Have Faith in God
True faith in God brings what He wants, not what we want, and defeats giants with simple stones.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that true faith in God is simple and powerful, contrasting it with complex, reasoned faith that leads to confusion and disappointment. He warns against the false teachings of extreme groups that equate faith with selfish desires, asserting that genuine faith aligns with God's will and promises. Drawing on the examples of David and Naaman, he encourages believers to trust in God's Word and act on it, even when understanding is lacking. Yohannan asserts that faith is about relying on God's character and His unwavering promises, which never fail.
Text
A complex, reasoned faith doesn't cure leprosy, kill giants or cause walls to crumble. A complex faith only imprisons us in a maze of theological wonderland. I am not saying to run out and do things that don't make sense. I am not saying to think of some ridiculous thing you want and believe for it. Some extreme groups preach this false kind of faith. They say just pray it and claim it and God will send an angel to bring the Rolls Royce or whatever elaborate thing you may want. That is not faith--it is madness. That is feeding the desires of the flesh in the name of faith. You can't use faith to get what you want for yourself. Faith only brings to you what God wants for you.
Have faith in God--the kind of faith that David had, the faith that defeats huge giants with simple stones.
Let God do what He has promised to do. Listen to what He says in His Word and follow it. Even if you can't understand it fully, do it. Don't be like Naaman and let your reasoning postpone the promises of God at work in your life. Believe Him and step out in faith. Faith throws itself onto God and holds Him to His character and His Word. Faith never fails because God never fails.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Complex Faith
- The False Kind of Faith
- The True Kind of Faith
- Faith in God brings what He wants, not what we want
- Faith defeats giants with simple stones
- Faith holds God to His character and Word
Key Quotes
“A complex faith only imprisons us in a maze of theological wonderland.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Faith throws itself onto God and holds Him to His character and His Word.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Faith never fails because God never fails.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- Trust God's character and Word, even if you can't understand it fully.
- Don't use faith to get what you want for yourself, but rather to bring what God wants.
- Faith is not about getting what you want, but about holding God to His promises.