The Highest Form Of Faith

Introduction:

>Grew up in church since I was 4

>Always heard: Apple of His eye, Chosen people, Blessed and highly favored

What does that really mean?

1 Pet 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:(KJV)

What is a peculiar people?

I grew up in a strict church that focused on the flesh:

1. We dressed different in school P.E.

2. Women wore their hair different

3. Women couldn’t wear make-up

4. We didn’t cuss or

However, this did not make us a peculiar people (in biblical sense) nor did it separate us from the world

In fact:

There will be people in hell who didn’t do some of these things because they chose not to.

We are a peculiar people for a different reason.

Matt 8:5-10

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.(KJV)

JESUS MARVELLED AT THIS MAN’S FAITH!

Ä Heb. 11:6 tells us it is impossible to please God without faith

Ä All want to please God

Ä All try to live by faith

BUT, DO YOU HAVE FAITH THAT GOD WILL MARVEL AT?

WHAT IS FAITH THAT GOD WILL MARVEL AT?

There is a key phrase in verse 9 that explains why Jesus marveled.

“I am a man under authority.”

Let me tell you what this verse of scripture said in David’s version:

I have been given authority and those that are subject to my authority are a slave to my words. I can tell this man to go and do this thing or that man to go and do that thing. I need nothing to enforce it except that I speak the word. In knowing that I can accomplish what I need to with my word I recognize your supreme authority that as men are slave to my words sickness and are slave to your words. I don’t need you to come to my house, I don’t need you to touch my servant, I don’t need a sign from heaven. Just speak the word and because of the authority in that word my servant will be well.

I want to talk to you tonight about: The highest form of faith

The highest form of faith is when you have faith in the Word of God and it’s authority alone. When you need no physical evidence to support your belief. When you believe God’s Word just because it is the Word of God.

I grew up hearing a phrase that told me to, “stand on the Word of God.”

I never understood until a few years ago what exactly this meant. I remember in one church we were going to lay new carpet and they took the pages out of a bible and laid it under the carpet at the alter so you could, “stand on the Word.”

But when I finally found out what this meant it changed my life:

Whatever circumstance comes your way it doesn’t move you because you are only moved by what the Word says:

>You can’t pay your bill! - No, My God meets my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus

>You’re dying of cancer - No, by His stripes I’ve been healed.

The highest form of faith is when your reliance is on His Word and it doesn’t waver at circumstances that present themselves.

What situation can present itself that God’s Word cannot take care of?

Ä Trip to N.Y. - got lost and ended up in Spanish Harlem

I was scared because I didn’t understand the power in God’s Word that I had with me.

Prov 29:25

25 ...but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.(KJV)

Ps 91:11-12

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.(KJV)