FAITH
1. What is faith?
A. Faith is a belief in the unseen:
2 Corinthians 4:18 We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…which are eternal
2 Corinthians 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight
Hebrews 11:27 By faith he…endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible
(See also Romans 8:24)
B. Faith is a substantial & real thing:
Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance (title deed) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
2. The importance of faith:
Galatians 5:6 [Nothing] availeth any thing, (except) faith which worketh by love
A. We are saved by faith:
John 3:16 Whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should…have everlasting life
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life
Luke 7:47-50 Thy sins are forgiven. Thy faith hath saved thee
Acts 10:43b Whoever believeth in Him…receive remission of sins
Acts 16:31 Believe on…Jesus Christ, & thou shalt be saved
Romans 5:1 Being justified by faith, we have peace with God
Galatians 3:26 Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith
Ephesians 3:17a That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith
(See also 1Peter 1:9 )
B. We must live by faith:
Galatians 2:20 Life which I live, I live by the faith of (Jesus)
Hebrews 10:38a The just shall live by faith (See also Romans 1:17b )
1 John 5:4b This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith
C. We cannot please God without faith:
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)
Romans 14:23b Whatsoever is not of faith is sin
D. Faith gives us the strength to keep going:
Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living
Romans 11:20a Thou standest by faith
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 We faint not…while we look not at things which are seen, but at things which are not seen
3. The Word tells us to have faith:
A. In God & Jesus:
2 Chronicles 20:20 Believe in the Lord your God
Mark 11:22 Jesus saith unto them, Have faith in God
John 6:28,29 Believe on Him (Jesus) Whom He (God) hath sent
John 14:1 Ye believe in God, believe also in Me
1 John 3:23 His commandment, that we should believe on Jesus
(See also Acts 20:21)
B. We are also to trust the Lord day by day:
Psalms 37:5 Commit way unto the Lord; trust also in Him
Prov.3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, & whose hope the Lord is
C. Have faith in the Word, God’s promises to us:
Mark 1:15b Repent ye, & believe the gospel
2 Peter 1:19 We have a…sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed (See also 2 Peter 3:2)
(See also Acts 15:7 )
4. How to obtain faith:
A. Faith is a gift from God:
Hebrews 12:2a Jesus, the author & finisher of our faith
Romans 12:3b God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith
1 Corinthians 12:7,9a To another (is given) faith by the same Spirit
Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is…faith
Ephesians 6:23 Peace be to brethren…& love with faith, from God
B. Pray for it:
Mark 9:24 Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief
Luke 17:5 [They] said unto the Lord, Increase our faith
C. Read the Word:
Romans 10:17 Faith cometh by hearing…the Word of God
John 20:30,31 These are written that ye might believe
Acts 15:7b Hear the word of the gospel & believe
Romans 15:4b Written…that we through…Scriptures might have hope
D. The Word nourishes & builds up our faith:
Acts 20:32 The Word of His grace, which is able to build you up
1 Timothy 4:6b Thou shalt be…nourished up in the words of faith
E. Read the Word in a receptive, believing spirit:
Luke 8:15 They…which in an honest & good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, & bring forth fruit
Hebrews 4:2 The Word…did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it
Hebrews 11:13 [Past saints died in faith believing & embracing the promises of the Word]
F. Listen to testimonies of faith:
2 Kings 5:1-5 [The Hebrew maid’s witness inspires Naaman’s faith]
John 4:28-30,39 Many of the Samaritans…believed on Him (Jesus) for the saying of the woman, which testified
John 17:20 Them which believe on Me through their word
(See also 2 Peter 1:16,19 )
G. Miracles glorify God’s power & often inspire faith:
Acts 3:1-13,16; 4:4 [After the lame man was miraculously healed], many of them which heard the Word believed…5,000 men
Acts 8:5,6,14 [Samaritans believed Philip & received the Word] seeing the miracles which he did
Acts 9:36-42 Many believed in the Lord [when Peter raised the dead]
(See also 1 Kings 18:30-39; 2 Kings 5:9-17.)
