Today I think the Lord might want to go a little easier on you through this message. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t as important, but not as convicting as some of the last few messages. Today, we will be looking at living a life with faith in God.
I want us to start by repeating a few verses. Psalms 27:14 LET THE WEAK SAY, I AM STRONG. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. . Psalms 71:16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Prayer. Remember, there is power in God’s Word. We should be speaking these verses out daily. Lets all say these again, but this time make it personal. This is you declaring God's promises. I want us to look at many verses today dealing with faith, so again this week have your pen and paper ready as I am going to be moving quickly through some of them. I highly recommend that when you have a chance later to go over these verses, so that you can see for yourself what they say. Amen? Did you know that without faith, it is impossible to please God? Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: (God) for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, or do things well pleasing in His sight; or any of the duties of religion, in an acceptable way; as (catch this, church) prayer, praise, attendance on the word and ordinances, or any good works whatever; because such are without Christ, and without His Spirit; and have neither right principles, nor right ends: for this is not to be understood of the persons of God's elect, as considered in Christ; in whom they are well pleasing to Him before faith; being loved by Him with an everlasting love; and chosen in Christ, before the foundation of the world. For he that cometh to God; to the throne of, His grace, to pray unto Him, to implore His grace and mercy, help and assistance; to the house of God, to worship, and serve Him, and in order to enjoy his presence, and have communion with Him; which coming ought to be spiritual and with the heart; and supposes spiritual life; and must be through Christ, and by faith: wherefore such a comer to God, Let’s continue reading in Hebrews and look at men and women who had faith. Hebrews 11:7-40 KJV By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (8) 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. (9) By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: (10) For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (11) Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (12) Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (13) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (14) For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. (15) And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (16) But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (17) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, (18) Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: (19) Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (20) By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (21) By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. (22) By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. (23) By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. (24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. (28) Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (29) By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (30) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. (31) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (32) And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (33) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (35) Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (36) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (37) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (38) (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (40) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Are we seeing how important faith is? Let’s look at some more. Here in Acts, Jesus said Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me. Friends, I don’t know what else we have to hear. When we hear about the blood of Jesus, the name above all names, when we hear and be doers of repentance and ask Christ into our lives to be Lord and Savior, we now can have heaven on earth. Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Jesus often scolded His disciples I believe in a loving, yet stern way over their lack of faith. Let’s look at some of these times: Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 8:26 Most of you are probably familiar with this story. When Jesus was sleeping in the boat and the winds came and the disciples woke Him and said, “Don’t you care that we are about to die?” And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Everyone that came to Jesus in His 3 1/2 year ministry to be healed was healed. Many times He said, "Because of your faith you are healed or made clean." My friends, your faith and my faith is just as important today as it was back then. Do you want to see God move in your life and your circumstances? Get into your Bibles daily. Be in prayer daily. Friends, I had heard this time and time again and I believed it, but until I actually fell on my face, until I really spent time in His Word, because I wanted to, rather than feeling I had to, I lived in just a mediocre life. Now, I can witness to people with boldness for God’s Glory. Now I can discern between a false message or a Godly message. I see people healed when I pray in faith, and I use His Word against the symptoms. Not because I am special, but because I love His Word and I love my Savior. It is trying to seek God’s heart. Praise You, Jesus. Church, I want each of you to get this. When we pray, don't have in the back of your minds past circumstances. Stay tuned in to God's Word. There are going to be those with fancy titles before or after their names tell you something different. Don't listen. Let the Bible dictate the truth. Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Let’s say that again…… The just shall live by faith! Now the just shall live by faith, The "just" man is one not in appearance only, but in reality; not by his obedience to the law, but by the obedience to Christ; and he is evidently so by the Spirit, and by faith: and he is one, who lives soberly and righteously; and the life he lives, and shall live at present, is not eternal life; for though he shall live that life, yet this is not intended; for it is a living by faith that is spoken of, and as antecedent to the coming of Christ. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. There is one person in the Bible, who I can’t find where it says that he did nothing wrong. Now, that doesn't mean he wasn't a sinner; he was a sinner. We're all sinners. But you can search the Scriptures and you won't find one verse that says, this fellow did this wrong, but God forgave him. Abraham told lies about Sarah, but God forgave him. Moses struck the rock, but God forgave him. Paul says, "I was a persecutor of the church, but I obtained mercy." But all the way through the Bible, every verse that relates to this person, there is not a single verse that says anything bad about this man. Now, I can see that puzzled look on your faces, and I like that. It means you're thinking. You know who it was? Joseph. It was Joseph in the Old Testament. Nothing in the Old Testament records anything he did wrong; nothing in the New Testament records anything he did wrong. Because of much good discussion throughout the message, we will continue next week and start looking into the life of Joseph. Prayer. Communion
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