Biblical Faith

Biblical Faith

 

 

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

 

Introduction.

1. Hebrews 11:6 – "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” This verse tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.

A. Yet many do not even know what this word means.

B. We should all know about this important topic.

2. In order to understand what biblical faith is, one must first understand a few things.

3. Let us look at:

A. What is Biblical Faith?

B. How does biblical faith come?

C. What is the function of faith?

 

I.   What is Biblical Faith?

     A. Personal Belief – Romans 10:17 – "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2. As Christians, we do not have to actually see something with our eyes to know that it exists. 2 Corinthians 4:18 – "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

3. This does not mean that we blindly accept certain facts without any evidence.

 

B. The Bible also uses the word "faith" to denote the system of faith.

1. Galatians 1:23; Paul had preached the faith.

2. Jude 3; Jude encouraged those to whom he wrote to earnestly contend for the faith.

3. Romans 1:5; Paul said that we could be obedient to the faith.

 

II.  How does faith come?

A. Romans 10:14-17.

1. Notice that they could not believe in him of whom they had not heard.

2. This passage sets out for us, how one obtains faith: hear and then believe.

B. Jesus said that faith would come through the Apostle's word (John 17:20).

C. The day of Pentecost.

1. Acts 2:37 – "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

2. They heard.  Not "they felt."

 

D. Acts 8:12 – "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”  Philip preached first, and then they believed.

 

 

 

III. What is the function of faith?

 

A. If one's faith in God does not encourage him to act in obedience to God, then it is not biblical faith (James 2:14-19).

1. Verse 14; can faith save him?

2. Verse 17; faith without works is dead being alone.

3. Verse 18; we show our faith by our works.

4. Verse 19; even the devils have faith.

 

C. Notice that we must obey from the heart (Romans 6:17-18).

"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.    Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

1. We obey from the heart and then we mature as a Christian.

 

 

Conclusion.

1. Do you have Biblical Faith?

2. This faith comes from hearing the word of God preached.

3. Not from some feeling deep down in your heart.

4. If you're sitting there waiting on some feeling to tell you to come forward, you'll be waiting forever.

5. Whether or not you want to have biblical faith is up to you.  Will you obey?
 
Jimmy
Antioch church of Christ
10/06/10  AM