What does the Church have that the world does not?
Faith, Hope and Love
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
What do you place your faith in? That’s so very important, because so many people call things faith that are not faith at all. Well, some people say, “Just believe, you know—it’s positive thinking.” Well, I like positive thinking. I’m very much in favor of positive thinking, but positive thinking is not faith. Some people think hoping for the best is faith, or giving it your best, or whatever. They have all kinds of ideas about what faith is. But faith is no better than its object.
the Bible never tells us to put faith in faith. That’s just positive thinking. What is the object of our faith? The object of our faith is Almighty God.
Some people say, “Faith moves mountains.” That is not true. It is God that moves mountains. Pay attention. It is not faith that moves mountains; it is God that moves mountains.
12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Now, what is faith—F-A-I-T-H? Forsaking all, I trust Him. That’s faith. Forsaking all—forsaking my good works, my good intentions, forsaking my sin, forsaking all that I am by nature and by the first birth—I turn my back on that, and I take Jesus
That’s the reason why I said faith is what? Forsaking all, I trust Him. The object of your faith must be God. Your faith is no better than its object—looking unto Jesus.
