In today’s live stream, we talked about how faith is an action. If you have faith that God will heal you, like the stores of Jesus, you will take action to see that healing manifested in your life.
In John 14:12, Jesus says, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.”
Matthew 8 & 9 shows you Jesus healing all who came to him. You can do the same thing, if you just act on your beliefs.
The following are some gospel examples (faith demonstrated by action)
Woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25–34; also Matthew 9:20–22; Luke 8:43–48)
She pressed through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, believing that contact would heal her.
Friends of the paralytic (Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26)
Unable to reach Jesus through the door, they dug through the roof and lowered their friend down in front of him. Jesus explicitly credits their faith.
Centurion with the sick servant (Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10)
He told Jesus there was no need to come to his house—he believed a word spoken from a distance would be enough. Jesus called this greater faith than he had found in Israel.
Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43)
He refused to be silenced by the crowd and kept crying out until Jesus stopped. When Jesus asked what he wanted, he answered clearly and was healed.
Canaanite / Syrophoenician woman (Matthew 15:21–28; Mark 7:24–30)
She persisted after being rebuffed, accepting Jesus’ hard reply and still asking for the “crumbs.” Jesus praised her great faith and healed her daughter.
Man born blind (John 9:1–7)
After Jesus put mud on his eyes, the man obeyed the instruction to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. He returned able to see.
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10)
A short man, he ran ahead and climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. Jesus then invited himself to Zacchaeus’s house, and Zacchaeus responded with repentance and restitution.
Woman who anointed Jesus (Luke 7:36–50; cf. Mark 14:3–9)
She entered the house of a Pharisee, washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with perfume. Jesus said her many sins were forgiven because she loved much, and he linked her action to faith.
Peter stepping out of the boat (Matthew 14:22–33)
When Jesus invited him to come on the water, Peter got out of the boat and walked toward him. (He later faltered, but the initial step was an act of faith.)
Other clear examples
Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5:1–14)
After initially resisting, he obeyed Elisha’s instruction to dip seven times in the Jordan and was healed of leprosy.
Abraham offering Isaac (Genesis 22; cited in Hebrews 11:17–19 and James 2:21–23)
He prepared the wood, bound his son, and raised the knife, believing God could still fulfill the promise even if Isaac died.
Hebrews 11 (the “faith chapter”)
The whole chapter catalogs people whose trust in God produced visible actions: Abel offering a better sacrifice, Noah building the ark, Abraham leaving his country, Moses refusing Pharaoh’s court, Rahab hiding the spies, and others who “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised.”
The only thing holding us back now is our own minds, that tell us, “You can’t do that”. “You”re not good enough.” You havne’t earned God’s favor.” Those are all lies from the devil. Stand up. Speak out. Trust God to back you up.