Extraordinary Faith by Pastor Kim, Yong Doo

In order to strengthen our faith, Jesus had mobilized various methods. For example, to draw faith out from the Syrophoenician woman, He called her a dog (Mark 7:24-30).

At times, Jesus would mobilize a method which seems harsh and not gentle. The method had to be employed in such a way so our pride would be trampled and brought down. When we are physically and severely sick or have difficult family issues, we would generally come to the Lord on our knees. This is the purpose and the reason why we are dealt with in such a way by the Lord. But once our faith has been approved or passed, the Lord then heals our sickness or problems.

We must come before the Lord with weak, untested, or unapproved areas in faith. The Lord will use various methods so that our faith can be proved. Therefore, we must be driven into a corner or squeezed so that our faith externally manifests in order to validate if the faith is genuine.

When a person is tested through trials, the person basically has two choices to make. The person can either trust and rely on God or not trust in God. Therefore, through this method, one can identify if the faith is genuine.

The Lord fed approximately 20,000 people with only five loaves and two fish. In those days, the people would listen to Jesus’ preaching and may not eat all day. When we are in a situation in which we are not able to grab on to anything or when we do not have anyone to rely on, it will be a time in which we will able to show our faith in the Lord.

Jesus encounters people of faith in all places and in order to strengthen their faith, He will employ various types of methods. The Lord gave thanksgiving to God for five loaves and two fish. He then had the disciples pass them out to the people. Jesus wanted to use the disciples in this event to manifest a miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit.

While the disciples were still excited from the miracle, Jesus had commanded them to go over to the other side as He went to the mountain to pray. Prayer is required before a miracle. If we desire things to be well, we must pray. One can barely make it through without prayer for a moment but if one does not want to face difficulties, one must pray habitually. Although Jesus is God, He had to pray since He had become flesh.

After Jesus had finished His prayer, He came down from the mountain. His disciples were facing a difficult time with the heavy seas. Jesus usually lived His life according to the law of nature. He experienced tiredness and hunger. But when His beloved disciples were in a dangerous situation which required a manifestation of God’s power such as in the sea, He walked on water by wearing the fullness of the Holy Spirit. When it was necessary, He transcended the law of nature. He was not ruled by the law of gravity. The law of gravity cannot be applied to the Creator. Jesus is the Lord of all creation. He is the one who had participated in the work of creation. Therefore, He is also the Lord over nature that cannot speak. He parted the Red Sea. He works and manifests using supernatural methods. As a result, His servants who preach the gospel do not have to fear or be afraid.

As Jesus appeared to the disciples, they were all startled. Therefore, He had to disclose Himself to comfort them. Peter then stood up and requested Him to call him out to the water. Peter wanted to know if it was really Jesus. The Lord then told him to come. Peter is a type of character who speaks and reacts without giving much consideration. Peter immediately jumped out onto the water. Extraordinary faith makes a person special. When we are surrounded by difficulties, all directions are blocked and we are driven to a corner with nowhere to go. If we fear, become nervous, apprehensive, and worry, we are then becoming a seed that falls on the thorn bush. We must extort every effort to bear a kind and gentle heart.

Jesus created special and unique scenes to observe the reaction or responses from His disciples. If we want to be a special person, we must jump out of the boat on to the water like Peter. We sometimes make mistakes and become discouraged. However, Jesus will save us and get us out of the water.
As Peter looked on Jesus, he was able to walk on water for a short time. But then he began to sink. Peter was operating from a certain degree or level of faith. He was exposed to his limits.

As long as he focused on the Lord, he walked on water just fine. But as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and became distracted by the wind, Peter began to sink into the water. It is very important for us to fix our eyes on Jesus and not the reality of our circumstances or situation.

Peter tested the Son of God who is also the Creator. Faith is not something that one can imitate. Some level of faith will eventually degenerate when we reach the end or climax of a trial. Peter had unusual faith. Jumping out of a boat into the water is faith. Asking the Lord to come and calm the wind and waves is faith as well. When our faith deteriorates close to the bottom, He will restore our faith.

Faith is enduring to the end, holding on constantly. When our focus on the Lord is off or degenerated, doubt will creep in. Like Abraham in the Mountain of Moriah, our faith is tested and must finally pass or be approved. Therefore, we must do whatever God desires us to do without hesitation. To fear God is to walk on the thorny road with God. We are always caught between two realms, reality and the Lord. Based on where we place our faith, we can either be approved in faith by God or be drowned and die.
It is very important to fix our eyes on the Lord. Losing our focus on Jesus is the same as to degenerate our faith.

We must discern and evaluate the intention of God to why He allows such circumstances. Eighteen people died when the tower in Siloam fell on them and the disciples thought they had died because of their sins. But Jesus had told them that they the disciples were no better. Jesus said they died because of the sins of the living (Luke 13:4-5).

As a prerequisite of Saul becoming Paul, Stephan had to die first. Stephan got stoned to death. Under the altar of God, the souls that have been slain are calling out in a loud manner for their blood to be avenged. But God had told them to wait a little longer until the number of their fellow brothers and other servants of God were to be reached through martyrdom. Only so, may the Lord’s will come to the earth.
We must always be prepared. It does not matter whether it is in the pre, middle or post tribulation. We must be ready with determination in case we have to go through the tribulation. We must prepare ourselves through prayer!

If we are not prepared and seek only the rapture before the tribulation, we can easily fall away and deny the Lord when we are face the testing of tribulation.
We are living in the days of grace. We are living in the last days. Therefore, when God grants us an opportunity, we should not lose it but take advantage of it and be prepared. My faith must prove me. In the midst of tribulation or trials, the Lord visits us with His Word. “Do not fear, for it is I.”

We want our eyes to be fixed on Jesus. Our realty and circumstances shake us and it tries to degenerate our faith but we must be victorious unto the end with our faith. Pray that your faith does not get corrupt. Pray that our focus does not degenerate. We have experience certain days in which God will create a unique circumstance or event to test our faith. Too test if our faith is genuine or false. Pray that God will help you to possess extraordinary faith.

Sermon by Pastor Kim, Yong Doo
Author of Baptize by Blazing Fire
South Korea
 Translated by Yoojin and Steve Yong Kim
May 13, 2010