LIVING THE LIFE OF FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The Christian life is a life of faith.

We begin the Christian life by faith and we are to continue in faith.

The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by faith & justified by faith.

We are instructed to pray in faith & walk by faith.

We are even told to “fight the good fight of faith.”

And our text says “it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith…”

NOTE: You would think it would read it is impossible to please God w/o purity…or sanctification…or worship…or use some of the other religious words that we like to use.

But the writer of Hebrews says it is IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE God w/o faith.

NOTE: Faith is essential to pleasing God.

W/O faith we aren’t capable of living our lives well pleasing to God.

So, we have to know what faith is…and then we have to live by faith.

2. So what is faith?

Faith in its simplest definition is trusting & believing in God. 

And verse 6 tells us that faith must believe that God exists & faith must believe that He rewards those that seek Him.

In other words, those with faith know that God is real & they sincerely seek after Him.

3.. So, this morning I want share with you 4 PRINCIPLES for LIVING THE LIFE OF FAITH.

1) LIVE BY THE WORD

Hebrews 11:8 NKJV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Genesis 12:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Explanation

1. Abraham obeyed based on what God said.

He lived his life according to God’s Word.

2. He didn’t have the written Word like we do…but he did have the Word that God spoke to him…and he chose to obey by faith.

NOTE: It didn’t make sense to leave everything that was familiar & comfortable & go on a journey not knowing where he was going…but God had spoken & Abraham obeyed.

NOTE: When God speaks, faith obeys.

Illustration

1. God told Joshua to walk around the city of Jericho once a day for 6 days & don’t say anything…then walk around it 7 times on the seventh day & give a shout & the walls would fall down.

NOTE: That’s not a great military strategy...but when God speaks, by faith you obey.

Joshua had to have faith in what God said…and then do what God said.

Joshua had to trust God, not his perception or his own human reasoning.

NOTE: When you live by faith, you have to trust what God says...not what you see.

2. You can also see this principle illustrated in the 11th chapter of Hebrews.

Abel offered a sacrifice

Noah built an ark 

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac

3. Those who were commended for having great faith DEMONSTRATED their faith by LIVING OUT what God said.

Application

1. Are you living out what God has said in His Word?

Are you praying, fasting, giving, worshiping, witnessing, etc...?

Are you being obedient to the leading of the HS?

Are you getting outside of your comfort zone as God directs you?

2. If not, can you say that you are living by faith?

SIDE NOTE:

IF GOD REQUIRED THOSE IN HIS WORD TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW HIM...WHAT MAKES US THINK THAT HE IS GOING TO REQUIRE ANY LESS OF US!

2) BELIEVE IT BEFORE YOU SEE IT

Explanation

Hebrews 11:8 NKJV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

1. Abraham was told to go to a place he had never seen before…and the verse says, “he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

He believed even though he had never seen.

2. Abraham was also told that he would be the father of many nations. 

When he received this promise from God, he was an old man.

His wife Sarah was an old woman & she was also barren – meaning she was unable to have children.

But Abraham believed the promised of God.

NOTE: By faith he believed he would have it before he ever saw anything take place.

Before Isaac was ever born, Abraham believed he already had a son b/c God said He would give him a son.

Before Isaac was ever born, Abraham believed he already had a son b/c God said He would give him a son.

Romans 4:18–21 NLT

18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Application

1. Abraham believed God and he saw the promises of God come to pass in his life.

NOTE: When you believe it, you can see it.

But that’s not usually how we like to operate?

We want to see first, then believe.

But living by faith requires that you believe first.

Mark 11:24 KJV 1900

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

When you pray, believe that you already have the answer…Believe that God has already heard & responded.

When you pray believe that you already have the answer…believe that God has already heard & responded.Jesus says, if you believe that you HAVE received, IT WILL be yours.In other words, believe that you have it NOW…and it WILL COME – it could be a day, a week, a month…but it will come if you BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED.

Jesus says, if you believe that you HAVE received, IT WILL be yours.

In other words, believe that you have it NOW…and it WILL COME – it could be a day, a week, a month…but it will come if you BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECEIVED.

3) THINK RIGHT

Explanation

1. Too often a great hindrance to living in faith is what I call “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

In all honesty, if we’re not careful we will begin to think too much like the world rather than the way God intends for us to think.

