Faith

Introduction

Review of last week Message, spiritual awakening

A sleepy christian is insensitive to what God is saying or doing.

Does not care about keeping His house, or building His Kingdom, neither His Church which are me and you.

God is not looking for volunteers, but those who will minister to Him, not people who do because of what is in it for them.

Ministering to God comes at cost. We should all embrace David’s attitude who will not offer to God anything that does not cost him. 2 Sam 24:24

2 Samuel 24:24 NKJV

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Message

What is Faith ?

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Dictionary definition: FAITH (πίστις, pistis). Reliance upon and trust in God

Gupta, N.K. (2016) “Faith,” The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Edited by J.D. Barry et al. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Emphasis on “Substance of things hoped for, Evidence of things not seen”

Hope is something not seen or you could say your expectation. Rom 8:24-25

Romans 8:24–25 NKJV

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

What is seen is not hope

The attitude to receiving the expectation is perseverance or patience.

But that is the problem, that is long or difficult

Am glad that you are been truthful

But you will be glad you are not alone to feel this way.

Abraham also felt this way but gave us a clue on how to wait

Romans 4:20–21 NKJV

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

He did not waiver at God’s promise

First he knew the promise God

Secondly He was convinced of it.

He did not complain about his predicament but gave glory to God in other words praised & worshipped Him.

What is the strategy that kept him convinced in the midst of (seemingly) non action from God?

Romans 8:26–28 NKJV

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Jude 20 NKJV

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Conclusion

Don’t research more about the problem but find out what God has said about the problem and feed your spirit with His promises

Psalm 37:3–4 NKJV

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.