Explore the concept of faith as a powerful force that defines our relationship with God, influences our lives, and provides us with hope and assurance in what we cannot see.
Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we gather to explore the profound theme of faith - its definition, its power and its hope.
As we delve into these depths, let's remember the words of A.W. Tozer, who once said, "Faith is seeing the invisible, but not the non-existent."
Let's open our Bibles to Hebrews 11:1-3,
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
Please join me in a word of prayer.
Lord, we thank You for bringing us together this morning. As we explore Your Word today, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom. Open our hearts and minds to truly understand and embrace the power of faith in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Faith, as we understand from the scripture, is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This definition, while simple, has profound implications for our lives as Christians.
Faith definition: When we talk about faith, we are talking about a deep-rooted conviction that goes beyond intellectual assent. It is not just agreeing with a set of doctrines or principles. It is a personal, intimate trust in God that shapes our thoughts, actions, and our very lives. It is the bedrock of our relationship with God, the foundation upon which we build our lives as followers of Christ.
A dynamic, living force: It is not stagnant or static, but it grows and develops as we walk with God. It is like a muscle that strengthens with use. The more we exercise our faith, the stronger it becomes. We see this in the lives of the biblical heroes who, despite their flaws and failures, were commended for their faith. They trusted God in the face of trials, tribulations, and even death. Their faith was not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of trusting God.
Not blind: It is not a leap into the dark, but a step into the light. It is based on the evidence of God's word and His work in our lives and in the world around us. As Christians, our faith is grounded in the historical reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It is not a wishful thinking or a vague hope, but a confident assurance based on the solid rock of God's truth.
A gift from God: We cannot generate faith on our own or muster it up from within ourselves. It is God who gives us the ability to believe and trust in Him. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Our faith is a response to God's grace and love towards us.
Relational: It is not just a belief in certain truths, but a trust in a person - the person of God. It involves a personal relationship with God, a deep intimacy and communion with Him. It is knowing God, not just knowing about Him. It is trusting God, not just believing in Him. It is loving God, not just obeying Him.
Transformative: It changes us from the inside out. It shapes our character, our values, our priorities, and our actions. It influences how we live, how we relate to others, and how we view the world. It is not just a private, personal matter, but a public, communal reality. It impacts every aspect of our lives, from our personal decisions to our social interactions to our cultural engagements.
The power of faith is the force that propels us forward, even in the face of adversity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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