Walk By Faith

Walk by Faith!

Intro

Talking about faith tonight.  What is faith?  I don’t think that most people really know.  How would you describe faith, specifically as a Christian?  A belief in God?  A trust in God?  Even the Biblical definition in Heb. 11:1 of  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ,is a little impractical and doesn’t really bring it home for us.

How does faith play out in real life? 

Not to mention that the Bible says:

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

And,

Hebrews 10:38 (NLT) "And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”"

Pleasing God

So we are supposed to walk and live by faith.  Do we?  How do you make your decisions?  What do you think about when you are faced with a choice…especially one that may be some sort of sacrifice for you or might be difficult?

Who to date?  Or whether or not to date at all?

Who to go to prom with?  What college should I look at?  Should I go to college at all?  What classes should I sign up for? (affects future, God may have an assignment for you with someone(s) in a certain class) Should I go to this party?  Should I hang out with this person?

Romans 8:1-2 (NLT) "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death."

Romans 8:5-8 (NLT) "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God.(enmity towards God…an ENEMY of God) It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."

If there is one thing this generation…You…needs is life and peace in your thought life.  With families blowing up, wars around the globe, economic uncertainty it is an absolute must for Christians to be living by FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) "So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."

Romans 8:14 (NLT) "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."  Led…means walking…means walking by faith

Faith and The Word Connected

Romans 10:17 (NIV) "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) "And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for."

What does faith look like?

Belief is “God can”

Faith is “God will!”

Belief is God can heal

Faith is:  “By His stripes we ARE healed” and God WILL heal

B: God can deliver you from your sin

F: “He whom the son sets free is free indeed” and God will set you free

B: God can save my parents

F:  “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your whole household” God will save your parents

B: God can direct my choices for the future

F:  “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord” God will direct my steps.

As Jesus said to the blind man just before He healed him…“Be it unto you according to your faith”

Belief says “I have to try and hang on”

Faith says “Thank you Lord for preparing me for your plan!”

Ask anything according to my will…won’t know His will unless you know His Word.

Faith Requires Action

James 2:20 (NKJV) "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"

James 2:22 (NKJV) "Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?"

James 2:26 (NKJV) "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Have to surrender the seed before you see the harvest.

Seed could be money (televangelist) (Philippines deposit) , freeing up time making room for ministry, finding an accountability partner, Prophesying what will be before it happens, whatever!

“What else would I do?”

Not saying make unwise choices, not saying sit on your butt and wait for God to just drop stuff in your lap, not saying neglect your responsibilities…your TRUE responsibilities.

Partner with God through faith and watch your life change. 

Walk by faith not by sight, not by emotions, not by logic, not even solely by wisdom.  Joshua went against Ai in Joshua 7 with wisdom…but he forgot to consult with God and he failed.

Either God is God or He is not.