FAITH IS…
“By Faith” SERIES - Week 1
God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing. —Martin Luther
WHAT IS FAITH?
Webster’s Dictionary: firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete confidence
Unger’s Bible Dictionary: conviction of the reality of the truths and facts that God has revealed, based solely upon the testimony of God.
How does the Bible define faith?
Text: Hebrews 11:1-3
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. —Hebrews 11:1-3
GREEK: “substance” = “a standing under, a support, a title deed”
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. —Hebrews 4:2
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. —2 Corinthians 3:6
FAITH isn’t a FEELING, FAITH is a KNOWING!
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. —Hebrews 11:6
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. —Matthew 9:29
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. —Romans 10:17
• FAITH must be unashamedly
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. —Romans 10:8-10
• FAITH must be accompanied by
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? —James 2:17-20
• FAITH must disregard the
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. —Romans 4:19-21
JEFF ARNOLD preached that life’s 3 greatest words are “I AM PERSUADED”
• FAITH will not operate effectively where there is
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. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. —Mark 11:23-24
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. —Mark 6:4-5
Varying DEGREES OF FAITH
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Disciples in Storm - Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Peter Walking on Water - Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
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Woman With Issue of Blood - Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Blind Bartimaeus - Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
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Centurion with Sick Servant - Matthew 8:10,13 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Woman with Demon-Possessed Daughter - Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
What can we do to increase our faith? What are we missing?
MISSING INGREDIENT – MIX THE
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. —Hebrews 4:2
THE RESULTS OF MIXING THE WORD WITH FAITH:
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. —Hebrews 4:12
THE WORD OPERATES IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF FAITH!
It takes
FAITH isn’t a
Biblical Faith contains 2 Elements: (1) Substance, & (2) Evidence
What is important to you that God do, but is
Plan of Action:
1. Find someone that you can share your impossibility with…the mountain you need to move - and then share it. If you for whatever reason are not comfortable doing that, Write it down on a piece of paper - or on your connection card today.
2. Then we are going to pray in Faith believing that God is going to do it!
3. We will leave here today knowing that GOD is on the job, and He alone knows what is best for us! If it is for someone’s salvation or healing…well then we already know that those things have been purchased and it is totally in God’s will for us to expect those things to happen!
4. The last thing we are going to do today is check in, and if you are a social media user… this week - text your prayer partner, or post to social media a positive thought, scripture, promise, etc…that you are claiming with the Hashtag #BYFAITH (A word to the wise…don’t be too personal or name names unless it would build faith in that person for you to do so…this could start a firestorm of negativity for you, if you are not WISE about this)!