Faith, Faith that overcomes,  Fear not, Fellowship, Faith that works, Faithful & Fruitful, Four Examples of Faith, Fasting, The life of fullness

 

HAVE FAITH THAT OVERCOMES:- I Jn 5:1-6; Key verse 4

What is faith : Heb 11:1- believing what you can’t see

  1. Faith pleases God:- Heb 11:6- pleasing faith
  2. Faith sees the unseen:- Heb 11:10- seeing faith
  3. Faith overcomes:- Heb 11:20-40- overcoming
  4. The indwelling Christ:- Rom 8:37
  5. Faith brings victory:- I Jn 5:4
  6. The overcomers:- Rev 2:7,11,17,26;  3:5,12,21
  7. The inheritance:- Rev 21:7

·        Jesus said “I have overcome the world - Jn 16:33. And faith in Him that overcame gives us the victory.

·        I Jn 4:4; I Jn 5:5- Not our own but His- we only “Claim”.

FELLOWSHIP:- I John

Life- Is possible based on Jesus Christ- 1:1-4 (2,3)

Light – demands obedience, confession & conversion- 1:5 – 2:29(19)

Love – with God leads to fellowship with others- 3:1 – 5:12 (4,7)

-         assurance is possible based on His words- 5:1 –21 (13)

              Conditions

  1. Know Christ personally
  2. Walk in light
  3. Practice obedience

        Qualities of those in fellowship

  1. let love dispel the darkness (2:5-12)
  2. Spiritual growth (2: 12-14)
  3. Spiritual warfare (2:15-17)
  4. Distinguish truth from error (2:18-23)
  5. Taught by the Spirit (2:20-29)
  6. Remember who you are (3:1-10)
  7. God’s standard (3:4-10)
  8. Love as God loves (3:11-24)
  9. The indwelling Christ (4:1-6)
  10. Grow & mature in love (4: 7-21)
  11. Have faith that overcomes (5:1-5)
  12. Be sure- assurance of eternal life.(5: 11-13)

FAITH THAT WORKS:- (James 2:14-26)

        (faith) Rom 3:28 vs  Ja 2:24 (works) / Eph 2:8-9;  Tit 3:5- ‘Grace’ faith

       (works) Ja 2:20 vs  Ro 4:5 (faith)   /  Ro 5:1- faith justifies

  1. A make- believe faith :- hypocrisy (II I 3:5)
  2. An intellectual faith :- (of devils) (vs 19)
  3. An obedient faith :- vs 21,22,25 Abraham & Rahab.

          Eph 2:10, Tit 3:8- good works manifest faith.

FOUR EXAMPLES OF FAITH (Heb 11:8-19)

  1. Faith to live the “unknown life” :- (vs 8)- Is 55:8-9;  Heb 12:1-3
  2. Faith to live the “pilgrim life” :- (vs 9, 10) I Pe 2:11
  3. Faith to live the “supernatural  life” :- (vs 11)  Zech  4:7
  4. Faith t live the “sacrificial life” :- (vs 17,18) Rom 12:1-3, Lk 9:23-24; 14:33

FASTING:- (Isaiah 58:1-11)  (Mt 6:17-18)

  1. The conduct of a fast :- (3-5) – to humble the body (3) to do the Lord’s pleasure,

                                                  -  no quarelling, no exploitations of workers.

  1. The characteristics of a fast :- (6-9)- to do secretly, special & social oppressions     

                                                                 released, helping others practically

                                                           -personal sanctification.

  1. The consequences of a fast :- (8-11) – health, protection, guidance, satisfaction,

                                                                   Fruitfulness, staying power.

THE LIFE OF FULLNESS :- (Col 1:9-11)

  1. HIS WILL – knowledge of His will
  2. OUR WALK- worthy of the Lord
  3. GOOD WORK- being fruitful.

BEING FAITHFUL & FRUITFUL

1.      Faithful in giving : Acts 5

2.      Faithful in using : Mat 25:14

3.      Faithful in our home : Heb 3:1-5

4.      Faithful till the end : Heb 3:6; Rev 2:10

5.      Fruitfulness (Jn 15:8)- mark of a disciple- evidence of growth

6.      Fruitfulness- God’s desire: Lk 13:6-9

7.      Fruitfulness – wrong/ bad fruits : Is 5:1-7

8.      Joseph- an example of faithful & fruitful : Gen 39

9.      Fruit of the Spirit: Gal 5.

FEAR NOT :- (Joshua 1:1-9 ) Lk 21:26-28

After Moses died – God’s work to continue , people not indispensable. If not you , some else .

Joshua commissioned & comforted to continue & complete.

    1. God’s presence assured :- strengthening, enabling
    2. God’s promises (reminded ) announced:- faithful, unfailing
    3. God’s prosperity accrued :- successful – to be faithful.

Conditions :- To depend upon Him – be strong.

                     To obey all the law – total obedience

                     To be steadfast – no wavering, doubting.

                     To be faithful- in doing His will.

Finally Joshua testified :- Jo 23:14 – all fulfilled

Promises :- Ps 27:1; 34:4; 56:3; 118:6-9; Lk 12:32; Heb 13:5-6; I Jn 4:4; Phil 4:4-8

FAITH :- Hebrews 11:1-6

    1. The meaning of faith- is the substance of things hoped for

                                       Is the realization of things unseen

                                       e.g. Train -reserved ticket.

    1. The basis of faith-  for salvation (Jn 14:1; 6:29; Ac 20:21; Mk 1:15; I Cor 15:1-31)

                                  Accompanied by repentance:- Mark 1:15

                                  Followed by conversion : Ac 11:21

    1. Kinds of faith – not just intellectual assent :- James 2:18-20
    2. The source of faith:- It is the gift of the Holy Spirit –(I Cor 12:9)

                                     Christ is the author & finisher of faith – Heb 12:2

                                     The Scripture designed to produce – John 20:31; II Tim 3:15

                                     Preaching designed to produce – Jn 17:20; Rom 10:14,15,17

            5.The significance of faith- Essential to please God – Heb 11:6

                                                    Necessary for salvation – Rom 10:,10; Eph 2:8

                                                 Whatever is not of faith is sin – Rom 11:23

            6.The evidence of faith- Express itself in works (fruits)- James 2:21-25

            7.The result of faith – brings remission/ forgiveness of sins –Ac 10:43

                                             gives eternal life – Jn 3:15,16

                                             all difficulties overcome by faith – Mt 17:20; 21:21

                                             all things should be done in faith – Rom 14:22

            8.The test of faith – Often tried by affliction- I Pe 1:6,7

                                          Trial produces patience – James 1:3

               Faith can be increased (pray):- Lk 17:5 (II Thess 1:3)