WITHOUT
FAITH
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
The definition of Faith means:
1.
Complete trust or confidence in someone or
something. (Oxford dictionary)
2.
Firm belief in something for which there is no
proof. (Merriam-webster)
Paul warned in Hebrews 11:6 –
Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
Faith is important to God:
1.
We must believe in Him
2.
and believe in His ability to do anything, even
the impossible, even when there is no proof.
FAITH PLEASES GOD
Jesus instructed that we need to Have
faith in God. (Mark 11:22)
We find many Scriptures in the Bible
where various ones were commended for their faith.…
The woman who had been sick with
an issue of blood for 12 years believed that if she could just touch the lower
part of Jesus’ garment, she would be made whole. She was considered unclean and not supposed
to be near anyone. This may be why she
was trying to secretly touch His robe so no one knew or saw. But Jesus knew.
Matt 9:22 – But Jesus turned Him about,
and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith
hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. (Mark 5:34 + Luke 8:48)
Blind Bartamaeus was so excited
when he heard that Jesus was going to pass by where he was. He didn’t want Jesus to pass him by so he began
to cry out loudly, “Thou Son of David, have mercy upon me!” People told him to be quiet, but the Bible
said he cried out a great deal more.
Jesus heard his cry and healed him.
Mark 10:52 – And Jesus said unto him,
Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he
received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. (Luke 18:42)
Jesus hears our silent cries, but
there are times when we need to cry out more and more to God. Bartamaeus was not crying out for lack of
faith. He was crying out because he believed
and would not be denied. He received his sight because of it.
Ten lepers standing far away that
cried out pleading with Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus told them to go show theirselves to the
Priest who would declare if they were now clean or still unclean. They were not
clean (YET) as they began their journey to where the Priest was, but the Bible
says it was AS THEY WENT (they headed there in faith) that they were cleansed.
While everyone else was rejoicing
and hurrying to find the Priest, one man thanked God loudly as he hurried back
to where Jesus was, falling at His feet in gratitude. While the others received their healing, this
man was healed AND made whole.
Luke 17:19 – And He said unto
him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
A crippled man in Lystra heard
Paul preaching and was healed because he believed that Jesus was able to heal
him.
Acts 14:9-10 – The same heard
Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had
faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on thy feet.”
And he leaped and walked.
Sometimes, our faith can touch God
and make a difference for someone else…
A woman from Canaan had heard about
all Jesus was doing. She was desperate
for her daughter to be delivered from devil possession. She was considered a heathen and endured
being called a dog by the One she was desperately pleading help from. Many would have turned away after being
insulted like that, but she believed and would not be denied. She humbled
herself acknowledging what Jesus said was true, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table. She was asking
for just a crumb and Jesus gave her more…
Matt 15:28 – Then Jesus answered
and said unto her, O woman, GREAT IS THY FAITH: be it unto thee even as
thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Thankfully, we are children of
the King and can receive if we ask in faith believing. We can stand and claim
the Promises in Scripture.
But I have to ask myself: Would I
be able to humble myself and take what many would call ‘verbal abuse’ in order
to see my loved one receive a miracle or deliverance? Or would I walk away
indignant and embarrassed?
Many are bound, oppressed, and
even possessed yet most don’t recognize it. It’s labeled as something else. Don’t
give up praying and interceding and fasting and believing we WILL see our loved
ones delivered and set free from the devil’s hold!
Jesus marvelled at the faith of
the Centurion who believed that Jesus did not have to come to his home in order
to heal his servant who was tormented from palsy. Jesus was willing to go, but the Centurion
felt unworthy to have Jesus enter his home. He told Jesus he knew that if Jesus would just speak the
word only, his servant would be healed.
Matt 8:10 – When Jesus heard it,
He marvelled and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have
not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (Luke 7:9)
That is great faith!
Another man who was sick with
Palsy could not get to Jesus so his friends brought him to Jesus. Their faith touched Jesus’ heart and the man
was made whole.
Matt 9:2 – And behold, they
brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing
their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy
sins be forgiven thee.
I’m unsure if this is the same
man as mentioned in Matthew 9:2, but Mark records this man’s friends as tearing
the roof off to get him to Jesus.
Mark 2:5 – When Jesus saw
their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be
forgiven thee. (Luke 5:20)
All these things were recorded
for our learning. We, too, can tear the
roof off through our prayers to get others to Jesus. We do this by quoting God’s promises in Scripture:
“God, Your Word PROMISES_____________!” “God,
You said in Your Word____________!” “You
did it before; I believe You’ll do it again!”
A blind man received his sight
because of Peter’s had faith for his healing….
Acts 3:16 – And His name through
FAITH in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea,
the FAITH which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness
in the presence of you all.
Jesus wants us to believe! He wants us to take Him at His Word! Whether for ourselves or for others.
OUR FAITH WILL SOMETIMES BE TRIED
It’s easy to believe when we can
see evidence or a glimpse of the possibility of something happening, but sometimes
our faith is tried.
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:7…
That the
TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH,
being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire,
MIGHT BE FOUND UNTO PRAISE AND HONOUR AND GLORY
at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Our faith can be tried when a
situation or sickness arises where the outcome looks bleak and hopeless or we’re
expected to believe for the impossible.
Abraham had to believe for the
impossible. He was 75 years old (his
wife, Sarai, was 65 years old) when God told him that unto his seed (his descendants)
God would give the land of Canaan. (Gen 12:1-7)
Abraham had no idea how that was
going to be possible since they did not have any children and were well up in
age, but Abraham trusted that what God had promised would come to pass somehow
and someway.
Time passed and Abraham and Sarah
still didn’t have a child. The Bible does not say how much later, but Abraham,
Sarah, and Lot had spent time in Egypt because of a famine then departed;
Abraham and Lot’s herds were growing and causing strife so they parted ways;
Lot moved toward Sodom and over time moved into Sodom; a war took place and Lot
and his family were taken captive; Abraham fought and defeated several kings
and their armies to free Lot and everyone taken captive (pretty commendable for
a man his age); he met with Melchizedek; then returned back home.
God appeared again to confirm His
promise to Abraham. Abraham still
believed God but questioned whether the promise would be fulfilled through his
servant Eliezer since they were childless and well up in age. God again
affirmed that he would have a child of his own.
Abraham believed God and the Lord counted it to him for righteousness.
(Gen 15:6)
Abraham and Sarah began to
question God’s method. He was now 85 and Sarah was 75. At 65, there may have
been a glimmer of hope that perhaps she could have a child, but the age of 75
seemed beyond all probability for Sarah.
They had picked up a servant for
Sarah while in Egypt. Sarah began to ponder if perhaps the promise of a child
would come through her servant, Hagar. So, Sarah vocalized her thoughts to
Abraham. They tried to make God’s
promise come to pass in their own way and ended up with Ishmael. (Gen 16)
Sometimes, we can create more
problems when we try to take matters into our own hands and bring God’s
promises to pass in the way they think they should.
At 90 and 100 years of age, God
fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah blessing them with Isaac. Sometimes,
God is waiting until it is completely impossible to man before He moves so that
He can get the full glory out of it.
Romans 4:9, 19-20 - …for we say
that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. ….And being
not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was
about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb. He STAGGERED NOT AT THE PROMISE OF GOD
THROUGH UNBELIEF; but was STRONG IN FAITH, giving glory to God.
Abraham never wavered at the Promise
of God. He faltered in HOW it would come
about. God was merciful and still fulfilled His covenant to Abraham. If God gave you a promise, stand on it, be
still, and wait patiently on Him.
SOME WERE REBUKED FOR LACK OF FAITH…
Jesus grieved over lack of faith
as He asked, “… Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find
faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)
Jesus taught that we do not have
to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. He PROMISED: Wherefore if God so clothe the
grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He
not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matt 6:30 + Luke
12:28)
Jesus acknowledged they had a
little faith, but there were times and areas where their faith lacked. God knows what we have need of. When we’ve done our part and yet it is not
enough, pray in faith then trust God to provide. (Mt 6:31-32)
However, Jesus added a clause to
that promise (for every promise, God requires something from us first). He instructed, “SEEK YE FIRST the Kingdom of
God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mt
6:33)
If we’re putting God FIRST, then
we can be assured God is taking care of the rest. He knows and He sees.
Jesus and His disciples entered a
ship. Jesus went to sleep and appeared
to be sleeping through a great storm that everyone thought was about to take
the ship under. Franticly, they woke Jesus up.
They had not learned to trust Him fully.
Jesus rebuked them as He asked, “Why
are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the
winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. (Matt 8:26) Mark 4:40 – And He
said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Luke 8:25 says He asked them, “Where is
your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What
manner of man is this! For He commandeth even the winds and water, and they
obey Him.”
We worry about so many things
when Jesus wants us to learn to trust Him.
Sometimes Jesus will allow storms
to come our way – He’ll even send us in the direction of a storm to teach us to
trust Him fully.
He sent the Disciples out on a
boat while He went into a mountain to pray alone. Jesus knew the storm was coming their way. He SAW them toiling and rowing. (Mk 6:48) Jesus knew the storm was difficult for them.
In HIS time, Jesus came walking
toward them on the water and was going to keep walking on by. The Disciples became
more afraid thinking it was a ghost. Jesus
calmly told them, “Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid.” Jesus was still
trying to teach them to trust.
Peter’s faith soared. They had just witnessed the miracle of the
loaves and fishes and now see Jesus walking on water. Peter believed he could to if Jesus bid him
to come. As long as he kept his eyes on
Jesus, he was able to walk on water, too, but the moment he took his eyes off
Jesus and began focusing on the storm and the impossibility of what he was
doing, fear set in and he began to sink.
Jesus didn’t let him drown, but He
did rebuke him for doubting….
Matt 14:31 – And immediately
Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou
of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Jesus often rebuked His disciples
because they would forget the miracles and would doubt in their hearts….
Matt 16:8 – Which when Jesus
perceived, He said unto them, O ye of little faith…
A man brought his lunatic (crazy)
son to the Disciples, but they were unable to cure him. The young man would sometimes fall into the
fire and other times into the water. The
dad knew this was a life or death situation as he pleaded with Jesus for mercy.
Jesus rebuked the Disciples for lack of
faith….
Matt 17:17 – Then Jesus answered
and said, O FAITHLESS and perverse (morally corrupt) generation,
how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to
Me. (Mark 9:19 + Luke 9:41)
Going back to the story of the
woman whom Jesus called a dog – could we handle it humbly and receive correction
if Jesus rebuked us and called us faithless and morally corrupt?
When our faith waivers, we need
to cry out, “Lord, increase my faith!” as the Apostles did. (Luke 17:5) But
know that can come through more testing of our faith.
Paul wrote to encourage the Corinthian
church, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor 5:7)
Our walk with Jesus will more
often than not be based on what we believe is possible than what we visibly
see with our eyes.
Jesus explained that sometimes prayers
are not answered and we do not see miracles as we should BECAUSE OF OUR UNBELIEF. But if we have even a little mustard seed
faith, we can see the impossible become the possible….
Matt 17:20 – And Jesus said unto
them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If
ye have faith as the grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing
shall be impossible unto you.
Matt 21:21 – Jesus answered and
said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not,
ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall
say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it
shall be done.
Luke 17:6 – And the Lord said, If
ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this
sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea;
and it should obey you.
Even a little seed of faith, can allow
us to see the miraculous!
In some instances, Jesus will answer
according to how much we believe for it – “According to your faith be it
unto you.” (Matt 9:29)
That’s why we need to pray daily
as the apostles asked of Jesus, “Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke
17:5)
Sometimes we may have faith and
yet the prayer is not answered. We question why??? We need to pray in
faith. We need to believe. But in the
end submit our will to God as we pray, “Thy will be done.” (1 John 5:14 + Rom
8:27)
Stephen is remembered as being a
man FULL of two things: FAITH and the HOLY GHOST. Because of it, God was able to work many
wonders and miracles through him.
Act 6:5,8 – And the saying pleased
the whole multitude: and thy chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of
the Holy Ghost…And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great
wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 11:24 – For he was a good
man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was
added unto the Lord.
We need both. The more we pray and stay FULL of the Holy
Ghost, the more faith we will have and the more we will see the miraculous.
Faith is a fruit of the Spirit
and a gift of the Spirit, but the Bible also lets us know that God has given
each of us a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3 + 1 Cor 12:9 + Gal 5:22) It’s up to
us to build on it and allow our faith to increase.
How can we build our faith?
Romans 10:17 teaches – So then FAITH
cometh by HEARING, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD.
Our faith is built when we hear miracles
recorded in the Word of God. Hearing the
preached Word is important. It is also
built as we listen to testimonies from others of what God has done for them and
through them as well as recalling all that God has done for us.
Faith is an important piece of
the Armor of God.
Eph 6:16 – Above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked.
Paul wrote ABOVE ALL take up the
shield of Faith. It is FAITH, believing
God IN ALL things and FOR ALL things, that will quench the fiery darts of the
wicked.
And it is FAITH that helps us to
please God – for without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.
