Doctrine of the Past 2 - Faith

Past - Prophet - One Who Speaks To the People For God.

Hebrews 6:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

We are to look to God for approval, to believe in Him and trust Him.

Our hope for salvation is in God and in God alone.

But once we have placed our faith in God, we are to move on beyond faith for salvation.

Faith is the “operative” word in the Christian’s life.

Romans 1:17 (KJV 1900)

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV 1900)

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Faith is important for the Christian life.

We are saved by faith.

Ephesians 2:8 (KJV 1900)

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Live by faith

Galatians 2:20 (KJV 1900)

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

and are Kept by faith

1 Peter 1:5 (KJV 1900)

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

So, what exactly is the meaning of faith?

A description of faith

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

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

F - forgetting

A - all

I - Impossibilities, and

T - Trusting

H - Him

Simple belief is not in and of itself faith.

James 2:19 KJV 1900

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

This is a static faith. We want an active faith.

Faith has to be exercised in order to become active.

Faith is not foolishness:

Faith is not a “leap in the dark.”

Faith is based upon facts.

Faith means to believe the facts and to act upon them.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Faith is substantiated in the Word the God.

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What is it that we hope for?

Eternal life.

Titus 1:2 (KJV 1900)

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Believing God’s Word is the smartest thing any individual can do in this life.

Faith is not based on feelings.

So many today want to “feel” saved, therefore we seek a religious experience. Hence the reason we have this contemporary worship movement. People want to experience eternity. This is a tangible feeling not intangible, things hoped for.

God’s way in salvation (and the Christian life) has always been…

Fact — Faith — Feelings.

Feelings will never come before fact or faith.

Acts 8:35–39 (KJV 1900)

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (FACT)

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (FAITH)

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (FEELING)

Faith is not belonging to a certain faith.

What is Faith?

Faith is simply believing God’s Word and Acting Upon it.

Trust and Obey

for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

Faith is based on evidence of things we have seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV 1900)

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

Hebrews 11:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

No man was present when God created this world. In over 6,000 years, not one single man has even come close to creating any of this we see and experience out of nothing or with proof of evolution.

Galatians 3:1 (KJV 1900)

1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

None of the Galatians were present to witness the crucifixion of Christ yet through Paul’s preaching it was evidenced to them.

John 20:29 (KJV 1900)

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

The crucifixion and resurrection is a proven fact in history, recorded in many historical documents outside of the Bible.

Our hope then is based on Revelation 21.

We believe in the New Jerusalem because it is in the Word of God.

The very starting point of faith is found in

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

If you believe there is an all-powerful, all present, all knowing, all wise God and creator of this beautiful universe then you will have no problem believing anything else He says.

James 2:19–20 (KJV 1900)

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

“Faith is believing God’s Word and acting upon it.”

How do we accomplish saving faith?

Saving faith is personal appropriation of the work of Jesus Christ.

Step 1: Knowledge

In order to be saved, you must KNOW that Jesus Christ died for your sins and that His blood will stand as complete payment for your sin.

Romans 10:14 (KJV 1900)

14 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?

Romans 10:17 (KJV 1900)

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

However, knowledge is not enough that is why it is step one.

2 Peter 2:21 (KJV 1900)

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

Step 2: Belief

The acknowledgment of the truth of God’s Word.

Matthew 16:16 (KJV 1900)

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“I know what the Bible says, and I believe it is so.”

However, mental belief is not enough.

Mark 12:28–34 (KJV 1900)

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

Step 3: Conviction

The persuasion that facts believed will achieve what they claim.

“I know what the Bible says, I believe it so, and I am persuaded that if I do what it says God will do what He says.”

Even conviction, just like knowledge and belief, is insufficient in and of itself sufficient to save.

Luke 18:23–26 (KJV 1900)

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

Acts 24:25 (KJV 1900)

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Step 4: Appropriation:

This is to ACT upon the knowledge you believed and were convicted by.

Knowledge AFFIRMS the facts.

Belief ACCEPTS the facts.

Conviction AGREES with the facts.

Appropriation ACTS with surrender to the facts.

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Unfortunately, I believe the crucial 4th step is where most people in our culture slip.

It is simply getting the knowledge in our head to lodge in our heart.

Why is Faith important?

Let’s go back to Hebrews 11.

Only way to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 4:2 (KJV 1900)

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Only way to be Saved.

John 3:36 (KJV 1900)

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV 1900)

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Only way to Victory.

1 John 5:4 (KJV 1900)

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 Peter 5:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Let me ask you a question:

Have you heard about Jesus Christ who was born in the flesh, lived a perfect life, died an undeserved death, but rose from the dead on the third day?

Do you believe this information today?

Do you believe He did this for you, a sinner condemned to a Devil’s hell?

Will you humbly receive this gift of salvation with anticipation to your joining Jesus Christ in eternity?