FAITHFULLY RELYING ON GOD Mid-Week Bible Study Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington Presenter: Rev. Keisha Rhodes-Smith What is faith? Faith is one of those words that is difficult to tie down to one simple definition. According to a modern dictionary, faith is "unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence.“ What is faith? Faith is defined as belief with strong conviction; firm belief in something for whic there may be no tangible proof; complete trust, confidence, reliance or devotion. Faith is the opposite of doubt. What is faith? Faith is never mere assent or acknowledgement to a set of doctrines, rules and outward acceptance of the law. Faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds your future. What is faith? Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6 But Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please Him: For He That Cometh To God Must Believe That He Is, And That He Is A Rewarder Of Them That Diligently Seek Him. • Faith is the substance of the things we hope for … (the thing that we stand under) even though its invisible. • The definition of “substance” is the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence. Its from the latin root ‘substare’ which means to stand firm. • Our faith is in God … an invisible God , but even so there is tangible evidence that God exists and that is what we can “substare “ or stand firm on .. Our belief of who God is. • What kind of evidence exists for the existence of God? • There is some solid evidence of all kinds… Evidence like…. our lives, the earth, sea and stars, and the birth of all of creation. • Faithfulness is a quality or attribute applied in the scriptures to both God The and man. In fact in scripture Faithfulness of “faithfulness” is one of the nine fruit of the spirit. However, the faithfulness of God God… is just one characteristic of God's ethical nature. • It denotes the firmness or constancy of God in his relations with men and women. It is the one aspect of God's truth that tells of his immutability. • “God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and The forevermore.” Faithfulness of • This unchangeableness of God in scripture often connects with God's God goodness and mercy, and also with his reliability in reference to his covenant promises, (they are always “yea and amen” and this is what the bible means by the faithfulness of God “Faithfulness of God Scriptures” Lamentations 3:22-23 The The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; Faithfulness of his mercies never come to an end; they are new God every morning; great is your faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. “Faithfulness of God Scriptures” The 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Faithfulness of But the Lord is faithful. He will establish God you and guard you against the evil one. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. WHAT FUELS OUR FAITH IN GOD? Knowing God’s attributes and what He will do • Immutable • Promise/covenant keeper • Cannot lie WHAT FUELS OUR FAITH IN GOD? Communing with God •Spending time in praise and worship •Prayer – Conversation w/God •Reading the Bible WHAT FUELS OUR FAITH IN GOD? Obedience to God’s Word •Knowing and doing the will of God we build a history of seeing Him do what He said He would do. God is a never ending source of strength, courage and wisdom if we call upon him. GOD IS … • When we are weary, he gives us strength. • When we see no hope, God reminds us of His promises. • When we grieve, God wipes away our tears. Psalm 46 (KJV) 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. GOD IS … 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. We need to turn our concerns and our prayers over to God. He knows our needs, and He has promised to meet those needs. Whatever our circumstances, GOD IS … God will protect us and care for us if we let Him. W hen we really trust him and him alone, we will find that he will never fail us. 1 Peter 5:7(KJV) 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Faith In God • Delivers peace to our lives • Endows us with power • Gives us the ability to offer up a sacrifice of praise in the midst of a crisis. Faith In God Mark 11:22-24 22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. The whole armor of God 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord 11 God’s protection and in the power of his might. put on the Ephesians 6:10-17(NKJV) whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. The whole armor of God 14 Stand therefore, having girded your God’s protection waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET A RESPONSE TO PRAYER 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 Follow God’s instructions 2 Chronicles 7:14 PROMISE If my people who are called by my name ACTION 1. Humble themselves 2. Pray 3. Seek my face 4. Turn from their wicked ways Follow God’s instructions 2 Chronicles 7:14 REWARD Then I will… 1. Hear from heaven 2. Forgive their sins 3. Heal their land Seek God … • to change ourselves. • for help and direction when we are clueless. • for help to change our perspective about our situations. Seek God … • when our heart is trampled upon or overwhelmed … it needs help when it becomes contaminated. • for help to understand and forgive others. ITS PRAYING TIME! HATE CRIMES ON THE RISE 2017 James Alex fields 20 year old white supremacist guilty of the murder of Heather Heyer ITS PRAYING TIME! HATE CRIMES ON THE RISE 2015 Dylann Storm Roof 22 year old white supremacist and mass murderer convicted of perpetrating the Charleston church shooting which resulted in 9 deaths including Pastor Pinckney of Mother Bethel AMEC 1 Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for Our the LORD your God goes with you; "He will never Faithful God will leave you nor forsake you." 2 Deuteronomy 31:8, The LORD himself goes never leave us in before you and will be with you; He will never leave the state that we you nor forsake you. "Do not be afraid; do not be find ourselves discouraged." in… 3 Joshua 1:5, No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." We may leave God, but He will never leave us. No matter how bleak the situation, no matter how empty Our the feeling in the pit of our stomachs, God will never leave us! Faithful God will His promises are true. His word is above all! We can never leave us in move forward because, He goes before us, and if God be for us, who can be against us? the state that we There is none like Him, and He will not allow His find ourselves word to return to Him void! Luke 6:28 in… Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. IF YOU FAITHFULLY RELY ON GOD DOING NOTHING Relying on God is moving into action, but not getting ahead of Him. We cannot remain complacent in our mess. The promise keeper is faithful, however, sometimes we must go after the promise, but we don't …and so we don’t receive… and that’s not God’s fault! Examples • Baggage claim • Salvation James says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). IS NOT AN OPTION BOILING FROG THEORY PRETTY SOON HE WILL BECOME A BOILED FROG! Analysis Paralysis VS.