Living By Faith
John 21:16
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
Peter’s early encounter with Jesus was the catch of fish – Luke 5:4
Peter’s relationship has transitioned from Jesus doing something for hime
To Peter doing something for Jesus
What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We think faith is what you have to get what you want
· Blessings
· Healing
· Material Things
· Rescuing
Handicapped by teaching that makes us think that faith is about control
If I have faith, I can get it – it will happen for me
If it doesn’t happen for me, then I don’t have faith
Or, if I keep praying,
We make faith about what God is supposed to do for me
If God doesn’t do what I think He’s supposed to do, then I release my faith
Another problem: we make faith about “things”
We judge faith by what you see…
· What I drive – Jag or Kia
· Where I live – Cordova or Coldwater
· What I wear – Saks or Salvation Army
· Whether I wear a mask or not
· Whether I am healed
Faith is NOT about materialism or blessings
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of the Messiah greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. LESSER LIFESTYLE
Faith is NOT about control:
Faith is about trusting God, even when things are out of control
Dan 3:17-18
Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
Faith is a way of living – Heb 10:38 The just shall live by faith
Faith is about pleasing God, not Him pleasing you
Heb 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
The faith I’m talking about is NOT for asking God to do something
It’s having the faith to do what God tells you to do
We use Hebrews 11:1 to define faith, then stop reading
7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. RISK
Again: Faith is not what I use to GET what I want
Faith is what I use to DO what He wants – because I can only do it by faith
Faith is NOT about what God does for me
Faith is about what I do for God
What about what the things that I desire?
Having faith in Jesus changes my desires and priorities
“Seek first the kingdom…”
The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants.
Then all these other things you need will be given to you. Matt 6:33 NCV
Faith is what I need to live up to my potential and in my purpose
– Divine Nature
When I have faith I believe I can do what God calls me to
Peter walking on water… “O, you of little faith” Mt 14:31