The Weapons of our Warfare

FAITH

I. What faith is.

A, Faith defined - to believe, to be persuaded of, to have confidence in, to trust in, to rely upon, to have entire dependence upon with assurance.

B. Faith is understanding authority and acting or relying upon it. Matt. 8:10; Lk, 7:9.

C. Faith is the opposite of doubt, fear and unbelief. Matt. 8:26, 14:31; Mk. 4:40; Lk. 12:28.

D. Faith is measured.

1. According to your faith. Matt. 9:29.
2. Great faith. Matt. 15.:28. l1
3. Little faith. Matt. 16.8.
4. Faith as a... seed. Matt. 17:20.
5. Full of faith. Acts 6:5.
6. Proportion of faith. Rom. 12: 6.

E. Faith is hindered by unbelief and it is in direct proportion to the amount of unbelief in the heart. Jas. 1 :6, 7; Matt. 17: 19, 20.

F. Faith can be vicarious (on another's behalf). Mk. 2:5; Jas. 5:16.

G. Faith can be communicated. Rom. 1: 12; Philemon vs. 5, 6.

H. Faith can grow or mature. Rom. 1:17; II Cor. 10:15; II Thess. 1:3.

I. Faith can fail. Acts 14:22. (Exhortation to continue in faith. It is an act of the will to maintain faith.)

1. Pray. . . that thy faith fail not. Lk. 22:32.
2. Faith made shipwreck. I Tim. 1: 19.

J. Faith is evidenced in importunity. Matt. 15:28; Lk. 18:8.

K. Faith dares to speak to the mountain, will speak before it sees. Matt. 17:20; Mk. 11:22; Acts 3:6, 7.

II. What faith can do.

A. Faith can save the soul. Matt. 9:2; Mk. 2:5; Eph. 2:8, 9.

B. Faith can heal the body. Matt. 9:22; Lk. 17: 19; Acts 3: 16.

C. Faith opens a door to God and His power. Acts 14:27; Heb. 11:6 Acts 3: 16; Jas. 5: 16.

D. Faith cleanses away sin and brings righteousness. Acts 15:9; Rom. 1:17,3:22,4:5,9.

E. Faith brings blessing. Heb. 11 :20.

1. The trial of faith is precious. I Peter 1 :7.
2. Faith itself is precious. II Peter 1: 1.
3. Faith brings feeling. Phil. 1 :25.

III. Faith has serious obligations.

A. All are commanded to have faith (saving faith). I John 3:23.

B. Faith demands obedience. Acts 6:7,14:22; Romans 1:5, 14:23: (Disobedience to faith brings condemnation of sin for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.)

C. Faith must be held and practiced with love. I Cor. 13:2; Jas. 2:1

D. Immature faith (wavering into doubt or unbelief and fear) can claim nothing from God with assurance. Jas. 1 :5-8.

E. Faith must be maintained actively.

1. Faith is the object of Satan's attack. Jude 3.
2. Faith is constantly tried. I Peter 1: 7.
3. Faith must be followed. I Tim. 6: 11.
4. Faith must be fought for. I Tim. 6: 12.
5. Faith must be defended. Jude 3.

IV. Faith is related to Christ. He is the author and finisher of it. Heb. 12:2

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