H. Faith grows:
2Thessalonians 1:3 We thank God for you…your faith groweth exceedingly
I. Becoming strengthened & steadfast in the faith:
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, & exhorting them to continue in the faith
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith…be strong
Colossians 1:23a Continue in the faith, grounded & settled, & be not moved away from the hope of the gospel
Colossians 2:6,7 Rooted & built up in Him, stablished in the faith
J. We should have faith when we pray:
Matthew 21:21,22 Have faith, & doubt not…whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Mark 11:24 What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them
Romans 4:21 Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near…in full assurance of faith
James 1:5,6 Ask of God…ask in faith, nothing wavering
5. The rewards (blessings or fruits) of faith:
Hebrews 11:6 He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him
A. Access to God:
Romans 5:2 We have access by faith into this grace
Ephesians 3:11,12 We have access…by the faith of Him
B. God’s love:
Psalms 32:10 He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him
John 16:27 The Father loveth you, because ye…have believed
C. Righteousness & purity:
Genesis 15:6 He (Abraham) believed in the Lord; & He counted it to him for righteousness (See also Romans 4:1-5)
Acts 15:9 Purifying their hearts by faith
Romans 4:8,9 Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness
Romans 9:30b The righteousness which is of faith
Philippians 3:9 That which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith
D. The Holy Spirit:
John 7:38,39 He that believeth on Me (Jesus)…out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water…the Spirit
Galatians 3:14 We…receive the promise of the Spirit through faith
E. Protection against the devil’s attacks & lies:
Ephesians 6:16 Shield of faith…quench all the fiery darts [doubts]1 Thessalonians 5:8 Putting on the breastplate of faith & love
F. Rewards in Heaven:
John 14:1-3 Believe in Me…I go to prepare a (mansion) for you
Hebrews 11:13,16 These all died in faith…He (God) hath prepared for them a city
G. Conviction to witness our faith:
2 Corinthians 4:13 Having spirit of faith…we believe, & therefore speak
H. Spiritual strength:
Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see
Psalms 31:24 He shall strengthen your heart, ye that hope in Lord
Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the Lord…for in the Lord is… strength
Isaiah 30:15b In confidence (faith) shall be your strength
1 John 5:4b This is the victory that overcometh the world…faith
I. Stability:
2 Chronicles 20:20b Believe in the Lord…so shall ye be established
Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the Lord…cannot be removed
J. Joy:
Psalms 33:21 Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name
Psalms 146:5 Happy is he…whose hope is in the Lord his God
Proverbs 16:20b Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he
Acts 16:34 He…rejoiced, believing in God
1Peter 1:8 Ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy
K. Understanding:
Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God
L. Protection:
Psalms 5:11 [They] put their trust in Thee…Thou defendest them
Psalms 115:1 Trust in the Lord: He is their help & their shield
Proverbs 29:25 Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe
Proverbs 30:5 (God) is a shield unto them that put trust in Him
Jeremiah 39:17,18 I will surely deliver thee…because thou hast put thy trust in Me
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not (See Proverbs 2:1-22; 6:17,22-25.)
M. Provision:
Psalms 33:18,19 Them that hope in His mercy…keep alive in famine
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the Lord…so shalt thou dwell in the land, & verily thou shalt be fed
Jeremiah 17:7,8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord…he shall not (worry) in drought, [nor] cease from yielding fruit
Malachai 3:10 Prove Me herewith, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, & pour you out a blessing
N. Healing:
Psalms 42:11 Hope thou in God…Who is the health of my countenance
Mark 5:25-29,34 If I…touch His (Jesus’) clothes, I shall be whole. [Jesus said:] Thy faith hath made thee whole
Mark 10:51,52 Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole
Luke 8:49,50 Fear not: believe only, & she shall be made whole
James 5:14,15 Prayer of faith shall save the sick…Lord shall raise him
O. Desires of your heart:
Psalms 37:4,5 Trust in Lord…& He shall give desires of thine heart
P. Resurrection from the dead:
Job 19:25-27 [Job declared that though his flesh was utterly consumed & destroyed, he would have a new body]
John 11:25,26 He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (See also 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 )
6. Trusting in the Lord’s promises:
A. You trust in God’s promises because you trust Him:
Matthew 8:5-10 The centurion said, Lord…speak the word only
Luke 5:4,5 We have toiled all the night, & taken nothing: Nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net
2 Timothy 1:12b I know Whom I believed, & am persuaded He is able
Hebrews 10:23 Hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised
Hebrews 11:11b [Childless Sara] judged Him faithful Who had promised
(See also 2 Chronicles 6:14,15)
B. You trust He is able to fulfill His promises:
Romans 4:20-24 Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform
2 Corinthians 1:20 All the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are yea, & Amen
Ephesians 3:20 He is able to do exceeding…above all that we ask
C. God is able to do anything:
Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord…is there anything too hard for Me?
