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--1 Corinthians 2:10b

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Faith

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. - Hebrews 11:8

1. What is faith?

A. Faith is a belief in the unseen:

2Cor.4:18 We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen...which are eternal 2Cor.5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight
Heb.11:27 By faith he...endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible
(See also Rom.8:24)

B. Faith is a substantial and real thing:

Heb.11:1 Faith is the substance (title deed) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

2. The importance of faith:

Gal.5:6 [Nothing] availeth any thing, (except) faith which worketh by love

A. We are saved by faith:

Jn.3:16 Whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should...have everlasting life
Jn.3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life
Lk.7:47-50 Thy sins are forgiven. Thy faith hath saved thee
Acts 10:43b Whoever believeth in Him...receive remission of sins
Acts 16:31 Believe on...Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved
Rom.5:1 Being justified by faith, we have peace with God
Gal.3:26 Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus
Eph.2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith
Eph.3:17a That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith
(See also 1Pet.1:9)

B. We must live by faith:

Gal.2:20 Life which I live, I live by the faith of (Jesus)
Heb.10:38a The just shall live by faith (See also Rom.1:17b)
1Jn.5:4b This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith

C. We cannot please God without faith:

Heb.11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)
Rom.14:23b Whatsoever is not of faith is sin

D. Faith gives us the strength to keep going:

Psa.27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living
Rom.11:20a Thou standest by faith
2Cor.4:16-18 We faint not...while we look not at things which are seen, but at things which are not seen

3. The Word tells us to have faith:

A. In God and Jesus:

2Chr.20:20 Believe in the Lord your God
Mk.11:22 Jesus saith unto them, Have faith in God
Jn.6:28,29 Believe on Him (Jesus) Whom He (God) hath sent
Jn.14:1 Ye believe in God, believe also in Me
1Jn.3:23 His commandment, that we should believe on Jesus
(See also Acts 20:21)

B. We are also to trust the Lord day by day:

Psa.37:5 Commit way unto the Lord; trust also in Him
Prov.3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
Jer.17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is

C. Have faith in the Word, God's promises to us:

Mk.1:15b Repent ye, and believe the gospel
2Pet.1:19 We have a...sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed (See also 2Pet.3:2)
(See also Acts 15:7)

4. How to obtain faith:

A. Faith is a gift from God:

Heb.12:2a Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith
Rom.12:3b God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith
1Cor.12:7,9a To another (is given) faith by the same Spirit
Gal.5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is...faith
Eph.6:23 Peace be to brethren...and love with faith, from God

B. Pray for it:

Mk.9:24 Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief
Lk.17:5 [They] said unto the Lord, Increase our faith

C. Read the Word:

Rom.10:17 Faith cometh by hearing...the Word of God
Jn.20:30,31 These are written that ye might believe
Acts 15:7b Hear the word of the gospel and believe
Rom.15:4b Written...that we through...Scriptures might have hope

D. The Word nourishes and builds up our faith:

Acts 20:32 The Word of His grace, which is able to build you up
1Tim.4:6b Thou shalt be...nourished up in the words of faith

E. Read the Word in a receptive, believing spirit:

Lk.8:15 They...which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit
Heb.4:2 The Word...did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it
Heb.11:13 [Past saints died in faith believing and embracing the promises of the Word]

F. Listen to testimonies of faith:

2Ki.5:1-5 [The Hebrew maid's witness inspires Naaman's faith]
Jn.4:28-30,39 Many of the Samaritans...believed on Him (Jesus) for the saying of the woman, which testified
Jn.17:20 Them which believe on Me through their word
(See also 2Pet.1:16,19)

G. Miracles glorify God's power and often inspire faith:

Acts 3:1-13,16 ; 4:4 [After the lame man was miraculously healed], many of them which heard the Word believed...5,000 men
Acts 8:5,6,14 [Samaritans believed Philip and received the Word] seeing the miracles which he did
Acts 9:36-42 Many believed in the Lord [when Peter raised the dead]
(See also 1Ki.18:30-39 ; 2Ki.5:9-17 .)

