"Faith 101"

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place
Pulpit Series Volume 17 Issue 34 8/25/2007

What is Faith?

It is by faith that you are saved; justified; cleansed!

Faith is how you please God.
The just shall live by faith! Habakkuk. 2:1-5, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:10-11, Hebrews 10;38

Faith brings the Victory! I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
An important point, though, is that faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed.

FAITH DOES NOT ALWAYS FACE THE FACTS!

According to Webster’s Dictionary faith is "an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence."

KJ Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

NIV Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

RSV, NASB Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Literally the Greek of Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is the reality of things being hoped for, the proof of things not being seen.

FAITH MAKES THINGS POSSIBLE NOT EASY!

The importance of faith. Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, by which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. We are in a spiritual conflict.

Matthew 14:28-32 Peter said, Lord, if it is you, call me come to you on the water. Jesus said, Come. And when Peter came out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind blowing, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught him, saying O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the ship, the wind ceased.

· Peter did the impossible thing. He walked on the water
· Peter did the conceivable thing. His surroundings got him
· Peter did the natural thing. He got scared
· Peter did the expected thing. He began to sink
· Peter did the right thing. He called on the Lord
· Peter again did the impossible! He walked on the water

YOU NEED FAITH THAT IS BIGGER THAN THE ELEMENTS THAT WOULD DRAG YOU DOWN TO DEFEAT!

John 11:21-44 Martha said Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever you will ask of God, God will give it. Jesus said to her, your brother shall rise again. Martha said, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. LIMITED Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come to the world FUNDEMENTAL Jesus asked where they had laid him? They said, Lord, come and see. The grave was a cave and a stone had been laid across it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. They took away the stone [from the place] where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me...Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said, Loose him and let him go. UNLIMITED

The hall of faith. Hebrews 11:32-39 And what more can we say? for time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae; David and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who by faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, sawn in half, tempted, and slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, mountains, dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Come to the Hall of faith often, linger long and strengthen your faith. We are to worship by faith, walk by faith, live by faith, work by faith, govern by faith, follow by faith, fight by faith, conquer by faith, close the mouths of lions by faith, walk through the fire by faith and suffer if need be by faith!

FAITH SINGS IN PRISON Acts 16:25
FAITH GLORIES IN TRIBULATION Romans 5:3
FAITH CHOOSES TO SUFFER Hebrews 11:25

By faith God’s people are patient in their sufferings, conquer in battle, made strong out of weakness and were victorious in defeat. They were more than conquerors.

FAITH IS TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD ASKING NO QUESTIONS Faith is knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God.

FAITH GOES BEYOND REASON, IT BELIEVES WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WHY!
You cannot be saved without faith.
You cannot live victoriously without faith.
You cannot please God without faith.
You cannot have peace without faith.
You cannot have joy without faith.
You cannot be justified without faith.

Faith that is backed up by prayer and fasting is BIG faith!

Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…. Faith is the substance (title deed) of things hoped for. Your faith is your title deed to eternal life.

Mark 10:46-52 As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus, he began to cry out, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And many told him to be quiet: but he cried out even louder, son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus stopped and asked for him. They called out to the blind man, saying, Be of good comfort, rise; Jesus is asking for you. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. Jesus asked, What do you want of me? The blind man said, Lord, that I might receive my sight. Jesus replied, Go your way; your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.

I love the fact that Bartimaeus didn't allow the people to stop him from receiving what he wanted from Jesus. Even though they shouted at him to be quiet. Don’t let anyone stop you from receiving what you want or need from the Lord. Cast aside any doubt or fear that may be keeping you from your blessing and go get it. Jesus is ready and willing to give to people that have this kind of faith.

I just shake my head when I see how the people who tried to shut him up did an about face. Jesus calls for him. And all of a sudden the people who tried to shut him up, said, “Be of good cheer, rise, He is calling you.”

If we’d be as convinced as Bartimaeus was that Jesus was the answer we too would have great joy! When people seek God in that way they will find Him without exception.

Bartimaeus threw aside his garment, got up and went to Jesus. He didn’t let some kind of beggars coat slow down his movement to Jesus.

The beggars coat is made of self-centeredness. Across the shoulders and down the arms there was a hem of pride sown in. One pocket is lined with envy, the other jealousy. They are filled with self-pity. These coats need to be cast off.

How many today permit the smallest thing to hinder them in prayer and in obeying God! Blessed is the man that will not tolerate one thing hindering him from getting to God and getting answers to prayers that are in harmony with the promises and gospel provision.

Perhaps it is time for you to cast off your beggars garment.