a message on the importance of living by faith in the promises of God by Moses Lee, originally preached July 06, 2008

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB) For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

3. We can experience the miraculous power of God when we fully embrace & live according to the promises of Scripture. We can experience the miraculous power of God when we fully embrace & live according to the promises of Scripture.

4. 1. Moses & the Rock, Part II (Numbers 20:1-12) 1. Moses & the Rock, Part II (Numbers 20:1-12)

5. Numbers 20:1-12 (NASB) Then the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month; and the people stayed at Kadesh. Now Miriam died there and was buried there. 2 There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! 4 Why then have you brought the LORD’S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? 5 Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink.”

8. Sometimes God graciously performs _________ among us in spite of our lack of faith. We sometimes mistake God’s grace for an ___________ to unbelief. The Bible makes no distinction between faith and __________. MIRACLES MIRACLES INVITATION INVITATION OBEDIENCE OBEDIENCE

9. 2. Mary & Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38) 2. Mary & Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38)

10. Luke 1:26-38 (NASB) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.”

11. 31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

12. 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

13. The phrase “No, Lord!” is an impossible ______________ in terms. “ Lord, I am not willing, but I am willing to be made willing.” CONTRADICTION

14. 3. Robert & Mary Moffat (1795-1883 & 1795–1870) 3. Robert & Mary Moffat (1795-1883 & 1795–1870)

15. Your “Yes” or “No” to God’s Word can have far-reaching consequences.

16. Are you living supernaturally in the power of the Holy Spirit? Let us commit ourselves to fully embrace & live according to the promises of Scripture!

17. 1 Thessalonians 2:13