Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.
Title: Where is your faith?
Theme: To show the different kinds of faith and to make sure we have the right one.
Text:
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Tonight I want to look at the idea of faith. Not an indebt doctrinal study on it but I would like to maybe clear the air from the perspective of salvation. If you were to ask the question to people in the world are you a Christian probably 70-80% would say yes. But if you were continue on the line of questioning and get deeper you would find that they are not truly but clam to be.
Let us begin with the definition.
What is faith?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
NIV "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"
LB 'What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.
Wuest " Now faith is the title-deed of things hoped for, the conviction of things which are not being seen.
substance-title deed, ground on which on builds hope.
Heb 11:27 "as seeing him who is invisible"
Vincent, "Faith apprehends as a real fact what is not revealed to the senses. It rests on theat fact, acts upon it, adn is upheld by it in the face of all that seems to contradict it. Fiaith is real seeing."
Summed in this chapter as it is detailed in the men and women of great faith.
vs. 1 believing in spiritual realities
vs. 4 leads to righteousness
vs. 6 seeks God
vs. 6 believes in His goodness
vs. 7,11 has confidence in His word
vs. 8 obeys His commands
vs 13,39 regulates life on the promises of God
vs. 13 rejects the spirit of this present evil age
vs. 14-16 seeks a heavenly home
vs. 17-19 perseveres in testing
vs. 21 blesses the next generation
vs. 25 refuses the pleasures of sin
vs. 27 endures persecution
vs 33-35 performs mighty acts of righteousness
vs. 25,35-38 suffers for God
vs. 15-16 seeks for a better country not wanting to return to the old
Faith in what?
(4a) God # Joh 14:1 ( 4b) Christ # Joh 6:29 Ac 20:21 (4c) Writings of Moses # Joh 5:46 Ac 24:14 (4d) Writings of the prophets # 2Ch 20:20 Ac 26:27 (4e) The gospel # Mr 1:15 (4f) Promises of God # Ro 4:21 Heb 11:13
I. Indoctrination faith
Rich man
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19 AV)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 AV)
II. Conformity faith (peer pressure)
Annais and Sapharia
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {to lie to: or, to deceive} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Acts 5:1-11 AV)
III. The committed faith
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (Mark 9:23 AV)
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 AV)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 AV)
Conclusion
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 AV)
What shall I do with Jesus which is called the Christ?
Re 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
