Sermon Tone Analysis

LIVING THE LIFE OF FAITH

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.