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What Kind of Faith?. John 12:37-43 Ephesians 2:8 Romans 5:1. John 12:37-43.
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What Kind of Faith? John 12:37-43 Ephesians 2:8 Romans 5:1
John 12:37-43 • 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on 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.
Ephesians 2:8 • For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: • Cf. Romans 10:17
Romans 5:1-2 • Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Different Kinds of Faith • NO FAITH -John 12:37-40 • Rejects and/or ignores evidence, 12:37; Romans 1:16-21 • Result of hardened hearts, 12:39-40; Romans 1:21-22, 28
Different Kinds of Faith • LITTLE FAITH - Matthew 6:30 • Doubts God’s planning, power and presence to bless • Doubts God’s protection – Matt. 14:31 • Expressed by fear - Matthew 8:26 • Shows a lack of spiritual depth and understanding - Matthew 16:5-12
Different Kinds of Faith • WEAK FAITH -1 Ths. 5:14 • Without strength, hope, endurance and full conviction - Rom. 4:17-22 • Need to pay attention to the weak Christian and hold on to him • Rom. 14; 15:1-7
Different Kinds of Faith • HIDDEN FAITH -Jno. 12:42-43 • Will not confess Christ, Matthew 10:32-33 • Wrong values and priorities rule • D & C of men – Matt. 15:7-9, 13 • Does not hear and obey the words of Christ - John 12:46-48
Different Kinds of Faith • ONLY FAITH -James 2:14-26 -Without works (obedience) • No profit - 2:14-16 • Dead - 2:17, 20, 26 • Unseen - 2:18; Matt. 5:16 • Like the demons - 2:19 • Barren - 2:20 • Does not (cannot) justify - 2:21-24
Different Kinds of Faith • GREAT FAITH - Matthew 8:10 • Trusts the word of Christ; what the Lord says will come to pass (8:8) • Does not question the authority of Christ, but submits to it (8:9) • God is amazed by such faith (8:10) • God greatly blesses such faith, Matthew8:13 (11-12) • Peter - Luke 5:1-5
Luke 5:1-5 • And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
What Kind of Faith Saves? • NOT: • Little…Weak…Hidden…Solitary… Non-existent Faith - Hebrews 11:6 • ONLY: • Faith that obeys God - Jno. 3:14-17 (Num. 21:4-9); James 2:24
Questions for Us • What kind of faith have I had? • What kind of faith will I have from this day forward? • Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46 • “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”- Luke 18:8