We Believe in Faith
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Faith
Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith has always been the mark of the Disciple of Jesus Christ
Paul says that it is the “substance” of things not seen
Litterally - the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character.
It’s the “who you areness” of your life - the unseen motivations tht manifest themselves in the outward
So faith is more than just a wish or desire - it the very fabric upon which the promises of God’s word are woven!
It is the sapce between the unseen picture of an afcan brought to life by the croshaing artist
You see the picture is worthless without the action to bring it to life!
In our case, the promises of God’s Word are the unseen pictures and we apply faith and adherence to them which releases the actions for which they have been purposed!
Faith means total dependance on God on not total independence (unbelief) from Him which was basis of Adam’s actions
This why Ep 2:8 tells us that the way back to God is through Faith!
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
You see faith advances you beyond the 5 senses of your flesh
Faith releases you from the limited to the unlimited!
This is the life to which the believe in Christ is called
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
So what is faith?
Faith is obedient action in response to what God has said.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
True faith is expressed in Hearing, Obedience, Response
Faith means having trust, assurance and confidence, exchanging self-trust for God trust
We abandon our reliance on our limited resources and rely on His unlimited resources!
It “being certain” of His essence!
Our problem is we base everything on our knowledge
Two centers of knowledge Man’s and God’s
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
Human wisdom - God’s wisdom
Human knowledge comes through the senses and is already tainted by sin
God’s knowledge comes through His Spirit which is untainted and pure Revalation
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Our faith is based upon three factors
God’s nature, God’s unchangeableness, God’s truthfulness
God’s nature - Love
Love drove Him to the world, Love sustained His throughout His ministry, Love took Him to the cross
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God is unchangeable
“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
God is not tossed too and fro - His word is clear and intentions sure
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
“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?
God cannot lie!
And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.”
That’s why we can believe:
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Freedom is always found in truth!
Christ has now become for us the wisdom from God
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
His redemptive act says it all
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
How does it work?
God gives us faith
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
I believe everyone has saving faith - we are born with faith, we exercise it all the time! But it is a choice every-time we do
Saving faith is activated by hearing the Word of God
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hearing leads to a choice - obedience or rejection
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But Pastor Ken I am going through a crisis that you can’t even imagine!
Maybe so but I know someone who can!
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
In faith we cast ourselves on His faithfulness!
In doing so the result is always victory!
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
Everything today tells me that I deserve punishment and damnation for my rebellion against God but His word says…I’m forgiven!
I’ll leave you with one thought - the word faith - pistos - has also been translated faithfulness!
Have you been faithful with what God has placed in your had?
Have you responded to the call of the Father to come home?
Today can be your day see God cannot lie - He sent his Son.....