Summary: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1 1. Faith is the essence of our relationship to God and the instrument by which the gift of salvation is received: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). 2. Faith is the key that releases the resources of heaven into our situation. Mark 11:12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. • The object of our faith is in God! Not in Faith • Strong’s defines this kind of faith as conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and persuasion 3. Three Different Expressions of Faith These are true of every believer A. Saving Faith This is faith that believes resulting in salvation. It causes us to be born again, to secure the promises of God for personal peace, the companionship of His daily presence, and the promise of eternal life with Him Saving faith is humble: It says, “I need the Lord”, it is honest, because it admits, “I have sinned” It makes us fully acceptable with God, because Jesus, was sacrificed on our behalf. This faith “justifies” us. Makes us right with God. B. Redeeming Faith This is faith that believes God will turn what was meant for evil for good to bring about a greater purpose. This is faith that believes God will restore what has been lost. This is faith that believes God will use your story as an instrument to help others recover! C. Triumphant Faith This is the faith spoken of in the Bible in these ways: 1) It Looks unto Jesus Hebrews 12:2 "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God". 2) It Overcomes Rev.12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 11"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. 3) It Walks by faith and not by sight 2 Cor.5:6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- 7for we walk by faith, not by sight-- 4) Sees into the Heavenly Realm Acts 14: 8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, 10 said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and began to walk.… Elisha Captures Blinded Syrians 2 Kings 6:15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha 5) Is bold in coming to God Eph.3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. 13 Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. 14 That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. Closing: Triumphant faith confronts the spirit of doubt and fear and makes a choice to clearly identify it and present it to God. Triumphant faith holds firm, looks to Jesus, and praises the Lord in the middle of whatever trial or difficulty we face.
