Faith
Heb: 529 Trust
530 Firmness, security
Gk: 3640 Confidence in Christ
4102 Persuasion, conviction of truth, or the truthfulness of God.
Reliance upon Christ, assurance, belief, rely by inward certainty.
A belief in or confident attitude toward God, involving commitment to His will for one’s
life. According to Hebrews 11, faith was already present in the experience of many
people in the Old Testament as a key element of their spiritual lives. Faith is part of the
Christian life from beginning to end., as the instrument by which the gift of salvation is
received (Eph. 2:8-9). Faith is thus distinct from the basis of salvation, which is grace,
and from the outworking of salvation, which is good works. The apostle Paul declared
that salvation is through faith, not through keeping the law (Gal 2:16). In the Bible, true
faith is confidence in God or Christ, not in oneself.
Faith comes by hearing: (Rom. 10:17) you hear it, you believe it, and then you act on
it. (speak it) the Bible says “I believe therefore I speak, we also believe then speak.”
Faith can be seen: (Matt 9:1-2). Jesus told many, “your faith have made you whole”
(Matt 9:22,29, Mark 5:34,10:52)
Faith can grow: faith has to be planted (Matt 17:20) the disciples asked Jesus to
increase their faith (Luke 17:5-6).
Jesus addresses no faith – Mark 4:40
Little faith – Matt 6:30,8:26, 14:31, 16:8
Great faith – Matt 8:10, 15:28
Trust the word at face value. Jude 20 says “beloved, building up yourself on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
Faith can be contaminated: Jesus told Jairus “believe only” (Luke 8:49-50). In Matt 21:
21 and Mark 11:22-24 “if you believe in your heart and do not doubt”. James tells us
that when we add doubt, we become double minded (James 1:5-8}. Contaminated faith
does not work.
Genuine saving faith: is a personal attachment to Christ, best thought of a combination
of two ideas – reliance on Christ and commitment to Him. Saving faith involves
personally depending on the finished work of Christ’s sacrifice as the only basis for
forgiveness of sin and entrance into heaven. But saving faith is also a personal
commitment of one’s life to following
Christ in obedience to His commands.
We are told “to walk by faith and not by sight”. Heb 11:6 tells us “without faith it is
impossible to please God.” As we study Hebrew chapter 11 we can learn how these
people showed their faith. By faith, Noah built a boat even though, it had never rained
before. By faith, Abraham when he was called to go out, went. By faith, He also when
he was told to sacrifice Isaac, took him to the place where God told him to and laid him
down to kill him, believing God was able to raise him up. By faith, Joseph, when he
died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment
concerning his bones. By faith, Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea on dry
land, which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho
fell down. By faith Rahab hid the Israelite spies, and saved her whole family. James
says “faith without works is dead.” Faith is invisible, however, your works shows your
faith.
F fantastic
A adventure
I in
T trusting
H him
Faith – acting on what you believe. Faith is always present tense. Faith – the word of
God in your heart coming out of your mouth. Trusting the known will of God.