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! There is nothing too hard for Thee
Matthew 19:26 With God all things are possible
Luke 1:37 With God nothing shall be impossible
Romans 4:17 God…calleth those things which be not as though they were
D. You trust Him because He has not failed in the past:
1 Kings 8:56 There hath not failed one word of His good promise
(See also 2 Chronicles 6:15)
E. You know He will not go back on His Word:
Numbers 23:19 Hath He said, & shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, & shall He not make it good?
Psalms 119:49 Remember the Word…upon which Thou hath caused me to hope
Hebrews 6:18a It (is) impossible for God to lie
7. Faith vs. natural reasoning:
1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord seeth not as man seeth; man looketh on the outward appearance…Lord looketh on the heart
Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than…in man
Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in Lord; & lean not unto thine own understanding
Isaiah 11:3 He shall not judge (according to) the sight of his eyes
Isaiah 55:8,9 Neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord
Jeremiah 17:5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man [& not in God]
John 20:29b Blessed are they that have not seen, & yet…believed
1 Corinthians 1:21 The world by wisdom knew not God
1 Corinthians 2:5 Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God
1 Corinthians 2:14a The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight
8. The power of faith:
A. Genuine believing faith has tremendous power:
Mark 9:23 If thou canst believe, all things are possible
Luke 7:50 Thy faith hath saved thee [woman who touched His hem]
Luke 18:42 Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee
John 14:12 He that believeth on Me…greater works…shall he do
Acts 6:8 Stephen, full of faith…did great wonders & miracles
James 5:15 The prayer of faith shall save the sick
B. “Faith as a grain of mustard seed”:
Matthew 17:20b Say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place
Matthew 21:21,22 Ye shall not only do this which is done to fig tree
Mark 11:22,23 Have faith in God…say unto mountain, Be removed
Luke 17:6 Say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up
C. Faith trusts God to do outright miracles:
Numbers 13:26-30 [Caleb had faith to conquer the promised land]
Proverbs 14:6,12 [Caleb had the faith to drive out the giants]
1 Samuel 17:37 [David said:] The Lord will deliver me (from Goliath)
Luke 18:27 Things…impossible with men are possible with God
Hebrews 11:11 Through faith, Sarah received strength to conceive…when she was past age
Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
Hebrews 11:33-35 Through faith…stopped the mouths of lions…women received their dead raised to life again [etc]
D. Answer to prayer depends on our faith; the Lord can do anything, but we need to believe:
Matthew 9:27-30 Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said, Yea. [Jesus said:] According to your faith be it unto you
Matthew 8:13 As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee
Matthew 17:19,20 Why could not we cast him out? Because of unbelief
Matthew 21:21,22 If ye have faith, & doubt not…ye shall receive
E. Believing, expectant faith will be rewarded:
Matthew 15:28 Great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt
Mark 5:22,23 [Jairus said:] Come…that she may be healed. [And she was–See vs. 35,36,41,42]
Mark 9:23 All things are possible to him that believeth
Mark 11:23 Whosoever…shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe…he shall have whatsoever he saith
Luke 1:45 Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her
John 11:40 If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God
F. Persevering faith:
Matthew 15:22-28 A woman…cried to Him, Have mercy on me…He answered not a word [She continued insisting until He did]
Mark 10:46-52 [Blind Bartimaeus continued crying out to Jesus until Jesus granted his request for healing]
G. Faith & patience:
Romans 8:25 If we hope (have faith) for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it
Hebrews 6:12b Who through faith & patience inherit the promises
Hebrews 6:15 After he patiently endured, he obtained the promise
Hebrews 10:35,36 Cast not away your confidence (faith)…After ye have done the will of God…receive the promise
James 1:3 The trying of your faith worketh patience
9. The testing of our faith:
1Peter 1:6,7 Trial of your faith…more precious than gold
Job 23:10 When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold
A. God tests our faith:
Genesis 22:1-18 [God tested Abraham to see if he was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice] (See also Hebrews 11:17-19 )
Proverbs 6:2-5 [He had Israelites merely walk around walls of Jericho]
Judges 7:2-7 [He had Gideon drastically reduce the size of his army]
