FAITH

1. What is faith?

A. Faith is a belief in the unseen:

*2Cor.4:18*We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen...which are eternal

*2Cor.5:7*We walk by faith, not by sight

*Heb.11:27*By faith he...endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible

*(See also  Rom.8:24 )

B. Faith is a substantial & real thing:

*Heb.11:1*Faith is the substance (title deed) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

2. The importance of faith:

*Gal.5:6*[Nothing] availeth any thing, (except) faith which worketh by love

A. We are saved by faith:

*Jn.3:16*Whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should...have everlasting life

*Jn.3:36*He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life

*Lk.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

*Rom.5:1*Being justified by faith, we have peace with God

*Gal.3:26*Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus

*Eph.2:8,9*For by grace are ye saved through faith

*Eph.3:17a*That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith

*(See also  1Pet.1:9 )

B. We must live by faith:

*Gal.2:20*Life which I live, I live by the faith of (Jesus)

*Heb.10:38a*The just shall live by faith (See also  Rom.1:17b )

*1Jn.5:4b*This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith

C. We cannot please God without faith:

*Heb.11:6*Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)

*Rom.14:23b*Whatsoever is not of faith is sin

D. Faith gives us the strength to keep going:

*Psa.27:13*I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living

*Rom.11:20a*Thou standest by faith

*2Cor.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:

*2Chr.20:20*Believe in the Lord your God

*Mk.11:22*Jesus saith unto them, Have faith in God

*Jn.6:28,29*Believe on Him (Jesus) Whom He (God) hath sent

*Jn.14:1*Ye believe in God, believe also in Me

*1Jn.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:

*Psa.37:5*Commit way unto the Lord; trust also in Him

*Prov.3:5,6*Trust in the Lord with all thine heart

*Jer.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:

*Mk.1:15b*Repent ye, & believe the gospel

*2Pet.1:19*We have a...sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed (See also  2Pet.3:2 )

*(See also  Acts 15:7 )

4. How to obtain faith:

A. Faith is a gift from God:

*Heb.12:2a*Jesus, the author & finisher of our faith

*Rom.12:3b*God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith

*1Cor.12:7,9a*To another (is given) faith by the same Spirit

*Gal.5:22*The fruit of the Spirit is...faith

*Eph.6:23*Peace be to brethren...& love with faith, from God

B. Pray for it:

*Mk.9:24*Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief

*Lk.17:5*[They] said unto the Lord, Increase our faith

C. Read the Word:

*Rom.10:17*Faith cometh by hearing...the Word of God

*Jn.20:30,31*These are written that ye might believe

*Acts 15:7b*Hear the word of the gospel & believe

*Rom.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

*1Tim.4:6b*Thou shalt be...nourished up in the words of faith

E. Read the Word in a receptive, believing spirit:

*Lk.8:15*They...which in an honest & good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, & bring forth fruit

*Heb.4:2*The Word...did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it

*Heb.11:13*[Past saints died in faith believing & embracing the promises of the Word]

F. Listen to testimonies of faith:

*2Ki.5:1-5*[The Hebrew maid's witness inspires Naaman's faith]

*Jn.4:28-30,39*Many of the Samaritans...believed on Him (Jesus) for the saying of the woman, which testified

*Jn.17:20*Them which believe on Me through their word

*(See also  2Pet.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  1Ki.18:30-39 ;  2Ki.5:9-17 .)

