Right people in hell would love for you to preach the gospel to their unsaved mom to their unsaved dad to their cousins to their
Brother and to their children because people in hell would love to go to heaven
Hey, they request you they request you to cry about you to send forth the good news to their loved ones
But to us who are still living it's not too late to preach to preach the gospel
So I want you to notice the cries of people in hell the cries of hell is hey
I have five brethren that he may testify onto them lest they also come into this place of torment
Nobody who who goes to hell will wish that other people will go to hell with them. Okay?
Some people will say I'd rather rule with saving in hell than be with God in heaven
But saving is not ruling hell. They will wish to go out
But by that time it's too late
But if you are safe and you die you go you go to heaven
You will wish that you will help people in hell, but it's too late
You will wish that you will preach the gospel to them, but it's too late because you are in heaven, right?
So for us who are still living on the earth, that's not too late for us to preach the gospel
John chapter 5, look at verse 24.
Very, very, I say unto you,
heareth my word, and believeeth on him,
that send me hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation,
but is, notice, passed from death unto life.
There's nothing wrong with remembering the past.
The Bible says multiple times,
we need to remember the days of vote,
remember all the ways that God has led us
throughout all those years.
It can be a great reminder on how great God is.
It can motivate us to do more for God in the future.
But if you are only living in the past, then you are wrong.
What are you doing?
Today, in fact, God rebuked the church in Sardis and God said,
thou hast a name that thou livest and are dead.
So many Christians talk about the heydays of Christianity in the past,
and they will complain about what we have right now,
but we can still do great things for God right now, right?
We can remember the past.
It can motivate us.
We can learn from our past victories and failures, but don't settle.
We can always do more.
Obviously, numbers are just numbers, right?
You know, numbers can change on seasons, you know,
life, in the areas, but you know,
what we can learn from this number is very easy.
Like I said, the more hours we spend,
the more those we knock, more people get saved.
It's that simple, okay?
So God has blessed our church tremendously
and we should really praise him for what he has done
and we should rejoice in the Lord.
But let's also not settle, okay?
Philippians chapter three, look at verse number 12.
The Bible says not as though I had already attained either or made perfect
But I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I'm apprehended of Christ Jesus notice verse number 13
Brethren, I count on myself to have apprehended the word apprehend means attained achieved
What was saying that he did not count himself to have achieved the final state, but there's one thing I do
for getting those things which are behind and reaching forth on those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
So what Paul is saying that is, hey, keep running the race, right?
The only time you should stop running the race is until you die, right?
And when you go to heaven, you're still going to be working and praising God forever, okay?
And many of you may not be used to that many people get sick, right?
If you've been to some regular Baptist churches, these members might seem a shock to you, right?
You know, these members might seem to be a shock to you.
But, you know, we should make that the norm.
Don't be surprised on how great God is, okay?
Because these members, 800 salvages in a year,
is almost unheard of in most Baptist churches.
Let's just be honest don't let that surprise you drink big right we need to go big okay because this is a soul winning church
You can you can see a clear difference between a church that emphasize the soul winning versus churches that do not right?
The members are drastically different
Right, but let that be the norm. This is a soul winning church
Let's let's do more for God. There are people in heaven who want to help people in hell, but it's too late
They want to give them a drop of water to cool their tongue
because they are tormented in hell,
but there are also people in hell who love to go to heaven,
but it's too late.
Somebody told me this, to us Christians,
the earth is the closest place that we can get to hell,
but to the unsaved, the earth is the closest place
that they can be to heaven.
Luke 16 verse
verse number 27 the Bible says and he said I prayed there for father that I
would send him to my father's house for I have five brethren that he may test
file to them lest they also come into this place of torment
This is the cry of people in hell see people in hell would love
For you to preach the gospel to their loved ones, right?
People in hell would love for you to preach the gospel to their unsaved mom to their unsaved dad to their cousins to their
Brother and to their children because people in hell would love to go to heaven. Hey, they request you
They request you to cry about you to send
for the good news to their loved ones.
But to us who are still living,
it's not too late to preach the gospel.
So I want you to notice the cries of people in hell.
The cries of hell is,
hey, I have five brethren that he may testify onto them,
lest they also come into this place of torment.
Nobody who goes to hell will wish
that other people will go to hell with them, okay?
Some people will say I'd rather rule with saving in hell than be with God in heaven
But saving is not ruling hell they will wish to go out
But by that time it's too late
But if you are safe and you die you go you go to heaven
You will wish that you will help people in hell, but it's too late
You will wish that you will preach the gospel to them, but it's too late because you are heaven right so for us
who are still living on the earth,
it's not too late for us to preach the gospel.
John chapter five, look at verse 24.
Very rarely I say unto you,
be that heareth my word,
and believeeth on him,
that send me hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation,
but is, notice,
pass from death unto life.
There's nothing wrong with remembering the past.
The Bible says multiple times we need to remember the days of both,
remember all the ways that God has led us throughout all those years.
It can be a great reminder of how great God is.
It can motivate us to do more for God in the future.
But if you are only living in the past, then you are wrong.
What are you doing?
Today, in fact, God rebuked the church in Sardis and God said,
Thou hast a name that Thou livest and are dead.
So many Christians talk about the heydays of Christianity
in the past, and they were complaining
about what we have right now.
But we can still do great things for God right now, right?
We can remember the past.
It can motivate us.
We can learn from our past victories and failures.
But don't settle.
we can always do more obviously numbers are just numbers right you know numbers
can change on seasons in our lives in the areas but you know what we can learn
from this number is very easy like I said the more hours we spend the more
those we knock more people get saved it's that simple okay
So God has blessed our church tremendously, and we should really praise Him for what He has done,
and we should rejoice in the Lord. But let's also not settle, okay? If we look in chapter 3,
look at verse number 12.
The Bible says, not as though I had already attained, either were made perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ, Jesus.
Notice verse number 13.
Brethren, I count on myself to have apprehended.
The word apprehend means attained, achieved.
For getting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth on those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the price
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
So what Paul was saying that is,
hey, keep running the race, right?
The only time you should stop running the race
is until you die, right?
And when you go to heaven,
you're still gonna be working and praising God forever, okay?
So never stop working, keep running the race.
And many of you may not be used to that many people get sick, right?
If you've been to some regular Baptist churches, these members might seem a shock to you, right?
You know, these members might seem to be a shock to you, but we should make that the norm.
Don't be surprised at how great God is, okay?
Because these members, 800 salvages in a year is almost unheard of in most Baptist churches.
Let's just be honest don't let that surprise you drink big right we need to go big okay because this is a soul winning church
You can you can see a clear difference between a church that emphasizes soul winning versus churches that do not right?
The members are drastically different
Right, but let that be the norm. This is a soul winning church
Let's let's do more for God. There are people in heaven who want to help people in hell, but it's too late
They want to give them a drop of water to cool their tongue
because they are tormented in hell,
but there are also people in hell who love to go to heaven,
but it's too late.
Somebody told me this, to us Christians,
the earth is the closest place that we can get to hell,
but to the unsaved, the earth is the closest place
that they can be to heaven.
