Faith

Faith

Pastor Judi Baxter

October 22, 2009

Shady Hills United Methodist Church Family Center

Senior Bible Study

Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted,

in spite of your changing moods. CS Lewis

Faith- Believe what God has said and act accordingly.

Faith is one of three things that never change. In Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

Jesus taught what we can do when we have even just a little faith in God our Father, in prayer, and our abilities because of who we are in Jesus Christ. Mark 11:22-24 (NCV) Jesus answered "Have faith in God. ²³ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea.' And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, God will do it for you.²⁴ So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you. And Paul said in Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”

We must act on what we learned on what we believe. As in James 2:18-21 (NKJV) But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

Faith is Obedience, Rest in the promises of His word, accept the word as truth and act on it.

Examples of Promises: Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

These gifts from God are not a result of selfish desires but in His plan and will for our lives. We are not going to enjoy these blessings which by the way are way better than we could imagine for ourselves but according to His will and purpose.

Promise of Salvation and eternal life

Promises in the Beatitudes: Notice the root word “attitude” there

Promises in Matthew of provision ie clothing food shelter

Promise of the living water of the well from the river that never runs dry

Rest in those promises

Romans 4:12 (KJV) And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. ¹³It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

When we trust God completely, we obey Him completely. Phil 2:12-13 God gives us initial capacity for faith it is up to us to ace.

When we are faithful with small things God increases His blessings to greater things.

In the meantime we must remain prayerful, obedient, and faithful to what we have.

Faith has saved thee. Luke 7:50 (NCV) Jesus said to the woman, "Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace."

He did not say you are saved while you stand here, He said “Go Live Do and be peaceful”

Philippians 4:4-7 ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice

Gentleness to all

Do not be anxious

In Prayer ask God for your desires with praise and thanksgiving

Invite the Holy Spirit to come in and do an inner faith check. God will reveal where improvement is needed.