Faith
Heb 11:1-3
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. 2 God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. NLT
Faith is not a feeling or emotion. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God.
Def… Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
Gen 1:1-3…In the beginning God created the heavens (Shamayim; stretched out space) and the earth. (Erets: dirt or matter) The earth was without form, and void and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
Space, Matter and Energy the three creating components of all physical reality were accounted for in the first three verses of Genesis.
Col 1:16-17… For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Def… Consist
Faith is understanding that God did everything described in His word and will do everything described in His word.
Quote… Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin… “I see so many Christians who are struggling to believe and struggling to have faith. Their focus is all wrong. They’re focusing on their ability or inability to believe God, or "trying" to have faith. They should simply start acting like God’s word is true. It will make all the difference in their lives! It is when we know God’s Word is true and act like it’s true that is becomes a reality to us. Faith is not something we have, as much as something we do.”
There are five Greek words of Faith. The Main faith-word is "pistis", used 244 times in NT
The New Testament describes four facets of faith.
1. Saving Faith… Where it all begins. – Believing
The grace of Faith is available to whomsoever.
Eph 2:8-9… For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Rom 10:9… that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
2. Action Faith… Putting feet to our faith.
ILL… There was a little boy who was caught in a fire at home. He could not get out of the burning house. He climbed up out onto the roof of the burning home, and began to cry for his father’s help. The father looked up at his son from the ground, and told him to jump. “I can’t see you though daddy, how will you catch me?” said the son. The father said, “I can see you”. Without further hesitation the boy jumped into his father’s arms.
Sometimes we need to have that same type of pure faith that a child has in their parents in our Heavenly father.
Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
1 Thess 1:2-3… As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. NLT
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
3. Keeping Faith… Trust… A continuous trust in God’s promises
ILL… Continuous trust… There is a story told of three little girls who are enjoying an evening of play. They started playing the
game of counting their money; the object was to see who
had the most and the winner would be crowned queen for
the day.
The first little girl counted thirteen
pennies, the second counted fourteen pennies. The last
little girl began to count, she had only fourteen
pennies like the second, however she counted fifteen. The other two girls argued with her over the count and they counted again, there were only fourteen, but the last girl insisted on having fifteen.
Finally, they asked, "How can you say fifteen when you only have fourteen", she replied, "My father promised me another penny when he comes home from work today". Whatever my father promises me, it’s mine at the moment of the promise.
That is the assurance we have, what ever the Father has promised, He will provide, whatever He says, it is a word that you can count on
2 Cor 10:15… Nor do we claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow and that our work among you will be greatly enlarged. NLT
Steadfast faith…
ILL… Steadfast faith…The Fiancée: A young woman brought her fiancée home to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother told her father to find out about the young man. The father invited the fiancée to his study for a talk.
"So what are your plans?" the father asked the young man.
"I am a biblical scholar," he replied.
"A Biblical scholar. Hmmm," the father said. "Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in?"
"I will study," the young man replied, "and God will provide for us."
"And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?" asked the father.
"I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replied, "God will provide for us."
"And children?" asked the father. "How will you support children?"
"Don’t worry, sir, God will provide," replied the fiancée.
The conversation proceeded like this, and each time the father questioned, the young idealist insisted that God would provide.
Later, the mother asked, "How did it go, Honey?"
The father answered, "He has no job and no plans, and he thinks I’m God!"
The young man was naive but he was right in thinking God is the answer to all life’s questions.
1 Cor 15:58... So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. NLT
Strengthened faith… Rom 4:20… Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. NLT
Weakening faith… Rom 14:1-3… Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it is all right to eat anything. But another believer who has a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won’t. And those who won’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. NLT
4. The Gift of Faith… 1 Cor 12:9… The Spirit gives special faith to another NLT
This is a specific anointing for a specific purpose. Is removed from your heart and your mind and will only accept what God is doing regardless of circumstances around you!
The church today needs a faith revelation.
Rom 10:17… Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news--the Good News about Christ. NLT
Three Ways to Ignite Our Faith
Matt 17:20… He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
1. Dare to believe bigger
Matthew 8: 7,8,13… Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed….Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. NIV
Ask yourself…
What is my need?
What are God’s specific promises concerning my need?
Am I willing to trust that God will keep his promise?
2. Dare to give up something you love.
Hebrews 11:17,18… By faith, Abraham at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son, as he had been to receive him—and this after he had already been told, “Your descendants shall come from Isaac.” “The Message”
In your life, what things are you clinging to the most? What kind of faith would it take to hand those over to God?
3. Dare to grow spiritually.
Hebrews 11:31… By faith—because she believed in God and his power—Rahab the harlot did not die with all the others in her city when they refused to obey God, for she gave a friendly welcome to the spies. The Living Bible
