Faith Harvest exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ--that God's Grace (Undeserved, Unearned Favor) has been made available to save all who believe and trust in the substitutional death and resurrection of His Son. Through the hearing of the Good News of Jesus Christ, we develop a greater sense of confidence in God (Romans 10:17) and cease to continue trusting in our own limited abilities.
This Gospel of Grace speaks of far more than a ticket to heaven alone (though that's the icing on the cake!). God's Favor in Jesus Christ impacts every area of our lives--relational, professional, physical and spiritual. In fact, one of the Bible's authors put it this way:
"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
Romans 8:31 (NLT)
Jesus Christ has given those who believe in Him a favorable standing in the eyes of Father God--the God of all creation. There is nothing that can change God's love toward us when we trust in Jesus Christ. Again, the same Bible author wrote:
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
Jesus never said the Father's love was simply figurative in nature. Rather, His love for us is very vibrant as well as practical. Jesus Himself said:
"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)
We can trust God the Father to take full care of us because of the favorable standing given to us as a free gift by Jesus Christ. His love for us does not simply stop at good intentions--He will cause us to discover a life without worry and stress (John 14:27). A life lived with confidence.
While Faith Harvest exists to declare the Gospel of Grace to all who have not heard it, the church also exists to re-declare it to many who have--but have yet to apply its power to their own lives.
It is possible to interpret Jesus' words of "...and live righteously" (Matthew 6:33) to mean that we are to employ a level of self-righteousness in order to secure a successful relationship with God. This misunderstanding causes one to trust more and more in themselves over time while becoming less and less confident in God. But one of the Bible's authors wrote:
"God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
It is a mistake to think that anything other than faith in Jesus Christ can further engender God's love and favor toward us (John 6:29). In fact, one of the Bible's authors wrote:
"For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith."
Romans 1:16-17b (NLT)
Therefore, the Harvest of Faith is right standing with God, enabling one to "live righteously" according to the declaration of God and not their personal performance. And when one lives righteously--according to the free gift given by Jesus Christ--God will give you "everything you need".
Whatever you may lack today--finances, joy, peace, strength, health, love, even character--Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to receive what you need from the Father by faith in Him alone.
Without a doubt, faith has a corresponding action (James 2:17, 24). Yet the key is to know which action should correspond with the belief that God will take care of "everything we need". The answer is to rest (Hebrews 4:11) in Him. To no longer effort to achieve such things ourselves and discover the joy of living confident in God.
The message of the Gospel is radical. It has been changing lives and hearts for two thousand years, and it is continuing to do so today. We therefore invite you to begin Growing Confident In God at Faith Harvest.