Faith The Greatest Power In The Wprld

Faith — The Greatest Power In The World

Hebrews 11:1-3

INTRODUCTION

Politicians run for it. Armies fight for it. Business people try to buy it. Scientists examine it. Hydro companies harness it.

Everyone wants it.

What is, IT?

IT, is Power.

I am told that the greatest power in the universe is a molecule so small and moves so fast it can actually move through solid objects. That it cannot be seen with the most powerful nuclear telescope. It is so small and runs so fast it is believed to be the element which holds the universe together.

But the greatest power in the world is not a molecule, neutron or atom. This power cannot be bought, sold, harnessed or put under a microscope and dissected.

No, the greatest power in the world is FAITH.

Everyone has faith.

A pastor put it this way: "Faith is the heart of life. You go to a doctor whose name you can’t pronounce. He gives you a prescription you cannot read. You take it to a pharmacist you have never seen. He gives you medication you do not understand --- and yet, you take it." Now, that is living by Faith!

Faith is a common denominator for us all. Every one alive daily expresses faith in something. No one can live a single day without exercising faith .

When you woke up this morning and went into the bathroom you flipped a light switch and you had faith that it would work. When you get in your car you have faith that it will start and get you to work in the morning. When you mail a letter you have faith the postal system will get it to the right address.( ok, that one might be stretching it)

Every time you walk into this building or any building you are expressing faith in the architect and the workmen.

Each of us regardless of our backgrounds or educations, our social status or our talents can express faith.

The difference between the faith we exercise in our daily routine and our religious faith is the object of that faith.

Again everyone places their faith in something or someone. The Moslem puts his faith in the Koran and in Mohammed. The humanist put his faith in himself. The religious person, in his own good works.

None of these can save, because in each case the object of faith is wrong. Your faith is only as good as the object in which you place your faith. The Bible insists that we personally put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 says,

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Listen to the promises which the believer can claim when you choose to place your trust in Almighty God.

God’s presence -- "I will never leave thee" (Heb. 13:5)

God’s protection -- "I am thy shield" (Gen. 15:1)

God’s power -- "I will strengthen thee" (Isa. 41:10)

God’s provision -- "I will help thee" (Isa. 41:10)

God’s leading -- "And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them" (John 10:4)

God’s purposes -- "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jer. 20:11)

God’s rest -- "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28)

God’s cleansing -- "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)

God’s goodness -- "No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly" (Psalm 84:11)

God’s faithfulness -- "The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake" (1 Sam. 12:22)

God’s guidance -- "The meek will He guide" (Psalm 25:9)

God’s wise plan -- "All things work together for good to them that love God" (Rom. 8:28)

FOR THE CHRISTIAN, OUR FAITH IS A LIVING FAITH BASED IN A REALTIONSHIP WITH A LIVING GOD

Hebrews 11 is called “The Faith Chapter.” In it, the writer explains what faith is and how it is lived out. Over the next few weeks we will discover as we learn from the lives of some very ordinary men and women what it means to live by faith.

When people talk about faith, they speak of something that they can own or possess. As if it is something that can be bought or earned.

Some suggest that faith is a static thing that you either have or you don’t have.

When the Bible talks about faith, it is referred to as an action as opposed to something we \have’

In other words faith is a quality that is exhibited. We are called to walk by faith, to live by faith, to pray in faith believing, to grow in our faith..