Report of M05: Rob Rufus - Five ways of increasing in the Spirit of Faith

I have a problem with the teaching that God does nothing except in response to men’s prayers. How did he great the universe
Nevertheless he does respond to faith initiatives
Jesus seems to be totally controlled by his father’s initiative
Other times it looks like he is being directed by the faith impulses of mortal men (e.g. Jairus)
- Then the woman touched his garment and he focused on her

1. Be honest with God that you don’t have the faith to heal those in wheelchairs

The doesn’t mean it is not the will of God.
Jesus says, “all things are possible to them that believe”
Often we need to learn how weak and needy we are before God will help us. It is not that we are strong and just need a little help, but we have no strength

Story of a blind woman he prayed for. Not healed, but he did try!
- Peter sank, but at least he got out of the boat!
- He started exercising his faith, and later on his shadow was healing people
Story of a blind baby who was healed a short time afterwards
Faith increases when we exercise it

Katherine Kuhlman had people singing until the presence of God was thick
Sometimes people can be healed without anyone touching them, just in the worship service
A women who had cancer and was so looking forward to dying because she wanted to be with her husband
- She had 3 weeks to live and refused to allow anyone to pray for her
- Came to the service to say goodbye to everyone
- By the time she had got home she was totally healed!
It was a sovereign initiative of God—because he enjoys it
But after that I was so full of confidence I went to pray for a wealthy woman
- There was no faith in the room. It was horrible
- I just got angry and hear myself say “you are just an arrogant old bat, rude and grumpy. How does this give glory to God?”
- “If I can show you from the Word of God...” I spent an hour going through the Bible showing healings.
- 1:15 hours a light came on. Now she is angry with her priest for lying to her!
- She angrily got up and walked away from her wheelchair

Acts 6, possibly the first deacons
Chose 7 men from among you. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip
opposition arose
Philip was another of them and went to Samaria, doing signs and wonders
- up till now only the apostles were reported to be doing miracles
The others were full of the Spirit and faith, but not activated yet—what transitioned them?
- These people believed in impartation
We underestimate the ministry of laying on of hands.
Personally I have pastored local churches for all my ministry life apart from the last three years
I know what it is to work with issues people still have after they have been healed
We need to keep a church in a revival atmosphere, an expectation of the supernatural.
- Don’t fight against the sovereignty of God, but combine it with faith
- The worship time with the presence of God is really important
- Avoid bubblegum songs, but focus on the glory
- The elders should be involved in leading the worship, so when the glory of God comes they can step in and bring testimony and words of knowledge
- Let there be something in every sermon that raises the expectation and faith for the supernatural
- Send the healing teams out to pray for those who are still not healed