Faith Alone (15)

The Victory of Faith- Taking Action to live in Victory

1 John 5:4–5 NLT

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

1. Faith understands God has a plan, and Faith Holds on to Vision though it might take time

Habakkuk 2:3 NLT

This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

Any Plan that God has for your life take vision married with faith and action.

The Vision of the Hebrews was for them to be delivered from their slavery

God’s plan was to not only deliver them but to take them to the promise land

How would they take the promise land? By Faith

We are there yet, but faith constantly takes steps towards the promise, towards the vision, towards the high calling

Faith causes perseverance

Romans 5:2–5 NLT

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Hopeless Christianity is faithless Christianity

2. Faith Understands that God’s plans take our commitment to faith

If We don’t move in faith it takes longer for us to reach what God has for us.

Exodus 13:17–18 NLT

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

God’s plans don’t change-

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

It is true and constant - but what it takes to have this is faith

Some of us what the promise land right now but because we aren’t ready for the battle we are going the long way

Faith understands

You never get victory for Battles you never fight

You never overcome what you refuse face

you never take ground you don’t tread on

you never grow what you don’t water

you never finish what you Don’t start

There has to be a commitment to God’s plan and action follows

3. Faith Understands That breakthrough marries follow through

If you Don’t take action you Don’t keep the blessing

God told His people in Deut 28:7

Deuteronomy 28:7 NLT

“The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!

David understood the Blessing and took action

1 Samuel 17:46 NLT

Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!

Actions that are done is faith get the results!

Zech 7- God tells the people that their actions weren’t done by Faith but by tradition

They Ask “Should we fast on the dates that the temple was destroyed?”

God responds, “Should you fast at all if it isn’t done in faith?”

Zechariah 7:4–10 NLT

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me this message in reply: “Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting? And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves? Isn’t this the same message the Lord proclaimed through the prophets in years past when Jerusalem and the towns of Judah were bustling with people, and the Negev and the foothills of Judah were well populated?’ ” Then this message came to Zechariah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.

God Shows they that their lack of obedience has led to their lack of freedom, provision, and blessing

Zechariah 7:13–14 NLT

“Since they refused to listen when I called to them, I would not listen when they called to me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. As with a whirlwind, I scattered them among the distant nations, where they lived as strangers. Their land became so desolate that no one even traveled through it. They turned their pleasant land into a desert.”

“They Turned their pleasant land into a desert”

Your actions mean nothing if Faith isn’t involved

Your faith means nothing if actions aren’t involved

James 1:22 NLT

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 2:14–26 NLT

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

Victory comes through Obedience to God Word-

Joshua is told Josh 1:8-9

Joshua 1:8–9 NLT

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

4. Faith understands the difference between truth and Fact

Everything is subject to the Word of God- and it gets ativated in your life through faith.

Caleb Understood the diference between truth and Facts

Numbers 13:30 NLT

But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

Numbers 14:6–9 NLT

Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

God’s Word is Truth

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

When God speaks- His Word is Truth

Facts Change based on the Word of God