Faith Towards God

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Faith is a work in progress that is in need of perfecting

Faith is authored by Jesus Christ

The life of Christ is the example that we follow

Faith toward God is active and presses us into a greater relationship with God

Faith Toward God is Intentional in our Relationship With God.

Faith Defined

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

The assurance/ substance

undertaking of the underlying essence

It does not yet exist…but this is what holding on looks like

The conviction/

proofing

surfacing evidence even though it can not be seen

Belief in a God that cannot be seen appears difficult but I argue its more difficult to believe in nothing

Faith of Jesus Christ

Romans 3:21–22 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Minor correction:

genitive: it belongs to

Faith of Jesus Christ.

His Faith was tested… yes in the desert… but more so in the Garden

Luke 22:42 ESV

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

This had never been done before… Being God He had to trust God would raise Him to life.

Effect of His Faith

Law tells of God’s righteousness but does not make righteous

Prophets draw people to God’s righteousness but do not give access

Jesus… His Faith-is the manifested righteousness of God, and because of His faith we have access.

Galatians 3:22 ESV

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

The promise is given to us because of His faith

Living By Faith

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Having faith means I have to live by it..

It is the Gospel that causes me to be righteous

Increasing My Faith

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Hearing is not enough… its the work of being in the Word of Christ

There were those who rejected the word and they were set aside

You and I have access to the faith and can have our faith strengthened If we allow His word to permeate us.

Faith Towards God

We find this foundational doctrine adjacent to the repenting from dead works

It advances with the direction of having faith toward God.

implies I have left behind those items I want and puts on what Christ wants.

One additional consideration

Hebrews 10:35–39 ESV

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Faith toward God is the endurance to do the will of God as we await His promises

We know today His return is closer than ever before… The righteous are living by faith

If we give up on what we hold onto and have proofed as true …The Lord will not delight in us...

This confidence you have in the God you have confessed carries a big reward…

The call is leave behind your will and pursue His will...

Jesus is the example of faith toward God… even when we dont want to lean on Him

Our faith is strengthened by hearing His word, and believing His word

We must persevere until we have completed the work He has called us into.