H. Faith grows:

*2Thes.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

*1Cor.16:13*Watch ye, stand fast in the faith...be strong

*Col.1:23a*Continue in the faith, grounded & settled, & be not moved away from the hope of the gospel

*Col.2:6,7*Rooted & built up in Him, stablished in the faith

J. We should have faith when we pray:

*Mat.21:21,22*Have faith, & doubt not...whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive

*Mk.11:24*What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them

*Rom.4:21*Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform

*Heb.10:22*Let us draw near...in full assurance of faith

*Jam.1:5,6*Ask of God...ask in faith, nothing wavering

5. The rewards (blessings or fruits) of faith:

*Heb.11:6*He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him

A. Access to God:

*Rom.5:2*We have access by faith into this grace

*Eph.3:11,12*We have access...by the faith of Him

B. God's love:

*Psa.32:10*He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him

*Jn.16:27*The Father loveth you, because ye...have believed

C. Righteousness & purity:

*Gen.15:6*He (Abraham) believed in the Lord; & He counted it to him for righteousness (See also  Rom.4:1-5 )

*Acts 15:9*Purifying their hearts by faith

*Rom.4:8,9*Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness

*Rom.9:30b*The righteousness which is of faith

*Phi.3:9*That which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

D. The Holy Spirit:

*Jn.7:38,39*He that believeth on Me (Jesus)...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water...the Spirit

*Gal.3:14*We...receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

E. Protection against the devil's attacks & lies:

*Eph.6:16*Shield of faith...quench all the fiery darts [doubts]  1Thes.5:8  Putting on the breastplate of faith & love

F. Rewards in Heaven:

*Jn.14:1-3*Believe in Me...I go to prepare a (mansion) for you

*Heb.11:13,16*These all died in faith...He (God) hath prepared for them a city

G. Conviction to witness our faith:

*2Cor.4:13*Having spirit of faith...we believe, & therefore speak

H. Spiritual strength:

*Psa.27:13*I had fainted, unless I had believed to see

*Psa.31:24*He shall strengthen your heart, ye that hope in Lord

*Isa.26:4*Trust ye in the Lord...for in the Lord is... strength

*Isa.30:15b*In confidence (faith) shall be your strength

*1Jn.5:4b*This is the victory that overcometh the world...faith

I. Stability:

*2Chr.20:20b*Believe in the Lord...so shall ye be established

*Psa.125:1*They that trust in the Lord...cannot be removed

J. Joy:

*Psa.33:21*Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name

*Psa.146:5*Happy is he...whose hope is in the Lord his God

*Pro.16:20b*Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he

*Acts 16:34*He...rejoiced, believing in God

*1Pet.1:8*Ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy

K. Understanding:

*Heb.11:3*Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God

L. Protection:

*Psa.5:11*[They] put their trust in Thee...Thou defendest them

*Psa.115:1*Trust in the Lord: He is their help & their shield

*Pro.29:25*Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe

*Pro.30:5*(God) is a shield unto them that put trust in Him

*Jer.39:17,18*I will surely deliver thee...because thou hast put thy trust in Me

*Heb.11:31*By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not (See  Josh.2:1-22 ;  6:17,22-25 .)

M. Provision:

*Psa.33:18,19*Them that hope in His mercy...keep alive in famine

*Psa.37:3*Trust in the Lord...so shalt thou dwell in the land, & verily thou shalt be fed

*Jer.17:7,8*Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord...he shall not (worry) in drought, [nor] cease from yielding fruit

*Mal.3:10*Prove Me herewith, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, & pour you out a blessing

N. Healing:

*Psa.42:11*Hope thou in God...Who is the health of my countenance

*Mk.5:25-29,34*If I...touch His (Jesus') clothes, I shall be whole. [Jesus said:] Thy faith hath made thee whole

*Mk.10:51,52*Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole

*Lk.8:49,50*Fear not: believe only, & she shall be made whole

*Jam.5:14,15*Prayer of faith shall save the sick...Lord shall raise him

O. Desires of your heart:

*Psa.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]

*Jn.11:25,26*He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (See also  1Cor.15:12-20 )

6. Trusting in the Lord's promises:

A. You trust in God's promises because you trust Him:

*Mat.8:5-10*The centurion said, Lord...speak the word only

*Lk.5:4,5*We have toiled all the night, & taken nothing: Nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net

*2Tim.1:12b*I know Whom I believed, & am persuaded He is able

*Heb.10:23*Hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised

*Heb.11:11b*[Childless Sara] judged Him faithful Who had promised

*(See also  2Chr.6:14,15 )

B. You trust He is able to fulfil His promises:

*Rom.4:20-24*Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform

*2Cor.1:20*All the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are yea, & Amen

*Eph.3:20*He is able to do exceeding...above all that we ask

C. God is able to do anything:

*Jer.32:27*I am the Lord...is there anything too hard for Me?

