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Basic Bible Study Course

FAITH

LESSON #12 PART 1

OUTLINE:

1. WHAT IS FAITH?
2. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FAITH TOWARD GOD?
3. DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FAITH
4. SAVED BY FAITH
5. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH
6. LIVE BY FAITH
7. HEALED BY FAITH
8. RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST BY FAITH
9. FAITH AND WORKS
10. CONTINUE IN FAITH
11. YOUR FAITH WILL BE TRIED
12. CONTEND FOR THE FAITH
13. FAITH FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE
14. ENEMIES OF FAITH: Doubt and Unbelief

Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

Faith: 1) unquestioning belief 5) complete trust, confidence, or reliance 6) loyalty; allegiance to some person or thing.

FAITH

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23.

1. WHAT IS FAITH?

Read all of Hebrews Chapter eleven. Faith is unquestioning belief and complete confidence in God. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit and without it you cannot please God.

(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

2. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FAITH TOWARD GOD?

Source means root or foundation. God has put in every man some faith.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith! He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. God's Word forever is settled in heaven. Read Psalm 119:89, Hebrews 13:8, Romans Chapter 10, and Revelation 22:13.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17.

Acts 4:4 says about 5,000 men heard the word and believed. Read Acts 15:7 and Romans 10:8. The word brings faith. Faith can come by hearing the word of God witnessed, preached, being read, etc. You can get faith by reading the Word of God yourself if you have spiritual hearing (Mark 4:33). God ordained that by preaching lost souls could be saved. After you have come to Jesus and received salvation, you must continue in Christ Jesus.

(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:13-14.

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21. Read Verses 18-21.

3. DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FAITH

* NO FAITH
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:40.

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:2.

Not all men have the faith to believe in Christ Jesus for salvation (Galatians 3:26). All men have been given the measure of faith (Romans 12:3) but some refuse to use it to repent and be saved. All are called to be saved, but they have not all obeyed the gospel. Read Romans 10:9-18, Matthew 13:12, Matthew 25:29, & Luke 8:18. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17), so when you have the measure of faith, and don't act upon it and repent, even that measure that you have will be taken away from you and you will go to hell (Mark 4:25). Read the surrounding scriptures for full understanding. Read all of Mark Chapter 4 about the sower parable. Read Luke 9:41, Matthew 17:17, & Mark 9:19.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:27.

Faith cometh by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). How can this next scripture be true? Because they did not use the measure of faith that God gives every man. Read Deuteronomy 32:20.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2.

* MEASURE OF FAITH

Remember the man who hid his talent in Luke 19:26. The others were rewarded but the Lord called this man a wicked servant. He did not use the measure of faith that God gave him. He had a measure because God gave to every man the measure of faith. Read Luke 19:12-27. If you don't use the measure of faith God gives you, he will take it away and you will not be saved.

* LITTLE FAITH

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 6:30. Read Matthew 8:26 & 14:31.

* GREAT FAITH

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15:28. Read Matthew 8:10.

* MUSTARD SEED FAITH

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. Matthew 17:20. Read also Luke 17:5-6.

* FULL OF FAITH

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Acts 6:8.

* PERFECT FAITH

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:22.

* ALL FAITH

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2. Read Verse 13.

4. SAVED BY FAITH

You must BELIEVE God and his Son Jesus Christ in order to be saved. By faith you can know you have salvation.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43.

Read: John 14:1, John 8:24, John 3:18, Acts 26:18. Read John 9:1-41. Jesus had just healed this blind man and the religious crowd had scorned him and cast him out. The man did not know who Jesus was but knew he had to be of God. Jesus led him to salvation. Read John 9:35-38. Faith toward God is for all people if they will accept it. Jesus prayed not only for his disciples but for us also (John 17:11 & 20). You must believe in the redeeming power of Jesus Christ to cleanse you of sin to be saved (Galatians 3:22).

(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10.

There are many scriptures about believing Jesus Christ for salvation. Read Luke 7:50, Acts 16:31. Read these scriptures about believing and life: John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:40, John 6:47, John 11:25-26, John 1:12, Galatians 3:26, John 3:16.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16.

Read Acts 15:9 and 1 John 5:1-10. If you believe Jesus, you are born of God. Be sure to read these scriptures on RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH: Philippians 3:9, Romans 10:3, Romans 3:22, & James 2:23.

5. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

(1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2.

Be sure to read Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-26, & Romans 4:4-5. Further study: Romans Chapter 1-4, Matthew 5:17-20, James 2:8-13, Luke 16:13-17, Romans 8, Galatians 3:17-19, Galatians Chapter 3.

6. LIVE BY FAITH (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 2 Corinthians 5:7. Read Habakkuk 2:4, Galatians 3:11, 1 Timothy 4:12. Read 2 Peter 1:3-11. Wanting means lacking.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9.

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17.

7. HEALED BY FAITH

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:15. Read Verse 16.

Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer. A lame man asked alms of them. Peter told the man he didn't have silver and gold. He told him in the name of Jesus to rise up and walk (Acts 3:6). He told the people that faith in Jesus gave the man perfect soundness (Acts 3:16). Read Matthew 9:5, Mark 2:9, Acts 14:9, and Luke 5:23. There is much more this subject.

8. RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST BY FAITH

Read John 7:39. Obedience to God causes confidence toward God. Disobedience is sin and God heareth not sinners (except prayer of repentance). Therefore, a clean heart causes faith in God and you can receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:32).

9. FAITH AND WORKS

a. FAITH BY ITSELF IS NOT ENOUGH TO PLEASE GOD

Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. Diligently seek God. Faith and works go together to accomplish something effectively for God. Our works don't save us but they become important after we believe God for salvation. We prove our faith and love toward God by obedience, which involves our works.

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5.

(14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (20) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:14-20 & 24.

The devils (fallen angels) believe that God is real, but they rejected God, therefore God has rejected them. Read about Simon in Acts 8. He believed, and was baptized, but he was in the bond of iniquity and needed deliverance (Acts 26:20). Read Titus 3:8-works meet for repentance.

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26. Read all James 2.

You must FULFILL THE CONDITIONS to see the promises of God come to pass in your life. You must believe and you must obey and having done all, stand (Ephesians 6:13). Read Psalm 37:5, Philippians 3:15-17, & Luke 8:14-15.

(12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (13) And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:12 & 15.

b. YOU MUST BELIEVE AND CONFESS CHRIST

Believing the gospel is not enough; you must confess the Lord Jesus. Hearing is not enough; you must obey the gospel. Read Acts 19:18 and Proverbs 28:13.

(42) Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: (43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (44) Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. John 12:42-44. (48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48.

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38. Read also Luke 9:26.

10. CONTINUE IN FAITH

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22.

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Colossians 1:23.

Some will not continue in faith in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 1:19). As we continue in Christ we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Read Acts 16:5, Romans 1:17 (faith to faith), and Hebrews 10:23 (hold fast to faith without wavering).

11. YOUR FAITH WILL BE TRIED

When you get saved, your friends won't treat you like they used to. When you are growing up in the Lord, your current friends won't treat you the same, unless they also are growing in the Lord. You will suffer losses (including your self will). Paul said he counted all things as dung that he might win Christ (Philippians 3:8). Read 1 Peter 1:3-13 and Luke 14:26-27.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12.

(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3-4.

Some of Jesus' family did not believe he was the Son of God (John 7:5). You will be mocked for your faith in God. Read Matthew 5:10-12, Hebrews 11:36, Matthew 18:6, Philippians 1:29, 1 Corinthians 16:13, and Read 2 Corinthians 1:24. Be established in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

12. CONTEND FOR THE FAITH
(Contend means to strive in combat or opposition; fight; struggle.)

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3.

(7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12. Read all of 1 Timothy chapter 6.

In combat you need armor (read Ephesians Chapter 6). 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells of spiritual warfare. Read Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18 (loosing and binding). Read 1 Thessalonians 3:10 about lacking in your faith. If we had all we needed, we would be doing a whole lot more. Read Mark 16; have we got the faith that was once delivered to the saints?

13. FAITH FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE

Read Galatians 3:5, Isaiah 45:11, Job 22:28, Ephesians 1:19, and Mark 16:17-18.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23.

(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5.

14. ENEMIES OF FAITH

(8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Remember, faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Therefore the devil (always our enemy) tries to destroy us by stealing the word from us. Read John 14:30, John 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, and 2 Corinthians 3:14-15.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12.

DOUBT and UNBELIEF

God will punish those who disobey Him. If you know what God says and don't obey him, you will doubt your salvation. Doubt is an enemy of faith. Read 1 John 3:20-22, Deuteronomy 28:58-68, Deuteronomy 28:66, and 1 Timothy 2:8.

Doubt or discouragement may try to overcome us just as it did Peter when he was walking by faith toward Jesus on the water. That was a FAITH walk. We are on a faith walk when we are saved. Just as the water was not solid physically, the faith road to heaven is not solid physically, BUT it is solid spiritually by FAITH in God and his Son Jesus Christ. See why faith is so vital! Thank God for mercy to us as he had to Peter when he momentarily (not permanently) doubted. When we look back up in faith for help, Jesus is there, like he was for Peter (Matthew 14:31). Praise God! Faith and doubt are opposites! In order for faith to work for you, you must rid yourself of doubt in your heart. That comes through weeding. Weeds and thorns (Matthew 13:22) choke the word and you become unfruitful. Read Matthew 21:21 and Romans 14:23.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:27.

(20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:20-21.

Jesus did not many mighty works in one place because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58). Read Mark 6:6. Unbelief will cause you NOT to receive the promises of God (Hebrews 3:19 & Hebrews 4:6 & 11). Read Mark 16:14 and Matthew 17:19-20. Read Romans Chapter 11; read verses 20, 23, 30, and 32 in particular (on unbelief). We don't have to stay in unbelief! We can pray and seek God and overcome doubt and unbelief. Paul said he obtained mercy because of his ignorant unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13). Read Philippians 3 about the change in Paul. Unbelief (not believing) God and his saving power will cause you to go to hell. Read these scriptures about the unbeliever: Hebrews 3:18, Jude 1:5, Revelation 21:8.

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Hebrews 3:12.

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