Faith Expectancy Lesson 3 Series

A. INTRODUCTION: FAITH MEANS EXPECT AN ANSWER

1. The word faith is used five ways in Scriptures:

a. Doctrinal faith, “Denied the faith” (1 Tim. 5:8).

b. Saving faith, a verb “by grace are you saved by faith” (Eph. 2:8).

c. Justifying faith, “We have been made right in God’s sight by faith” (Rom. 5:1).

d. Indwelling faith, “I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20).

e. Daily living faith, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).

2. Faith is both active (verb) and passive (noun). The first is trusting, the second is continual trustworthiness.

3. The words faith and believe occur over 500 times in Scripture. First you believe in the Person of Christ, i.e., God-Man. Second, you believe in His death that forgave your sins. Third, your life is changed (repent) to obey His command.

B. FAITH THE OPEN DOORWAY OF PRAYER

1. God answers faith-filled prayers. “Ask and you will receive” (Matt. 7:7). “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do” (John 14:13).

2. Faith means you believe/know you will receive. “Have faith in God . . . you can say to the mountains, . . . be lifted up . . . and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen” (Mark 11:22-23).

3. Faith is asking for rain and carrying an umbrella.

C. FAITH STEPS TO ANSWERS TO PRAYERS

1. Faith must claim and abide in the promises of God in the Bible. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you . . . ask . . . receive” (John 15:7).

2. Obey Scripture. “We receive . . . whatever we ask . . . because we obey” (1 John 3:22, NLT).

3. If it’s not faith-praying, it is not praying. The disciples could not cast out a demon, they asked why? “Because you don’t have enough faith” (Matt. 17:20). If you had faith as small as a mustard seed . . . nothing would be impossible” (Matt. 17:20-21).

4. Seek God with all your heart. “God is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

5. Your faith pleases God. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is . . .” (Heb. 11:6). God’s greatest delight is to be believed.

6. God desires you to worship and praise Him. Jesus said, “The Father seeks worship” (John 4:23).

7. Your faith summons the presence of God. “You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3, NLT). Where can you find God’s presence? Where He is praised.

8. Add thanksgiving to your prayers. Immediately thank God for the answer. “Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Phil. 4:6, NLT). “He who forgets the language of thankfulness, doesn’t speak God’s language of prayer.”

9. Faith-praying rejoices your heart to continue asking. The word bless means happy. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy . . . pleasure forever more” (Psalm 16:11). Not only you, but God is delighted with our faith (Hebrews 11:6).

10. Relationship with God produces growing faith to expect more answers. We receive little because we expect little. We receive more when we enjoy more fellowship and intimacy with God. Your faith claims everything God offers in His promises.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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