Faith Comes by Hearing

Faith Comes by Hearing

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:5–6 (NKJV) “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 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 11:7 (NKJV) “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Romans 10:14–17 (NKJV) “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’ 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘LORD, who has believed our report?’ 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

How shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?

How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

How shall they hear without a preacher?

How shall they preach unless they are sent?

Conclusion: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

We can have faith, but little faith.

Luke 12:28 (NKJV) “If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Great Faith

Matthew 8:5–10 (NKJV) “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.’ 7 And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ 8 The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’ 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’”

We can have a desire to believe, but still battle with unbelief.

Mark 9:23–24 (NKJV) “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’ 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’”

“Lord, increase our faith”

Luke 17:5–6 (NKJV) “And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ 6 So the Lord said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.”

Mark 11:22–23 (NKJV) “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Weak in faith vs. strengthened in faith

Romans 4:17–22 (NKJV) “(as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

We are strengthened in faith by giving glory to God

Mark 11:24 (NKJV) “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”