise above all my fears, above all satanic lies, all feelings, all circumstances, and rest in what God's Word declares. His Word says that by repentance and faith in Christ, He looks upon me as having the perfect righteousness of Jesus. He accepts me "in the beloved" as holy and righteous.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of Faith
- A. Faith in Christ's perfect righteousness
- B. The simplicity and ease of faith
- C. Faith rising above fears and circumstances
- II. The Problem of the Flesh
- A. The flesh's desire to help and pay
- B. The flesh's struggle with sin and imperfection
- III. The Solution of Grace
- A. Faith as the means of salvation
- B. The righteousness of God revealed through faith
Key Quotes
“It must be by grace through faith. No flesh shall glory in My presence!” — David Wilkerson
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” — David Wilkerson
“Righteousness . . . which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Faith is not about our efforts or good works, but about trusting in God's Word and accepting His perfect righteousness through Christ.
- We must rise above our fears, circumstances, and sin by faith in God's Word and His perfect righteousness.
- Repentance is a necessary step in faith, as it involves turning away from sin and towards God.