Jesus Is In the House: Unleashing the Power of Faith

Jesus Is In The House! These words radiate warmth, comfort, and a reminder of His divine presence. It's an invitation to experience something extraordinary – a place filled with faith and the promise of answered prayers. As Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Jesus's presence is real and transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. He assures us in Matthew 18:19, "If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you." This reminds us of Jesus's immediate availability to meet our needs and fulfill His promises.

It's an inspiring place to be, filled with the faith and assurance that Christ is always with us.

Not Just Another Service – It's a God Moment

The goal isn't just to attend another service or hear another sermon. It's to reach a place where God moves deeply in our hearts and lives. We seek a God moment, where heaven touches earth in a personal and transformative way.

A God moment embodies our vision: growing deeper through discipleship, closer through community, and taking Jesus to others. These moments are about more than just us; they are about inviting others into the journey towards the divine.

Beyond the Emotional Response

It's easy to think that only our emotions show a God moment. But a true God moment goes beyond feelings. Crying can be one way to feel God's presence, but it's not the only way.

God moves through laughter, listening, worship, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let's not limit God to our expectations. Stay open to His infinite ways of being present.

Faith and Expectation: The Environment for Miracles

Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Two vital elements invite God’s movement: faith and expectation. Without faith, it is impossible to please God , and expectation creates an environment ripe for miracles.

Consider Mark 2:1 when it was "noised" that Jesus was in the house. Noise in this context wasn't just a sound; it was an expression of faith. It was celebration and acknowledgment of Jesus's presence among them.

Creating an Atmosphere of Faith

In Mark 2:3-4, a paralyzed man’s friends made an opening in the roof to lower him down to Jesus. This act was more than just removing tiles; it was an act of creating an opportunity for interaction with Jesus. Sometimes, we need to create such opportunities ourselves.

Our response in faith is exemplified in how we engage during worship services. Imagine if your next praise was your best praise and it brought forth your breakthrough.

What would it sound like? If that moment was the key to your miracle, the intensity and sincerity of your praise would be unmatched because you would put everything into it.

The Power of Collective Faith

We are often reminded about the importance of community in faith. An amen corner – a group of people hungry and excited to hear from God – exemplifies this.

Just like sports fans make noise in anticipation of victory, our collective faith expressed through praises, amens, and acts of worship creates an atmosphere where God moves powerfully.

Hearing and Responding in Faith

Jesus often emphasized the importance of how we hear His teachings. Luke 8:18 advises us to pay attention to how we listen. It's not just about hearing the words but also about our attitude and responsiveness to them. The more we tune in, the more we grow in the things of God.

Similar to Hebrews 4:2, "For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed."

It speaks about the message being of no value to those who did not combine it with faith, our attitude and expectation significantly determine our reception of God’s promises. Thus, our shared responsibility in a service is to listen with an open heart and respond actively.

The Impact of Unbelief

Even Jesus faced limitations in an atmosphere lacking faith. Mark 6:5-6 records that in His hometown, He could not do any miracles except lay hands on a few sick people and heal them, due to their unbelief.

Conversely, in Mark 14, Jesus healed all the sick because the people had faith and expectation. It’s a stark reminder that the environment we create with our faith and expectation profoundly impacts the workings of God among us.

Engaging with Jesus – Beyond the Physical

Attending a church service involves more than just the physical act of being present. It's an opportunity to interact with Jesus. Prayers, worship, and listening to the sermon are all avenues for this divine interaction.

Jesus saw the faith of the paralyzed man's friends through their actions (Mark 2:5). Actions speak loudly of our faith. Lifting our hands, praising aloud, and engaging actively in the service are external demonstrations of inner faith that God honors.

"If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." – Romans 10:9

Sharing Our Testimony

The paralyzed man’s friends have more to teach us. Their act of opening the roof was an unyielding exhibition of faith. They were ride-or-die friends, willing to go the extra mile.

Similarly, our friendships should help others draw closer to God. People in our lives either elevate us or pull us down. Thus, surrounding ourselves with friends who lift us higher towards God is crucial.

Another lesson from this passage is Jesus’ instruction to the healed man: "Get up, take up your mat and walk" (Mark 2:11).

The mat symbolized his past, a testimony of his encounter with Jesus. Likewise, sharing our stories, our testimonies, is powerful. It reminds us of our journey and God's grace and power in our lives.

From Brokenness to New Life

Every problem we face in life, as Jesus implied in His interaction with the paralyzed man, is often rooted in sin (John 5:14). However, this doesn’t mean every problem is a direct consequence of personal sin.

It's vital to understand that Jesus forgives us infinitely, cleansing us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God’s forgiveness and redemption are always available, regardless of past mistakes or sins.

When Jesus said to the man, "Get up," He imparted not just a command but a transformation. This is a call for us all.

Whatever holds us down – whether it’s fear, doubt, or sin – Jesus’ command is to rise and step into the new life He offers. Becoming a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) means leaving behind the old and embracing a renewed, transformed life.