IT ALL STARTS WITH BELIEVING

JOHN 14:12-21

We are in the midst of the Holiday Season.

It is truly "The Most Wonderful Time of The Year".

I love the Holidays.

The lights.

The music.

Ribbons.

Paper.

Bows.

Food.

Decorations.

Garland.

Wreaths.

Apple cider.

Hot chocolate.

Cookies Cakes.

Candies.

Oh and the smell of Christmas.

That feel-good-all-over feeling.

But as I move about through the shops this year there is a phrase that really stands out to me.

"JUST BELIEVE."

Everywhere I look I see it.

Believe, believe, believe, believe.

On stockings-believe.

On shirts-believe.

On socks-believe.

On banners-believe.

On ornaments-believe.

On baby blankets-believe.

One sign said, "You Must Believe If You Want To Receive."

As I walked around looking at all of these "Believe Signs", my mind began to wonder as it sometimes does.

I asked myself the question, " Does anybody really get this?"

Think about it.

Before something happens, there has to be someone who believes it will happen before it does.

Someone will have to put forth an effort in order for the believing to come to fruition.

We live in a Santa Clause society.

That means it is easy for us to just say we believe and everything will be great.

But I have news for you today my friend, believing takes action to bring about. Santa Claus doesn't show on belief alone.

It takes action of an outside influence to make it happen.

In the church we are lulled to sleep thinking we have got it made.

We say we believe.

But we never act upon our belief.

We can believe for a miracle.

But if we never act on it we don't receive it.

We can believe for deliverance, But if we don't act upon it we never receive it.

In verse 12 we read:
John 14:12 (KJV) ^{12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.}

You see, The first step is believing.

The second step is doing.

Jesus was plain in his words:

First believe Then work.

This excites me.

If I believe on him, I can do his works, and greater works.

If I ask anything of him in his name, it's done.

If I love him I will DO his commandments.

He will never leave me nor forsake me.

He will always be near.

Because he lives, we have life and life more abundantly.

And it all started with believing.

This ought to be rattling some of your cages right now.

Excitement ought to be rolling within you.

Believe, then step into action.

Read verse 21:
John 14:21 (KJV) 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

NOW Read verse 12:

John 14:12 (KJV) 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

NOW Read verse 12 &21 together:

John 14:12 (KJV) 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

John 14:21 (KJV) 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

I have been in this vein for some time now.

It is time for action.

We as Pentecostals have fallen into a religious rut.

We are beginning to look like everyone else in our services.

We say we believe that Jesus is Lord of all, but our actions do not say that.

Our hands are folded.

Our legs are crossed.

Our eyes are closing.

We are tired.

We are lazy.

But we say we believe.

It is time to put our belief into action.

Do you believe or,

Do you just say you believe.

This is the day and hour to either Put Up, or Shut up.

I believe that the Lord is appalled by our inaction, and mundane walks with him,

We should be the manifestations of the sons of God.

We believe that we are.

We say that we believe we are.

But our lives scream otherwise.

Come on Pentecostal.

It is time to rise above the fray.

It is time to be who you say you are.

It is time to quit talking and start demonstrating.

There is no better time than right now.

There is a world outside these doors that is dying.

You have their answer.

Will you sit on it?

Will you only believe it?

Or will you go to that world and tell them, "Silver and gold have I none ........

WILL YOU PUT YOUR BELIEF INTO ACTION IN YOUR WORSHIP?

IT IS THE SEASON TO BELIEVE!

IT IS THE SEASON TO BELIEVE WITH ACTION!

What about you? Are you ready for action?

I challenge you to make your move!

Make your move.

Don't hold back any longer.

Go ahead. Step out.

Put your belief into action.