IGNITING THE FIRE OF FANTASTIC FAITH
OUR MEASURE OF FAITH
Romans 12:3 tells us that God has assigned to us a measure, or portion of faith. Nothing would please him better than if we were to maximize that measure especially in light of Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Before maximizing that measure, however, we often need to find its spark, grow its embers and fuel the flames of its greater potential. This sometimes requires that we go through a fire - sometimes literally. It is amazing what can happen when there is nothing left for us to do but believe and there is no one left to turn to but Jesus.
BLOWN UP AND LIT UP
Enter Troy Crosson from Dallas, Texas one of our church's co-speakers this weekend and pictured below with his beautiful wife Penny. We have come to know him in Hawaii as master builder and driver of Waikiki's re-made and renowned crown jewel: The International Marketplace. But 35 years ago the then streakingly successful 25 year old construction prodigy was in a horrific on-the-job explosion that blew him sky high, melted away parts of his face, and landed him in a hospital for 18 months with third degree burns over 48% of his body.
In the excruciating aftermath he wanted to die, prayed to die, should have died and well...did die. Sort of. The fervent faith of prayer warriors at his church aborted his literal out of body journey into an unknown eternity. (He was a nominal believer at the time. "Not really saved yet," as he would say.) As his soul departed, he saw his tattered corpse from above and then remembers clearly to this day the shocking re-entry back into it because of fervent, faith filled intercession. What followed afterward sent him to the nations and will be shared in this weekend's services but know this: He found out how faithful God truly is and how powerful he can be when one's assigned measure of faith is purposely exercised. Call it a fantastic faith which can be likened to the Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four hero the "Human Torch" who could ignite world changing fire by simply choosing to say "Flame On!"
DECISION OVER EXPLOSION
There's potential for a deeper faith to be expressed in and through all of us and it rarely requires an out of body explosion, just an in the Spirit decision. We will be amazed when we allow to get out of us what God has already put inside of us. Invite an unchurched, or de-churched friend or loved one this weekend as we launch our new sermon series IGNITE! With it, let's lift off together into both a new school season and a new church season. What better way to start than to give the gift of our grace based, gospel driven faith away.
PS: And yes, he does look better today than many who have never been anything except sun-burned before - another testament to an explosive faith and a true miracle of God. However, there are times when various parts of his skin grafted body wants to sit down if you can catch the drift.
