Dare to Believe

Matthew 21:18-22 (NLT)

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, He was hungry, 19and He noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs on it, but there were only leaves (Mark- not the season). Then He said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" 21Then Jesus told them, "I assure you, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and it will happen. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

When I got home from service last Sunday and walked in the house there was music playing and everything had been shut off when I left. The song that was playing was “Dare to Believe.” It blew my mind that it could be playing after just leaving service and having that song play such a significant part. I started to think about it and realized that this song has become an anthem for us and a great encouragement. And so when I asked the Lord about what I should preach on today I was impressed to speak to you about “daring to believe;” the things we “dare to believe for” and the things we do not “dare to believe for.” And so my message this morning is “Dare to Believe.”

What does dare mean?
1. Dictionary: To have the courage required for.
• To challenge to do something requiring boldness.
• To confront or oppose boldly; defy.

What does believe mean?
1. Greek: pisteuo, from the Greek pistis (to have faith), to entrust, believe, commit (to trust), or put in trust with.
2. Dictionary: To have confidence in the truthfulness of; trust, be certain of, put faith in.

Therefore, “dare to believe” becomes:
1. Courage to trust.
2. Boldly put faith in.

Dare to Believe:

1. Your standing at a mountain that you know you cannot climb, your enemy’s approaching, you hear him coming from behind. There’s trouble all around you, there’s no place to run away. But there’s a voice that’s deep inside you, saying it’s time to stand in faith.

2. What is your mountain?
• Relationships, finances, job, sickness, decisions, etc…

3. Your enemy is approaching. James 4:7-8 (NLT)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.

4. It’s time to stand in faith. Matthew 17:20 (NLT)
"I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

Jesus asks the question “do you believe?” Matthew 9:27-30 (NIV)
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied. 29Then He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and their sight was restored.

1. Do you have confidence in God’s truthfulness?
2. Do you trust in God and put your faith in Him and His word?

We are not allowed to doubt. James 1:5-8 (NKJV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

1. Don’t doubt and don’t hang around with anyone who does!

Song: There’s a miracle inside you, it’s just a mustard seed of faith. But by the mighty hand of God now, you know that tiny seed was placed. And though this world may try to crush you, it can never keep you down. Cause soon the life of God inside you, will come breaking through the ground. Philip. 4:13 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Conclusion: Everyone either has or will have a mountain in his or her life that you believe you cannot climb. The enemy will come after you and there is trouble every where you look and there is no place to hide. What God wants us to do is “dare to believe” for a miracle; to have courage and boldness to confront our issues and trust in God to move that mountain no matter what. God has placed within each of us a mustard seed of faith and if we will put our faith in Him, we can have confidence in God for our miracle. All we need to do is “Dare to Believe,” have faith in God, and say Father your will be done in my life.

Close: Mark 9:20-24 (NLT)
So they brought the boy (demon possessed). But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 21"How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was very small. 22The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can." 23"What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." 24The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!" (help my unbelief)