Luke 16 verse
verse number 27 the Bible says and he said I pray be there for father that I
would send him to my father's house for I have five brethren that he may test
found to them lest they also come into this place of torment
This is the cry of people in hell see people in hell would love for you to preach the gospel
To their loved ones right people in hell would love for you to preach the gospel to their unsafe
Good morning, and welcome to Sure Foundation Baptist Church, please grab a seat and grab your hymnals and turn to number
159 blessed be the name
Number 159 all praise to him who reigns above in majesty supreme who gave his
son for men to die that he might man redeem
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord.
His name above all names shall stand, exalted more and more.
God the Father's own right hand, where angel hosts adore.
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Deemer, save your friend of men, once ruined by the fall.
Thou hast devised salvation's plan, for thou hast died for all.
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, His name shall be the counselor, the mighty prince of peace.
A bowler's kingdom's conqueror, whose reign shall never cease.
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Amen. Brother Elliott, he hopes to send a word of prayer.
I ask you Lord, could you bless us when we go so many today
and you bless and they sermon
that you feel brother Justin with your spirit Lord
to give us the truth from your word Lord.
In Christ I might pray, amen.
Amen.
Turn over to number 154.
Blessed be the tie that binds number 154.
Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christ.
and love the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above before our
fathers throne we pull
One our comforts and our cares we share
It gives us inward pain, but we shall still be joining hard and hope to meet again.
Hey man, it's time brother Justin will give the announcements.
All right, welcome to Shoe Foundation Baptist Church.
Raise your hand if you need a bulletin
and then Elshah will bring one to you.
Keep your hand raised until you get the bulletin.
Welcome to the first service in the month of August.
So let's look at the verse of the week, Hebrews 11 verse six.
The Bible says, 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, that,
diligently seek him. It's a great verse talking about the importance of faith.
I'll be talking about having faith this morning. Hopefully it can be a help to you.
Let's look at the inside page. We are a church plan from Shoe Foundation Baptist
Church in Vancouver, Washington. Pat Thompson is the pastor. I'm the
evangelist and the location leader. We are on YouTube, Facebook, Grumble and X. So
please give us a follow there.
and you know maybe you should be aware if you want to retweet my stuff anyway if you know you know
service times on the morning service at 11 Sunday afternoon service at 4 p.m. and Wednesday night
Bible study at 7 p.m. this coming Wednesday we'll be going over Ecclesiastes chapter number four so
And then it's morning time this afternoon at 1.30 p.m. and Saturday morning at 10.30 a.m.
And then let's look at the upcoming events.
And thank you for coming out for the Northern Indiana Suni Marathon yesterday.
We had 23 soul winners and 24 salvations.
Praise the Lord for that.
And it's a great time, great food.
We got some great barbecue and just ice cream afterwards.
So yeah, thank God for food and thank God for the souls saved.
Please use the QR code for the baby registry as well as the wedding registry so we can be a blessing to them
and then save the date for our annual fall fellowship at a local park on Saturday, September 13th.
So we'll probably meet around, you know, maybe 4 p.m. in the afternoon and then we can play some
volleyball, basketball, Frisbee, and then we can, you know, grill out some of the food.
It'll be a Pollock style of a fellowship. So please save the date. So September 13th, okay. So
Sony Marathon coming up
Detroit Sony Marathon is September 19 to 20
I posted the video on YouTube Facebook Rambo X as well as the private group. So you have no excuse
Not not knowing the details
So check out the video on the
Detroit event and then December 27th is our winter wonderland so many marathon. Also in many Baptist churches hosting the Notre Dame
tailgate so many throughout the Saturdays
From September to November. So we'll just check out brother Jared edge
Facebook for more detail or you can ask me
And then please help us with the cleaning of the church building after the Sunday afternoon service
And then we will have a men's preaching night on August 31st during the Sunday afternoon service if you are planning on preaching
Please let me know because there are certain requirements and also need to know your sermon topic prior to that
So let me know if you have any questions
But yeah, basically if you think something is strange,
just let me know because I don't want to stop you
doing the service to correct you.
If you want to know how to be saved or needs to be baptized,
please see an usher on myself after the service.
We have a nice tub, you know,
kept at 88 degrees Fahrenheit ready to baptize people.
And then the Titan offerings for the month of July
is for you to see as well.
Let's look at the backside.
And we'll be seeing happy birthday, happy birthday this afternoon.
And please let me know if your information is not on there so
I can keep your info up to date.
So that's all the announcement.
Let's sing one more song and then we'll take up the offering.
Alright, let's sing number 137 in times like these, number 137.
In times like these, you need a savior.
In times like these, you need an anchor.
Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds.
and grips a solid rock this rock is Jesus yes he's a one this rock is Jesus
the only one be very sure be very sure your anchor holds and grips a solid rock
In times like these, you need the Bible.
In times like these, oh be not idle.
Be very sure, be very sure.
Your anchor holds and grips us solid.
This rock is Jesus. Yes, he's a one. This rock is Jesus. The only one.
Be very sure. Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips a solid rock in times like these.
have a Savior in times like these.
I have an anchor.
I'm very sure.
My anchor holds and grips a solid rock.
This rock is Jesus.
Yes, he's a one.
us the only one I'm very sure I'm very sure my anchor holds and grips a solid
rock. Hey man, if this time the ushers could come forward for the offering.
Brother Matt, could you pray for the offering?
Man.
All right, we'll be in Hebrews chapter 11 this morning. If you need a Bible raise your hand and usher will provide one for you
Hebrews chapter 11
Hebrews chapter 11 the Bible reads now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen
For by it the elders obtained a good report, through faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the Word of God, so that so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear.
By faith, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice.
In Cain by which he obtained witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts and by it
He being dead yet speaketh by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death
It was not found because God had translated him for before his translation
He added this testimony that he pleased God, 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.
By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.
By the which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness, which is by faith by faith
Abraham when he had called to go out into a place which he should after received for inheritance
Obeyed and he went out not knowing whether he went by faith
He's so joined in the land of promise as in a strange country
dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise for he looked
for a city which hath foundations whose builders whose builder and maker is God through faith also
Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed and was delivered of a child when she was past age
because she judged him faithful who had promised,
therefore sprained there even of wine,
and him as good as dead,
so many as the stars of the sky and multitude,
and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
These all died in faith,
not have received the promises,
but having seen them afar off
and were persuaded of them,
and embraced them,
and confessed that they were strangers
and pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country and truly if they have been mindful of that country from whence they came out
They might have opportunity to have returned
But now they desire a better country that is in heavenly
Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city by faith Abraham
When he was tried offered up Isaac and he hath received the promises offered up
His only begotten son of whom it was said that in Isaac shall thy seed be called
Accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead from wence
Also, he received him in a figure by faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
Concerning things to come by faith Jacob when he was a dying blessed both the sons of Joseph and worship leaning upon the top of his
staff by faith Joseph
when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel,
and gave commandment concerning his bones.
By faith, Moses...
When he was born was hit three months of his parents because they saw he was a proper child
And they were not afraid of the king's commandment by faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be
Called the son of the Pharaoh's daughter
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God and to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season
esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt for he had respect unto the recompense
of the reward, by faith he forsook Egypt, not fear in the wrath of the king, for he endured
as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood,
lest he that destroy the firstborn should touch them. By faith they pass through the Red Sea,
as by dry land, which the Egyptians assain to do were drowned.
