How can we cultivate the faith described in Matthew 21:21 within our community? The Promise in Matthew 21:21 “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen.’” Understanding Mountain-Moving Faith - Power rests in God, not in us; faith simply lays hold of that power. - Mountains represent obstacles that dwarf human resources. - Real faith is certain of God’s will (Hebrews 11:1) and prays accordingly (1 John 5:14-15). Rooting Our Hearts in the Word - “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) - Community rhythm: • Public Scripture reading and exposition every gathering. • Congregational Bible-reading plan for homes. • Memorization challenges on passages that showcase God’s might (e.g., Isaiah 40; Psalm 46). Building a Culture of Expectant Prayer - “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) - Practices: • Weekly prayer meetings focused on specific “mountains.” • Praying Scripture promises back to God. • Immediate celebration of answered prayer to reinforce faith. Living in Repentance and Holiness - Sin clouds confidence (Psalm 66:18). - Actions: • Regular quiet moments for confession in services. • Small groups for mutual accountability (James 5:16). • Swift repentance to keep spiritual eyesight clear. Fueling Faith with Testimony - “They overcame him … by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) - Methods: • Testimony time in every service. • Written or video stories shared church-wide. • Mentoring pairs so new believers hear veterans recount God’s faithfulness. Acting on What We Believe - “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:17) - Community steps: • Launch ministries that exceed budget and talent, forcing reliance on God. • Assign roles so each member exercises faith in action. Shielding One Another from Doubt - “Take up the shield of faith.” (Ephesians 6:16) - Safeguards: • Consistent doctrinal teaching. • Scripture-rich worship. • Occasional corporate fasts to sharpen spiritual focus. A Simple Plan for Mountain-Moving Faith 1. Immerse ourselves in God’s Word together. 2. Pray boldly and specifically as one body. 3. Keep consciences clean through ongoing repentance. 4. Share every victory story. 5. Step out in ventures that require divine intervention. 6. Guard doctrine, worship, and mutual encouragement to choke out doubt. Walking these steps, our community learns to speak to mountains with the unshakable confidence Jesus describes, and God’s glory becomes unmistakably visible among us. |
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