faith
" And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
Faith is central to our life in Christ. The writer of Hebrews says that faith toward God is one of the elementary principles of Christ. As the verse quoted above states, faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him is essential for salvation. God in His infinite wisdom has chosen to make His righteousness available only through faith in Jesus Christ. This is explained in Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Faith is not simply a system of religious beliefs or subscribed to a set of doctrines. It is not mere mental agreement with Scriptural facts or theological tenets. Faith is not just a cliche'.
Faith is believing the things God says, trusting that He will do what He's promised to, and acting upon His word. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). It is knowing with certainty that you have received from God the promises He's made even though you haven't seen them yet with the natural eye.
It is important to understand that God has given to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), and that it is now our responsibility to use our faith and cause it grow. The Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). Our faith grows as we look at God's Word and His promises to us, and act upon them.
The Bible says that through Jesus, by faith we have gained access into grace (Romans 5:2). Faith is like a doorway into grace. It is important that we have faith to enter into grace because, "those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through this one man, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17)
In this study we will learn more about faith and study four keys that cause faith to grow: hearing God's Word, speaking God's Words, praying in the Holy Spirit and acting on the Word of God.
Jesus frequently condemned little faith as well as commended great faith in His disciples and the people He ministered to in His earthly life. May we all learn to look to the Word of God, believing and acting upon it, that it may be said we are "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5).
The principles in this study can be seen in the lives of men and women throughout the Bible. One of the best places to begin learning is in the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews chapter 11.
Biblical faith is Dynamic, not Static
> God gives each person a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). However our "level of faith" is to continually grow, because "Faith ____________ from hearing.." Romans 10:17
> Paul's commendation of the Thessalonian church should encourage us. He said, "...your faith ___________________". 2 Thessalonians 1:3
> More than a belief system, faith is a lifestyle, "We ________________ by faith ..." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Four Keys to Faith:
Hearing the (Rhema) Word of God
> "Consequently, faith comes from _________________ the message, and the message is heard _________________________." Romans 10:17
> Jesus said, "It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on _____________________________________." Matthew 4:4
Speaking God's Words
> "The ________________ is near you, it is in your __________ and in your heart, that is, the word of ______________________ we are proclaiming." Romans 10:8
> God told Joshua, "Do not let this Book of the Law _____________________...." Joshua 1:8
Praying in the Holy Spirit
> Jude 20 says you are to, "build yourselves up in your most holy faith, __________________."
Acting on God's Word
> God often tests our faith by giving us little things to do before larger things. This is illustrated in Luke 5:1-11. Jesus first got into Peter's boat and asked him to __________________ (v.3). Next he asked him to ___________________________ (v.4). Finally, Jesus said Peter would now catch men. Peter ________________________ (v.11).
Jesus outlines faith
> Jesus gives an outline of the elements of faith in Mark 11:22-24. The first is to have faith in _____________ (v.22). Next is to _________________ what you believe (v.23). Then don't ____________ but __________ (v.23). The result of asking and praying in faith is that we __________________________ (v.24).
The example of Abraham's faith
Much can be learned about faith by studying Abraham's life, particularly regarding the promise of his son Isaac (Genesis 15-22). Paul gives us insight into this in Romans 4:13-22.
> Against all hope, in hope Abraham _________________ according to what God had ___________________ (v.18). He was not _______________ in faith, and didn't _______________ the promise of God through unbelief, but was _____________________ in faith (v.20). He was ____________________ that what God ________________ He was also able to perform (v.21).
Faith doesn't stand alone
> Faith works through ____________________. Galatians 5:6
> Faith must be accompanied by _________________. Hebrews 6:12
> Faith is the substance of things ________________ for. Hebrews 11:1
Back to Foundations Class
Faith is central to our life in Christ. The writer of Hebrews says that faith toward God is one of the elementary principles of Christ. As the verse quoted above states, faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him is essential for salvation. God in His infinite wisdom has chosen to make His righteousness available only through faith in Jesus Christ. This is explained in Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Faith is not simply a system of religious beliefs or subscribed to a set of doctrines. It is not mere mental agreement with Scriptural facts or theological tenets. Faith is not just a cliche'.
Faith is believing the things God says, trusting that He will do what He's promised to, and acting upon His word. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). It is knowing with certainty that you have received from God the promises He's made even though you haven't seen them yet with the natural eye.
It is important to understand that God has given to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), and that it is now our responsibility to use our faith and cause it grow. The Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). Our faith grows as we look at God's Word and His promises to us, and act upon them.
The Bible says that through Jesus, by faith we have gained access into grace (Romans 5:2). Faith is like a doorway into grace. It is important that we have faith to enter into grace because, "those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through this one man, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17)
In this study we will learn more about faith and study four keys that cause faith to grow: hearing God's Word, speaking God's Words, praying in the Holy Spirit and acting on the Word of God.
Jesus frequently condemned little faith as well as commended great faith in His disciples and the people He ministered to in His earthly life. May we all learn to look to the Word of God, believing and acting upon it, that it may be said we are "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5).
The principles in this study can be seen in the lives of men and women throughout the Bible. One of the best places to begin learning is in the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews chapter 11.
Biblical faith is Dynamic, not Static
> God gives each person a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). However our "level of faith" is to continually grow, because "Faith ____________ from hearing.." Romans 10:17
> Paul's commendation of the Thessalonian church should encourage us. He said, "...your faith ___________________". 2 Thessalonians 1:3
> More than a belief system, faith is a lifestyle, "We ________________ by faith ..." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Four Keys to Faith:
Hearing the (Rhema) Word of God
> "Consequently, faith comes from _________________ the message, and the message is heard _________________________." Romans 10:17
> Jesus said, "It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on _____________________________________." Matthew 4:4
Speaking God's Words
> "The ________________ is near you, it is in your __________ and in your heart, that is, the word of ______________________ we are proclaiming." Romans 10:8
> God told Joshua, "Do not let this Book of the Law _____________________...." Joshua 1:8
Praying in the Holy Spirit
> Jude 20 says you are to, "build yourselves up in your most holy faith, __________________."
Acting on God's Word
> God often tests our faith by giving us little things to do before larger things. This is illustrated in Luke 5:1-11. Jesus first got into Peter's boat and asked him to __________________ (v.3). Next he asked him to ___________________________ (v.4). Finally, Jesus said Peter would now catch men. Peter ________________________ (v.11).
Jesus outlines faith
> Jesus gives an outline of the elements of faith in Mark 11:22-24. The first is to have faith in _____________ (v.22). Next is to _________________ what you believe (v.23). Then don't ____________ but __________ (v.23). The result of asking and praying in faith is that we __________________________ (v.24).
The example of Abraham's faith
Much can be learned about faith by studying Abraham's life, particularly regarding the promise of his son Isaac (Genesis 15-22). Paul gives us insight into this in Romans 4:13-22.
> Against all hope, in hope Abraham _________________ according to what God had ___________________ (v.18). He was not _______________ in faith, and didn't _______________ the promise of God through unbelief, but was _____________________ in faith (v.20). He was ____________________ that what God ________________ He was also able to perform (v.21).
Faith doesn't stand alone
> Faith works through ____________________. Galatians 5:6
> Faith must be accompanied by _________________. Hebrews 6:12
> Faith is the substance of things ________________ for. Hebrews 11:1
Back to Foundations Class