Ministering: Pastor Segun Doherty (RCCG Victory Centre – UK)
Text: Luke 15:11-32.
” 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother has come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this, thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” KJV
The word, the Spirit, and Faith are inseparable. Only faith qualifies you for blessing. Without faith in the Lord, there can be no love in our hearts. Holiness is not possible without faith. Eph. 5:18 enjoins us to be filled with the Spirit. Col. 3:16 admonishes us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. The Church is the school of Christians; it is in the church we are conformed to the image of Christ. Christianity is a covenant relationship between God and man whereby each has its responsibilities to fulfill. If you don’t play your part, there will be no breakthrough. God is always faithful to His Part. We must know how to operate in the principles of God’s kingdom.
Our above text is about “Faith and Faithfulness.” The two brothers were faithful, but the younger brother went further in faith to ask for his inheritance. The elder brother appears to be faithful yet without faith; while the prodigal son had Faith because he knows he has a right to his father’s wealth. Many know God as their Father but don’t have the faith to ask for mighty things from Him. Commitment and faithfulness appear to be missing today.
Faithfulness is different from Faith; as one can be committed to a person or Church yet lacking the word that produces Faith. Faith is acting as if it is so when it is not so, so it can be so because God said so. Faith receives from God. No matter how faithful a person is, if you don’t receive His word, you will suffer for it. Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find the Bread of Life.
The Prodigal son knew his father was very wealthy, hence was bold to approach him for his inheritance. As a child of God, realize you have a right to God’s inheritance. Unfortunately, he squandered his inheritance, but he still knew his father as a loving and forgiving dad, hence he returned to his father. We need to know God as a Father who is ever seeking our good in life. Even in our mistakes, when we repent and turn to Him, He is Faithful to cleanse and receive us. The father was waiting for his son, thus, was so happy at his return that he threw a party. The elder brother didn’t realize all the father had was his, but he never asked of the father. The Lord Jesus said, “… We should ask and we will receive….. for whosoever ask shall receive …..” (Matt. 7:7). Many are faithful but are not holding on to God’s word. Faith is taking God at His word.
Hope is in the future but faith brings the future into the now. Faith is calling things that are not as though they are. It is evidence of things not seen. Faith acts as if you already have a miracle. Faith is the currency we use to purchase things from the supernatural realm. All things are possible to him that believes. Faithfulness is being loyal and obedient to the person you put your trust in. Many marriages and business relationships have broken off because of lack of faithfulness. Another word for faithfulness is reliability and trustworthiness. The younger son was unfaithful but he moved to faith by returning to his father. The older son was faithful but had no faith to ask for his inheritance.
In closing, both “Faith and Faithfulness” must go hand in hand as a believer in Christ. Have faith in the power of the Almighty that can never fail. Add faith to your faithfulness so your life can go from glory to glory.
God bless you!
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