Exploring Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

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

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.

Big Idea: Faith is a supernatural ability granted by God to believe and trust God for the extraordinary—without doubt, hesitation, or fear. Faith makes up the belief deficit!

I. What It Is (and Is Not)

Three Types of Faith:

Saving Faith – saving faith

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.

General Faith – Daily trust that God hears and answers

Romans 12:3 KJV 1900

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The Gift of Faith – A spontaneous, Spirit-empowered surge of confidence to believe for the miraculous in a specific moment

1 Corinthians 12:9 KJV 1900

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

The Gift of Faith is not developed over time. It’s an immediate, divine deposit of trust that overrides natural reasoning and human fear.

II. What It Looks Like

Marks of the Gift of Faith: Unshakable trust in a specific word or promise from God

Calm boldness in the face of adversity or crisis

Declarations of victory without seeing physical evidence

Has a contagious effect—it inspires and strengthens the faith of others

Discussion Questions:

Can you share a moment when you (or someone you know) believed with divine boldness that defied logic or natural evidence?

How does the Gift of Faith differ from general optimism or positive thinking?

Why do you think God gives this gift in the moment instead of permanently?

III. Why It Matters

The Gift of Faith...

Releases miracles   Mark 2:5–12 – Jesus heals the paralytic when He "saw their faith"

Strengthens the Church   Acts 27:21–25 – Paul speaks boldly during the storm, calming others

Glorifies God   📖 Daniel 3:17–18 – The three Hebrew boys declare God's power even facing the furnace

Overcomes impossible odds   📖 Hebrews 11 – The “Faith Hall of Fame” shows that God honors those who act by faith

Personal Challenge:

Ask the Lord this week to make you sensitive to moments when He wants to release this gift through you. Don’t force it—but be available. It may come when someone else needs encouragement, when fear tries to take hold, or when God wants to show His glory through bold trust.