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"