And by faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
By faith the Harlot Rahab perished, not with them that believed not, when she had received
the spies with peace.
And what shall I say more, for the times would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and
of Samson, and of Jephthade, and of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets, who
through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of
lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness, were
Women receive their dead, raised to life again, and others...
were tortured and not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
And others had a trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, bonds and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword.
They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.
Of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts.
in the mountains and in dens and caves of the earth, and these all, having obtained a good
report through faith, received not the promise. God, having provided some better thing for us,
that they, without us, should not be made perfect. Brother Gar, could you play for the message?
Now, Hebrews chapter 11 is a chapter that's well known as the Hall of Faith, and the subject
of faith is arguably one of the most important topics when people, you know, thinking about
Christianity.
There are also many misunderstandings about faith.
So why is faith important?
Look at verse number 6, Hebrew 11, verse number 6, the Bible says, and without faith it is
For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that they didn't play seeking.
The Bible is very clear that if we don't have faith, that we cannot please God, okay?
So faith is a crucial aspect in our Christian life, and we must have faith in order to please God, in order to make God happy, right?
So, in fact, in Romans 14 verse 23, the Bible says,
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
So that was as if we do anything without faith, that would be a sin, right? We should do all things by faith.
So faith is important in our Christian life, and this morning I want to preach a sermon called A Theology of Faith.
A Theology of Faith. Now this is going to be a simple sermon, but sometimes we need the simple truth, amen.
The Bible talks a lot about the subject of faith, so I'm going to just gonna give you an overview
because I don't have time to go through every single reference about faith. Some of the points
this morning may overlap a little bit, but it's good to lay down some foundations. We'll be going
through a lot of verses, so they'll probably stay in the New Testament this morning. So point number
When we talk about the foundation of faith, we have to ask ourselves, what is the definition
of faith?
So, let's look at the secular dictionary.
Based on Merriam-Webster, faith is defined as allegiance to duty or a person.
Faith is also a belief and trust in and loyalty to God.
Based on dictionary.com, faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing.
The second definition is belief that is not based on proof.
Now this definition may sound to be a little bit odd, believe that's not based on proof,
but that's actually what faith is, because faith is believing what the Bible says,
even though we might not know every single evidence behind it. We are trusting in the Word of God,
we are trusting in the authority of the Word of God. That is faith.
The other definition of faith is believing in God or in the doctrine or teachings of religion.
Look at Hebrews 11 verse number one. Hebrews 11 verse one.
The Bible says, now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
So, Hebrews 11-1 gives us the biblical definition of faith, that faith is the substance, faith is also the evidence,
and faith is unseen, you cannot see faith.
That's why in San Corinthians 5-7, Apostle Paul said, for we walk by faith.
not by sight. So faith is invisible, but faith is also not wishful thinking.
It's not a belief, you know, that just, it's not a blind faith, faith is confident expectation based on what God had said in the Word of God.
Okay, now, now the Bible says faith is the substance of things hoped for, you know, the same Greek word that, you know, translated hope is also translated to trust, you know, elsewhere within the King James Bible.
Now, modern definition of the word hope implies uncertainty.
But the biblical definition of hope is confident expectation based on God's promises.
So faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
So what's the biblical definition of faith?
Faith is confident expectation based on what God has said.
Very, very simple.
Romans chapter 4 look at verse number 17 Romans chapter 4 verse number 17
Romans 4 17 the Bible says as it is written
I have made thee God has made Abraham a father of many nations before him whom he believed even God
Who quickeneth the dead and call those things which be not as though they were basically you know God was declaring the end
from the beginning, because God knows the future.
Look at verse number 18.
Who, talking about Abraham against hope,
believing hope, that he might be the father of many nations
according to that which was spoken, so shall thy see be.
So even though Abraham may have some doubt
in what God has promised him,
but the Bible says Abraham, believing this hope,
according to that which was spoken,
he has confident expectation in the word of God.
Look at verse number 19.
and being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead when he was about 100 years old,
neither yet a dentist of Sarah's womb. So Abraham was not weak in faith, he had faith in what God
has promised, despite of Abraham was old, Sarah was old, but Abraham still had faith that God's
promise will come true, right? Sarah will have a child. Okay, look at verse number 20.
He, Abraham, staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith,
giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, what God had promised,
he was able also to perform.
That's the example of the strong faith, right?
Abraham was fully persuaded.
He had strong expectations.
He was confident in what God has spoken.
What he had promised, he was able also to perform.
So faith is a confident expectation on the word of God,
but faith is also trusting in God's promises, okay?
Go to Romans chapter 10.
Romans chapter 10.
So we look at the definition of faith.
Now let's talk about the delivery of faith.
How was faith delivered?
Romans chapter 10, look at verse number 13.
Romans chapter 10 verse number 13.
The Bible says so whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
That's why we need to ask God to save us putting our trust on him right look at verse number 14
How how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom?
They have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent
as it's written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel peace and bring glad tidings of good things,
but they have not all obeyed the gospel, for you say us, say it, Lord, who has believed our report.
Look at verse number 17. So then faith, commanded by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Okay, so how can anyone get saved?
By hearing from a saved person that has the Holy Spirit in him, right?
And what are they hearing? The Word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Now yesterday, I went some morning with Brother Jerry from Emmanuel Baptist Church.
You know, I was showing this guy the Bible about how to like get saved, but then you know, this guy told us,
I don't I don't really need a Bible because I have faith just in like nature.
coming by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
How do you have faith is by the Word of God. Very, very simple.
Ephesians 2-8 says, this is for by grace, i.e. saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it's the gift of God, not of works, let's any man suppose, how can someone be saved through faith, by someone showing them about the Word of God.
Because that's how you get the faith, right?
Comments by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
You cannot have faith aside from the Bible.
You cannot have faith aside from the Word of God.
Christianity, they will say, I have faith.
No, you don't even have faith because faith comes from the Word of God.
Okay?
Now, let's go back to Hebrews chapter 10.
Hebrews chapter 10.
Now, Romans 10 is talking about the faith unto salvation, right? It's a free gift of God.
Now, there are different types of faith, you know, that I will talk about later in the sermon,
but how do people get the faith unto salvation? Again, it's by hearing the Word of God,
and how do Christians live a faithful life?
by immersing ourselves in the Word of God, okay?
Because that's how you know the promises of God, right?
That's how you know the expectation on what God is going to do.
Hebrews chapter 10, look at verse 24.
Hebrews 10 verse 24 the Bible says and let us consider one to provoke unto love and to good works
That's what we should be doing to each other
We should provoke you know our brothers and sisters in Christ on to love and to good works
How do we do that look at verse 25 because verse 24 is not as individual sentence, you know because the verse ends in
colon
So verse 25 tells us how to provoke people unto love and to good works.
The Bible says not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the man of some is,
but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
How do we provoke people unto love and to good works?
We should make church a priority.
It's the place where the Word of God is preached, right?
It's a place where you get to hear the Word of God.
It's a place where you get to increase your faith.
You get to have more faith, okay?
That's why we should make church a priority.
Let me just add to this by saying that go to a church
that actually preaches about the Word of God
and not just man's opinions,
because that's how we get faith, okay?
