Characteristics of Faith

How Faith affects our lives. The characteristics that will be evident in a person who is living by faith.

Rom 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word of God, so the overriding quality that underlines all these characteristics is the Word of God.

The Word will never be far from our thoughts.

Heb 11:1 NKJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

“Substance” literally “that which stands under

Faith is the foundation on which we build our lives

We have an ongoing dialogue of prayer with the Lord

1. We will know our Righteousness

In Gen 15:5, 6 God promised Abraham that his children would be as many as the stars in the sky and Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When we walk by faith, God says we are right with Him

Referring to this passage in Gal 3:6 TM Abraham believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God.

Believing God brings us to a place where we are right with God. It’s good to be right with God isn’t it. In fact is there anything more important in life? So we can see that this faith walk, this believing God lifestyle is vital to our lives.

Rom 1:16 NIV Amp: the righteous shall live, and shall live by faith. We live life to the full as we live by faith.

Link between faith and righteousness

Don’t struggle with low self esteem. Don’t be like the Waynes World guys (we’re not worthy). Jesus paid a very high price for us to be made worthy and acceptable to the Lord.

2. We will have confidence

When the pressure is on, we still have confidence. Let’s take a look at a pressure situation on video

Gym video clip

Ps 112:6-8 READ When the pressure is on, we give it to God and trust Him. Satan wants us to get side tracked with fear, but our hearts can be strong.

Paul 1 Cor 4:8,9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Be like Peter and jump out of the boat and walk on the water.

The boat was taking on water and about to sink anyway. Holding on to apparent security can keep us from growing in our faith. Changing jobs.

3. We will have a different perspective on life

Because we understand that there is a supernatural realm that surpasses the natural.

2 Cor 4:18 …we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal

We understand that the natural is subject to the “super” natural

Heb 11: 3 By faith we understand that the world was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Just as God framed His world with his words. This gives us something phenomenal to work with – HIS WORD.

The Israelites and the Red Sea. Hebrews 11:29

4. We will be known for our Love

Gal 5:6 says that faith works through love. The life of faith is a life of love and others will see it and be attracted to it.

Esso petrol station

Faith understands that we are forgiven and are free to forgive others. We are accepting of others. We look for the best in others

God is love so it follows we should be like Him

It takes faith to love to love the unlovely, our enemies

1 Peter 3:7 Our love walk also determines how the effectiveness of our prayers

A few verses later it says Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from evil speech. He must turn from evil, and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous (those walking by faith) and His ears are attentive to their prayer.

5. We will have a big vision

Acts 2:14 As God pours out His Spirit, young men will see visions, old men will dream dreams

Word For Today: “Dream no small dreams for they stir not the hearts of men”

With God on our side, we can have faith for big visions. Our goals can be big goals

Pastor Chris as we move toward our big dream, God moves towards it too.

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, the river was in flood. They had to get their feet wet before God stopped the flow of the river and they crossed over on dry ground.

And the great thing is that God can turn us around. Gideon – hiding from his enemies - and the Angel of God comes to him and says The Lord is with you mighty warrior. And sure enough, he became that mighty warrior

Prov 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish

Do you have a big vision? Purpose to hear from God

6. We will have a positive outlook

Caleb and Joshua had a different report than the other Israelites sent to spy out the Promised Land.

Prov 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy

Ps 27:1-3 READ – We have every reason to have a positive outlook in life.

Film Clips –1. Negative

2. Positive

When we walk by faith, we entrust God with our future. We will see enemies as an opportunity for a victory rather than an obstacle to hold us back. Exodus: Stand firm and see the Lords deliverance.

7. We will aspire to Greatness

Jesus has greatness in mind for all of us. An abundant life. A life devoted to God.

Jesus defined greatness as being a servant Matt 20:26 Whoever wants to become great must be a servant

It takes faith to be a servant because it is the opposite attitude to the world. As we serve, we trust God to promote us.

Jeremiah. Set apart to be a prophet to the nations. Said he couldn’t speak but God touched his lips. Same with us in what we are called to.

8. We will speak words of life

2 Cor 4:13 With that same spirit of faith, we believe and therefore speak

As we walk by faith, our words will be life-giving.

Prov 15:4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.

Isn’t it wonderful that we can influence those around us with our words. Just as God spoke creatively, so can we. We can have a reputation for bringing hope to those who are struggling with the issues of life.

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.

Consider the authority we are given in life by speaking God’s Word

9. We will have boldness

Prov 28:1 The righteous are as bold as a lion. The life of faith requires boldness at times, because it is all about growing and moving from one degree of glory to another.

Stepping out. Moving on from receiving to giving, from being a liability to being an asset in the Kingdom. Tackling challenges head on – which are actually opportunities for growth.

Ps 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me

We can be bold because God will not let us down.

10. We will be generous

It takes faith to be generous. As we recognise that God is our source, then we can give to others in so may ways: time, money, skills, encouragement, because we know that God is our source and that it is in giving that we open ourselves up to receive.

Jesus was generous with His life.

Ecc 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again
Sow into people’s lives. It is the greatest investment we can make, because this is on God’s heart. As we invest in others, God invests in us. This is the life of faith.

Paul Addison, 07/05/2006