Faith or Fantasy?

Introduction: It seems as though everyone is looking for something that is real; something that is as good as advertised, something that at the least is coming close to being what was promised. Every product seems to have a try before you buy money back guarantee, so that we seemingly cannot trust anything or anyone. we often ask ourselves the question: can we trust the Lord? However; the real question is: can God trust us? Do you have faith or do you have fantasy?

I. There must be a Foundation

A. Personal experience with the Word of God John 8:31 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

i) God’s Word must be recieved first hand in order to be trusted.

a. Abraham had a first hand knowledge of the Word from the Lord Genesis 12:1 “Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.”

b. Fantasy is based upon what someone else has said, but Faith is based upon what God alone has said.

ii) God’s Word must be revered by those who recieve it in order to be trusted.

a. Abraham did what God told him to do. Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

iii)God’s Word must be responded to in order to be trusted.

B. Powerful experience with the Word of God

I) The cleansing power of God’s Word can only be experienced through abiding in it. John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” Psalm 119:11 “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” James1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

ii) The calling power of the Word of God is Found in Abiding John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

a. Faith must be accompanied with action or it is not faith it is fantasy.

II. There Must be a Following

A. Clear observence of the Word of God

i) Faith demands a clear understanding of the Word of God; which can only come through listening. Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

ii) Faith dictates a clear undertaking of righteous action in response to the Word of God.

iii) Faith declares itself

B. Clear obedience to the Word of God

i) Faith demands action

ii) Faith demands a test. Adrian Rogers said “a Faith that cannot be tested is a Faith that cannot be trusted.”

a. Abraham believed the Lord and obeyed by offering Isaac as a sacrifice James 2:21-23 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.”

b. Faith brings a relationship whereas fantasy brings heartache and pain.

III. There Must be a Fellowship

A. Passoinate relationship with the Father

i) John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

ii) Faith places a person into a powerful personal and passoinate relationship with the Father Through the Son.

a. Jesus promised that we would enjoy an intimate knowledge of himself.

b. Jesus promised an illuminating relationship with himself.

B. Promising relationship with the Father

i) Faith produces fantasy only promises

IV. There Must be a Freedom

A. The liberating power of faith

i) Sin enslaves all those who continue to practice a lifestyle that displeases God.

ii) A life of faith is a life that is liberated from the power of sin and the habitual practice of sin.

a. Fantasy leads a enslaved life of sin because it lacks the right foundation.

B. The loving power of faith