Faith
What is Faith? Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
The Exercise of Faith: Abraham s Example Genesis 12:1-3 Abram, 75 year old, told to leave his home and go to a new land. God promised to make Abram a great nation Genesis 13:14-17 God shows Abram the land that God promised to give him. Genesis 15:1-6 Abram begins to question God because he is childless. God tells him that Abram shall have an heir from his own bowels and that his seed shall be as many as the stars in heaven
The Exercise of Faith: Abraham s Example Genesis 17:1 God appeared to Abram, 99 year old, and promised him that he would multiply him exceedingly if Abram walked before God and was perfect. God changes Abram s name to Abraham can declares that he is a father of many nations. Genesis 21:1-5 Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
The Exercise of Faith: Abraham s Example Romans 4:16-25 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and called those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
The Exercise of Faith: Abraham s Example Romans 4:16-25 19 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 Sarah s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered, and was raised again for our justification.
What does it mean to have Faith? Believe Abraham s Example (See previous Slides) Work James 2:14:-17 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
How much Faith is Required? Matthew 17:14-21 14 And when the were come the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttime he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could we not cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Faith in Action üwhat are the things [you] hoped for? üwhat holds you back from striving for those things? ühow can you exercise Faith? [What works are required] üwhat do you need to continue the work and maintain your belief? üshare/testify