Introduction
The Bible instructs us to "Study to show thyselfapproved". It also make special mention of the Bareans, who where callednoble because of their desire to search scripture. We live in a world ofmany voices, each tugging our attention into different directions, causinginstability and confusion. In this fast paced world that is ever changing,and ever challenging its citizens to keep up or lose, I have found it wonderfulto experience the stability and steadfastness of God. The Word provides afoundation of ultimate security against the many voices, and causes us tofocus on The Voice of Him that loves us. The book of Ephesians holds a wonderfulhope, a hope that I share, and hence my efforts to bless the student of theWord. Ephesians 4:13-15 states: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measureof the stature and fullness of Christ; That we henceforth be no more children,tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by thesleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive;But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, whois the head, even Christ.
As you proceed into the studies that follow Iwant you to note that I have compiled an exhaustive body of scripture, thePure Word of God. I make no effort to preach to you, but am simply providingthe Word with the prayer the God will speak to you through His Word. I suggestthat you carefully pray for God to give you the wisdom and theknowledge that He wants you to have. Go through the study slowly, absorbit's life and power. If you have any questions or comments you can alwaysfeel free to E-Mail me.
Upon this Rock I will BuildMy Church
CHAPTER 1
The Solid Foundation of TheFaith
First things First:
"But without faith it is impossible to pleasehim: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is arewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb 11:6)
If we believe in God, all we can ever hope forwill come by faith in Him
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen.... Through faith we understand that theworlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen werenot made of things which do appear." (Heb 11:1-3)
Where do we get faith?
"So then faith cometh by hearing, andhearingby the word ofGod."(Rom 10:17)
Definition of faith:4102. pistis, pis'-tis; from G3982; 1) persuasion,i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulnessof God or a religious teacher), reliance upon Christ for salvation; 2) constancyin such profession; 3) The system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance,belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
3982. peitho, pi'-tho; a prim. verb; 1) To convince(by argument, true or false); 2) To pacify or conciliate (by other fair means)3) To assent to evidence or authority, to rely (by inward certainty):--agree,assure, believe, have confidence, be content, make friend, obey, persuade,trust, yield.
Combining the definitions above we can form anunderstanding of what it means to have faith. When we either hear or readof the acts of God, and are convinced that He is real and what He says istrue, and that the things written in the Bible are 100% true, thenwe can say we have faith in God.
The Many Advantages and Privileges of Having Faithin God
1) Saved By Faith:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; andthat not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Eph 2:8)
"And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath savedthee; go in peace." (Luke 7:50)
"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvationof your souls." (1 Pet 1:9)
2) Justified by Faith:
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peacewith God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Rom5:1)
3) Made Whole by Faith:
"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased withan issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of hisgarment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shallbe whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter,be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was madewhole from that hour." (Mat 9:20-22)
4) Defended by Faith:
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewithye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph6:16)
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternallife, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good professionbefore many witnesses." (1 Tim 6:12)
5) Provided for by Faith:
"And Jesus said unto them,.....for verily I sayunto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say untothis mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothingshall be impossible unto you." (Mat 17:20)
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, thatwill I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)
6) Live by Faith:
"Now the just shall live by faith:..." (Heb10:38)
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I haveworks: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faithby my works." (James 2:18)
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, sofaith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he thatdoeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." (1 John3:7)
7) Victory by Faith:
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh theworld: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus isthe Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5)
"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darknessto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgivenessof sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that isin me." (Acts 26:18)
Growing in Faith:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearingby the word of God." (Rom 10:17)
Definition of hearing:191. akouo, ak-oo'-o; a prim. verb; to hear (invarious senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), ([shall])hear, be noised, be reported, understand
To hear the Word of God is not just with ourears but it is to understand it, then applying it inobedience.
The peril of not understanding the Truth of HisWord:
"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom,and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away thatwhich was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."(Mat 13:19)
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear muchfruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so haveI loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shallabide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abidein his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remainin you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That yelove one another, as I have loved you. (John 15:8-12)
Faith causes the life of God to work in your life,making you what He is:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: andthe life which I now live in theflesh I live by the faith of the Son ofGod, who loved me, and gave himselffor me. (Gal 2:20)
Note* The Bible makes 2 distinctions in termsof faith.
1) It speaks ofTheFaithwhich would be the sum total trustand belief in God and every word of God as it is written in theBible.
And so were the churches establishedin the faith,and increased in number daily."(Acts 16:5)
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spiritin the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are calledin one hope of your calling; One Lord,onefaith,one baptism, One God and Father ofall, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph4:3-5)
2) Then the Bible speaks of human achievementsin that faith:
Terms: no faith, little faith, weak in the faith,etc.
Note*Things that hinder the progress offaith:doubt,fear,and human reasoning
"And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand,and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of littlefaith,wherefore didst thoudoubt?" (Mat 14:31)
"And he saith untothem,Why are ye fearful,O ye of little faith? Then he arose,and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." (Mat8:26)
"Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them,O ye of little faith, why reasonye among yourselves,because ye have brought no bread?"(Mat 16:8)
Terms: Great Faith, Full of Faith, Strong in theFaith
"Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman,great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter wasmade whole from that very hour." (Mat 15:28)
"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did greatwonders and miracles among the people." (Acts 6:8)
"He staggered not at the promise of God throughunbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;" (Rom4:20)
Things that increase faith: Believing His Word,Trusting in Him, AND Obedience. Desiring to understand God is a first step.With that first step there must also be a desire to please God. PleasingGod requires becoming full of faith. Having faith means that you have a trustin God and a willingness to obey Him. All in all, serving God is not formand ritual, it is developing a relationship of trust and obedience to thegreat loving Lord who created you. A relationship is a mutual two way partnershipinvolving intimate knowledge, caring, sharing, and never ending loyalty.God has already pledged His half of the partnership. What about yourhalf?
"Then touched he their eyes, saying, Accordingto your faith be it unto you." (Mat 9:29)
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