*Jer.32:17*Ah Lord God! There is nothing too hard for Thee

*Mat.19:26*With God all things are possible

*Lk.1:37*With God nothing shall be impossible

*Rom.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:

*1Ki.8:56*There hath not failed one word of His good promise

*(See also  2Chr.6:15 )

E. You know He will not go back on His Word:

*Num.23:19*Hath He said, & shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, & shall He not make it good?

*Psa.119:49*Remember the Word...upon which Thou hath caused me to hope

*Heb.6:18a*It (is) impossible for God to lie

7. Faith vs. natural reasoning:

*1Sam.16:7*The Lord seeth not as man seeth; man looketh on the outward appearance...Lord looketh on the heart

*Psa.118:8*It is better to trust in the Lord than...in man

*Pro.3:5,6*Trust in Lord; & lean not unto thine own understanding

*Isa.11:3*He shall not judge (according to) the sight of his eyes

*Isa.55:8,9*Neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord

*Jer.17:5*Cursed be the man that trusteth in man [& not in God]

*Jn.20:29b*Blessed are they that have not seen, & yet...believed

*1Cor.1:21*The world by wisdom knew not God

*1Cor.2:5*Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God

*1Cor.2:14a*The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit

*2Cor.5:7*For we walk by faith, not by sight

8. The power of faith:

A. Genuine believing faith has tremendous power:

*Mk.9:23*If thou canst believe, all things are possible

*Lk.7:50*Thy faith hath saved thee [woman who touched His hem]

*Lk.18:42*Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee

*Jn.14:12*He that believeth on Me...greater works...shall he do

*Acts 6:8*Stephen, full of faith...did great wonders & miracles

*Jam.5:15*The prayer of faith shall save the sick

B. "Faith as a grain of mustard seed":

*Mat.17:20b*Say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place

*Mat.21:21,22*Ye shall not only do this which is done to fig tree

*Mk.11:22,23*Have faith in God...say unto mountain, Be removed

*Lk.17:6*Say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up

C. Faith trusts God to do outright miracles:

*Num.13:26-30*[Caleb had faith to conquer the promised land]

*Josh.14:6,12*[Caleb had the faith to drive out the giants]

*1Sam.17:37*[David said:] The Lord will deliver me (from Goliath)

*Lk.18:27*Things...impossible with men are possible with God

*Heb.11:11*Through faith, Sarah received strength to conceive ...when she was past age

*Heb.11:29*By faith they passed through the Red Sea

*Heb.11:30*By faith the walls of Jericho fell down

*Heb.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:

*Mat.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

*Mat.8:13*As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee

*Mat.17:19,20*Why could not we cast him out? Because of unbelief

*Mat.21:21,22*If ye have faith, & doubt not...ye shall receive

E. Believing, expectant faith will be rewarded:

*Mat.15:28*Great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt

*Mk.5:22,23*[Jairus said:] Come...that she may be healed. [And she was--See  vs. 35,36,41,42 .]

*Mk.9:23*All things are possible to him that believeth

*Mk.11:23*Whosoever...shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe...he shall have whatsoever he saith

*Lk.1:45*Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her

*Jn.11:40*If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God

F. Persevering faith:

*Mat.15:22-28*A woman...cried to Him, Have mercy on me...He answered not a word [She continued insisting until He did]

*Mk.10:46-52*[Blind Bartimaeus continued crying out to Jesus until Jesus granted his request for healing]

G. Faith & patience:

*Rom.8:25*If we hope (have faith) for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it

*Heb.6:12b*Who through faith & patience inherit the promises

*Heb.6:15*After he patiently endured, he obtained the promise

*Heb.10:35,36*Cast not away your confidence (faith)...After ye have done the will of God...receive the promise