There are so many churches
who don't preach about the Word of God.
That's why they have a bunch of faith-less people.
But also, let me add to that by saying, go to the church that preaches from the King James Bible, because that's actually the word of God, okay?
Go to Ephesians chapter number 4. Ephesians chapter number 4.
Revelation 1 verse 3 says this, blesses he that readeth, and they that hear the
words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the
time is at hand. Make sure you are reading the Bible too because you are
getting faith. You are learning about, you know, the promises of God. That's how
you can increase your faith on a daily basis, okay? So I talked about the
Delivery of faith. Now, let's talk about the distinctiveness of faith. Look at Ephraim chapter 4 verse number 1
Ephraim chapter 4 verse 1, the Bible says
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering for bearing
one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
How do we keep the unity within this local body?
Look at verse number four.
There is one body and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.
One faith, one baptism.
Concerning salvation, there's only one faith.
In fact, in the Bible, you will see this phrase, the faith.
Usually, if the Bible says the faith, it usually points to the faith concerning salvation.
There's only one faith.
There's only one hope and that's trusting the death burial and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now faith in Muhammad, right?
Now faith in any other person.
Now faith in Mary.
Now faith in some dead saints.
There's only one faith.
That's faith in the finished work of Christ.
But there's also a difference of faith because there's a faith unto salvation
but there's also a faith of
Christian living
Salvation is a one-time thing once you have saved you are always safe, but Christian living is not that straightforward
Okay, so that will bring me to the second point go to Romans chapter 3 Romans chapter 3
So I said point number one the foundation of faith
Point number two, I want to talk about the function of faith, the function of faith.
Why do we need faith?
Let me just go back to say that first and foremost, we need faith because faith is important because faith actually gets people saved, right?
We need to have the faith.
Romans 3, look at verse number 23.
The Bible says,
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Everybody has done something wrong in their life.
Nobody is perfect.
I'm not perfect.
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood,
John MacArthur needs to believe in this verse, to declare His righteousness,
not our righteousness, but God's righteousness,
for the remission of things that are passed through the forbearance of God to
To be clear, I say at this time, he is righteousness, that he might be just, and the fire of him, which believe it in Jesus.
Where it's boasting then, it is excluded by what law of works, nay, but by the law of faith.
Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
So, one of the most important functions of faith is...
for salvation, right?
People need to have faith in the death, burial,
and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ
because Christ has paid for all of our sins.
We should trust in His righteousness,
not our righteousness, because we are not righteous.
We are all sinners.
Salvation is not by works of the law,
but by faith, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Go to Galatians chapter number two.
Galatians chapter number two.
Look at verse number 16, Galatians chapter 2 verse number 16
This is a powerful verse Galatians chapter 2 verse number 16
The Bible says knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law
But by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ
And not by the works of the law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified
nobody can walk their way to go to heaven because nobody is perfect. Okay, but verse number 16,
I want to know this in detail. Okay, so let's read it again and let's take it slowly. Okay,
the Bible says, knowing that a man is not justified by the words of the law, but by the faith of Jesus
Christ. Notice that. Again, it's by the faith of Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ is faithful
Jesus Christ is trustworthy, we are justified by the faith that belongs to Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Jesus Christ. So salvation is through Christ's faithfulness,
Christ's faithfulness provides the foundation, and then we believe in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Christ
It's only effective because Christ's faithfulness.
Because Christ is faithful to die for our sins.
That's why we can believe in Christ.
That's why we can have faith in Christ.
So verse 16 is really a powerful verse
because if Christ is now faithful to fulfill his mission
then nobody can be saved.
Look at verse number 20.
So, so why do we need faith number one for salvation, but also we need faith for
Sanctification look at verse number 20 Galatians 2 verse number 20 the Bible says
Here's a pause for Paul speaking. I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live yet not I don't miss this
But Christ liveeth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me
So Paul shows that the Christian life is sustained as well as empowered by the ongoing faith in Christ
Again, I'm not talking about salvation. I'm talking about your daily Christian living right knowing that Christ lives in you
And that the Holy Spirit of God endures in you. We need to please God every day of our life
You know, I hope you can say hey when I'm living my life
It's not me but Christ live it in me because they because a love of Christ and the compassion of Christ should drive you to serve God more
to sanctify your life every single day, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved
me and gave Himself for me.
Go to 1st Corinthians chapter number 16, 1st Corinthians chapter number 16.
Hebrews 12 verse 2 says this, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God, Jesus Christ started out well, and he finished
well, and we should be like Christ, right?
The moment you get saved, hey, let's keep the faith, let's be sanctified every single
day.
Obviously, you can never lose a salvation, but we need to seek to please God because He gave Himself for us.
Amen.
So why do we need faith for salvation, for sanctification, but also for standing?
Look at 1 Corinthians 16, look at verse number 13.
First Corinthians 16 verse number 13 the Bible says watchy stand fast in the faith
Quit you like men be strong now the word fast means you know stand firm right because we have the word fast
Then you are making the things firm steady
So we should be standing firm in the faith and quit act like a man, right?
The Bible says we should have unmovable faith. We should have a faith without wavering
Not having a new doctrine of the month right you know like you know some other preacher have a new doctrine of the month
Apparently, we should have a unmovable faith, you know without wavering
Stand firm in the faith go to Colossian chapter number one
Colossian chapter number one
Obviously sometimes we change our position on certain doctrines, but there's something wrong if you're changing major doctrines once a month
But the Colossians chapter number 1 verse 23, Colossians chapter 1 verse 23.
The Bible says, if you continue in the faith, notice, grounded and settled.
That's talking about you're standing fast in the faith.
You are grounded, you are not, you know, movable, you are settled, and be not moved away from the whole of the Gospel,
which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature, which is under heaven,
where by Paul and made a minister, faith will keep us grounded in the truth.
Because how do you get faith again by the Word of God, right?
The Word of God will keep you grounded in the truths and not be swayed by popular opinions.
Because the Word of God never changes.
I think if every Christian has the mentality that, you know, everything the Bible says, even if it's unpopular, they will believe it anyway.
Then our world may not be, you know, so shocked by our stance, right?
If we all have the same, you know, firm, unmovable faith, our world will be a better place.
Go to Ephesians chapter number six. Ephesians chapter number six.
So what's the function of faith? For salvation, for sanctification, for standing.
But faith is also needed for our strength, for strength.
Verse 11, Ephesians 6, verse 11, the Bible says put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
And in the next several verses, the Bible tells us we should put on, you know, the sword of the spirit that we should put on all those things.
But look at verse number 16.
You know above all the other spiritual armors above all verse number 16 taking the shield of faith
Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked so faith is the most important thing
It's above all
Taking the shield of faith because faith from the word of God is what gives us the defense
Against the deceit and the trickery of the devil
The shield of faith is what protects us from this wicked world.
It's the most important thing. We should take the shield of faith.
We have the Word of God as our offensive weapon, but our faith is what guards us.
The faith is what protects every single Christian.
That's why we should be taking the shield of faith.
So we need the faith for salvation. We need faith for
sanctification. We need faith for standing. We need faith for
strength. But we also need faith for stewardship.
Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse number 1.
1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1, the Bible says,
Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover, it is required in stewards
that a man be found faithful.
