“Faith of The Heart”
Emphasis vv 14-17
INTRODUCTION: Our faith is constantly being challenged. Just listen to the news, local and mostly the national news. They don’t want to acknowledge Christmas. One network refused to play a paid commercial to thank our troops for what they are doing and wishing them a Merry Christmas. (They finally backed down and played it; reluctantly.)
When you watch the Discovery Channel, the History channel, everything started before God. All their shows are pointed at showing God does not exist and the world exists by man. Listen to Alus Gorus the receiver of a “Nobel PEACE Prize” for touting how man is mis-managing the environment, and how close we are to destroying the earth. All of this is designed, yes designed, to kick your faith and get you on the side of secular (worldliness) knowing and believing God has no control over you.
There are something’s we need to understand
I. WHAT IS FAITH!
A. Faith Is Believing God
(Psalms 37:3) Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
1. Trusting in the LORD. (Jehovah)
i. Committing yourself to the
LORD
ii. Trusting He will meet your
needs
B. FAITH Is Taking God At His Word.
(1 John 5:13 ) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1. That you may know
i. IF you believe
C. FAITH Is Believing Without Seeing.
(Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1. Believing without complete understanding
D. FAITH Is Hearing And Then Believing.
(Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1. How can you get faith without hearing God’s Word
E. FAITH Is Believing Then Taking Action.
(Romans 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1. Call on His name in belief
2. Salvation then happens
We need to understand
II. WHAT FAITH ISN’T!
A. FAITH Does Not
1. Shield us from physical
Suffering
i. Paul suffered many times
(2 Corinthians 11:24-27) Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
B. FAITH Does Not
1. Shield us from loss of earthly possessions.
i. Paul consider earthly things
ii. Of no value
(Philippians 3:7-9) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
2. Consider Job
i. He lost it all
ii. He believed
iii. He had faith
iv. He regained it all and more
C. FAITH Does Not
1. Guarantee us a life of ease and luxury.
(Hebrews 11:8-10) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
D. FAITH Does Not
1. Shield us from grief.
(1 Peter 5:8-9) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
We need to understand
III. WHAT FAITH DOES!
A. FAITH Saves
1. God saves us through our Faith
(Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
i. It is not earned
ii. No work at all
iii. It is a gift of God
a. Given
b. No strings
c. No contracts
B. FAITH Justifies.
(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
1. Justified = Just as if we had never
sinned
C. FAITH Strengthens.
(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1. Christ strengthens me
i. Therefore through Him I do
all things
D. FAITH Reaches Out To Others.
CONCLUSION: Faith is what we have if we have called upon the Lord and asked for the salvation that will be given.
However, it is the same faith that talks to your neighbor; or friend; or grandchild about Jesus the Christ.
It is a Faith of sharing, a sharing and desire of wanting all you know to want to be with you in Heaven.
We get our spiritual strength by leading others to Christ. By being in church hearing the Word of God we are strengthened.
This is where we go back to the verse we started with
(Ephesians 6:16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Our first thoughts are of the round garbage can shields we used to use when we played Gladiators as a young boy. This shield is the body length shield which protects us against those fiery darts which are thrown at us.
What are those darts?
Alcohol
Drugs
Divorce
Anger
Vanity
Pride
Adultery etc.
Our protection is our Faith, the very thing we all claim, yet some don’t listen while they are here, others won’t come to here, some are hit and miss attendees.
How do you expect not to have major trials when you haven’t used your shield of faith.
When we each were first saved our arms got tired carrying that big shield around, yet things happened and we would pick the shield back up. Some found by being here with their shield life was easier, not without trials, but those trials were easier to handle.
It is always easier with help than being alone. Jesus is there with you if you are with Him. Where did you leave Him. Go back to Him.
If you haven’t made the decision to accept Christ and His help during your problems, this is the time to do it.
