Living by Faith
Habakkuk 2:1-4 (NLT/NKJV) I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says… 2 Then the Lord said to me, “Write the answer plainly on tablets, so that the runner can carry the correct message to others. 3 This vision is for a future time. 4 “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the just shall live by his faith.
Romans 1:16-17 (NLT/NKJV) For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes… 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says, “The just shall live by faith.”
Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT) Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from the land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to You…” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt Me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped Him. “You really are the Son of God!”
-doubt -emotional
-second guess -personal limitations
-discouraged -lack of resources
-distracted -old thought patterns
-tempted -voice of the enemy
-difficult circumstances
What is faith?
Faith — “to have complete trust and confidence in.”
2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV) But I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed…
John 1:1 (NKJV) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
“Faith is being confident in Who God says He is — and that He will do what He said He would do.”
Romans 4:20-21 (AMP) But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.
1. There are no substitutes for faith
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is…
2. We all have a measure of faith
Romans 12:3 (NKJV) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
3. We must feed our faith regularly
Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Jude 20 (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, [by] praying in the Holy Spirit.
4. Faith has to be practiced
James 2:18 (NLT) Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
James 2:21-22 (NLT) Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
5. We need to use our voice of faith
Mark 11:20-24 (NLT) The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered and died!” 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Confession — “saying the same thing”
6. Our faith is unlimited
“There is no problem He cannot solve.
There is no question He cannot answer.
There is no disease He cannot heal.
There is no demon He cannot cast out.
There is no enemy He cannot defeat.
There is no difficulty He cannot overcome.
There is no stronghold He cannot bring down.
There is no bondage He cannot break.
There is no prison He cannot open.
There is no need He cannot meet.
There is no mountain He cannot move.
There is nothing too hard for our God!”
—Wendell Smith