A Step out of Faith

Date: April 1, 2017

Time: 10:45-  11:15

Topic: “A Step of Faith”

Foundation Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Let’s talk about faith.

John White (a writer) says: “Faith is at the core of practical Christianity”. Your Christian life began the moment you believed.

Why believe? Remember Scripture Verse of John 3:16… For God so loved the world that whoever ‘believes’ in Him… Take note: The Word ‘Believe’ this is the key, for when you believe that sparks the fire in you and later you will begin to act on it. From there it grows as faith widens the channel along which grace flows to you.

“No aspect of your Christian Life is of greater importance.” (it’s your faith)

A. What is Faith?

Faith is a person’s response to God’s initiative.
Responding to God’s plan of Salvation through Christ was your first step of faith.  You could have ‘accepted or rejected’ the plan, but the whole process began with God. When you realize that faith is your response to God’s initiative, it takes the
‘pressure off’ in you.

You stop wondering, “how much faith do I have?” Instead,
in every situation you’re in, you look on God asking.  “What is He saying to me?”, “What will He have me do?”

When Christ commanded men and women of great faith in the Gospels, He was
not referring mystical inner state. (Our union with God)
But rather, He referred to their concrete actions.

B. The Purpose of Faith

     Hebrews 11:1-12

1. What do we learn about faith from verse 1?

We see faith deals with the “not seen” and the “hoped for”.
The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says. The end point is believing in God’s promises;
He will do what He says. When He believes that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.  John 20:24-31

In v.3

God called the universe into existence out of N O T H I N G; He declared that it was to be, and it was.

Our faith is in the God who created the entire universe by His Word. God’s Word has awesome power. When He speaks, do you listen and respond? How can you better prepare yourself to respond to God’s Word?
So, we see that ‘these people’ mentioned had faith, they were sure of what they had hoped for and were certain of what they had not seen.

As a result, they obeyed and brought to pass God’s plan for humankind. John White (author- the fight) says, “our own faith then bridges the gap between our humanity and eternity”. It can unleash eternal powers here on earth. That is its purpose.

We are a bridgehead for the eternal God in the place where He put us.
(Listen to this) “The whole might of eternity can pass through us to touch people around us. All we do is O B E Y God”.

Recall one of the times when you stepped out in faith and obeyed God. What happened then? How did it affect you? How did it affect the people around you?
(Ex: Testimony- laying of the hands to a sick mother in oxygen got healed) murag wala nato but the power is already unleashed- eternal power

C. Increasing Our Faith