Understanding Faith (Part 2)

Jesus commanded us to "have faith in God."  But not only did He command it, He made it possible.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Man's part is to ask in faith and refuse doubt.  God's part is to answer!  In this post I want to cover four aspects of faith.

1.  What Faith Means

Faith is to "confide in, or have confidence in."  Faith means that we are secure without fear.  It means to rely on the promise of another (in this case God).  Faith is to believe or to take one at his word.  When we have faith, we will put absolute trust in a person without questioning or doubting their faithfulness.

2.  How Do We Get Faith

Romans 10:17 tells us that "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!"  It is through hearing God's word that we get faith.  Faith also comes by studying the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).  And finally, Faith comes by meditating on the Word of God (Psalm 1:2 and Proverbs 4:20-22).  God has made it possible though His Word for us to have faith, we just need to take advantage of it by reading, hearing, studying, and meditating up it.

3.  What Faith Is

Hebrews 11:1 gives us an accurate understanding of exactly what faith is.  It is counting or reckoning a thing done as though it were already done.  Faith does not have to see before it believes.  Faith laughs at the impossible and all circumstances that may be contrary to what the Word of God says and counts the thing done.  Faith is not feeling that our prayers are answered; it is know that they are answered based upon what the Word says.

4.  How To Determine How Much Faith You Have

To accurately determine how much faith you have, simply ask yourself this question: "What can I believe God for?"  Not what you believe God can do, but what can you believe God for.  There is a big difference.  Can you believe God for $5 or $500?    You might believe God can provide $500, but can you believe Him for it?  When we believe God for something, we have no worries, anxieties, fear or second thoughts about it.  Stop believe what God can do, and believe what God will do!

It's time for us to turn our little faith into great faith, our dead faith into active growing faith.  But you must start now.  Start doing something with the faith you have now if you want it to grow and develop.  Where are you in your faith?  God's ready are you?

Understanding Faith (Part 1)

Faith is probably one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible.  It's misunderstood from the stand point that many believe either you "have it, or don't" and if you don't, it's no big deal.  But we have to understand that to have faith is a command and not an option.  Faith isn't something we pick up when we need it, it is a way of life and something we should live out every day of our life!  In the first part of this series on "Understanding Faith," I want to build a foundation to help us understand, grasp, and live this very important part of our life.

Scriptural Basis For Faith

Habakkuk 2:4 -- "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."  If the just shall live by faith, then faith must be a way of life!  This is the way you and I are to live everyday for Jesus.  Faith is more than just a "emergency parachute" to get us out of problems.  It is how we should live.  This scripture is also carried over in to the New Testament in Romans 1:17 -- "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." 

Galatians 3:11 -- "But no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."  The word "just" means, one who has been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, or one who has been declared righteous.  If you are in Christ, you have been declared "righteous."

Hebrews 10:38 -- "Now the just shall live by faith: but is any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."  The word "faith" has been so misused and misapplied.  People will ask "What faith are you?" seeking to know to what denomination do you belong.  But faith doesn't mean a denomination, church, or religion.  Faith is more than a religion, it is a way of living!  Our Christian faith isn't a religion.  Christianity is a man, Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:7 -- "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  When I talk about sight, I am talking about the "sense realm."  Those in Christ should be walking by faith and not by what we perceive with our senses.  Too often, people have a relationship with God that is based strictly on emotions, feelings, and sense knowledge.  True Christian faith, doesn't rely on the senses, but on the Word of God.

Romans 12:3 -- "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to everyman that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."  Every person who accepts Christ as his or her personal Savior has faith.

Ephesians 2:8 -- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."  This scripture show you why anyone who comes to Christ has to have faith.  If you are saved, you have faith.  And if your are saved, you have that measure of faith.

Romans 10:17 -- "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, not by prayer, not by fasting, not by any other Christian discipline!  These Christian disciplines can "enhance" and "grow" our faith, but the faith itself comes by hearing the Word of God.  If you aren't hearing the Word, then you can't have faith.

2 Peter 1:1-4 -- "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us to glory and virtue.  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might by partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."  Look at this verse carefully and notice all that we have been given!  Everything we need for life and godliness has been made available to us.  All we need to do is walk and live by faith.  These aren't just great promises, but they are exceeding great and precious promises.

Are you living your faith?  If not, you can begin to live it today!  Our faith is manifested in our works!  Get busy working for God and let others see your faith in action!

We Serve A Risen Savior

Jesus is ALIVE!  The very fact that people call themselves Christians is evident enough to support that statement.  Jesus was and is a "real" person.  He isn't some myth and He isn't still in the tomb.  He is alive and healing the sick, saving the lost, touching the oppressed and despondent, and lifting up those who need spiritual help.  And He is doing much of this through the Body of Christ, those who call themselves "Christians."  I want to share with you five important facts about Christ and His crucifixion.

