Biblical Faith
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
What is Faith?
What is Faith?
Is faith a source of power, a force, that we use to obtain?
Is it just another word for religion? (as in people of different faiths)
Is it something that is in us, or us trusting in something in God?
Is it mind over matter?
Is it activated by our will? Does it work by the force of our believing it?
Is it affected by our words? the words of others?
Are there conditions which can increase faith, or decrease faith?
Are there circumstances that can work against faith, or negate it?
Does everyone have faith?
are there different kinds of faith?
Is all faith equal?
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Whatever we determine faith to be it is necessary that we have it
We cannot please God without Faith
We cannot be saved without faith
We cannot enter heaven without faith
Biblical faith
Dictionary definition of Faith:
Webster: Faith:
plural faiths \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāṯẖz\ [Middle English feith, from Anglo-French feid, fei, from Latin fides; akin to Latin fidere to trust—more at BIDE] 13th century
1faith \ˈfāth\ noun
plural faiths \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāṯẖz\ [Middle English feith, from Anglo-French feid, fei, from Latin fides; akin to Latin fidere to trust—more at BIDE] 13th century
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person: LOYALTY
b (1): fidelity to one’s promises
(2): sincerity of intentions
2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God
(2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof
(2): complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction especially: a system of religious beliefs 〈the Protestant faith〉 synonym see BELIEF—on faith: without question 〈took everything he said on faith〉
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person: LOYALTY
b (1): fidelity to one’s promises
(2): sincerity of intentions
2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God
(2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof
(2): complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction especially: a system of religious beliefs
Webster College dictionary: "unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence
This is the definition we will use to contrast with our illustration of “Biblical Faith”
Biblical Faith
Biblical Faith
For the purpose of this message I will focus on biblical faith
That is, the faith that is described in the bible, and what is meant by the bible in referring to it.
We will not regard faith as synonymous with “religion” or a set of religious beliefs
we also will not consider the application of the word as “allegiance or sincerity of intention”
Instead we will be considering “Biblical faith” with the goal of understanding and then imitating the type of faith that Jesus spoke of to His disciples.
Faith = Pistis
Faith = Pistis
Every place in the New testament where the word faith appears, it is translated from a form of the Greek word pistis
298 occurrences
So, to fully grasp Biblical faith, it may help to look at this word
4102. πίστις pistis, pis´-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstr. constancy in such profession; by extens. the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
So, the word as used in the new testament means “to be persuaded” or to have a conviction of the truth as declared by God in His Word.
In this sense, faith is not a force in itself - like psychic power
Yet, we will see that when this persuasion is effectively present, it may result in the release of great power
This activation of power through faith may become so effectual that it would seem to be a force in itself
This conviction that God is in you - His Word, His power effective in you
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Does everyone have faith?
Are there different kinds of faith?
Are there hindrances to faith?
Can we get more faith?
How is Faith activated?
What is the purpose of faith?
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Every person therefore has been given at least some faith
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
Here we are instructed to have faith -
Or reminded that we have faith
Jesus spoke of people having:
Great faith (, Centurion, , woman with daughter possessed)
little faith (Mat. c6 concerning worry, , to disciples about storm (why are you fearful, , why did you doubt - Peter walking on water,)
no faith ( - at sea)
weak faith
and of being faithless ( - concerning possessed boy - all 3 gospels)
asked the disciples “where is your faith - ( - at sea)
In many instances JESUS told people that “Their faith” had accomplished their miracles
The Woman with the issue of blood
The demon possessed boy’s father - if you can believe
Jairus - Believe only
The Centurion whose servant was sick
and others -
29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”
In Acts Paul perceived that a man had faith enough to be healed
In Acts Paul perceived that a man had faith enough to be healed
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
This is very significant because it implies that at least sometimes, the faith of the recipient is a limiting factor
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
When the disciples said Lord increase our faith, Jesus did not lay hands on them and speak in tongues
He spoke Words to them (Words are very important) to increase their level of persuasion -
the power is already within you - you must be persuaded of this in order to activate it
God is in You if you are a Christian
If God is in you - Then the power to do miracles is also in you
All of the gifts of the Spirit work by faith -
That is, these gifts work when you are fully persuaded
Now Faith Is - - -
Now Faith Is - - -
The Bible begins to describe faith in Hebrew chapter 11
Here we are given a defining statement about faith
followed by over 20 examples of people who had faith and what they did through faith
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Although this is often quoted as a definition, it is more of a description of faiths importance and power than an actual definition of the word
The we are given more than 20 examples also intended to be descriptive of what faith looks like:
· 4 By faith Abel
· By faith Enoch
· By faith Noah
· By faith Abraham
· By faith Sarah
· By faith Isaac
· By faith Joseph,
· By faith Moses,.
· By faith the harlot Rahab
Here we see example of faith
Here we see example of faith
Faith does
While some people want to describe faith as an invisible psychic power like force, that happens as if through the power of our will -
Here it is described as something that results in actions on the part of these believers
These actions were done “by faith”
These actions resulted in many miracles that could not have been done by works
heb11.4
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
heb11.
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
By faith Moses forsook the present riches - looking to God for his reward
too many people are willing rather to forsake God’s invitation to follow Him, looking to men for their rewards (first and hoping for God’s later) - For example:
Faith is not Works
Faith is not Works
Yet Faith always results in Works
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Biblical faith is believing God and God’s Word so much that you will act upon it
That you will act like Moses, Like Abraham, Like Jesus, when called upon.
Trusting Him
Taking up your cross
Being persuaded
Faith is not simply believing in sacrifice or risk
Faith is not simply believing in sacrifice or risk
It is believing for the “God’s will” outcome so much that you are not moved by sacrifice or risk
It is believing God so much that you know He will act, according to His will
It is Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego faith
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
When you have this kind of faith miracles happen
With this kind of faith, your spiritual gifts are activated within you.
With this kind of faith, your faith will grow continually.
Forsaking
All
I
A-
Trust
Him