I have received several letters asking me generally this one question. “Why do you talk about faith so much?”
Well, the reason I try to study and talk about faith so much is because Jesus did. And I want to be like Him.
Let me explain. When the winds of the sea were great and the disciples were afraid, Jesus rebuked the winds and there was a great calm. But if you will notice in Matthew 8:26, just before He calmed the sea, He remarked about the size of their faith.
When the four men brought their paralytic friend to Jesus and let him down through the roof because of the size of the crowd, Jesus healed him. But if you’ll notice in Matthew 9:2, Jesus saw their faith first, and then He healed him.
In Matthew 17:19 the disciples of Jesus were confused and wondered why they were not able to cast out a demon and Jesus was able to. Jesus told them it was because of their unbelief and then he began to teach them about faith. And then He told them that with faith all things are possible.
When the woman who had been sick for years touched the hem of Jesus clothing, Jesus turned and said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
In Luke 17:5, the Apostles saw that faith was important to Jesus and they knew they needed more so they asked Jesus to “increase their faith.” These men lived with Jesus and they knew Him well. Obviously, faith was an important item.
Once when Paul was speaking, he saw a man who needed healing in his body. The Bible says in Acts 14:9-10 that “Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked.” Did you catch that? Paul observed this man to see if he had the faith to be healed before he spoke to him.
In Mark 11:22, Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” Then He goes on to explain what having faith in God produces. He said, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Jesus and the apostles constantly talked about faith. In Hebrews 4:2 an astonishing statement is made. The Bible here tells about two groups of people. Both groups heard the gospel, the good news. One group profited from hearing the gospel and one group did not.
The Bible goes on to say that the group that heard the gospel and did not profit from it was the result of not mixing the gospel with faith. This one statement alone in the Bible should be enough to make any Christian want to be strong in faith.
Some reading this article may be wondering, “What is faith anyway?” Very simply, faith is believing what God said completely, and basing all that you say and do on that belief.
Only when we believe that God will do what He said He would do will the gospel become alive in our lives and profit us.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.