True Faith

1. True Faith “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6)

2. A Proper Definition of Faith • Not merely an intellectual assent to a truth • It is not simply enough to believe that God is, even demons do that (cf. James 2:19) • We must also believe that God rewards those who seek after Him • Romans 2:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:12

3. Romans 2:6-7 “Who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.”

4. 2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” Without confidence, faith is defective!

5. Matthew 8:23-27 “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ 26 But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?.’”

6. 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” We must have confidence in his abilityanddesire to take care of us!

7. Obstacles to Faith • Some Doubt the Word of God • Abraham (Genesis 15:7,8) • Zechariah (Luke 1:13, 18)

8. Genesis 15:7,8 “Then He said to him, ‘I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.’ 8 And he said, ‘Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?.’” The sign Abraham requested, not trusting in God’s plain promise, caused him horror and darkness (cf. vs. 12)

9. Luke 1:13, 18 “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.’” (vs. 18), “And Zacharias said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.’” For his doubt, Zacharias was struck dumb until his son’s birth

10. Obstacles to Faith • Some Doubt the Word of God • Abraham (Genesis 15:7,8) • Zechariah (Luke 1:13, 18) • Some Place confidence in Self • Cain and His ilk (Jude 11)

11. Jude 11 “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” These false teachers, like Cain, did as they wished rather than as God commanded

12. Obstacles to Faith • Some Doubt the Word of God • Abraham (Genesis 15:7,8) • Zechariah (Luke 1:13, 18) • Some Place confidence in Self • Cain and His ilk (Jude 11) • Some desire honor for themselves • Moses and Aaron (Numbers 20)

13. Numbers 20:10 “And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Striking the rock was dramatic, and brought attention to themselves, but displeased God!

14. True Faith is Obedient(Confidence in God leads to Diligence) • Doctrine: Justification by “Faith only” • Popular, but refuted clearly by James

15. James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” Simply ask James question… Can a faith without works save a man?

16. James 2:15-17 “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

17. James 2:21-23 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”

18. James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Conclusion: True faith is an obedient faith!

19. True Faith is Obedient(Confidence in God leads to Diligence) • Doctrine: Justification by “Faith only” • Popular, but refuted clearly by James • A faith that does nothing receives nothing • Luke 17:12-14; John 12:42-43

20. Luke 17:12-14 “Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” But, In contrast…

21. John 12:42-43 “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Their unwillingness to confess condemned them (cf. Matt. 10:32-33)

22. True Faith is Obedient(Confidence in God leads to Diligence) • Doctrine: Justification by “Faith only” • Popular, but refuted clearly by James • A faith that does nothing receives nothing • Luke 17:12-14; John 12:42-43 • Salvation not at point of faith, but when faith leads to a turning! • Acts 11:21; Matt. 13:15; Isa. 55:7

23. Acts 11:21 “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.” Those Hellenists in Antioch who turned to the Lord were saved. “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (vs. 26)

24. Matthew 13:15 “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”

25. Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

26. Conclusion “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) What kind of faith? True Faith! Obedient Faith!