Young People's Group

HAVING THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH

by Pastor Mitch
May 27, 2012

Remembering The Faith Of Yvonne Tan

After a long fight with cancer, our beloved sister in Christ, Yvonne, went home to be with the Lord. During the week, we held two vigil services at Bethany and a packed funeral service at Mandai Crematorium. As I thought about her life, I truly thank God for His amazing grace. God’s mercy and grace was extended to Yvonne and she learnt to have a triumphant faith in the Lord. She had found the same spirit of faith which Paul wrote about in the text of 2 Corinthians 4:13.

“And since we have the same spirit of faith” 
2 Corinthians 4:13

There are certain essential characteristics that make up our faith. Pastor spoke of how Yvonne had learnt to have these same features of faith in the Lord Jesus. What are they?

1. Power Of Faith

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 
2 Corinthians 4:7

The treasure that Paul found despite his earthen body is faith. It is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that God’s power can sustain and enable us in a most excellent way. God’s power worked in Yvonne’s life and changed her. Faith in Christ enables us to experience this dynamic power in our lives and ministry.

2. Positivity Of Faith

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair” 
2 Corinthians 4:8

Faith enabled Paul and company to have a great sense of positivity in his life. Despite going through overwhelming circumstances, they continued to be positive about their predicament and did not give up.

3. Paradox Of Faith

“Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 
2 Corinthians 4:10

Paul and company through faith also sought to suffer and “die” like the Lord Jesus. They were able to identify with the Lord’s suffering and death. In the midst of “dying”, they found tremendous life in Christ.

4. Portrayal Of Christ In Faith

“That the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 
2 Corinthians 4:11

As Yvonne sought to exercise faith in the midst of suffering, she also sought to imitate the Lord Jesus. She sought to portray the Lord Jesus in her life. In practical terms, she saw the life of Jesus in the patterned life of Pastor and she sought to follow him. Young people, let’s also seek to have this same spirit of faith. Let’s seek to manifest the life of the Lord Jesus in our life.

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