FAITH is the Potential

1. FAITHis the Potential Christian Foundational Truths Lesson 7

2. Faith • Empiricismis knowledge from perception by observation and experience rather than by theory. • It is reliance on sensory perception for the discovery of truth. • Empiricism is flawed because there are so many things that cannot be seen, heard, smelled, touched or tasted or measured in any way or accounted for. • Rationalismis reliance on human reason for the discovery of truth. • Rationalism says that reality is what you think to be true. • Rationalism is flawed because it can never extend beyond the tiny limits of human intelligence. • Faith is a non‑meritorious system of perception based on confidence in the authority and the veracity of another.

3. Faith Isaiah 55:8-11 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to me empty, without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding {in the matter} for which I sent it. (NAS) Hebrews 11:6 And 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 seek Him. (NAS)

4. Faith Faith is the means of salvation adjustment to the justice of God. Faith is a system of doctrine, or what is believed. The perception concept [ inhale faith ] is related to the transformation process that takes place in our lives after salvation as we take in the Word of God while clean (free from personal sin) and desiring the Word. The application concept [ exhale faith ] is related to the exercise of our faith in what we have learned as we deal with our daily life situations. James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (NASB) James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows {the} right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. (NASB) Romans 3:22 even {the} righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; (NASB) Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (NASB) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NASB) John 3:18-19 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. (NASB) John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NASB) John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. (NASB) John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (NASB) Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (NASB) Romans 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, (NASB) Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; (NASB) Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (NASB) Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (NASB) 1 John 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. (NASB) 1 John 5:4‑5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (NASB) Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (NASB) 1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, (NASB) 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NASB) 4

5. ALL THE FAITH IN THE WORLD This represents how much faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation. Object of Faith Phase One Faith Yourself Family Education Country Stock Market WHATEVER YOU MIGHT BE BELIEVING IN . . . . . . Boss Work The GOOD that you do JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN NO FAITH AT ALL! Pastor

6. OBJECT OF Faith Phase Two Faith Spiritual Maturity Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Adulthood Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Adolescence Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Toddler Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Spiritual Babyhood Faith + Bible Doctrine + Testing + Application Phase Two of the Christian way of life begins the moment you place your trust, you believe, you have faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation

7. Faith • There is no merit in believing; the merit lies in the object of faith. • For salvation adjustment to the justice of God (Phase 1), the object of faith is Jesus Christ. • For maturity adjustment to the justice of God (Phase 2), the object of faith is Bible doctrine. • Faith is not something we do, but it is the channel by which we appropriate what God has done for us.

8. Faith For the Christian’s adjustment to the justice of God, the object of faith is two‑fold, depending on the believer's spiritual growth. The Scripture is the object of faith for the immature believer, For the mature believer, Bible truth is the object of faith and the integrity of God is the basis for understanding the forgiveness of our sins through rebound. Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NAS) 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NAS) 1 Corinthians 11:31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. (NAS) Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to Thee and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah. (NAS) Psalm 38:18 For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin. (NAS) Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes {them} will find compassion. (NAS) 8

9. Faith The Application of Faith in the Function of the Faith‑Rest Drill. Claim a promise Develop a doctrinal rational Faith-Rest Bible truth should be the habit in the daily life of every Christian. The Victory of Faith 1 John 5:4-5 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. 5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (NAS) 9

10. HEBREW to believe • The verb AMAN means • It is usually translated “believe.” • It is used of the faith for salvation and pictures someone leaning on God. • This “leaning faith” is the faith of spiritual infancy. to support to use someone as a prop, a crutch to use someone else to be supported

11. HEBREW • The verb BATACH is a wrestling term, which means to trust in the sense of slamming your troubles on God; • This has a faith‑rest connotation. • Usually translated “trust.” • “Wrestling faith” is analogous to the experience of spiritual adolescence • The believer begins to enter the spiritual conflict.

12. HEBREW • The verb CHACAH means “to flee for refuge” • This verb is used for suffering and adversity. • It is the faith of spiritual maturity • It means to trust in the sense of taking shelter or taking refuge in God’s Word • To believe in the integrity of God his fortress his deliverer his shield his stronghold

13. HEBREW • The verb YACHALmeans to trust the Lord in time of great pain or disaster • It means to have hope. • It is used for faith under great pressure, intense suffering and pain. • This is the faith that heals the wounds that spiritual heroes pick up in their advance.

