Sermon-7-10-10

Presque Isle Seventh Day Adventist Church

Sermon - 7/10/2010

"What is True Faith - Do You Have it?"

Today's Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 19-20

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New King James Version)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body[a] and in your spirit, which are God’s.

A few stories from the Bible

Matthew 9:18-19; Matthew 9:23 (New King James Version)

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.

23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing.

Matthew 9:20-22 (New King James Version)

20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Matthew 9:27-30 (New King James Version)

Two Blind Men Healed

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it. ”

Matthew 9:24-26 (New King James Version)

24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.

Matthew 8:5-10 (New King James Version)

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

Romans 12:3 (New King James Version)

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts. God hath dealth to every man the measure of faith. (Measure = exactly the right amount to do the job.)

3 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.

The Bible says, faith the size of a mustard seed could move a mountain!

Matthew 17:14-20 (New King James Version)

A Boy Is Healed

14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

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.

"What is True Faith - Do You Have it?"

The three principles concerning faith:

Essential or Indispensable

Purified and Refined

Implicit or Complete

Essential or Indispensable

Hebrews 11:1 (New King James Version)

By Faith We Understand

1 Now faith is the substance (Substance = essential part from which something is made) (Faith is the substance of the Christian life) the evidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Ephesians 6:16 (New King James Version)

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Habakkuk 2:4 (New King James Version)

4 “ Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

1 John 5:4 (New King James Version)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Hebrews 11:6 (New King James Version)

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.

Billy Graham says that "faith...is an act of man that reaches beyond the limits or our 5 senses (sight; taste; hearing; smell; touch)

2 Corinthians 5:7 (New King James Version)

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

In Heavenly Places 104, it reads like this: Faith, saying faith...IS the act of the soul by which the whole man is given over to the guardianship and control of Jesus Christ. He stays in Christ and Christ stays in the soul BY faith as supreme. The believer commits his soul and body to God, and with assurance may say, Christ IS ABLE to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day.

Spurgeon writes: It is not great faith, but true faith, that saves; and the salvation lies, not in the faith, but in the Christ in whom faith trusts. Faith as a grain of mustard seed will bring salvation. It is not the measure of faith, but the sincerity of faith, which is the point to be considered. Surely a man can believe what he knows to be true; and as you know Jesus to be true, you, my friend, can believe in Him.

Purified and Refined

James 1:2-4;

(KJV) 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (GNB) 2 My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way.; (GW) 2 My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways.; (ISV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials,

(NKJV) 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience (Patience = the power or capacity to endure without complaint anything difficult or disagreeable) have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (endurance = is to remain firm under suffering, misfortune or hardship without yielding or giving in)

James 1:12 (New King James Version)

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (New King James Version)

A Heavenly Inheritance

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

In GW 260, 261 we read: The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth...The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Savior...saying faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.

If you are not experiencing victory in your life over sin, than you do not have a living faith!

GW 260 says: Perfect faith, is the surrender of self to God, and a simple trust in his pledged word.

Galatians 2:20 (New King James Version)

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Joel C. Gregory writes:

The testing we go through demonstrates the genuineness of our faith. In the phrase ‘the testing of your faith,’ the work “testing’ is an almost untranslatable word. The Williams version explains it as showing what is “genuine in your faith.” The idea refers to iron ore that has gone through the refining fire and comes out the other side clean and pure and genuine. This is the word Job used when he said, “When he has tried me in the fire, I will come out like gold.”

“Actually, there may be something suspect about a faith that has never been tested. An army going through basic training is not ready for battle. Not until solders have faced the battle and been under fire, do they consider themselves proven, hardened, worthy. A ship cannot prove that it’s been sturdily built as long as it stays in a dry dock. Its hull must get wet; it must face a storm to demonstrate genuine seaworthiness. The same is true of our faith. {When we hold fast to belief in Christ in spite of life’s storms and crushing criticisms, that’s when we demonstrate the genuineness of our faith}."

Implicit or Complete

DA 535 – When the Lord is about to do a work, Satan moves upon someone to object. “Take ye away the stone", Christ said. As far as possible, prepare the way for My work. But Martha’s positive and ambitious nature asserted itself. She was unwilling that the decomposing body should be brought to view. The human heart is slow to understand Christ’s words, and Martha’s faith had not grasped the true meaning of His promise.

Christ reproved Martha, but his words were spoken with the utmost gentleness. “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Why should you doubt in regard to My power? Why reason in opposition to My requirements? You have My word. If you believe, you shall see the glory of God. Natural impossibilities cannot prevent the work of the Omnipotent One. Skepticism and unbelief are not humility, true self-surrender. (Based on John 11:1-46)

ST, May 17, 1899 par. 12 Says – The Holy Spirit, sent from heaven by the compassion of infinite love, takes the things of God, and reveals them to every soul that has an implicit faith in Christ. By (its) power, {FAITH} the vital truths, upon which the salvation of the soul depends, are impressed upon the minds of men, and the way of life is made so plain and clear that those who are ignorant, who have not had the advantage of great learning, need not make a mistake therein. Faith is simple; it means no more nor less than belief in the (Word) of the infinite God. Believing, all may have life through His name. When the Jews asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” the answer came from the lips of One that never lies, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.

The principals of divine truth, (received) and (cherished) in the heart, will carry us to a height of moral excellence that we had not deemed it possible for us to reach. Belief in Christ makes it possible for each one to be an over comer.”

James 1:6-8 (New King James Version)

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Hebrews 10:22-23 (New King James Version)

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 11:5-32 (New King James Version)

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.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child[] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

Hebrews 11:13 (New King James Version)

These all died in faith (The Heavenly Hope)

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[a] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:33-40 (New King James Version)

33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Abraham Lincoln said: “Faith is not believing that God can, but that God will!”

Corrie Ten Boom wrote: “Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible”.

(GW) 263: Faith is the clasping of the hand of Christ in every emergency.

Monica Dickens tells a story about David, a 2-year old with leukemia. His mother Deborah took him to a hospital in Boston to see Dr. John Truman who specializes in treating children with cancer and various blood diseases. Dr. Truman’s prognosis was devastating. “He has a 50-50 chance.” The countless clinic visits, the blood tests, the intravenous drugs, the fear and pain. The mother’s ordeal can be almost as bad as the child’s because she must stand by, unable to bear the pain herself. David never cried in the waiting room, and although his friends in the clinic had to hurt him and stick needles in him, he hustled ahead of his mother with a smile, sure of the welcome he always got. When he was three, David had to have a spinal tap (a painful procedure at any age). It was explained to him that, because he was sick, Dr. Truman had to do something to make him better. “If it hurts, remember it’s because he loves you”, his mother said. The procedure was horrendous! It took three nurses to hold David still, while he yelled and sobbed and struggled. When it was almost over, the tiny boy, soaked in sweat and tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, “Thank you, Doctor Truman, for my hurting.”

Answers are given in (EW) 73. It reads like this: I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.”

In the book PP 290, here we are given a challenge: Dangers and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet, the voice of God speaks clearly, “Go forward.” We shall obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;” but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.

Summary:

Essential or Indispensable: We cannot be served without our faith. The Bible says it is impossible to please God without faith!

Purified and Refined: We must be tried in the fire to be purified!

Implicit or Complete: Absolute and unquestioning faith. As true principle as a needle to the pole.

1 Timothy 6:12 (New King James Version)

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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