INTRODUCTION: FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
1. The irreducible minimum. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
a. The question … “Do I please God?”
b. What does diligently mean? Wholeheartedly.
2. What does it mean, “from faith to faith” (Romans 1:17)?
a. Grow in the intensity of faith, i.e., from a 5 to a 10.
b. Grow in time, i.e., from Old Testament faith to New Testament faith.
c. Grow in focus of faith, i.e., from self to others (1 Corinthians 13:2).
d. Grow from natural faith to biblical faith.
e. Grow in six different expressions of faith.
FIRST: THE STATEMENT OF FAITH (CONTENT OF BELIEF)
1. This faith is not what you exercise, it is absolute truth.
2. Used with an article, i.e., positive, “contend for the faith” (Jude 3).
3. Used negatively “depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1), “denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8), “erred from the faith” (1 Timothy 6:10, 21), “reprobate concerning the faith” (2 Timothy 3:8).
4. What pleases God? “I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
5. Why is faith imperative?
a. Life, (John 6:68; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16).
b. Born again, (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).
c. Personal faith, (Romans 10:17).
SECOND: SAVING FAITH
1. Doorway to heaven. “For by grace are you saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
2. Both easy and difficult.
3. It is not just to believe in doctrines, it is to believe in a person.
4. Saving faith involves the total person, not just the head.
a. Intellect. “These are written that you may believe” (John 20:31).
b. Emotion. “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matthew 22:37).
c. Will. “Obeyed from the heart” (Romans 6:17).
THIRD: JUSTIFYING FAITH
1. This is not what you do, but what you get, i.e., non experiential.
2. You stand perfect before God. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
3. Abraham was the first. “He (Abraham) believed in the Lord; and He (God) counted it to him (Abraham) for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
4. You are declared – not made – righteousness. “As perfect as God’s Son.” “God made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, (first step of transference) ... that we might be made the righteousness of God (second step of transference) in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
FOURTH: INDWELLING FAITH
1. This is experiential faith that comes from God when He takes over.
2. We need faith greater than our own. “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). Pisteu Theu, means “have God’s faith.”
3. Old Testament foundation. “The just shall live by His faith” (Hebrews 10:38).
4. We must yield to Christ. “I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20), “by the faith of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16).
5. To activate your indwelling faith, don’t hold on harder, but let go.
FIFTH: LIVING BY FAITH
1. Many wrongly think it’s just trusting God for money, i.e., faith institutions.
2. Faith – the only way. “The just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38).
a. Romans – justified ones.
b. Galatians – live.
c. Hebrews – faith.
3. Living by the principles of scriptures. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
SIXTH: THE GIFT OF FAITH: A SPIRITUAL GIFT
1. We receive the gift of faith (Romans 12:3, 6) which is the ability to serve God in a powerful and spiritual way.
2. Called mountain-moving faith. “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move” (Matthew 17:20).
3. Not “name-it, claim-it” faith.
4. Spiritual gifts or talents have different qualities of usefulness.
a. In the parable of the talents, each got a different amount.
b. Gifts can grow. “But earnestly desire the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31).
CONCLUSION
1. Ground yourself in all faiths. “Though I have all faith” (1 Corinthians 13:2).
2. Begin where you are.
3. Plant and grow your faith. “Mustard seed” (Matthew 17:20).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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