Focus on Faith
Focus on Faith • “And now these three remain:
faith, hope love…”
Corinthians 13:13a
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What is Faith? • All of us as individuals need a saving faith in what Jesus has achieved for us on the cross • Faith unlocking a whole new way of living
What is Faith? • Faith is belief • “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:16 • We are called to belief in the power of God to impact our daily experience
What is Faith? • Faith is visible • “This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;….. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:5-7 • To have faith which others can see in how we live and trust God day by day
What is Faith? • Faith is received • “From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:26-27
What is Faith? • We are to similarly offer the gift of faith to others to enable then to receive for themselves the good news
What is Faith?
Faith response to circumstances • “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Faith response to circumstances • The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:19-21
Faith response to circumstances • Moving to the margins of our society • The followers of Jesus were a radical alternative society within the culture of their generation
Faith response to circumstances • Our culture stands in a dangerous position: • Rise of nationalism • Rise in division and intolerance • Rise in individualism • Rise of militant atheism
Faith response to circumstances • Faith in the purposes and power of God • To be once more a radical alternative society within the culture of our generation
Faith response to circumstances • “A Christian who walks by faith accepts all circumstances from God. He thanks God when everything goes good, when everything goes bad, and for the “blues” somewhere in-between. He thanks God whether he feels like it or not.” ERWIN W. LUTZER
Faith response
Faith which grows and deepens • “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God,
Faith which grows and deepens • he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:21-24
Faith which grows and deepens
• There is always more for us to know of the power and scope of who God is and what he wants to do
Faith which grows and deepens • “Christian faith is a grand cathedral, with divinely pictured windows. Standing outside, you see no glory, nor can imagine any. But standing within, every ray of light reveals a harmony of unspeakable splendours.” NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
Faith grows
Faith expressed in action • “During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)
Faith expressed in action • The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:27-30
Faith expressed in action • Dead faith • Dead faith means I believe, but I’m not going to do anything to bring my faith to reality, both to myself, nor to others.
Faith expressed in action • Vain Faith • Vain Faith is Faith that is always in VAIN. Vain Faith is lost faith, don’t be caught with it for eternity’s sake, and your sake!
Faith expressed in action • Little Faith • How many believers in Christ only have "little faith."
Faith expressed in action • Great Faith • Great Faith believes that God can do all, Great Faith trust’s totally in God. Great Faith asks for something and then goes on as if it were already done
Faith expressed in action • Victorious Faith • Victorious Faith is overcoming faith. Faith that has overcome the world, If you have this faith then we are children of the Living God
Faith expressed in action • Faith is an activity; it is something that has to be applied. CORRIE TEN BOOM • Faith is not static but a continual journey as God leads us into the specifics of how and where he wants us to act
Faith expressed in action • God is wanting our faith to find expression in action and we are to choose to believe and act
Faith action
Focus on Faith • Faith is belief, visible received • Faith response to circumstances • Faith which grows and deepens • Faith expressed in action
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