Living By Faith
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Living By Faith
Living By Faith
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
The best definition I’ve heard is that faith means “trusting all that God promises to be to us in Christ Jesus” (John Piper).
"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN"
Living By Faith
INTRODUCTION
1. An important aspect of being a Christian involves the element of
"faith"...
walk by faith
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
I Faith is Trust
I Faith is Trust
Faith means trusting.
Many people think faith means agreeing to certain truths. But saving faith means more.
We know this because James says demons agree to the truth of God (); but it’s obvious that they don’t have saving faith.
What are the demons lacking? Trust. Demons agree that God exists, but they are not trusting God. They are relying on Satan, not God, to secure a satisfying future for them.
So the question is not just — what truths do I agree with? The question is — who or what am I trusting to secure a satisfying future for me?
Illustration of Trust -
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
prov 3.
Faith means trusting all that God promises to be to us.
Since faith means trusting God, we have to ask — trust God to do what? The answer is: what God promises in His Word.
Throughout the Bible Abraham is held up as a model of true faith, and his faith focused on God´s promises ().
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.
So faith needs to focus on specific biblical promises, like God’s promise to
Forgive your sins (),
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Forgive your sins (),
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Give you wisdom ().
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
or give you wisdom ().
This is crucial, because if you try to have faith without focusing on specific promises from God’s Word, your faith will be weak or vague at best.
The Bible says the shield of faith will extinguish every flaming dart from the evil one ().
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
But since faith focuses on God’s promises, your shield will only be as big as the number of promises you know.
Why go into battle with a tiny shield?
we are to gain faith by God’s Word
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
romans
called "the faith" -
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
b. Those who obeyed the gospel have been "faithful to the Lord"
- ;
c. Christians are called referred to as "the household of faith"
-
2. Indeed, "faith" is the underlying principle of all the Christian's
conduct...
a. It is fundamental to our salvation in Christ -
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
romans
b. It is central to the life we now live in Christ - ;
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Christian...
a. Are often misunderstood
b. Are often neglected
[As we continue to examine "The Significance Of Being A Christian", we
therefore wish to emphasize that it means "Living By Faith"! What that
entails may be clearer as we first define...]
I. THE MEANING OF FAITH
A. INVOLVES THE IDEA OF BELIEF...
1. The certainty or conviction that one has in some truth or proposition
proposition
2. E.g., believing in things concerning Jesus and His kingdom -
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
-
3. Such faith, or conviction, comes from the Word of God - :
17; cf.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
B. INVOLVES THE IDEA OF CONFIDENCE...
1. The willingness to place one's trust and reliance on someone
1. The willingness to place one's trust and reliance on someone
else
2. E.g., placing our trust in God, that He is reliable - ,
20-22
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
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.
3. We are to have similar trust in God -
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
C. INVOLVES THE IDEA OF FIDELITY… loyalty faithful
1. That one is loyal, committed, and can be trusted
2. E.g., a faithful steward is one who is reliable -
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3. Our faithfulness (commitment, trustworthiness) is to last even
3. Our faithfulness (commitment, trustworthiness) is to last even
to the point of death - ,
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
[A faithful Christian, then, is one who believes in the Word of God, he
has confidence in the Person of God, and is himself loyal and
trustworthy in the service of God. Now let's take a look at what can
be said about...]
II. THE LIFE OF FAITH
A. INVOLVES CONFESSING OUR FAITH...
1. I.e., acknowledging our belief in Jesus Christ before others
2. Something we must do as a condition of salvation - ,
9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
3. Something we do throughout our lives - ,;
3. Something we do throughout our lives - ,;
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
-- The life of faith is never ashamed to admit that one believes
-- The life of faith is never ashamed to admit that one believes
in Jesus Christ
B. INVOLVES LIVING BY FAITH...
1. I.e., conducting one's life with trust in Jesus Christ - :
20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2. Trusting in the works of Jesus, not our own; that His death
was truly for our sins - ;
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
3. Trusting in the words of Jesus, and living accordingly - e.g.,
,;
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
-- The life of faith is one that seeks to live in harmony with
-- The life of faith is one that seeks to live in harmony with
the teaching of Jesus
C. INVOLVES BENEFITING BY FAITH...
1. I.e., enjoying the blessings that come from a life of faith
2. Such as joy and peace, hope and power -
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
romans
3. Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can receive such
3. Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can receive such
blessings - ; ,
-- The life of faith does not go unrewarded in this life, even
though its primary concern is the life to come
D. INVOLVES MAINTAINING OUR FAITH...
1. I.e., remaining steadfast in the faith we have in Christ
2. There is a need to stand fast, for faith can turn into
unbelief - ; ; ,
3. To maintain faith, we must add to it other things such as
virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. - ;
CONCLUSION
1. A Christian is one who should take his faith very seriously...
a. It is essential to salvation (both being saved and remaining
saved)
b. It is essential to life (to receive blessings now, and in the
life to come)
2. Are you "Living By Faith"?
a. Do you believe what has been revealed about Jesus Christ?
b. Do you have confidence in Him, that He can deliver on what He
promises?
c. Are you a trustworthy disciple of Jesus, someone He can count on
to be faithful?
Unless we can answer in the affirmative to such questions, we have yet
to appreciate that "The Significance Of Being A Christian" includes
"Living By Faith"!
The best definition I’ve heard is that faith means “trusting all that God promises to be to us in Christ Jesus” (John Piper).
There are three parts:
Faith means trusting.
Many people think faith means agreeing to certain truths. But saving faith means more.
We know this because James says demons agree to the truth of God (); but it’s obvious that they don’t have saving faith.
What are the demons lacking? Trust. Demons agree that God exists, but they are not trusting God. They are relying on Satan, not God, to secure a satisfying future for them.
So the question is not just — what truths do I agree with? The question is — who or what am I trusting to secure a satisfying future for me?
Faith means trusting all that God promises to be to us.
Since faith means trusting God, we have to ask — trust God to do what? The answer is: what God promises in His Word.
Throughout the Bible Abraham is held up as a model of true faith, and his faith focused on God´s promises ().
So faith needs to focus on specific biblical promises, like God’s promise to satisfy your heart in Christ (), forgive your sins (), or give you wisdom ().
This is crucial, because if you try to have faith without focusing on specific promises from God’s Word, your faith will be weak or vague at best.
The Bible says the shield of faith will extinguish every flaming dart from the evil one (). But since faith focuses on God’s promises, your shield will only be as big as the number of promises you know.
Why go into battle with a tiny shield?
Faith means trusting all that God promises to be to us in Christ Jesus.
We have all sinned against God and deserve punishment from Him. So if we deserve punishment, how can God fulfill His amazing promises to us?
There’s only one way — through Jesus’ death on the Cross. In astonishing love and mercy God made a way for our sins to be punished in Jesus as He died in our place on the Cross.
So the moment we turn from sin and trust Jesus as Savior, Lord, and Treasure — everything changes.
All our sins are punished in Jesus, so we no longer face punishment ().God forgives all our sins — past, present, and future ().God clothes us with Jesus’ perfect righteousness — so even though we are not perfect He sees us as having Jesus’ perfect moral goodness ().
That’s why Paul says that all of God’s promises are “yes” for us in Christ Jesus ( — the “him” in this verse is Jesus Christ).
So it makes no difference how unspiritual you feel, how far you are from God, or how badly you have sinned.
When you turn and trust Jesus you can be assured that God passionately loves you and will fulfill all His promises to you — not because of how good you are but because of what Jesus did.
So that’s the biblical definition of faith — trusting all that God promises to be to me in Christ Jesus.