And when you try to mix the word’s system with God’s system…you’re asking for trouble.

James 1:8 KJV 1900

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

NOTE: Every week church pews are filled with people who are double minded.

NOTE: Every week church pews are filled with people who are double minded.

Every week people come to church who say they believe in Jesus…but they’re up & down in their faith…and they have no stability.

Why is that – It’s b/c they haven’t taken the time to renew their mind.

And b/c they haven’t renewed their mind…they struggle with living by faith.

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2. Renewing our mind leads to transformed living…and a transformed life will be a life lived in faith.

2. Renewing our mind leads to transformed living…and a transformed life will be a life lived in faith.

3. Here’s how it works – You read the Word which changes how you think which changes how you live.

NOTE: If you don’t change how you think…you can’t change how you live.

People who walk by faith think differently than those who don’t.

Illustration

1. People of faith think victory, not defeat.

2. People of faith think ALL THINGS are possible with God.

3. People of faith think about POSSIBILITIES, not PROBLEMS.

NOTE: To live by faith, you have to think right.

4) SPEAK RIGHT

EXPLANATION

Proverbs 18:20–21 KJV 1900

20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

NOTE: You words have the power to change & affect your life…either in a positive way or a negative way.

NOTE: You words have the power to change your life…either in a positive way or a negative way.

And if you’re going to live a life of faith…you have to speak life, not death.

You have to speak victory, not defeat.

You have to speak blessing, not cursing.

NOTE: Our words can determine the course & direction of our lives.

In others words, our lives follow what our lips are saying.

Or to say it another way – You usually end up getting what you’re saying.

James 3:2–6 NASB95

2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

James 3:2–8 NLT

2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

James is saying that even though the tongue is small it has the power to cause great damage.

Like a horse or ship that can run wild if it isn’t controlled…your life will be uncontrolled & headed in the wrong direction if you don’t control what you say.

Mark 11:23 KJV 1900

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

NOTE: Jesus says if you believe what you say, you will have whatever you say.

NOTE: If you say it long enough…you believe it…and when you believe it, you receive it.

And if you say it long enough…you WILL believe it…and you WILL receive it.

And that works in the positive as well as the negative.

1. So what do I say?

2. Speak the Word of God over your life.

I am more than conqueror through JC.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding.

I am blessed…I am healed…I am anointed…I am favored.

NOTE: Say what God says about you.

Faith speaks God’s Word.

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

We get saved by believing and speaking and we’re supposed to continue to live our lives exercising these same principles. 

As we continue live out our faith, we have to watch what we say…and continue to speak out our faith and say what we believe and not what we see and feel.

NOTE: Jesus didn’t say you would have whatever you believe, period…He said that you would have whatever you say when you believe it in your heart.  NOTE: The question is not what are you believing, the real question is what are you saying. You can have your believing 100% right, but if you’re not speaking your faith, it won’t work. You can’t live in victory and talk defeat. You can’t live in power and talk weakness. You can’t receive healing and speak sickness and disease. Faith believes and speaks! 3. So what are you speaking?If we recorded your words for the entire week & typed them up in a transcript & laid it down next to the Bible & compared to the two…would they agree?If they don’t you will have what your transcript says b/c Jesus says you will have what you say.

Mark 11:23 NKJV

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

NOTE: Jesus didn’t say you would have whatever you believe, period…He said that you would have whatever you say when you believe it in your heart. 

NOTE: It’s not just a matter of believing right…you have to speak right also.

You can have your believing 100% right, but if you’re not speaking your faith, it won’t work. 

For example: You can believe the bible says - You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus…but if you go around talking about how the devil has been fighting & bothering you all week long…and nothing has worked out…Are you living according to what you believe?

You are believing right…but your living is lining up with your believing - Why?

B/C of what you are saying.

NOTE: You can’t live in victory and talk defeat. 

You can’t live in power and talk weakness. 

You can’t receive healing and speak sickness and disease. 

Faith believes and speaks!

3. So what are you speaking?

If we recorded your words for the entire week & typed them up in a transcript & laid it down next to the Bible & compared to the two…would they agree?

If they don’t you will have what your transcript says b/c Jesus says you will have what you say.

CONCLUSION:

1. The only way to please God is to live by faith.

2. So, now we have to ask ourselves - Am I living by faith?

Let's pray!