What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (NKJV).
Faith – Firm persuasion; belief; conviction
Substance – Solid foundation
Hope – Anticipation of something good
Evidence – Proof
Not seen – Have not come to pass yet: invisible
B. How do we get faith?
Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (NKJV).
Hearing – Hearing and understanding in one’s spiritual perception
C. Where did faith come from?
Hebrews 11:6 – 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 (NKJV).
Believe that God is.
Come to Him.
Receive His reward.
D. Faith = Belief; being persuaded by God’s argument
1. Jesus said that people’s problems were based on either:
a. Little faith (Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28)
b. No faith (Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25)
2. A few had great faith – even mega-faith (Matthew 8:10; 15:28; Luke 7:9).
3. But many more had faith that produced the miracle they desired.
Matthew 9:2-8
Matthew 9:20-22
Matthew 9:28-29
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” (NKJV).
Mark 2:3-12
Mark 5:24-34
Mark 10:46-52
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho
with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the road begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road (NKJV).
Luke 5:17-26
Luke 7:47-50
47 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many,
are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same
loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (NKJV).
Luke 8:43-48
Luke 17:11-19
11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem
that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
18 “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well” (NKJV).
Luke 18:35-43