Lesson 13 FAITH

     Misplaced faith is faith in any other thing than Jesus.  He is the source of our faith and the answer to what our faith can produce.  With His faith, He created all that is seen and that which is not seen.  John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says that, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word was God (Himself)."  Verse 2 says, "He was present originally with God."  Verse 3 goes on, "All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
    In Matthew 8:6-10 (Amplified), "A centurion (a Roman) (this was not a covenant man, but a gentile and an enemy) said, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pain."  Verse 7 ,"And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him."  Verse 8 says, "But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured."  Verse 9 goes on, "For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go and he goes, and to another, come and he comes; and to my slave, do this, and he does it."  Verse 10 says, "When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him (who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living, and if need be, in dying also); I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel."
     In Luke 10:1-20 (Amplified), Jesus had appointed seventy men to head out ahead of Him declaring His way.  They were under orders to carry no purse or provisions of their own, but to bless and stay in the homes of those who would receive them.  In Verses 8-9 Jesus tells them that, "Whenever you go into a town and they receive you and welcome you, eat what is set before you; And heal the sick in it and say to them, The Kingdom of God has come close to you."  Verse 17 says, "And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!"  Verse 18-19 say, "And He said to them, I saw satan falling like a lightning (flash) from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses) and nothing shall in any way harm you."  Verse 20 say, "Nevertheless; do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven."
     The centurion recognized that Jesus was in and under the authority to the Father.  By understanding this authority, the centurion was able to put his faith in Jesus.  He never said one way or the other whether he believed Jesus was the Messiah, but he understood that Jesus walked in authority.  On the same token, the seventy, realizing and submitting to Jesus' authority, went out  (only on the authority of His name) healing the sick, blessing the people and casting out demons. 
     Since we know that these things happened (because the Word says so), we understand that healing, blessing and deliverance are important parts of the gospel.  The faith that these men and the centurion had in Jesus, was based in faith of the authority of His name.
     Perhaps, if we had this kind of faith in Jesus' name, we would see more miracles in the world today.  For some reason, we have explained away this part of His ministry in these last days.  These men weren't even born again men.  They didn't have the luxury of being able to read the epistles like we have.  They didn't know about the new covenant or the power of Jesus' resurrection and His position at God's right hand.  All they knew to do was put their faith into His authority.
     What is the extent of Jesus' authority now, under this new covenant?  Does Jesus' name have less authority in the life of the believer or more?  Why is it that we have excluded all the works pertaining to His power when it comes to healing and deliverance today?  I know that the most important thing to me, is to be born again.  But, what about those who aren't born again who are sick, oppressed or even controlled or driven by unclean spirits?  How many do we have who need to see and just believe in His authority and His name?
     In Matthew 14:10-14 (Amplified), "He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and His head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother."  Verse 12-13 say, "And John's disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it; they followed Him (by land) on foot from the towns."  Verse 14 says, "When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cared for their sick."
     This Love of God, even when Jesus was distressed by John's death, still healed and set free those who had needs.  This is the part of our faith today, that I wish to address.  We have exercised our faith for being born again.  We've exercised our faith for bigger churches and ministries, but have we really set our faith in His name for setting the captives free?
     I don't believe all the people who are born again will walk in this power of authority of Jesus' name, but I'm believing that some will dare to step out in faith and walk in the rest of this gospel of grace.  We've had men like Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, William Branon (and many more such men and women through the years) walk in this , but this part of the gospel seems to be lost by many today.
     It does well to remember, that it's not you, but the Father in you Who does the works.  The same Father Who was in Jesus, is the the Father Who is in you.  We, too, are men and women under authority.  All we have to do is believe.  Surely, we can have as much faith as the seventy who weren't even born again.