So the Bible says, if you are saved,
then you are a steward of the mysteries of God.
What is the word storming?
Store is defined as one employed in a large household
or a state to manage domestic...
concerns. So the moment you are saved, you know, we are, we are employed in this heavenly
kingdom, right? We are, we are in charge to manage, you know, this heavenly matters. We
are the stewards of the messengers of God. We are supposed to be faithful stewards. We
should guard the Word of God faithfully. We are supposed to keep the faith. We are supposed
to defend the faith. We are supposed to share the faith. Otherwise, you are an unfaithful
Because the very word faithful means full of faith obviously faithful also means trustworthy, but you know faithful
How do you have full of faith again by believing in the Word of God?
Creation are supposed to be faithful people creation are supposed to be trustworthy people, right?
We need to be a people that takes the Bible seriously and never apologize for what the Bible says.
That's part of being a faithful steward to guard the heavenly kingdom by guarding the Word of God,
because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Now, let me ask you, who is the person that has more faith?
The person who believes in everything in the Bible or the person who is picking and choosing?
You know, the person who believes everything in the Bible
has greater faith, right? Because the very foundation of faith is faith
commenced by the Word of God. Go to Romans chapter 12.
Romans chapter 12. So point number one, I talk about
the foundation of faith. Point number two, I talk about the function of faith.
Point number three, I want to talk about the formation
of faith. Because the Bible does talk about different measures of faith. Look at
Romans 12 verse 3 the Bible says before I say
Through the grace given unto me to every man that is among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think
But you think soberly according as God had dealt to every man the measure of faith
Now verse number three does seem like that God gives different levels or different measures of faith to his people in line with their
Callings and spiritual responsibility. Okay. Now don't confuse that
I'm not saying faith is a gift from God.
Because, you know, salvation by grace through faith, you know, the salvation is a gift of God, but we need to have the faith, right?
But concerning the spiritual gifts, concerning, you know, Christian living, you know, if you want that, God will give you more faith to, you know, fulfill your Christian calling, okay?
Because God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Look at verse number 6, Romans 12, verse number 6.
that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.
So I do believe, you know, when someone, for example, is ordained as a pastor, a deacon,
or an evangelist, God does give them a special blessing, right? God will give them, you know,
what's needed to fulfill their spiritual responsibilities.
So the point is God is the one who deals to us the measure of faith if we wanted if we desire it, okay?
So so so the sad news is many Christians. They don't desire great faith. They don't want responsibilities
That's why they are faithless. That's why they are weak in faith, right?
I believe if you truly wanted God will give you those spiritual gifts
God will make you to fulfill spiritual callings, but you have to want you have to desire this faith
Go to Hebrews chapter number 11. Go to Hebrews chapter number 11
Now you mark now you mark chapter number 9
The Lord Jesus Christ was you know saying to the father of a sick child if thou can't believe all things are possible to him
that believe it
And then the father of the sick child cried out with tears saying,
Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.
So the Bible does teach us that there are different levels of measure of faith
that you might have faith in one thing, but in some other topics you might be lacking faith, right?
That's why we need to ask God to give us, you know, different measures of faith.
Give us great faith to form, you know, faith, to build upon your faith.
Hebrews 11 verse number six the Bible says
For without faith
It's impossible to please him for he that cometh to God. Don't miss this must believe
That he is and that he is a rewarder of them that didn't please seek him
We must believe that God is who he said that he is right?
We must believe the promises of God because without faith it's impossible to please him
We have to want it. We have to want to believe the Bible and then God will give us more faith
Let's go to 2nd Corinthians chapter number 10, 2nd Corinthians chapter number 10
So we have different measures of faith, but now let's talk about the
multiplication of faith because faith is like a thermometer faith can go up and down, you know left and right
Maybe I don't know
2nd Corinthians chapter number 10, YAML right wing faith or left wing faith, I don't know
Christian nationalism must be the far right faith, anyway.
Second Corinthians chapter 10, look at verse number 14.
Second Corinthians chapter 10, verse number 14, the Bible says...
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reach not unto you, for we are
calm as far as to you, also in preaching the gospel of Christ, not boasting of things without
our measure, that is of other men's labor, but having hope, don't miss this, when your
faith is increased.
So faith can be increased.
Faith can be multiplied that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly to
preach the gospel in the regions beyond you and not to boast in another man's line of
things made ready to our hand.
So faith can be increased.
Faith can be multiplied and how to increase our faith?
It's coming back to by hearing the word of God.
Second, that's in chapter one, verse three says this,
we are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,
as it is meat, because that your faith groweth exceedingly,
and the charity of every one of you,
all toward each other aboundeth.
So we can definitely grow our faith.
The Apostles said unto the Lord Jesus Christ,
hey Lord, increase our faith.
And we should be praying the same thing.
Ask God to multiply our faith.
Ask God to grow our faith.
Ask God to increase our faith.
So we can live an abundant Christian life.
So we can be a blessing to other people.
Go to Colossians chapter number two.
Colossians chapter number two.
So we talked about the measure of faith. We talked about the multiplication of faith. Now let's talk about the
maintenance of faith. Colossians chapter 2, look at verse number 6. Colossians chapter 2, verse number 6.
The Bible says, as ye have therefore
received Christ, ye as the Lord, so walk ye in him,
rooted and build up in him, and
notice this,
established in the faith, as it had been taught, abounding their aim with thanksgiving.
So once you are saved, you are rooted and built upon the chief cornerstone, the Lord Jesus Christ.
But we need to continually build upon it, maintain your faith first and foremost, and let it grow, okay?
So we have the very foundational truth. When you first get saved, we are established in the faith.
But we need to maintain that faith, and we need to grow that faith.
And what's the easiest way to maintain your faith?
Again, going back to hearing the Word of God, right?
Coming to church, read your Bible every day.
You know, it's a very simple sermon.
Get in the Word of God and live a faithful life.
Amen.
Go to James chapter 1.
James chapter 1.
So we talk about the measure of faith,
the multiplication of faith, the maintenance of faith.
Now let's talk about the maturity of faith.
James chapter 1, look at verse number 2.
In James chapter 1 verse 2, the Bible says, James chapter 1 verse 2,
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations,
knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience,
but let patience have for perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Though perfect means,
complete. The trying of our faith will make us more complete as a Christian.
Sometimes your faith will be tried, right? But the trying of our faith work
at patience because the trying of the faith it's God's way to perfect our faith.
It's God's way to mature our faith, right? We should embrace the trials that God has
placed in our life because that's how we get to mature our faith. Now this may
cliche this may sound virtual signaling you know but I'm not okay because I do
thank God you know for all the persecutions going on because we get to
grow our faith we get to mature our faith because the trying of your faith
work with patience you know let me just tell you this I personally you know have
way more faith in God in the last few weeks you know I know
That make me believe the Bible more.
What God said about the Sonomites are all true.
They are proud, boasters, despiders, false accusers,
full of lies, murder, debate, deceit, malignities.
They are filled with all of it.
Hey, the Bible is true.
I've been experiencing all these things against me.
I have more faith.
The Bible is true.
Go to 1 Peter chapter 1.
