Message Notes

GOALS:

1. To obtain an Essential Basic Biblical Theology

2. Three Vital Aspects:

a) A Theology of the Word of God

b) A Theology of Sin

c) A Theology of Faith

A WORKING DEFINITION OF FAITH

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:1-6

1. Faith defined Hebrews 11:1

a) Substance

b) Evidence

c) Both are essential

2. The Place of Faith

a) Obtaining of a good testimony Hebrews 11:2

b) By faith we understand Hebrews 11:3

c) By faith we present acceptable worship Hebrews 11:4

d) By faith we have a walk that pleases God Hebrews 11:5

e) Without faith, it is impossible to please God Hebrews 11:6

THE PROBLEM OF UNBELIEF

1. A short list of Texts that speak about unbelief/ little faith

2. No faith Mark 4:40

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41

3. Little faith Matthew 8:26

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marvelled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Matthew 8:23-27

4. Help my Unbelief  Mark 9:24

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [e]and fasting.”

Mark 9:23-29

5. Because of your unbelief Matthew 17:20

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:19-21

IS GREAT FAITH POSSIBLE?

1. Such great faith Matthew 8:10

10 When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
Matthew 8:10-13

2. Great is your faith Matthew 15:28

21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
23 But He answered her not a word.
And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15:21-28

A PRACTICAL PLAN TO CULTIVATE FAITH

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:1-11

1. Inspiration to cultivate Faith

a) We have like precious faith 2 Peter 1:1b

b) Divine power is available 2 Peter 1:3

c) Great and precious promises 2 Peter 1:4a

d) Partakers of the divine nature 2 Peter 1:4b

e) We have a Calling/Election 2 Peter 1:10

2. Instruction on how to cultivate Faith

a) Add diligently

b) List of things to add

i) Virtue

ii) Knowledge

iii) Self-control

iv) Perseverance

v) Godliness

vi) Brotherly kindness

vii) Love

3. Insights

a) These must be ours

b) They must abound

c) Results:

i) Not barren

ii) Not unfruitful

4. Where we lack

a) Short-sighted

b) Blindness

c) Forgotten we have been cleansed from old sins

CONCLUSION

1. Two aspects of Faith to note:

a) The Objective part

It is in the Scriptures

b) The Subjective part

It is up to the Individual:

i) To seek

ii) To cultivate

iii) To apply

2. The Challenge:

a) To cultivate a Faith that pleases God

b) To evidence a Faith in real-life