A Lesson in Faith
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Abraham: A Lesson in Faith
Abraham: A Lesson in Faith
Hebrews 5:12-6:3
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.
What is biblical faith?
The Greek word for faith is Pistis, which means a firm persuasion, trust or belief.
To had faith in God is wholly in God and to be dependent upon Him.
Faith is an unseen reality.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians
You most be throughly convinced of the truth of God’s rhema Word before it actually comes to pass.
Why faith is necessary?
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews
Our live must be led by our faith in God and belief in Him knowing He is faithful to His Word.
Faith must be built up
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The only way you can operate by faith is to learn and trust the Word of God by constantly hearing the Word.
Ro
Today we will learn
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Abraham: A Lesson in Faith
romans
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Romans 4:16-22
The way God is going to fulfill His promises will out weight
In studying how God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, what was made very clear is the way God chooses to fulfill His promise supersedes our desired method of how the promise is fulfilled.
Prover
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
We think we have an easier and less stressful method, but God’s ways are not our ways.
The principle of faith God teaches us through His relationship with Abraham is,
The principle of faith God teaches us through His relationship with Abraham is,
He calls those things that are not, as though they were, until they are.
Against all hope. (anticipating something usually with pleasure or expectation)
All the natural things said to Him, stop believing. There is no rational basis for natural hope.
Abraham at 100, Sarah at 90 spoke impossible, Hopeless.
The only hope that stood out to Abraham is what God said to him.
Abraham in hope, believed God’s promise based solely on God’s trustworthiness to do what He said.
God is not limited by natural circumstances or impossibilities.
What does it take to remain faithful to your God inspired vision, your rhema Word from God, your journey on the road to your God-ordained destiny and purpose?
Steadfast, focus on what God said and showed you and the courage to respond only to that no matter what your natural, logical and legitimate circumstances say.
Little Faith
Matthew
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus says that a person that worries about everyday things, necessities of life has little faith.
Believers must seek first the Kingdom of God, prioritizing our desires and aspirations in accord with Kingdom dictates.
The believer doesn't worry about the necessities of life because he seeks the Kingdom of God first.
God became flesh to free us from the bondage of sin.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Romans
What is it to worry about?
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matth 14:28-31
Jesus said Peter had little faith.
Peter knew that God could, but believing that God would actually do it, there’s a difference.
Little faith only believes God Can.
Not that He will actually do it.
Great Faith
Matthew 8:8-10
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Natural authority the centurion had. He could speak a word and his orders would be followed.
He recognized Jesus had spiritual authority and new that all he had to do was speak a word.
Jesus called this great faith.
The believer resolves in their heart that not only God can, God will.
Matthew 15:21-28
Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
But He answered her not a word.
And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Crossing genders
Ethnic barriers
Rejected and demeaned
Still has faith to believe God can and God will.
Perfect Faith
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:
Paul is arguing for the priority of faith.
James is arguing for the proof of faith.
Perfect faith is when the believer come to the complete resolve that not only God Can and God Will, God has!
Faith in Action
Hebrew
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
Right standing with God
Faith cause you to take action
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
Romans 4:16-
Abraham put his faith in action by ignoring him and Sarah’s dead bodies and finally conceiving a child with Sarah.
Galatio
just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Faith made Abraham righteous.
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Number
Genesis
And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
God is not operating according to your time frame or your situation.