H. Faith grows:

2Thes.1:3 We thank God for you...your faith groweth exceedingly

I. Becoming strengthened and steadfast in the faith:

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith 1Cor.16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith...be strong
Col.1:23a Continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel
Col.2:6,7 Rooted and built up in Him, stablished in the faith

J. We should have faith when we pray:

Mat.21:21,22 Have faith, and doubt not...whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive
Mk.11:24 What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them
Rom.4:21 Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform
Heb.10:22 Let us draw near...in full assurance of faith
Jam.1:5,6 Ask of God...ask in faith, nothing wavering

5. The rewards (blessings or fruits) of faith:

Heb.11:6 He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him

A. Access to God:

Rom.5:2 We have access by faith into this grace
Eph.3:11,12 We have access...by the faith of Him

B. God's love:

Psa.32:10 He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him
Jn.16:27 The Father loveth you, because ye...have believed

C. Righteousness and purity:

Gen.15:6 He (Abraham) believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness (See also Rom.4:1-5)
Acts 15:9 Purifying their hearts by faith
Rom.4:8,9 Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness
Rom.9:30b The righteousness which is of faith
Phi.3:9 That which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

D. The Holy Spirit:

Jn.7:38,39 He that believeth on Me (Jesus)...out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water...the Spirit
Gal.3:14 We...receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

E. Protection against the devil's attacks and lies:

Eph.6:16 Shield of faith...quench all the fiery darts [doubts] 1Thes.5:8 Putting on the breastplate of faith and love

F. Rewards in Heaven:

Jn.14:1-3 Believe in Me...I go to prepare a (mansion) for you
Heb.11:13,16 These all died in faith...He (God) hath prepared for them a city

G. Conviction to witness our faith:

2Cor.4:13 Having spirit of faith...we believe, and therefore speak

H. Spiritual strength:

Psa.27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see
Psa.31:24 He shall strengthen your heart, ye that hope in Lord
Isa.26:4 Trust ye in the Lord...for in the Lord is... strength
Isa.30:15b In confidence (faith) shall be your strength
1Jn.5:4b This is the victory that overcometh the world...faith

I. Stability:

2Chr.20:20b Believe in the Lord...so shall ye be established
Psa.125:1 They that trust in the Lord...cannot be removed

J. Joy:

Psa.33:21 Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name
Psa.146:5 Happy is he...whose hope is in the Lord his God
Pro.16:20b Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he
Acts 16:34 He...rejoiced, believing in God
1Pet.1:8 Ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy

K. Understanding:

Heb.11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God

L. Protection:

Psa.5:11 [They] put their trust in Thee...Thou defendest them
Psa.115:1 Trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield
Pro.29:25 Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe
Pro.30:5 (God) is a shield unto them that put trust in Him
Jer.39:17,18 I will surely deliver thee...because thou hast put thy trust in Me
Heb.11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not (See Josh.2:1-22 ; 6:17,22-25 .)

M. Provision:

Psa.33:18,19 Them that hope in His mercy...keep alive in famine
Psa.37:3 Trust in the Lord...so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed
Jer.17:7,8 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord...he shall not (worry) in drought, [nor] cease from yielding fruit
Mal.3:10 Prove Me herewith, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing

N. Healing:

Psa.42:11 Hope thou in God...Who is the health of my countenance
Mk.5:25-29,34 If I...touch His (Jesus') clothes, I shall be whole. [Jesus said:] Thy faith hath made thee whole
Mk.10:51,52 Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole
Lk.8:49,50 Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole
Jam.5:14,15 Prayer of faith shall save the sick...Lord shall raise him

O. Desires of your heart:

Psa.37:4,5 Trust in Lord...and He shall give desires of thine heart

P. Resurrection from the dead:

Job 19:25-27 [Job declared that though his flesh was utterly consumed and destroyed, he would have a new body]
Jn.11:25,26 He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (See also 1Cor.15:12-20)

6. Trusting in the Lord's promises:

A. You trust in God's promises because you trust Him:

Mat.8:5-10 The centurion said, Lord...speak the word only
Lk.5:4,5 We have toiled all the night, and taken nothing: Nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net
2Tim.1:12b I know Whom I believed, and am persuaded He is able
Heb.10:23 Hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised
Heb.11:11b [Childless Sara] judged Him faithful Who had promised
(See also 2Chr.6:14,15)

B. You trust He is able to fulfil His promises:

Rom.4:20-24 Being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform
2Cor.1:20 All the promises of God in Him (Jesus) are yea, and Amen
Eph.3:20 He is able to do exceeding...above all that we ask

C. God is able to do anything:

Jer.32:27 I am the Lord...is there anything too hard for Me?
Jer.32:17 Ah Lord God! There is nothing too hard for Thee
Mat.19:26 With God all things are possible
Lk.1:37 With God nothing shall be impossible
Rom.4:17 God...calleth those things which be not as though they were