First Peter chapter number one
In they embrace the trials because you get immaterial faith if first Peter chapter one
Look at verse number seven
First Peter chapter one verse number seven
The Bible says
That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes though
It be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ
Now first Peter 1 7 makes me think of you know a
Song rejoicing the Lord right for one am tried and purified I shall come forth as gold
So we should embrace the trial. Hey, don't look for persecutions, but when persecution comes, embrace it, grow your faith, learn from it.
Embrace the trying of our faith, because sometimes what we believe will be tested.
We will be questioned by our families and friends. We will be marked by the world, right?
Some of us may lose our job or even go to jail or maybe even be killed
But we need to embrace them because God is trying to purify us. God is trying to make us better Christians
And when the trial is over you will have greater faith. Hey praise the Lord for that
Maybe that's why the Bible says in everything give things. You know, we should be joyful people. We should be happy people
We should be thankful people, right? You know
Don't be down. Okay. Don't give up on God. You know
This church has not lost any memory yet. So go to Matthew 7 verse 6
Matthew chapter number 6
Embrace the trials because that's what makes you stronger
So I said point number one, the foundation of faith, point number two, the function of faith, point number three, the formation of faith,
point number four, the fluctuation of faith.
I like those, not really ready to point.
The fluctuation of faith.
So faith, again, have levels.
We have little faith and great faith.
Managed to have the six verse number 30 the Bible says
Wherefore, if God so clothed 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?"
So that one says, if God is taking care of the grass, I mean, grass grows like crazy,
right, guys?
Clothing, then.
Hey, why are you, you know, worried about what you eat, what you wear?
You have little faith.
Therefore, for that reason, take no thought, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed, for after all these things, do the Gentiles seek, for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things, but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
If you put goffers, if you serve goffers, he will give you food, drink, and clothings.
See, the Bible says if you're worrying about what you eat, what you wear, what you drink, then you have little faith, right?
Do what you're supposed to do, work hard, and God will take care of you.
Amen. That's good.
Psalm 37
Verse 25, the Bible says I have been young and now I am old yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed back in bread
If you do, you know, what you are supposed to do, God will take care of you
Don't be so concerned about all the, you know, all the necessities, God will take care of you
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, not your righteousness, have great faith, okay?
in Matthew chapter 8, so we talk about little faith.
Hey, don't worry about your daily sustenance
because God will provide for you.
But now let me show you the example of great faith,
in Matthew chapter 8, okay, verse number 5,
in Matthew chapter 8, verse 5.
The Bible says in Matthew chapter 8, verse 5,
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion besieging him and saying,
Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented, and Jesus said unto him,
I will come and heal.
him. So notice in verse number seven, Jesus Christ was willing to come to the centurion's house
and to heal his servant, right? Look at verse number eight. The centurion entered and said,
Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my
servant shall be healed. The centurion had great faith because Jesus Christ offered to come to
But the centurion believed that Jesus Christ could just speak the word and heal his servant remotely, right?
That's great faith. That's a confident expectation in the power of God.
Look at verse number 9.
For I am a man under authority having soldiers under me and I say to this man
Go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doeth it
So here the centurion in verse number nine
He actually acknowledged that Jesus Christ has the authority to heal his servant by bring up his own authority
Right. He realized that Jesus Christ has authority
you know, under heaven, above the heaven, that he will, you know, whatever he says,
it will be fulfilled. Look at verse number 10. When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to
them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
So this centurion had a great faith.
He didn't need to see it.
He believed in the Word of God that he is able to heal people remotely.
And really, that's a great picture of prayer, right?
Because Jesus Christ is not physically coming down and trying to help us to heal our sickness,
but we can pray to God, He will heal us remotely as well, right?
Have great faith in the power of God.
That's good.
So we talk about little faith, we talk about great faith, and then let's talk about someone that's weak in the faith, Romans 14.
Look at verse number one. Romans 14 once says this,
Hame that is weak in the faith, receive ye, but not to doubt for disputations.
Now,
I'm not going to read the rest of the chapter because I preach the whole sermon about individual celebrity, okay?
but the context of Romans 14 1 is talking about some people may have different standards that may not be
sinful
But we need to give them opportunities to grow and realize that at the end of the day
Every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Okay, so so when we see someone weak in their faith
They may have a different standard. They may not be inherently sinful. We need to let them grow
You know, we should not be oppressing them, we should not be abusing them spiritually, you know, everyone is like oppressed and just abused these days.
We should not judge them unrighteously, right? We should give them space to grow, correct them if you have to, but realize that there are people who are weak in the faith.
They might be a baby in Christ, they might not see certain things, that's totally fine, as long as we can keep the unity, let them grow.
Let them grow. Go to 2 Timothy chapter 1.
2 Timothy chapter 1.
So we saw little faith, great faith, weak faith.
But now let me show you unfaigned faith.
2 Timothy chapter 1.
Look at verse number 5.
2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 5.
Here's a pause speaking the Bible says when I call to remembrance the unfaith faith that is in the in Timothy
Which dwells first in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice and I'm persuaded that in the also
So Paul said Timothy has this unfaith faith that what unfaith and unfaith means not counterfeit
It's not hypocritical. It's a real sincere faith
And Timothy's faith, I believe, is passed down from his mother and his grandmother, right?
That's why parents should be teaching their kids the word of God, to build a faith, to build a real Christian faith.
Unfamed faith, real faith, means if you say you believe the Bible, believe it all the way.
Do not apologize. Don't back down and most importantly live it out
Live your faith out. Walk your talk. Be real. We have so many fake phony Christians. Let's be real
Don't retract your belief when there's pressure. Be real believe it all the way, you know
Go to first that's alone in chapter 5 first that's alone is chapter number 5
So point number one, I talked about the foundation of faith point number two
I talked about the function of faith point number three
I talked about the formation of faith point number four
I talked about the fluctuation of faith point number five the fight of faith the fight of faith
Why do we need to fight for all faith because we are in a spiritual warfare
First that's only type of five look at verse rate
The Bible says, but let us who are of the day, we believers are of the day, right?
We are living the day, you know, those people who are unsaid, they are of the night.
We who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and find
the helmet, the hope of salvation.
Why do we need to put on a breastplate of faith and love?
Why do we need the whole armor of God?
Because we are involved in a spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6-12 says this,
for we wrestle not against flesh and blood.
See, it's not a physical fight,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We do not war a physical fight.
We war a spiritual fight. By the way, we are always against violence
We've never advocated for violence and we don't advocate for violence. The Bible is against vigilantes
Okay, you know obviously the media will twist the narrative
You know saying that you know we are calling people to you know kill to kill other people
We've never said that
All we said is the government should be putting justice upon people who deserve those punishments, right?
You know, getting a beating, putting them to death, you know, even the prison sentence, you know, I don't want to care.
At least they are supposed to punish the evildoers, right?
We are never supposed to take the law into our own hands.
I'm against violence, you know, I'm against violence.
if it's after a proper trial, amen?
Because we do not war after flesh and blood.
We are warring spiritually.
Go to 2 Timothy chapter number three.
2 Timothy chapter number three.
Why do we need to fight for our faith?
