Life of Faith from First to Last

1. Life of Faith from First to Last Rom 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

2. Life of Faith from First to Last • Faith—what is it? • Faith brings pleasure & amazement to God • Faith comes first, understanding follows • Faith brings Transformation 4 (a) Transformation begins and ends with Resting with God 4 (b) Transformation makes you an Overcomer 4 (c) Transformation makes you More than Conquerors

3. Faith — what is it? Heb 11:1-3 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. • Description of Faith (v1) • Honour associated with Faith (v2) • See and do all things through faith — faith is not blind (v3)

4. 1 (a) Description of Faith — v1 • The Greek word translated "confidence” (NIV) or “substance”(KJV) actually means literally "to stand under, to support." Faith is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house: it gives confidence to a person that he will stand. So, you might say, "Faith is the absolute confidence in what we hope for". • The Greek word translated “assurance” (NIV) or “evidence” (KJV) actually means to be convinced deeply without a doubt inside our hearts. So, you might say, "Faith is being deeply assured inside our hearts of we hope for". Combining the above: Faith is being absolutely confident and deeply assured inside our hearts of what we hope for (given in God’s word)

5. 1 (c) Faith is not blind — v3 • Faith enables us to understand what and how God does everything because that’s the way God created the visible universe from nothing (invisible)—all through His word. • Therefore, faith enables us to see what others cannot see [e.g. Heb 11:7 Noah]—remember, faith is not blind but can see the unseen. • As a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do!

6. Faith brings pleasure & amazement to God Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (regarding the Centurion whose servant was sick at home)

7. Faith comes first, then understanding follows It begins with Surrender to Jesus Heb 11:3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command. . . . 2 Cor 3:14-16 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

8. Faith brings Transformation 2Cor 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. v17: The Holy Spirit frees us from condemnation and tenderly witnesses to us that we are children of the Father v18: The veil is removed to enable us to contemplate the Lord’s glory (the Father heart of God) and be transformed into His image.

9. 4(a) Transformation begins and ends with Resting in God 1 John 2: 12 & 14 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name (v12) and have known the Father (v14) Ps 23: 1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

10. 4 (a) Transformation occurs due to Grace as you rest in God(after you surrender to Jesus) Grace favours you without having to work for it (Father loves you as much as He loves Jesus) • John 17:23 (You), have loved them even as you have loved me (also John 15:9) Grace transformsyouto become like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18) Grace empowers you to be all that God designed for you • Eph 3:7-8 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (also Rom 1:5, 1Cor 15:10)

11. Abundant provision of Grace — 4 (a) Contd. Grace enables us to Reign in Life (Rom 5:17) Rom 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousnessreign in lifethrough the one man, Jesus Christ! Sources of Grace: • Word of God (Ps 45:2, John 7:45-46, John 6:63,68, Luke 10:41-42) • Partaking the Lord’s Supper worthily (1 Cor 10:16, 11:28-30) • Honouring a righteous person (Matt 10:40-42) • Encouragement (Eph 4:29)

12. 4 (b) Transformation makes you an Overcomer in the midst of trouble 1 John 2:13-14 I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one (vv 13 & 14) Ps 23:4-5 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (vv 4-5).

13. 4 (b) An overcomer in the midst of trouble –(contd.) Jeremiah 32:38-41 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for you Rev 12:11They triumphed over him [overcame] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

14. 4 (c) Transformation will make you More thanConquerors Rom 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 2 Cor 4:13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak. Numbers 23:21 “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.