D. You trust Him because He has not failed in the past:

1Ki.8:56 There hath not failed one word of His good promise
(See also 2Chr.6:15)

E. You know He will not go back on His Word:

Num.23:19 Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?
Psa.119:49 Remember the Word...upon which Thou hath caused me to hope
Heb.6:18a It (is) impossible for God to lie

7. Faith vs. natural reasoning:

1Sam.16:7 The Lord seeth not as man seeth; man looketh on the outward appearance...Lord looketh on the heart
Psa.118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than...in man
Pro.3:5,6 Trust in Lord; and lean not unto thine own understanding
Isa.11:3 He shall not judge (according to) the sight of his eyes
Isa.55:8,9 Neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord
Jer.17:5 Cursed be the man that trusteth in man [and not in God]
Jn.20:29b Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet...believed
1Cor.1:21 The world by wisdom knew not God
1Cor.2:5 Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God
1Cor.2:14a The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
2Cor.5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight

8. The power of faith:

A. Genuine believing faith has tremendous power:

Mk.9:23 If thou canst believe, all things are possible
Lk.7:50 Thy faith hath saved thee [woman who touched His hem]
Lk.18:42 Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee
Jn.14:12 He that believeth on Me...greater works...shall he do
Acts 6:8 Stephen, full of faith...did great wonders and miracles
Jam.5:15 The prayer of faith shall save the sick

B. "Faith as a grain of mustard seed":

Mat.17:20b Say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place
Mat.21:21,22 Ye shall not only do this which is done to fig tree
Mk.11:22,23 Have faith in God...say unto mountain, Be removed
Lk.17:6 Say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up

C. Faith trusts God to do outright miracles:

Num.13:26-30 [Caleb had faith to conquer the promised land]
Josh.14:6,12 [Caleb had the faith to drive out the giants]
1Sam.17:37 [David said:] The Lord will deliver me (from Goliath)
Lk.18:27 Things...impossible with men are possible with God
Heb.11:11 Through faith, Sarah received strength to conceive ...when she was past age
Heb.11:29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea
Heb.11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
Heb.11:33-35 Through faith...stopped the mouths of lions...women received their dead raised to life again [etc.]

D. Answer to prayer depends on our faith; the Lord can do anything, but we need to believe:

Mat.9:27-30 Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said, Yea. [Jesus said:] According to your faith be it unto you
Mat.8:13 As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee
Mat.17:19,20 Why could not we cast him out? Because of unbelief
Mat.21:21,22 If ye have faith, and doubt not...ye shall receive

E. Believing, expectant faith will be rewarded:

Mat.15:28 Great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt
Mk.5:22,23 [Jairus said:] Come...that she may be healed. [And she was--See vs. 35,36,41,42 .]
Mk.9:23 All things are possible to him that believeth
Mk.11:23 Whosoever...shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe...he shall have whatsoever he saith
Lk.1:45 Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her
Jn.11:40 If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God

F. Persevering faith:

Mat.15:22-28 A woman...cried to Him, Have mercy on me...He answered not a word [She continued insisting until He did]
Mk.10:46-52 [Blind Bartimaeus continued crying out to Jesus until Jesus granted his request for healing]

G. Faith and patience:

Rom.8:25 If we hope (have faith) for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it
Heb.6:12b Who through faith and patience inherit the promises
Heb.6:15 After he patiently endured, he obtained the promise
Heb.10:35,36 Cast not away your confidence (faith)...After ye have done the will of God...receive the promise
Jam.1:3 The trying of your faith worketh patience

9. The testing of our faith:

1Pet.1:6,7 Trial of your faith...more precious than gold
Job 23:10 When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold

A. God tests our faith:

Gen.22:1-18 [God tested Abraham to see if he was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice] (See also Heb.11:17-19)
Josh.6:2-5 [He had Israelites merely walk around walls of Jericho]
Judg.7:2-7 [He had Gideon drastically reduce the size of his army]
Jn.11:23,39-40 Take ye away the stone. Lord, by this time he stinketh
Acts 5:17-20 [Just released from prison, the apostles are commanded to go preach publicly again]
(See also Deut.8:2)

B. He allows the devil and wicked men to test saints' faith:

Dan.3:14-27 [Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego:] God...will deliver us ...but if not...we will not serve thy gods
Mat.4:1-11 [The devil tempted Jesus :] If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down
Heb.11:35-38 [Saints were] stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain

10. If you have true faith:

A. You will continue to trust God, even when things look hopeless:

Job 13:15 [Job, having lost his wealth, family and health, said:] Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him
Dan.3:16-18 Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace...and out of thine hand, O king
Mat.8:24,26 There arose a great tempest...the ship was covered with waves, [but Jesus chided His disciples for fearing]
Jn.11:21,22 [Four days after Lazarus died, Mary said:] I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask...God will give it
Acts 27:18-25 All hope...was taken away. (But Paul said:) I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me
Acts 28:3-6 [Paul calmly shook off a poisonous snake that had just bitten him]
Rom.4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he (Abraham) might [re ceive the promise]
Rom.4:20 He staggered not at promise of God through unbelief
(See also 2Chr.32:7,8 ; Isa.26:3 ; Jon.2:1-9 ; Acts 9:36-38 .)

B. You will not be shaken or alarmed at bad news:

Psa.112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed (established), trusting in the Lord

C. You will not fret or run around anxiously:

Isa.28:16b He that believeth shall not make haste
Pro.19:2b He that hasteth with his feet sinneth

D. If you trust, you will obey and put your faith into action.--Your deeds and words will show your faith:

Psa.116:10 I believed, therefore have I spoken
Mat.8:5-8,13 [The centurion believed Jesus' word, returned home] and his servant was healed in the selfsame hour
Mat.12:10a,13 [Jesus tells man with withered hand:] stretch forth thine hand. And he (did); and it was restored whole
Mk.7:25-30 [Syrophenician woman believed Jesus, went to her home and found her daughter well]
Lk.17:11-19 [Ten lepers:] As they went, they were cleansed (healed)
Jn.4:46-53 Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word...and he went his way
Jn.11:39-41 Take ye away the stone. They took away the stone [and Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead]
Heb.11:7 By faith Noah, moved...prepared an ark
Jam.2:21-26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also
(See also Josh.6:1-16,20 ; Judg.7:7,16-22 ; 1Ki.17:9-16 ; 2Ki.3:9-11,16-20 ; 4:1-6 ; Heb.11:8,17,23 .)

E. Declarations of faith, followed by victorious action:

1Sam.14:6-16 There is no restraint to Lord to save by many or few
1Sam.17:32-50 The Lord...will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine
Judg.7:15-22 Arise; for Lord hath delivered [them] into your hand

11. Lack of faith:

A. Warnings not to doubt or lose faith:

Mat.14:31 O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Jn.20:27 Be not faithless, but believing
Lk.12:29,30 Neither be ye of doubtful mind
Heb.3:12 Take heed...lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God
Heb.4:11 Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief
Heb.10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence (faith)

B. The consequences of not having faith:

Deut.32:20 I will hide My face from...children in whom is no faith
Isa.7:9b If ye will not believe, ye shall not be established
Mat.13:58 Did not many mighty works because of their unbelief
Jn.3:36b He that believeth not the Son shall not see life
Rom.14:23b For whatsoever is not of faith is sin
1Tim.1:19 Faith...which some having put away, made shipwreck
Heb.3:18,19 They should not enter in [and receive God's promises] because of unbelief
Heb.11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him (God)
Jam.1:6,7 Ask in faith, nothing wavering...he that wavereth...shall receive (nothing) of the Lord
Jude 5 The Lord...destroyed them that believed not

C. Weak or doubting faith seeks miracles and signs:

Mat.16:1,4 A wicked...generation seeketh after a sign
Jn.20:24-29 Jesus saith, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed
1Cor.1:22a The Jews require a sign

D. Faith or doubt?--To do or not to do:

Mat.9:29 According to your faith be it unto you
Rom.14:5b Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind
Rom.14:22 Hast thou faith? Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth
Rom.14:23 He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: Whatsoever is not of faith is sin

Special chapter:

Hebrews 11 "The Faith Chapter" or "Faith's Hall of Fame"

Request

James and Teresita Arendt

Dear Visitor, if this article or website has been a blessing to you, would you please consider to send us a gift through Paypal to buy new front tires for our car by this Christmas? The thread on the front tires is getting thin, and we were told to get new ones for safety reasons. We live on the island of Guam and the cost of living is high. Gasoline at the time of this edit on December 10, 2018, is $4.22 a gallon.

I'm also the webmaster of jamesjpn.net and you can read my bio on it.

You can send to our Paypal account: james.arendt@deeptruths.com

I hope you find this website a blessing.

Sincerely in Christ,
James and Teresita Arendt
Webmaster of Deep Truths
Guam.

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