Because we are in a spiritual warfare,
but we also, you know, we are constantly having
All sorts of doctrinal battles right people who attacked the Trinity people who attacked the creation account of
Of the book of Genesis people who try to attack the virgin birth calling upon my name the Lord
The miracles in the Bible the true Israel of God, so we are constantly fighting different doctrinal battles
Paul said, you know, fight a good fight of faith, you know, we should be fighting those good fight
We should be defending the purity of the Bible the purity of the doctrine. We should be fighting a good spiritual warfare
But we also need to fight for our faith because there are there are many but we because we have many false faith
We have false faith in this world. Look at second to me chapter 3 look at verse number 5
2 Timothy 3.5, the Bible says, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof,
from such turn away, for of this sort are they which creep into houses and lead captive
silly women, laden with sins, led away with diverse lust, ever learning, and never able
to come to knowledge of the truth, now as Jenis and Jambris were stew-moses, so that
Those people have false faith, those rebels have false faith, they have a form of godliness because they are trying to take our children, right?
They pretend to be saved, they pretend to be godly so they can work as a church to be a predator, to enjoy your children.
regardless of whether their parents want it or not.
That's their ultimate agenda, right?
They're having a form of godliness,
but they are reprobating concerning their faith.
You know, people who pretend you have the faith,
but they have a false faith.
They want to gain access to the children.
That's why we need to recognize that.
And that's why we need to actually, you know,
put on the breastplate of faith
and fight against the false faith.
Amen.
Also, we need to fight against the false Gospels that teach another faith, like workspace salvation,
lordship salvation, turn from your sins to be saved, Calvinism, we need to fight those
false Gospels that teach another faith, that teach a false faith.
Go to 2nd, that's learning chapter number 3, 2nd, that's learning chapter 3.
the fight of faith because we are in a spiritual warfare because we are
having doctrinal battles because we are combating against false faith
but we also need to fight a good fight of faith because we live in a faithless
world. Second, that's on chapter 3, look at verse number 1, the Bible says
finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and
be glorified even as it is with you
day and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men for all men
have not faith. Not every single person has faith. Remember that. You know, people
will say, I have faith. No, they don't even believe in the Word of God. All men
have not faith. We're living a faithless world. That's why we need faith in the
unchanging Word of God because the world is changing every single day, right? The
They are unreasonable and wicked men who want to destroy us and to overthrow us in the faith.
You know, that's why let's pray for each other.
That the Word of God may have free course and be glorified.
So more people can get to hear about the Bible and have faith.
We need to pray that God will be delivered from this unreasonable and wicked man, because
people who want to attack us, they are faithless, for all men have not faith.
Go to Ephesians chapter 1.
So I say point number one, the foundation of faith, point number two, the function of faith, point number three, the formation of faith, point number four, the fluctuation of faith, point number five, the fight of faith, point number six, the fruit of faith, the fruit of faith, what does faith produce?
If you can chapter one, look at verse number one.
The Bible says Paul and Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the saints
That's the saved which are of Ephesus
Domestics and to the faithful in Christ Jesus
I believe there's a distinction between the saints and those who are faithful
Because what's the natural fruit of faith faithfulness, right?
You know, you are full of faith. You are trustworthy because not all say people, they are faithful to the Word of God.
Not all say people are trustworthy.
Hey, we need to have faith because we can be a faithful people.
We can be a trustworthy people. We can be the people that believe in the Word of God.
You know, we can be the people of our word, right? We will be trustworthy people because faith produces faithfulness.
The faith also produced joy.
You don't have to turn there.
The Bible says in Philippians 1, verse 25,
and having this confidence,
I know that I shall abide and continue with you
all for your furtherance and joy of faith.
See, faith also produces joy.
Christians should be happy people,
regardless of the circumstances.
Obviously, there should be a time to mourn, especially in your funeral or some sad cases.
But in general, we should be joyful people.
We should be happy people, right?
You know, we are not laughing at them.
We are just happy.
We like the fellowship, okay?
We enjoy the Christian fellowship.
In Ephesians chapter one, go to Ephesians chapter number six.
Go to Ephesians chapter number six.
Not only does faith produce faithfulness, joy, but faith also produces love.
If in chapter 6, look at verse number 23.
The Bible says,
Peace be to the brethren and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
That's why we should love the brethren.
Encourage them.
Keep them, you know, help them grow in the faith.
telling people to come to church, to read the Bible, to share what you have learned in the scripture, right?
To help them grow, love the brethren, love with faith.
Good James chapter 2, James chapter 2.
So what's the fruit of faith? Faithfulness, joy, love.
In the world of faith also should produce good works.
I said faith should produce good works.
James chapter 2, look out verse 117.
James chapter 2 verse 117.
The Bible says, even so faith, if it have not works, is dead being alone.
Now many people will twist this verse and saying that, you know, if you are really saved, you will have the works, otherwise you are not really saved.
But that's a false doctrine. Faith does not always produce works, but you should have good works, right?
We should live godly, but that does not happen automatically.
The Bible says, faith, if it has not worked, is death.
Now here's the problem.
Some people will say, you know, you will see the change.
You will see the good works.
But here's the thing.
What does Hebrews 11 teach us about faith?
Faith is the substance of things hold for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Not seen.
You cannot see it.
So how do we know if someone's saved?
Hey, let the redeem of the Lord say so.
It does not have to be seen, but let me say this, faith that is acted upon can be seen.
That's the whole point of Hebrews chapter 11, right?
People will say, by faith, it's an inward, it's an unseen thing, but those people in
Hebrews 11, the whole of faith, they are acting upon their faith.
That's why they are doing great works for God.
By the way, the Bible says faith without works is dead, the Bible does not say faith without works does not exist
Right? Because the Bible defines what it means to have faith without works being alone
Faith without works is just faith, right? Just like if Brother Eli would drop dead, his body is still there
He's just not gonna be very productive being dead, right?
Look at verse number 18. That's not a threat, by the way. I'm not condoning violence, okay?
James chapter 2, look at verse number 18, the Bible says,
Yea, a man may say thou hast faith, and I have works, show me thy faith without thy works.
That means faith without works exists. Show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
So verse 18 says, you can have your faith without your works, but do you know what is better?
Show your faith with your works too.
Yeah, you can have faith without works, but we should have faith without works.
Let's go to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.
Yeah, words do not always accompany faith, but we should, but we should act upon faith.
Faith is something that's unseen, but faith that is acted upon can be seen, and it should be seen.
First, that's the Lord in chapter 1. Look at verse number 2.
The Bible says,
We give thanks to God always for you all making mention of you in our prayers
remembering without ceasing don't miss this your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
in the sight of God and our Father
Knowing brethren, beloved, your election of God.
So Paul remembers their work of faith, their faith was visible, right?
So we should make our faith visible as well.
You know, you might have a dead faith. Hey, you are still saved, but make it living.
Make it alive. Show it. Let's have our work of faith.
Let's act upon our faith and let the whole world see it. Amen.
Let's you know imitate those people who are in Hebrews chapter 11 the heart of faith. Let's act upon our faith
Go to Hebrews chapter 10 Hebrews chapter 10 don't have a dead faith
So I said point number one the foundation of faith point number two
The function of faith, point number three, the formation of faith, point number four, the fluctuation of faith,
point number five, the fight of faith, point number six, the fruit of faith, lastly, point number seven,
the fulfillment of faith,
the fulfillment of faith. Hebrews chapter 10, look at verse number 22.
