lesson 6 - faith. "now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not...

Lesson 6 - FaithLesson 6 - Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." – Hebrews 11:1

"Faith" = Greek noun pistis;

"I have faith, trust, believe" = Greek verb pisteuo

1. Faith - Usage and Definitions


A. The word faith is used in THREE specific ways in the NT.


1) As a term for CHRISTIANITY in general



So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. – Acts 6:7



Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith – Phil. 1:25

1. Faith - Usage and Definitions 1) As a term for CHRISTIANITY in general Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. – Jude 3


2) As a description of the Christian's LIFESTYLE

1. Faith - Usage and Definitions 2) As a description of the Christian's LIFESTYLEFor in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a right-eousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." – Romans 1:17


2) As a description of the Christian's LIFESTYLE

We live by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7


3) As a CONDITION for coming into a relationship with Christ.



"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16



They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." – Acts 16:31

1. Faith - Usage and Definitions 3) As a CONDITION for coming into a relationship with Christ. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. – Romans 10:9-10

1. Faith - Usage and Definitions For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:8-10


B. Some Definitions of Faith



Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1



“Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworth-iness of God.” – John R.W. Stott



“Faith is the refusal to panic.” – D. Martin Lloyd-Jones



“I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.” – Saint Bernard of Clairvaux



“Faith is a living, daring, confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” – Martin Luther

2. Obtaining and Developing Faith


A. The WORD of God is the BASIS of our faith



How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? – Romans 10:14



Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17


B. Faith is Developed through OBEDIENCE

2. Obtaining and Developing Faith B. Faith is Developed through OBEDIENCE Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. – Romans 1:5



For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Eph. 2:10



As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. – James 2:26


“Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle; he that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works, and he that is without works is without faith.” – Charles Spurgeon

3. BLESSINGS of Faith


A. Salvation


A. Salvation

What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." – Romans 4:3

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. – Hebrews 11:8-10


B. Knowledge that we are PLEASING God

3. BLESSINGS of Faith B. Knowledge that we are PLEASING GodAnd 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


C. Power to OVERCOME

3. BLESSINGS of Faith C. Power to OVERCOMEI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20


D. Answered PRAYER


D. Answered PRAYER

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.” – Luke 17:6

3. BLESSINGS of Faith "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:22-24

“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:11-14

lesson 6 - faith. "now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not...

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