Untitled Sermon (2)

Good morning everyone,

Today I’d like to talk about something that we all have and could be the most important thing in our transformative journey as Christians: Faith. What is faith? Is it just a religious term we use? Or is it a way of life? Something that defines our relationship with God and shows in the way we act? Before I could really start growing in my faith I had to understand what it really meant. I had to understand several things about faith, like what does everyday faith look like, what does the Bible say about faith, and do I have it? If I don’t, how do I receive it and what do I do with it? Upon studying this topic I found way more then I anticipated. I found that there are different types of faith and that some types of faith can hinder our spiritual transformation. So I’m going to share with you today what I’ve learned about faith so we can grow together and live it out in our daily lives.

Lets pray-

What is faith?

By definition faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Faith is what guides our decisions, actions, and relationships. Everything we do is by faith. When we get in the car, we have faith we will safely get to where we are going. When we swipe our cards at the store we have faith the transaction gets approved. We have faith that when we flip the light switch the lights will come on. In a relationship we have faith that our partner will be loyal to us. We all exercise faith in people, systems, and objects. But as Christians, we are called to extend this faith to something far greater….our relationship with God.

(Biblical faith)

Now, lets turn to Hebrews 11:1 which provides us with a biblical definition of faith: “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it”(NCV)

This tell us that faith is about trusting in the unseen and believing in God’s promises. Promises of Salvation, provision, guidance, comfort, strength, forgiveness, his presence, peace, eternal life, future hope, blessings, wisdom, healing, deliverance, justice, comfort in trials, freedom of fear, fulfilled purpose, renewal, everlasting love, guidance in decision making, protection, fruitfulness, intercession, unity, comfort in mourning, and answered prayers. Do you want these promises from God? I do. Biblical faith means living in the present with a trust and certainty in God's future promises and unseen truths, despite not having physical evidence.

Different types of faith

The Bible speaks of different types of faith that we will briefly look at today. The first one is saving faith.

Saving Faith: This is the faith that brings us into a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NCV). Saving faith is foundational; it’s the faith that acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The next 3 types of faith we will talk about stem from this foundational saving faith.

Living Faith: This faith is active and evidenced by our works. James 2:17 states, “In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead” (James 2:17, NCV). This means our faith should manifest in our actions. Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Samaritan’s faith was evident through his compassion and actions, helping the injured man when others passed by.

Persevering Faith: This faith endures through trials and tribulations. Hebrews 10:36 encourages us, “You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36, NCV). Job is a powerful example of persevering faith. Despite losing his wealth, children, and health, Job remained faithful to God. In Job 13:15, he declares, “Even if God kills me, I have hope in him; I will still defend my ways to his face” (Job 13:15, NCV).

Miraculous Faith: This faith allows believers to perform miraculous deeds through the power of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:9, Paul speaks of the gift of faith that can accomplish the extraordinary. In Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John heal a man lame from birth, demonstrating miraculous faith. The man’s healing was not just physical but also a testament to the power of faith in Jesus.

True Faith: More Than Belief

Having true faith means more than just believing in God; it means trusting Him completely and living out that trust in our actions. James 2:17 says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." True faith manifests in our obedience to God and our love for others.

God's Expectation of Our Faith

What does God expect from our faith? God desires a relationship with us that is built on trust. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." God expects us to trust Him, seek Him earnestly, and obey His commands.

Two wrong faiths

Now there are two other types of faith that James warns us about called dead faith and demonic faith.

Earlier when we were talking about living faith we read the verse James 2:17 which says “In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead”. Dead faith is faith without deeds. It’s claiming to believe but not showing it through actions. Dead faith is an empty faith that does not result in a transformed life or actions that reflect Christ.

Now James continues on in verse 19 to talk about demonic faith. Even demons have a form of faith. They believe in the existence of God and recognize Jesus’ authority, but this belief does not lead to salvation or good works. It leads to fear and trembling. . James 2:19 states, “You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too, and they tremble with fear” (James 2:19, NCV). Demonic faith is intellectual acknowledgment without heartfelt submission and obedience.

The Common Faith Among Christians

Many Christians struggle with having a shallow or wavering faith. We often believe in God, but we don't fully trust Him with every aspect of our lives. We may struggle with doubt, fear, and control issues. However, Jesus calls us to a deeper faith, one that trusts Him completely.

What type of faith do we have?

So how can we make sure we don’t have dead, demonic, shallow or wavering faith? How can we know if we have the type of faith God wants us to have?

To discern the type of faith we possess, we should reflect on our lives and examine our actions asking ourselves certain questions:

Do our lives reflect the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23? “But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong” (Galatians 5:22-23, NCV). Are these fruits evident in our daily interactions and decisions?

How do we respond to difficult situations? James 1:2-3 reminds us, “My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience” (James 1:2-3, NCV). Our reaction to adversity reveals the strength and depth of our faith.

Are we actively serving others and displaying the love of Christ? Matthew 25:40 tells us, “Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me’” (Matthew 25:40, NCV). Our willingness to help those in need reflects our faith in action.

How do we manage our emotions and health struggles? In times of emotional distress or health crises, do we turn to God for strength and healing? Psalm 34:18 reassures us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed” (Psalm 34:18, NCV). Trusting God in our most vulnerable moments demonstrates a deep, persevering faith.

