BASICS OF FAITH

Basics Of Faith Series 

Introduction

What Is Faith?

1. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something (Dictionary).
2. Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof (Dictionary).
3. True Saving Faith is Trusting in Jesus Christ Alone for our eternal life – Acts 16:31 (Evangelism Explosion).

“So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household”

 Faith is a journey, it is our life style. To get anything done in the Kingdom of God, we need to have faith in the word of God and also believe that it will work for us according to the will of our Father in Heaven. Romans 1:17

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

We shall look at Five Basic Keys Of Faith.

Hebrew 11:1-40

1. Faith Is Trusting in God Not Our Own Strength and Abilities– Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall ^[a]direct your paths.

• Faith is transferring our trust from money, possessions, human effort and ourselves onto God.
• It is using God`s understanding and instructions above human set norms.
• Our faith is seen in our obedience to God`s instructions and authority without engaging reasoning.

John 2:2

⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

• It is acknowledging the power of God as supreme authority above our way.
• Faith is seeking God for direction in life and everything we do.

2. Faith is Our Assurance, Hope and Confidence of Things Not SeenHebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the ^[a]substance of things hoped for, the ^[b]evidence of things not seen.”

• Faith is the substance of things you believe God for. If you are believing God for a job, we shall see your desire by your faith.
• Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Others have not seen what you are believing God for. You are the only one who has seen your expectations. Faith will make our expectations become evident for everyone to see.
• Before we can handle our miracles, faith must be in place. Faith is the vehicle that delivers our expectations.

3. Faith Gives Us Understanding Of Who God Is and His Abilities– Hebrews 11:3.

“By faith we understand that the ^[a]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

• Science cannot explain how God made the universe by his word only but Faith explains to us.
• The things we see, were not made from the visible. In short faith created what we see now. It also means that whatever, we cannot see, can be created by the word of God we boldly speak in faith.

4. Faith Commends Us Righteous Before God

Hebrews 11:4

“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.”

• Abel obtained a good report as righteous before God. God testified of his gift even though he was dead.
• Faith will speak for you even when your absence.
• Without faith, we cannot walk a life of righteousness. If we lack faith, we cannot receive salvation.

Ephesians 2:8

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

• We cannot access salvation by grace from God if the link of Faith is missing.
• Faith delivers our salvation and declares us righteous before God.

5. Faith Makes Us To Please GodHebrews 11:5-6

“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 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.”

• Faith makes us to receive eternal life. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we shall have eternal life.
• Faith in God gives us a good report and testimony before God and men.
• We can only please God when our Faith is in place in our lives. When Faith is missing, we automatically, disconnect and distance ourselves from God.
• Faith will make us to diligently seek God and he will reward us for trusting in him.

What Happens When We Start Walking By Faith?

1. By Faith We Are Transformed –

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”

We become transformed by Faith if we are in Christ Jesus.  We are transformed into a new creation, the old has gone. By Faith we start experiencing the divine nature of God in our lives. Sickness, poverty, lack and want, delays, confusion etc. are in the old nature. In our new creation we are not allowed to suffer again because Jesus paid the full price. By Faith in God`s word, let us take steps to actualize our real status in Christ Jesus.

1. Faith Gives Us Strength To Push On in Life – Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through ^[a]Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul drew his strength to do exploits in ministry from his strong faith in God`s grace. Faith and a consistent walk drew his strength from the Lord Jesus Christ with the Lord.

1. Faith Brings Stability in Our Lives – Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Faith brings Stability in the heat of trials, tribulations and challenging times. By Faith we shall access God`s protection, provisions and intervention. We cannot receive or please God outside beyond our level of faith.

23. Faith Makes All Things Possible – Mark 9:23.

“Jesus said to him, “If^[a] you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

God makes all things possible to us if we only we believe. This means that our faith is our access to divine intervention. Our faith is the only thing that will limit God to perform. Where our faith ends, that is where God will perform.

2 Kings 4:6

 “Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel. ”And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased.”

May our faith in God receive divine strength in Jesus name.

Prayers

1. Father I ask for grace to fully trusts in you and lean on your understanding in Jesus name.
2. Father by faith we speak to every mountain be still in Jesus name.
3. Father by Faith we begin to walk in the reality of our new creation in Jesus name.
4. Father we thank you for answering all our prayers in Jesus name.