What Is Faith? Introduction Series

INTRODUCTION: DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH SEEN IN 7 WOMEN

1. Ruth: Saving Faith

2. Esther: Living by Faith

3. Mary Magdalene: Following Faith

4. Mary (sister of Lazarus): Worshiping Faith

5. Hannah: Praying by Faith

6. Priscilla: Serving Faith

7. Sarah: Family Faith

1. RUTH: SAVING FAITH

“By grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves” (Eph. 2:8).

? Based on knowing (intellect) God and His plan.

? Based on feeling (emotion) love or repentance.

? Based on decision (will) “Obeyed from the heart” (Rom. 6:17).

2. ESTHER: LIVING BY FAITH

“The just shall live by faith” (Heb. 10:38).

? Esther was limited by the queen’s options, yet she used her position to change everything.

3. MARY MAGDALENE: FOLLOWING FAITH

“We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).

? She followed Jesus in His earthly ministry to the cross and to the tomb. She returned to witness His resurrection. “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord” (John 20:18).

4. HANNAH: PRAYING BY FAITH

“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24).

? Ask specifically (Matthew 7:7).

? Ask in Jesus’ name (John 14:13).

? Ask in faith (James 1:6).

? Ask sincerely (Heb. 11:6).

? Ask constantly (1 Thess. 5:17).

? Ask according to scripture (John 15:7).

5. PRISCILLA: SERVING FAITH

“By faith these people . . . served” (Heb. 11:33).

? Ministered under her husband. “Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry” (Rom. 16:3).

? Priscilla’s name first—ministry.

? Aquila’s name first—business.

? The gift of faith in ministry. “If I had such faith that I could move mountains” (1 Cor. 13:2). Supernatural results.

6. MARY’S WORSHIPING FAITH

“It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

? She always sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39; John 11:32, 12:3).

? The best of all ways to serve Jesus. “Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

7. SARAH’S FAMILY FAITH

“By faith Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed God” (Heb. 11:11).

? She blessed the world. “In thee (Abraham) shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3).

a. Scriptures come through her seed.

b. Salvation introduced by Jews.

c. Christ came from her line (Gal. 3:16).

? She had faith to know Isaac was God’s plan. “God said unto Abraham . . . all that Sarah said unto thee, harken to her voice” (Gen. 21:13).

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.

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