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The Nature Of Faith

October 09, 2005

Faith is a particular course of life

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”(NKJ)

Faith is a walk

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight (or outward appearance).

Faith is occupied with future things

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Future things to come

Hebrews 2:5 For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection [rulership] the world [or the inhabited earth] to come, whereof we speak.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.

No approval from God without faith

Hebrews 11:6 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.

Are you in the faith?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves (present, imperative), whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Not all the saved have faith

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2 and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith (Nasb).

Faith is delivered unto the saints in the churches

Jude 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 (“the churches of the saints,” 1Cor.14:33).

By teaching

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

By the word of God

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

The things concerning the kingdom of God

Acts 8:12,14 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. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

False teaching can overthrow your faith

2 Timothy 2:17-18 And their word will eat as doth a canker [disease of gangrene]: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Faith can be rejected

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God (faith) should be spoken to you (the Jews) first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of ~~everlasting~~ life in the age to come, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

If received it effectually works in you

1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (present tense – continually believe –this is faith).

Faith without works can never save you!

James 2:14 What doth it profit (at the Judgment Seat of Christ), my brethren, though a man say he hath faith [his profession], and have not works? can faith (that he says he has) save him (from suffering loss during the kingdom age)?

Ilustrated

James 2:15-16 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 [no works of love]; what doth it profit? (nothing!)

Dead faith

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath [present, active] not works, is dead, being alone.

The future promise keeps faith alive

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Your faith will be tried

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

To die in faith

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen (understood) them afar off (there final fulfillment), and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (heirs of future things promised – concerning things to come(v.20).

Having not seen but believing

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing (present active), ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Fight the good fight of faith

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight (present imperative) the good fight of faith, lay hold on ~~eternal~~ life in the age to come, whereunto thou art also called…”

Some will stop fighting

1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Put on the breastplate of faith and love

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Faith has an end

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The salvation of your soul

1 Peter 1:7 That the ~~trial~~ approval of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: