Today’s class is going to cover three Questions.

1. What is Faith?
2. How do I get Faith?
3. Why do I need Faith?

I know that some of you may be saying that I already know this stuff, but the apostle Paul said to thePhilippians “that it is a safeguard for you that I write the same things to you again.”

It is not about getting something new but what are we doing with what we already have!

Question #1 What is Faith?

American Heritage Dictionary says – A confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of aperson, idea or thing; a belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

The Greek definition is “fully convinced or persuaded.”

Romans 4:20-21 (NIV) Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but wasstrengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised.

This is the story of Abraham and Sarah

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1(AMP) Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faithperceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

This is what I believe this means: Faith is now – the title deed – meaning I own this now because I am fully persuaded of the fact.

Hope – is not “I wish it was mine” but is based on the same convincing and persuading as faith. Hopegets me to the manifestation of what was promised.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) For we live by faith, not by sight.

Question#2: How do we get Faith?

Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 (AMP) So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah himself).

Hearing here is in the plural – which means hearing God one time doesn’t give you that fullyconvinced and persuaded faith – you need to hear Him more than one time. Some of us need to hear it a couple of times, others maybe dozens!!

In order to have faith in God, you must hear from God So, faith is a relationship word!

You must spend time with Him in order to hear from Him! As it is with any relationship, right??

Do we really know what a relationship is??

Do you know what a bad relationship and a good relationship have in common? “Time”

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform anylonger to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2 (AMP) I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies

[presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

I believe the apostle Paul knew how hard it is to make the adjustment. I am too busy; I don’t have time; I wouldn’t know what to do!!

We have all kinds of excuses not to spend time with God. But it is the one thing we need the most!

Paul uses words that expresses how much we need to try – I appeal, urge beseech, plead with you!!Otherwise, we will miss out on what God has for us.

Our renewing of our mind means exactly that – that we learn a whole new way of thinking in different areas of our lives.

The importance of our spending time with God will result in God helping us to become fully persuaded to change our thinking and living as a result of bad thinking!

Remember – God loves you the most – He has your BEST interest always in mind.

What does spending time with God look like – singing songs of worship, reading His word, and spending time in quiet – listening (there’s a hard one).

Question #3 Why do we need Faith?

1. You can’t get saved without it!

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

• Who has been moving mountains lately?

Matthew 17:20-21 (NIV) He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here tothere’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

• Faith gives you the ability to approach God!

Ephesians 3:12 (NIV) In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach thethrone of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Romans 5:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

• We can’t please God without Faith!

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone whocomes to him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly [sincerely, diligently] seek Him.

The word “exists” has to do with the true God exists – not false gods!