John 11:23,39-40 Take ye away the stone. Lord, by this time he stinketh
Acts 5:17-20 [Just released from prison, the apostles are commanded to go preach publicly again]
(See also Deuteronomy 8:2)
B. He allows the devil & wicked men to test saints’ faith:
Daniel 3:14-27 [Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego:] God…will deliver us…but if not…we will not serve thy gods
Matthew 4:1-11 [The devil tempted Jesus :] If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down
Hebrews 11:35-38 [Saints were] stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain
10. If you have true faith:
A. You will continue to trust God, even when things look hopeless:
Job 13:15 [Job, having lost his wealth, family & health, said:] Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him
Daniel 3:16-18 Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace…& out of thine hand, O king
Matthew 8:24,26 There arose a great tempest…the ship was covered with waves, [but Jesus chided His disciples for fearing]
John 11:21,22 [Four days after Lazarus died, Mary said:] I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask…God will give it
Acts 27:18-25 All hope…was taken away. (But Paul said:) I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me
Acts 28:3-6 [Paul calmly shook off a poisonous snake that had just bitten him]
Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he (Abraham) might [receive the promise]
Romans 4:20 He staggered not at promise of God through unbelief
(See also 2 Chronicles 32:7,8;Isaiah 26:3; Jonah 2:1-9; Acts 9:36-38.)
B. You will not be shaken or alarmed at bad news:
Psalms 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed (established), trusting in the Lord
C. You will not fret or run around anxiously:
Isaiah 28:16b He that believeth shall not make haste
Proverbs 19:2b He that hasteth with his feet sinneth
D. If you trust, you will obey & put your faith into action.–Your deeds & words will show your faith:
Psalms 116:10 I believed, therefore have I spoken
Matthew 8:5-8,13 [The centurion believed Jesus’ word, returned home] & his servant was healed in the selfsame hour
Matthew 12:10a,13 [Jesus tells man with withered hand:] stretch forth thine hand. And he (did); & it was restored whole
Mark 7:25-30 [Syrophenician woman believed Jesus, went to her home & found her daughter well]
Luke 17:11-19 [Ten lepers:] As they went, they were cleansed (healed)
John 4:46-53 Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word…& he went his way
John 11:39-41 Take ye away the stone. They took away the stone [& Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead]
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, moved…prepared an ark
James 2:21-26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also
(See also Proverbs 6:1-16,20; Judges 7:7,16-22; 1 Kings 17:9-16; 2 Kings 3:9-11,16-20; 4:1-6;Hebrews 11:8,17,23.)
E. Declarations of faith, followed by victorious action:
1 Samuel 14:6-16 There is no restraint to Lord to save by many or few
1 Samuel 17:32-50 The Lord…will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine
Judges 7:15-22 Arise; for Lord hath delivered [them] into your hand
11. Lack of faith:
A. Warnings not to doubt or lose faith:
Matthew 14:31 O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
John 20:27 Be not faithless, but believing
Luke 12:29,30 Neither be ye of doubtful mind
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed…lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God
Hebrews 4:11 Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence (faith)
B. The consequences of not having faith:
Deuteronomy 32:20 I will hide My face from…children in whom is no faith
Isaiah 7:9b If ye will not believe, ye shall not be established
Matthew 13:58 Did not many mighty works because of their unbelief
John 3:36b He that believeth not the Son shall not see life
Romans 14:23b For whatsoever is not of faith is sin
1 Timothy 1:19 Faith…which some having put away, made shipwreck
Hebrews 3:18,19 They should not enter in [& receive God’s promises] because of unbelief
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)
James 1:6,7 Ask in faith, nothing wavering…he that wavereth…shall receive (nothing) of the Lord
Jude 5 The Lord…destroyed them that believed not
C. Weak or doubting faith seeks miracles & signs:
Matthew 16:1,4 A wicked…generation seeketh after a sign
John 20:24-29 Jesus saith, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed
1 Corinthians 1:22a The Jews require a sign
D. Faith or doubt?–To do or not to do:
Matthew 9:29 According to your faith be it unto you
Romans 14:5b Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth
Romans 14:23 He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: Whatsoever is not of faith is sin
Special chapter:
Hebrews 11 “The Faith Chapter” or “Faith’s Hall of Fame”
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