Because what does faith ultimately bring?
Faith brings assurance.
Hebrews chapter 10, look at verse number 22.
The Bible says, let us join here with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
See, faith is not guesswork or wishful thinking.
Faith produces confidence faith produces assurance this for assurance means boldness to approach God because I was standing
It's not based on our works
But our standing is based on Christ finished work. So we have this assurance of faith
The word assurance is defined as firm persuasion,
full confidence or trust, freedom from doubt.
We have full assurance of faith.
It's not wishful thinking.
It's not just a blind hope.
It's we know.
So it's not like, you know, maybe I'll go to heaven, I know I will go to heaven because I have faith in Christ.
It's knowing, okay?
Many Christians lack this assurance because their faith rests upon feelings, emotions, rituals, or works, but not based on the promises of God.
See true faith was the ultimate fulfillment of faith it gives us the ultimate assurance the ultimate firm
persuasion go to first John chapter 5
first John chapter number 5
But faith also brings us victory
First John chapter 5 look at verse number 4 first John chapter 5 verse 4
for whatever is born of God, that is talking about saved, we are born spiritually,
whatever is born of God, overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that overcomes the world. Don't miss this, even our faith.
Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, you have overcome the world,
and you will have the victory.
when Christ comes, right? But in a daily Christian living, a
corner Christian may be overcome by the world for their lack of faith,
but a spiritual Christian will overcome the world through faith.
That's the difference. We all can have the same victory concerning, you know, getting like glorified, right?
During the rapture, but in our daily life
We are still living in this wicked world and the carnal faith less Christian will be overcome by the world
maybe like maybe like in this life, but a
Spiritual, you know, spiritual Christian will overcome the world through through his faith
Let me just read to you the lyrics of the hymn faith faith is the victory
Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise, and press the battle ere the
night shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in values below, let all our strength be hurled.
Fate is the victory we know that overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love our sword the word of God because that's where we get the faith right the word of God
We try to roll the saints above without with shells of triumph child by faith
They like a whirlwinds breath swept on over every field
The faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield
Faith is the victory, faith is the victory, all glorious victory that overcomes the world, you know
We can have victory in both front. We can have victory, you know
Through salvation, but let's have also, but let's also have victory in our daily Christian life
Have great faith in God. Go to 1 Peter chapter 1. Go to 1 Peter chapter 1
Because ultimately
And what's the end of our faith?
You know, faith will make us be glorified.
First, Peter chapter 1, look at verse number 7.
First, Peter chapter 1, verse number 7.
The Bible says that the trial of your faith
being much more precious than the gold that perishes,
though it may be trial with fire,
might be found unto praise and honor and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Look at verse number 8.
Whom having not seen, he loved, in whom though now you see him not, yet believing,
He rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith.
even the salvation of your souls.
So the Bible teaches us that there are three stages in our creation life.
We have justification.
That's when we first got saved, right?
And then we have a sanctification, ongoing creation life.
But then we have a future glorific...
glorification, when we, you know, our rapture, when we're giving a glorified body, right,
when we can no longer sin, because we are having a new flesh.
So we have justification, sanctification, and glorification.
All three are tied together by faith.
How are we justified by faith in Christ?
How are we living a daily, sanctified life by faith in Christ?
How do we get glorified, again, by our faith in Christ, right?
All three are tied together.
Now, 1 Peter 1.9 is talking about the future glorification of the same,
receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Because the world is not our home, right?
Your faith has a destination.
Your faith has a destination. That's why we need to stay the course.
Keep trusting in God daily because the finished line is ahead.
Faith has a destination and has eternity with God.
Jesus Christ will come back to take us to heaven with Him.
Go to Luke chapter 18.
Luke chapter 18, we'll go to Luke and we'll go to 2 Corinthians and we'll be down.
It is the assurance, it is the victory, it is the future glorification, but we also can get rewards in heaven.
Heaven's reward. Look 18, look at verse 7. Look 18, verse 7.
The Bible says, and shall not God avenge his elect.
By the way, the word elect means to save,
the election of God, not those unsaved Jews.
Shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cried day and night unto him,
though he bear along with them.
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless, when a Sunday man cometh,
shall he find faith on the earth.
That's a pretty serious sobering question, when Jesus Christ comes back again, will he find you faithful or will he find you faithless?
See, faithful Christian will get rewards in heaven. We will not get equal rewards in heaven, by the way.
Faithful Christian can get more reward, okay? You know, it's not a spiritual communism. Anyway.
Romans 1-8 says this, first, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Apostle Paul was complimenting those Christians in Rome that their faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
And maybe one day God will say to this church that your faith, our faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
We should have greater faith. Let's go to 2nd Corinthians 13. We will finish it there. 2nd Corinthians 13.
So I said point number one the foundation of faith point number two the function of faith point number three the formation of faith point number four
The fluctuation of faith point number five the fight of faith point number six the fruit of faith and point number seven the fulfillment of faith
So what's the conclusion of the sermon?
Let me ask you four questions. Okay. Are you in the faith?
Look at second green in 13
Look at verse number 5, 2 Corinthians 13 verse 5, the Bible says,
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves,
knowing now your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.
So Apostle Paul was telling them, hey, you've been hearing the word of God for so long
You've been part of a great church that praised the gospel if you are still not safe
You might be a rapper bait, right? We should examine ourselves. Hey, whether you be in the faith, you know, you know
Get people saved
If you are here and if you're not safe talk to an usher talk to myself
And you know, we will make you to be in the faith by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ
Number two are you growing in the faith?
Are you reading your Bible?
Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
We should be growing in our faith.
Are you internalizing what you read and what you heard?
Are you making church a priority where you get to hear about the Word of God?
Are you growing in your faith?
Number three, are you fighting for the faith?
Or are you an unfaithful stewards of the mystery of the gospel?
Because faith needs to be maintained and also built upon so we can do more for God.
Amen.
Number four, we will be found faithful when Jesus Christ comes back again.
Or are you living a worldly life and having a dead faith?
You know, we should act upon our faith and let it be seen, right?
Let the world see our faith.
great faith in Christ.
Let's close in what a prayer.
Thank you, Lord, for your word.
And thank you for the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ
that we get to be saved.
Well, I pray that we will have a daily faith
to live our Christian life so we can be sanctified,
so we can die to our flesh, so we can say,
hey, it's not me that's living,
but Christ that liveeth in me.
And I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
Amen. Thank you, Evangelist Justin Zhang.
Let's sing number 127.
Number 127, Too So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, just to rest upon His promise,
just to know the said the Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I proved Him more and more.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, oh, for grace to trust in more, oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, just lose trust in cleansing blood, just in simple faith to plunge me,
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, how I proved Him all right.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, oh, for grace to trust Him more.
Yes, too sweet to trust in Jesus.
Just from sin and self to cease.
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest.
and joy and peace, Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him, how I proved him more and more, Jesus,
Jesus, precious Jesus, oh, for grace to trust him more. Yeah, I'm so glad I learned to trust the
save your friend and I know that thou art with me will be with me to the end
Jesus Jesus how I trust him how I proved him more and more Jesus Jesus
precious Jesus oh
to trust him more. Amen.