1.  Jesus Was God And Man

For many, the teaching that Jesus was both God and man is very difficult to comprehend.  Isaiah, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned the words "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bare a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel (God with us)".  Jesus was a man and He was God, He was the "God/man."  He became man to take our place for sin.  He became a human so He could suffer and die for you and me.  But yet He was also divine so that He could be free from the fall of sinful man.  To understand this, we have to grasp that He was as human as His mother (Mary) and as divine as His Heavenly Father (God Almighty).

2.  Jesus Christ Was Crucified

Jesus was nailed to a cross and crucified.  This to isn't a myth or legend.  He did die!  The soldiers saw Him die, the on-looking crowd, Pharisees, and Scribes, all saw Him crucified.  His own mother, brothers, and disciples all witnessed His death.  Jesus did die for our sins and hundreds were witness to it.

3.  Jesus Is Not Dead

The good news is that Jesus didn't "stay dead" and in the tomb!  He is alive!  It wasn't a dead Christ that lit the fires of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  It wasn't a dead Christ that Stephen saw standing at the right hand of God when He was being stoned.  It wasn't a dead Christ that John saw walking in the midst of the Seven Golden Candle Sticks when he was caught up in the spirit while on the isle of Patmos. It wasn't a dead Christ that John saw riding out of the heavens on a white horse with ten thousands of His saints behind Him. And it wasn't a dead Christ that the disciples saw leave the mount of ascension and go to set at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for you and for me.  No, Jesus isn't dead, He is alive!

4.  Jesus Is A Central Figure In The World

No matter how much impact great men of the world have had, past or present, none can compare to the impact and influence Jesus Christ has had on the world scene!  He never wrote a book, yet libraries are filled with books written about Him.  He never held an office here on earth, yet He holds the highest of all offices as the "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords."

5.  Jesus Is The Master Of Every Situation

When Jesus was here on earth, He healed the sick, cast out demons, cleansed the lepers, walked on water, calmed the storm, fed the multitudes and gave strength to the weak!  He was the Master of every situation, even the Master over death!  He is still the Master of every situation you will face, if only you will allow Him to be.  Jesus Christ is here today to seek and save the lost and yes, He is alive and living today!

Inherent Power

The lack of a "demonstration" of the power of God in the believer's life and in the church has resulted in most people "discounting" God's power.  People try to build their lives on philosophy, theology, or "man's opinion" rather than the Word of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Without the power of the Holy Spirit we are helpless to do what we should.  The early Church in the book of Acts was only able to accomplish what it did, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  In this post I want to share with you four facts about the inherent power of the Believer.

1.  We Have Been Given Inherent Power

The Greek word for power in Acts 1:8 is "dunamis," which means "inherent power capable of reproducing itself like a dynamo."  This is the type of power that was promised to the disciples in Luke 24:49 when Jesus told them: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."  This promise wasn't just for the disciples, it is for every believer in Christ!  It isn't just any power, it is a power that is sent "from on high!"  It is a heavenly power!  And it's purpose is to enable the believer to be a witness of God's power to the world.  The same way Peter and John demonstrated the power of God when the lame man was healed outside the temple gate.  "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And the man was instantly healed!  What they had was the "power of God and the Holy Spirit!"

2.  Our Faith Is To Stand In The Power Of God

Paul told the people in 1Corinthians 2:4-5 that he didn't come with "enticing words" of man's wisdom, but in the "demonstration and power" of God.  We have tried too long to operate in "man's wisdom" and have found it simply doesn't work.  If we expect to reach the world, it has to be through the power of God and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit can do more in five minutes than you and I can do in a lifetime!  Our faith is not to stand in man's wisdom, but in the power of God!

3.  Ways To Present The Gospel

 There are many ways that people choose to present the Gospel.  I Thessalonians 1:5 gives four specific ways:

• In Word -- The Gospel is presented by preaching the Word of God!
• In Power -- When the Gospel is presented with power and anointing, it destroys any yoke of bondage. (Isaiah 10:27)
• In the Holy Spirit -- We are helpless in presenting the Gospel unless it is in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• In much Assurance -- Through the assurance of faith the Gospel is brought to others.  It is a conviction that we have the truth!

4.  What The Power Of The Holy Spirit Will Do For You

Make no mistake about it, the power of the Holy Spirit will change your life!   It will empower you as it did the disciples.  The power will also give you a new perspective for life and ministry.  It is when we are enabled with the Holy Spirit's power that we will have a new desire to work toward spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This power will also give you the confidence you need for the ministry.  When you have the Holy Spirit working in your life you have inherent power.  And you can use that power for the glory of God to reach the lost and heal the sick.