Introduction Developing Your Faith Series

DEVELOPING YOUR FAITH

Introduction

Heb 11:1-3

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. NKJV

Heb 11:4-40 - Heb 12:1-2

The names listed from here tell of their triumphing faith over circumstances that were beyond human means to complete.

Faith. We here a lot about it in Church and hanging around other Christians, so what’s the big skinny? Well, if you have noticed, in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit”. However, there’s more, you see, so are you. Although we are a spirit we live in a fleshly world. I have never seen God in a human body, some have 2000 years ago but they killed him. If you look at 1 Tim 2:5, among many other passages, we see that Jesus came for the purpose of death so we can have life. “Wow! What a stretch! Jesus came in a human body to die, so we can live, how much sense does that make?”

Well, as you know Jesus died to take our place in hell, death and the grave. Now God only has one requirement from us before Jesus’ sacrifice can be applied to our life

(Rom 10:9). “Oh sure, just believe Jesus paid the price for sin… That’s a leap of faith!”

BINGO! This is the main reason we here so much about faith at Church: Our salvation depends on it. Now salvation is only one area where faith is needed, but there are many other uses for faith. In these lessons we will explore faith, its uses and increasing our own faith.

What is faith?

Tangible things brought to us through the manifesting of the spiritual realm

Where does faith come from?

Faith comes from God and His word.

Rom 12:3 … as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. NKJV

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. NKJV

What is faith used for?

Salvation, healing, victory, edification and any other physical change by spiritual means.

James 5:14-15

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. NKJV

1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. NKJV

Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, NKJV