Hebrews 11:1-6
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Heb 11:1
Seeing is believing, a popular quote made by a 17th century English clergy man – Thomas Fuller, actually does not hold true in the matters of faith. In fact, from the Bible, you typically need to believe before you see:
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. – Mk 11:24
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. – John 1:50
Faith is a basic ingredient in walking with God. Such that the Bible makes it clear that without it we cannot please God.
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
The God-head responds to faith:
The Centurion – 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.
Matthew 8:10
A woman of Canaan – 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. – Matt 15:28
A woman with the issue of blood – And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. – Mk 5:34
In fact, twice Jesus marveled – Matthew 8:10 – marveled at the great faith of the centurion and Mk 6 – in His own country He marveled at their unbelief
In summary, anything done without faith is sin – Rom 14:23b
1. Faith for Great Salvation
2. Faith for Godly Sanctification
3. Faith for Grave Situations
Faith for Great Salvation
The sole purpose of Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross was to save us from our sins.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21
When we come to Christ we are made new creatures as old things are passed away and all things become new – 2 Corr 5:17
We are chosen, brought into royalty, made holy and are specially preserved for His glory as He calls us out of darkness into light – 1 Peter 2:9. This is indeed great salvation and we receive it by faith.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: – Eph 2:8
That if 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. – Rom 10:9
Faith for Godly Sanctification
At our Bible Study we have been talking about what it means to walk with God and we are currently looking at walking in Holiness which interestingly is also by faith.
God called Abraham to a deeper walk of holiness but He attained this by faith.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. – Rom 4:3
Concerning the Gentile believers, which represent us, the Jewish believers were initially not sure to what extent they should benefit from the Gospel (unless they were circumcised and kept all the laws of Moses). But God who is no respecter of persons and who faithfully rewards those who seek Him, did not only forgive their sins, but purified their hearts by faith. – Acts 15:9
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. – Gal 5:6
Faith for Grave Situations
In Acts 27 we have a very Grave situation. It was a storm – maybe not unlike the storms some of you are facing right now.
Paul had been arrested, essentially for preaching the Gospel, and was arraigned before Roman administrators and Jewish leaders, but when Paul sensed he probably would not get a fair trial here as his trial was being sabotaged by the high priest so he appealed to Caeser in Rome. Paul actually warned them of the potential dangers of this voyage (that’s another story). They ignored the warning and set sail as things looked good, but shortly after, there arose a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon (a typhoon whirlwind or hurricane blowing in all directions). Acts 27:14
According to Acts 27:20-21 – It was dark v20, despair v20, dreary v21, very discouraging, with the threat of death. Inspite of this, Paul was able to manifest faith – v22-25.
Our attitude in Grave Situations:
⁃ Repent of your unbelief – help thou my unbelief – Mark 9:21-24
⁃ Remember – what has God told you? – Acts 27:25
⁃ Return to Him – take a step. Faith without works – Hebrews 11:6
When we Return we must believe that:
• He is God – Jer 32:27
• He is good – Mk 10:18
• He gave – John 3:16
• He gives – Matt 7:11, Rom 8:32
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? – Matt 7:11
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? – Rom 8:3
– Re-do – James 2:20-26