14. HEBREW • The verb QAVAH is the strongest word for faith and is translated “wait.” • Qawah is the patient endurance that comes from weaving together from the Word of God into an unbreakable rope of faith. • All merit lies in the object of faith. promises rules for living principles doctrines operational procedures techniques

15. GREEK The noun PISTIS. • Used as an attribute, PISTIS is what causes trust or faith, reliability, faithfulness, or integrity, • In the active sense, PISTIS is used in three ways. • Saving faith, • The three stages of the faith‑rest drill, • The metabolization of Bible doctrine. • The passive meaning of PISTIS is Bible doctrine, meaning that which is believed. Galatians 1:23 but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy." (NAS) 2 Peter 1:5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence and in {your} moral excellence, knowledge; (NAS) 1 Timothy 1:19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. (NAS) 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, (NAS) 1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, {constantly} nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. (NAS) Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of {things} hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (NAS) Titus 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. (NAS) 2 Thessalonians 1:4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. (NAS) Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; (NAS) 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. (NAS)

16. GREEK The noun PISTOS, used as an adjective in the passive sense means being trustworthy, worthy of trust, faithful, dependable and inspiring trust. In the active sense, it means trusting or believing. The verb PISTEUO means to believe, to trust something to someone, to use someone as an object of faith, It only takes a little more than no faith at all to be saved, Galatians 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. (NAS). Acts 16:31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved, you and your household." (NAS) 16

17. GREEK The verb PEITHO in the passive means to come to believe, to obey, to be persuaded or convinced. The perfect passive means to have confidence, to be absolutely convinced, to be certain. The active meaning means to convince, to persuade, to appeal, to win over. The perfect tense with a present meaning means to depend on someone, to trust in someone, to have confidence. The verb PISTOO means to show oneself faithful; to be convinced; to have confidence, 2 Timothy 3:14. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned {them}; (NAS) Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. (NAS) 17

18. We have only two choices: we can choose to believe what God is telling us and receive what He has to give we can choose to not believe and not receive. Faith 18

19. His sole mission in life was to seek and to save the lost, the sinners. “To seek” is the aorist infinitive zeteo, “to pursue.” It means to look until you find what you are looking for. Faith 19

20. David used the Old Testament counterpart to this word in Psalm 23 when he declared, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” “Follow” is radaph and it means “to hunt someone or something down, to chase with a passion.” Faith 20

21. Faith Hebrews 11:6 And 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 seek Him. (NAS) Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" (NAS)

22. prostivqhmi (prostithemi) Tithemi means: "to place." Pros means "face to face" or "before." Prostithemi was a banking term which meant to make a deposit. They were saying, "Lord, we don't have enough to handle this; we need you to deposit more faith to our account." Faith 22

23. Faith Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (NAS) Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you. (NAS)

24. Faith Matthew 13:31-32 31 He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all {other} seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (NAS)

25. Faith 1 Corinthians 2:16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. (NASB) Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.”

26. Faith Faith unleashes the omnipotence of God. The power of God is at our command, but we can only activate it by faith. Faith is a one-word summary for the life of a believer. “By faith” is the only way we can experience the abundant life Christ promised in John 10:10 Anything that detracts from faith robs us of spiritual life. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Habakkuk 2:4 "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. (NAS) Romans 1:17 For in it {the} righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous {man} shall live by faith." (NAS) Galatians 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." (NAS) Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. (NAS) 26

27. Faith Faith is the foundation of our hope in Jesus Christ. The noun faith can mean two things: subjectively it is the ACT of believing; objectively it is the CONTENT of what we believe. For the Christian, the object is Jesus Christ the living Word, revealed in the written Word. Faith comes through the study of the Word of God. Every Christian needs to hear the Word taught. After study should come action, that we would be doers of the Word and not just hearers. James 1:21-22 21 Therefore putting aside all filthiness and {all} that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (NAS) 1Thessalonians 2:13 And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted {it} not {as} the word of men, but {for} what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (NAS) Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of {things} hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (NAS) Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.” 27

28. Faith Faith alone can please God. When God is pleased with us, an amazing thing happens: we are happy. Therefore to please God is to find absolute satisfaction. Faith is the foundation of Christian virtue. Christian virtue is built on a trinity: faith, hope and love As our faith increases, we come to have hope. Without a relaxed mental attitude, we will never be able to love. Hebrews 11:2 For by it the men of old gained approval. (NAS) Hebrews 11:6 And 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 seek Him. (NAS) 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NAS) 28

29. Faith Faith works. Faith works in the impossible Faith works in the hopeless, Faith works in the helpless. Faith alone overcomes the world. If we believe that He is the Son of God and if we have His presence with us, what do we have to be worried about? Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB) 1 John 5:4-5 Whatever is born of God, Overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. James 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (NAS) James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, {being} by itself. (NAS) James 2:26 For just as the body without {the} spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (NAS) 29