a. I've always been amazed by what people will believe. In recent grocery store tabloids, the following headlines were observed:

* Dinosaurs Honked Like Buicks

* Cow Mattresses Help Cows Produce More Milk

* Mom To Be On Diet Of Only Chicken, Lays Huge Egg

* WWII Bomber Found On The Moon

* Woman Gives Birth To 2 Year Old Baby: Child Walks & Talks In 3 Days

* Adam & Eve's Bones Found In Asia: Eve Was A Space Alien

People will read and believe this nonsense, but refuse the evidence concerning God and Jesus

b. Today is the last of three sermons on the theme of DISCIPLEWALK

c. First was "Follow Me" - Second was the step of Obedience and today is "Walking the walk of Faith"

d. The bible says that we begin and continue our relationship with Christ by faith.

e. Vance Havner, a Baptist evangelist, related the story of an elderly lady who was greatly disturbed by her many troubles both real and imaginary. Finally she was told in a kindly way by her family, "Grandma, we've done all we can do for you. You'll just have to trust God for the rest." A look of utter despair spread over her face as she replied, " Oh, dear, has it come to that?" Havner commented, " It always comes to that, so we might as well begin with that!"

f. Let's consider what walking by faith allows us to do

I. GOD-SIZED DREAMS

a. In Anaheim, California is a piece of property that is nothing short of remarkable. 50 years ago not a person alive would have ever dreamed that millions of folks from around the world would come and visit that piece of property. But one dreamer, way ahead of his time, shocked his board and a few friends when he talked about a fantasy land where people could come and for a little while lose their worries as they enjoyed another land.

Disneyland has come to pass. Now you would have thought that with a man having a dream like that, somebody on the other side of the continent would beat him to the punch and would dream of something like that in Central Florida. But, no, here comes another man who puts a section of the country virtually on the map. It even has to continue on after his death to completion.

Mike Vance tells about being at Disney World soon after its completion: someone said, "Isn't it too bad, Mike, that Walt Disney didn't live to see this." Vance replied, "Oh, he did see it, and that's why it's here!"

b. We have experienced a "God-sized" dream this weekend in Wheeling - The building of the Habitat House - One man had an idea - 400 volunteers helped and today a family is moving into a house that had only a foundation on Friday morning. Many of you helped - We Baptists lit the fire with the house we built

c. We are to dream God-sized dreams

d. What dreams are you dreaming

1. The architect is nearly finished and we will present a proposal to you soon - It is a God-Sized dream - worthy of God and his people

2. In ministry what are you dreaming - Last week we saw puppets again in this church - what are you dreaming

3. What does God want you to do

e. In the walk of faith we follow God into God-sized dreams

II. GOD-SIZED COURAGE

a. God-size dreams produce and require God-sized courage

1. When at wits end must continue to trust

2. Must be willing to stand firm

b. When others say your dream is impossible - you stay the course

1. * that Edison didn't give up on the light bulb even though his helpers seriously doubted the thing would ever work.

* that Luther refused to back down when the church doubled her fists and clenched her teeth.

* that Michaelangelo kept pounding and painting, regardless of those negative put-downs.

* that Lindbergh decided to ignore what everyone else had said was ridiculous and flirting with death.

* that Papa Ten Boom said "Yes" to frightened Jews who needed a safe refuge, a hiding place.

* that the distinguished Julliard School of Music would see beyond the braces and wheelchair and admit an unlikely violin student named Perlman.

* that Tom Sullivan decided to be everything that he could possibly be even though he was born blind.

* that the Gaithers made room in their busy lives for a scared young soprano who would one day thrill Christendom with "We Shall Behold Him."

c. The Bible says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

III. GOD-SIZED LIVING

a. In the course of living we all make mistakes - when it happens remember you are not alone. Think of these:

1. Imagine if you had been the president of a Michigan bank who advised Henry Ford's lawyer not to invest in the new motor company, assuring him, "The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty."

Or there was Gary Cooper's comment about Clark Gable accepting the role of Rhett Butler which he had turned down: "`Gone With the Wind' is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling flat on his face and not Gary Cooper."

Or there was Michael Jordans High School coach who cut him from the basketball team.

2. Ben Franklin said the greatest failure is not to try

b. Walking by faith brings about the living out of God's Will in your life

c. Let me close with these thoughts on God-sized Living

1. We are to grow up and move to solid food

2. We are to stop quarreling and fussing

d. Let me share one other passage with you - it gives a real clue to how we are to live - in God's will

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

a. Rejoice always

b. Pray without ceasing

c. In everything give thanks - this is God's will for you

e. Disciplewalk

1. Begins when we Follow Jesus

2. The first step is Obedience

3. We continue by Walking by Faith

WHICH STEP ARE YOU READY TO TAKE TODAY

1. The first is becoming a Christian

2. The second is Obedience as a child of God

3. The third is the Journey of Faith - step by step

BOW WITH ME IN PRAYER

HYMN #201 "ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME"