Sermon Central
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Faith: Roles And Functions Series
Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on May 9, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Faith plays a vital role in a Christian walk. There are many who attend the church, without walking in faith. In this outline, we will see the roles and functions of faith.
Faith is identifiable and belief is explanative. In the book of James, we read that faith without work is void. Faith is like boiling water, when we are connected with God, people can see our faithfulness boiling. In simple terms, faith can be identified.
1. The way one talks about God
2. The reaction one gives during trouble
3. Based on the decision one takes during a critical moment
One's faith cannot be hidden, but the belief systems. It is visible and honorable in the sight of God.
When Abraham was 75 years old God gave him the promise, and it took 25 long years to fulfill the promise. During the period, Abraham's faith could not be hidden, as God instructed he sojourned different places until he reached Cannan. People identified Abraham as God's servant, a prophet, His faith was evident that the church calls him the father of faith. so faith is expressive and is seen without works.
There is a pattern, seen evidently in every God's child, whom God has called with a promise.
Promise leads to - excitement, and then to - waiting and then to - doubting - testing - refining - reinforcement, and finally fulfillment.
If you are in the waiting and testing time, do not lose your faith, continue to live for the Lord with all your strength, mind, and heart for the fulfillment is coming very soon.
Abraham's patience did not go in vain, he did reach Cannan and had a promised son. Joseph was thrown into the pit, sold by his family, walked in the scorching sun, lived a slave life, and was confined to the king's prison, he held his faith tightly before he was appointed prime minister of the great country Egypt. David, after shepherding, ran for his life for 13 long years before he became the king of Israel.
Above mentioned people are called prophets and GOd's own heart and friends of God, but still, they were not spared.
As Paul says, when we are waiting on God,
“We also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.” (Romans 5:3)
Our wait will never end up in vain, God will fulfill in his time. Praise the Lord, All glory to God.
