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Scriptures require that a person must have faith before he or she can worship, serve, and please God. But millions attend church today that do not have faith – they serve God by feelings and emotions (the flesh – Galatians 5:16 - 26), thereby endangering their spiritual desti...
Text: Hebrews 11:6
Scriptures require that a person must have faith before he or she can worship, serve, and please God. But millions attend church today that do not have faith – they serve God by feelings and emotions (the flesh – Galatians 5:16 - 26), thereby endangering their spiritual destiny.
In this light, this message has been prepared to curtail or stop this error in the lives of Christians and assist them in developing and maintaining faith in God. Due to the significance of this message, it shall be taught in series for a period of a little over one month – in service and bible studies for proper digestion and exhaustion.
The Bible employs the metaphor of life as a test.
The concept of divine testing is a recurring theme in religious discourse, particularly within the context of individuals who are considered to be followers of a higher power. These tests are believed to serve as a means of evaluating and assessing various aspects of an individual's character, including but not limited to their faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty.
The development and revelation of a character are facilitated through the process of testing. The underlying reality is that life can be viewed as an ongoing examination.
Individuals are consistently subjected to assessments. The concept of a divine being is believed to possess an omnipresent nature, always observing and monitoring an individual's reactions to various stimuli, including interactions with others, challenges, achievements, discord, ailments, letdowns, and even meteorological uses. The question I have for you today is: Can God bless you according to your faith and if so, how blessed would you be?
Job 23:8-10 (HCSB) 8 If I go East, He is not there, and if I go West, I cannot perceive Him. 9 When He is at work to the North, I cannot see Him; when He turns South, I cannot find Him. 10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
Finally, subtopics shall include but are not limited to, A Test of Patience, a Test of Love, a Test of Faith, what faith is, why we should have faith, the recipe for faith, the types or levels of faith, the difference between faith and foolishness, the danger of living without faith, and the benefits of having faith.
The trials and tribulations you go through come to test your patience. Our God has a set timing to fulfill every plan and purpose in your life. The Test of Love,
John 21:15-17 (HCSB) 15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. 16 A second time, He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd, My sheep,” He told him. 17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.
The Test of Faith; Daniel 3:16-18 (HCSB) 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17 If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18 But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Faith has to do with believing before seeing or receiving. It mainly deals with two keywords: substance and evidence. A substance is something physical one can feel and hold. Evidence is proof within your spirit and soul that the substance will leave the spiritual realm and manifest or appear in the physical realm within a period—for instance, the story of doubting Thomas – John 20:26-29.
A. Because it is a biblical requirement for a Christian to have faith.
B. Because it is impossible for a person to please God without faith. Salvation is by faith. None of us was present when Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected; we believe it by faith, because it true-Rom.10:8-10.
C. When a person does not have faith, he or she will serve God by feelings and emotions; thereby displeasing God by bearing no fruit- James 2:18, 20 & 26. It also snares or entraps one into every wind of false doctrine he or she comes in contact with – Ephesians 4:14.
D. Lack of faith will deny many church attendants or goers the opportunity of going into Abraham’s bosom after judgment day – Rev. 20:12-15.
A recipe has to do with the method of achieving or doing something. These are some basic ways a child of God can obtain faith and grow:
A. For a Christian to have faith, he or she must develop appetite for the word of God by reading the Holy Bible on a daily basis. When a person gets saved, he or she automatically receives foundational faith which needs to increase to the fullest.
B. Attend all church activities: bible study, prayer meetings, revivals, seminars, crusades, etc – Hebrews 10:25.
C. Avoid worldly associates that will cause you to backslide – Psalm 1:1-6, Eph.4:17-24.
D. Also avoid worldly places and activities that could weaken you spiritually.
E. Associate with Christians who will build you up spiritually and give you a strong spiritual foundation – Eph.4:29.
F. Develop a personal prayer lifestyle – Lk. 11:1, I Thes.5:17.
There are different levels and types of faith depending on a person’s spiritual age and experience. When a person gets saved, he or she is expected to have what is known as initial, foundational or un-rooted faith – Lk. 8:11-13. Faith grows base on a person’s walk with God and association with bible believing and spiritual filled Christians. Other types and levels of faith are:
A. Lack of faith or no faith. This is a two sided situation. One could be that a person does not have faith at all and the other side has to do with a person may have faith but, a particular event or incident could cause the person to waiver because of its intensity - Mt.13:58, Mk.4:40.
B. Little faith - is level and type of faith that doubts and waivers. People of this category can believe one minute and doubt the next moment – Mt.6:30; 8:26; 14:31.
C. Mustard seed faith is a type of faith that maybe very little, but persistent, therefore can produce constant and marvelous results at the amazement of others – Lk.17:6, Mt.17:20.
D. Good faith - this type of faith has to do with a person’s motive or intention attached his or her action – Judges 9:19.
E. Great faith is applied faith. It has to do with one exercising his faith in the face of a very difficult situation, refusing to waiver and succeeds – Mt.8:5-12; Lk. 7:2 - 9.
F. Progressive faith – is ever growing faith; one that is persistent and consistent. It does not waiver, fluctuate, or decline even in the face of tough circumstances, it increases and stands firm - Lk.18:8, Mt.24:13-14.
The difference between faith and foolishness is: faith operates on the word of God; while foolishness operates on feelings and emotions – for example, doubt of Thomas (John 20:24 – 29). Another example of foolishness could be a Christian who jumps in the middle of the street declaring that no car can hit him because he or she has trust in God. Faith acts on the word, wisdom and principles.
A. It leads to serving God with dead works.
B. It denies one of receiving the promises, blessings and protection of God – Jer.29:29.
C. It leads a person into dual worship – that is to worship and serve both God and Satan simultaneously.
D. It could deny one from going to the New Jerusalem after judgment day – Rev.22:10-15.
A. It makes one to always please God.
B. It makes one to bear fruits at all times.
C. It makes one to be a dedicated and strong Christian.
D. It qualifies one to live in the New Jerusalem after judgment day.
As we end this series on faith, each of us should strive to grow above the foundational faith we received when we got saved; and increase to progressive faith thereby pleasing God throughout our Christian life. I conclude by saying,” always have in God, and never serve God by emotion and feeling. God bless you all as your faith begins to increase from today.
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