*Jam.1:3*The trying of your faith worketh patience

9. The testing of our faith:

*1Pet.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:

*Gen.22:1-18*[God tested Abraham to see if he was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice] (See also  Heb.11:17-19 )

*Josh.6:2-5*[He had Israelites merely walk around walls of Jericho]

*Judg.7:2-7*[He had Gideon drastically reduce the size of his army]

*Jn.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  Deut.8:2 )

B. He allows the devil & wicked men to test saints' faith:

*Dan.3:14-27*[Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego:] God...will deliver us ...but if not...we will not serve thy gods

*Mat.4:1-11*[The devil tempted Jesus :] If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down

*Heb.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

*Dan.3:16-18*Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace...& out of thine hand, O king

*Mat.8:24,26*There arose a great tempest...the ship was covered with waves, [but Jesus chided His disciples for fearing]

*Jn.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]

*Rom.4:18*Who against hope believed in hope, that he (Abraham) might [re ceive the promise]

*Rom.4:20*He staggered not at promise of God through unbelief

*(See also*2Chr.32:7,8 ;  Isa.26:3 ;  Jon.2:1-9 ;  Acts 9:36-38 .)

B. You will not be shaken or alarmed at bad news:

*Psa.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:

*Isa.28:16b*He that believeth shall not make haste

*Pro.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:

*Psa.116:10*I believed, therefore have I spoken

*Mat.8:5-8,13*[The centurion believed Jesus' word, returned home] & his servant was healed in the selfsame hour

*Mat.12:10a,13*[Jesus tells man with withered hand:] stretch forth thine hand. And he (did); & it was restored whole

*Mk.7:25-30*[Syrophenician woman believed Jesus, went to her home & found her daughter well]

*Lk.17:11-19*[Ten lepers:] As they went, they were cleansed (healed)

*Jn.4:46-53*Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word...& he went his way

*Jn.11:39-41*Take ye away the stone. They took away the stone [& Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead]

*Heb.11:7*By faith Noah, moved...prepared an ark

*Jam.2:21-26*As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also

*(See also  Josh.6:1-16,20 ;  Judg.7:7,16-22 ;  1Ki.17:9-16 ;  2Ki.3:9-11,16-20 ;  4:1-6 ;  Heb.11:8,17,23 .)

E. Declarations of faith, followed by victorious action:

*1Sam.14:6-16*There is no restraint to Lord to save by many or few

*1Sam.17:32-50*The Lord...will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine

*Judg.7:15-22*Arise; for Lord hath delivered [them] into your hand

11. Lack of faith:

A. Warnings not to doubt or lose faith:

*Mat.14:31*O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

*Jn.20:27*Be not faithless, but believing

*Lk.12:29,30*Neither be ye of doubtful mind

*Heb.3:12*Take heed...lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God

*Heb.4:11*Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief

*Heb.10:35*Cast not away therefore your confidence (faith)

B. The consequences of not having faith:

*Deut.32:20*I will hide My face from...children in whom is no faith

*Isa.7:9b*If ye will not believe, ye shall not be established

*Mat.13:58*Did not many mighty works because of their unbelief

*Jn.3:36b*He that believeth not the Son shall not see life

*Rom.14:23b*For whatsoever is not of faith is sin

*1Tim.1:19*Faith...which some having put away, made shipwreck

*Heb.3:18,19*They should not enter in [& receive God's promises] because of unbelief

*Heb.11:6*Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)

*Jam.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:

*Mat.16:1,4*A wicked...generation seeketh after a sign

*Jn.20:24-29*Jesus saith, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed

*1Cor.1:22a*The Jews require a sign

D. Faith or doubt?--To do or not to do:

*Mat.9:29*According to your faith be it unto you

*Rom.14:5b*Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind

*Rom.14:22*Hast thou faith? Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth

*Rom.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"

Copyright (c) 1997 by The Family