Introduction

Good morning, folks! It's a joy to see all of you here today. We're diving into some of the most potent verses in the New Testament. We're talking faith – true faith. Not just any kind of faith, but the faith that moves mountains, the faith that transforms lives, the faith that births the very character of Christ within us. We're unpacking Hebrews 11:6, Galatians 5:22-23, and Romans 1:17 today.

Let's start with Hebrews 11:6,

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Now let's check out Galatians 5:22-23,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

And lastly, Romans 1:17,

"For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"

These verses lay out the nature, fruit, and power of true faith. But what does that really mean?

Well, as Oswald Chambers, a well-respected teacher and author said, "Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time."

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, open our hearts and minds today. Let us dive deep into Your word and come out changed, filled with a greater understanding and a stronger faith. Let Your truth penetrate our hearts and strengthen our resolve to live by faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let's dig in!

The Nature of True Faith

The nature of true faith is not just about believing in God's existence, but it's about having a firm conviction that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This is not a passive belief, but an active, intentional pursuit of God. true faith is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey of seeking, knowing, and experiencing God.

Trust: It's about trusting God's character, His promises, and His word, even when we don't fully understand His ways. Back to how Oswald Chambers put it, "Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time." This means that true faith doesn't demand explanations or justifications from God. Instead, it rests in the assurance that God is good, and His plans for us are good, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

Shapes our relationship with ourselves and others: It changes how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we interact with the world around us. With true faith, we see ourselves not as the world sees us, but as God sees us – loved, accepted, and valued. We see others not as competitors or threats, but as fellow travelers in this journey of faith. We interact with the world not with fear or hostility, but with love, kindness, and generosity, reflecting the character of Christ within us.

Transformative: It's not a static state, but a dynamic process that transforms us from the inside out. As we grow in faith, we become more like Christ – more loving, more forgiving, more compassionate, more patient, and more humble. This transformation is not a result of our efforts, but a result of God's Spirit working within us, as we see in Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – are not qualities we can produce on our own, but qualities that God produces in us as we grow in faith.

How we live: As Romans 1:17 tells us, "The righteous will live by faith." This means that true faith is not just about intellectual assent to certain doctrines, but about a lifestyle that reflects our faith in God. It's about making decisions based on faith, not fear. It's about taking risks for God, not playing it safe. It's about living for God's glory, not our own.

The Fruit of True Faith

When we embrace true faith, it's not just a mental or intellectual agreement with the tenets of Christianity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO