Faith

Heb. 11:1,2

Introduction

1. To many people faith is some very mystical, physic and almost spooky. God took faith out of the realm of that which cannot be known to that which is very clear. You can have faith and you can know that you have faith! Faith is simply believing what God said in His Bible. This is a truth that makes us free. When you believe the truth that makes you free, you obey that truth, not because you have to obey it, but because you believe it.

2. Faith is believing what God said, and when you believe what God said, you will act on what He said.

3. If you don't have a scripture, you don't have faith. Because faith is believing what God said.

4. Faith has nothing at all to do with feelings. You might have good feelings because your circumstances appear favorable, but that doesn't mean you have faith. You might have sad feelings because your circumstances are not favorable, but that doesn't mean you can't have or don't have faith. I know a lady who has been confined to her bed for several years, but she is a lady of great faith because she believes what God said. She is a constant encouragement to all who visit her because she simply believes what God said.

5. You may be alone in your believing, but it will always be better for you. In fact, you will always be alone when you are serving God. Your family and friends may be right there beside you, but you must be alone with God in a public (as well as a private) place.

1. Noah. I Peter 3:20 - only 8 souls were saved by water.

2. Abraham wandered alone. (Gen. 12:1)

3. Daniel dined (Daniel 1) and prayed (Dan. 6:10) alone.

4. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were alone against Belshazzar.

5. Elijah was alone during the drought.

6. Jeremiah prophesied and prayed alone.

6. If you want to obtain a good report before God, you will have faith (believe) what He said.

7. Heb. 11:3 - an example of how all of us can have faith in God's Word.

1. Do you believe God created the world into existence in 6 literal 24 hour days by speaking?

2. If you believe that, I have another question.

3. Why do you believe that God created the world in 6 literal 24 hour days by speaking it into existence.

a. You weren't there, therefore, you didn't see it, or hear Him speak.

b. You don't believe because there is scientific evidence that proves it.

4. You believe it simply because the Bible said it, not because you, or anybody else can prove it.

I. The nature of faith - seeing the thing happen before it does happen. Knowing it will come to pass.

A. Verse 7 - Noah built the ark by faith, because he believed what God said.

B. Verse 8 - Abraham left by faith because he believed what God said.

C. Verse 27 - Moses forsook Egypt, because he believed what God said.

D. Gen. 25:31 - Esau couldn't see the value of the birthright, so he sold it.

E. If we have faith in the millennium reign and the eternal reign, (all the promises of God) we have the same type of faith as Noah, Abraham, and Moses.

II. The object of faith - God and his promises.

A. Don't trust our means (eloquent preaching, or teaching, or getting people to church).

B. Don't trust ourselves our strength.

C. II Peter 1:4 - Trust the exceeding great and precious promises of God.

III. The ground (basis) of our faith - God's Word.

A. This is really the same thing as believing in God.

B. Believe the promises of God.

IV. The exercise of faith - dead faith does nothing -- James 2:17 - Faith without works is dead.

A. Heb. 11:8 - Abraham went, not knowing where he went.

B. Numbers 13:30 - Caleb believed God, "Let us go up at once and possess it."

C. Luke 5:5 - Peter said, "at thy word", I'll let down the net". After they had fished all night and caught nothing.

D. Acts 27:25 - Soon to be shipwrecked Paul said, "I believe God".

V. The encouragement of faith - Noah kept on building the ark, and Moses kept on leading.

A. Numbers 13:30 - Caleb was encouraged because he believed God, the others were afraid.

B. Joshua 21:43-45 - All the Word of God came to pass.

C. Mark 14:16 - The disciples found the upper room, just as Jesus said.

VI. Need of faith.

A. Matt. 17:20 - (Verse 14-21) - Some things are more difficult than others. The disciples couldn't case out the devil, but Jesus said if they had faith as a grain of mustard seed, they could.

B. Matt. 21:22 - All things ye ask believing, ye shall receive.

VII. Result of faith - Heb. 11:2.

A. Unending peace.

B. There is no limit - only limited by the Word of God.

C. Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.

VIII. The means by which Faith comes to us -- hearing.

A. Rom 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

B. Can our faith increase? YES!!!! The more we hear, and learn, of Christ and His eternal plan, the more we can have faith in that eternal plan.

1. Luke 17:5 "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith." Jesus Christ did not reprimand the apostles for asking for an increase in faith, rather He instructed them that an increase of faith leads to an increase in obedience, not in an increase in importance, or of feelings of importance.

2. 2 Th 1:3 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith growth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;"

a. It is very important to note that our faith will increase in direct proportion with the increase of our love.

b. This is not only love for God, but also love for our fellow man.

3. 2 Pet 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; {6} And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; {7} And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.