How do we cope with everyday hardships such as financial difficulties, relationship problems, or career challenges? Philippians 4:6-7 advises, “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NCV). Trusting God in these everyday struggles is a testament to our living faith.

Modern-day analogy: Consider a firefighter who runs into a burning building to save someone. This act of bravery is fueled by a deep commitment and belief in their duty. Similarly, our faith should drive us to act courageously and selflessly in service to God and others.

So now we know what faith in general means, we know what the bible says about faith, we know how determine if we have the right faith, but what if I after I examine myself I realize I don’t have the right faith but I desire to have it or maybe I just need to increase my faith.

How to increase our faith

Here are a few ways we can obtain or increase our faith.

Immerse Yourself in God's Word: Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing the Good News, and people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ” (Romans 10:17, NCV). Engage with the Bible, listen to sermons, and participate in Bible studies to grow your faith. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s word, the stronger our faith becomes.

Pray regularly: Ask God to increase your faith. Mark 9:24 recounts a man who cried out to Jesus, “Immediately the father cried out, ‘I do believe! Help me to believe more!’” (Mark 9:24, NCV). Prayer is a powerful way to seek and receive faith. It’s a direct line of communication with God, where we can express our doubts and ask for strength.

Repent and confess: Acknowledge your sins and turn to God. 1 John 1:9 promises, “But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done” (1 John 1:9, NCV). Repentance is a step towards receiving saving faith, as it opens our hearts to God’s forgiveness and grace.

Fellowship with Believers: Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage and support you. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges, “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NCV). Community is vital for nurturing and growing our faith.

Modern-day analogy: Think of faith as a seed planted in fertile soil. The soil represents our hearts, the water represents the Word of God, and the sunlight represents the encouragement and support from fellow believers. For the seed to grow into a strong, fruitful plant, it needs all these elements working together.

Living out our faith

Now if we determine that we have saving faith are we good? Is there something we should be doing with this faith? Well once we have this saving faith we are called to live it out daily. A few ways we can do this is through:

Obedience: Follow God’s commandments and teachings. John 14:15 states, “If you love me, you will obey my commands” (John 14:15, NCV). Obedience is a natural response to our love for God and our faith in His wisdom and guidance.

Witnessing: Share your faith with others. Acts 1:8 encourages us, “But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world” (Acts 1:8, NCV). Our faith should compel us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around us.

Serving Others: Demonstrate Christ’s love through acts of service. Galatians 5:13 urges, “My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love” (Galatians 5:13, NCV). Service is a tangible expression of our faith and love for God. Jesus himself set the example, washing the feet of his disciples and serving those in need.

Trusting God: In all circumstances, trust in God’s plan and timing. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NCV). Trusting God means relinquishing our fears and doubts, believing that He is in control and has our best interests at heart.

Modern-day analogy: Consider a GPS system. When we set a destination, we trust the GPS to guide us, even if it takes us through unfamiliar routes. Similarly, trusting God involves following His direction, even when we don’t understand the path. Our faith is the assurance that He knows the best way to lead us.

Living out our faith has a huge impact on our lives, the lives of others, and the Kingdom of God. When people see our unwavering trust in God, especially during hard times, they are drawn to the source of our strength.

Living out our faith contributes to our Personal Transformation: Romans 12:2 encourages us, “Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect” (Romans 12:2, NCV). Our faith transforms us from the inside out, aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with God’s will.

Living out our faith will Influence Others: Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand, so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, NCV). Our faith, lived out, becomes a beacon of hope and inspiration to others.

Living out our faith also helps Build up the Kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 3:9 reminds us, “We are God’s workers, working together; you are like God’s farm, God’s house” (1 Corinthians 3:9, NCV). By living out our faith, we contribute to the growth and expansion of God’s kingdom on earth, bringing His love, peace, and justice to a world in need.

And as Christians, we called to make disciples. This is a vital part of living out our faith. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20, “So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NCV).

Making disciples means sharing the gospel, teaching others about Jesus, and helping them grow in their faith. It’s about being intentional in our relationships, mentoring others, and leading by example. When we live out our faith, we inspire others to seek and follow Jesus.

Modern-day analogy: Think of making disciples like being a coach. A coach trains, guides, and encourages their players to reach their full potential. Similarly, we are called to guide, support, and encourage others in their spiritual journey, helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus. We wouldn’t just accept a new player on our team and say “alright you are good to go”, with no training or guidance.

Closing-

Faith is integral to our daily lives and our spiritual journey. It starts with everyday trust and grows into a profound, saving faith that transforms our relationship with God and others. As we deepen our faith through the Word, prayer, repentance, and fellowship, we become more equipped to live it out boldly. Faith is more than a belief; it is a way of life. It is trusting God in every situation, living out that trust through our actions, and inspiring others to do the same. As we grow in our faith, we draw closer to God and become more effective witnesses for His kingdom. Let’s commit to being obedient, witnessing to others, serving with love, and trusting God in all circumstances. As we do, we’ll not only strengthen our own walk with God but also inspire those around us to seek the same faith.

(WORK ON CLOSING) As our worship team comes up and we sing our closing song, I’d like to encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your faith. Maybe you don’t have faith in God and in salvation through Jesus Christ, maybe you struggle with giving it all to God in those difficult moments, maybe you have saving faith but you struggle to live it out daily, or maybe you just want to do better in the ways you live it out. Whatever it may be I encourage you to come up and get prayer….