OF FAITH
December 7, 2003 AM
Sermon Outline
ROM 14:19-23
INTRO: In the New Testament there is a little prepositional phrase which is often repeated. It is this: of faith, As I read through the New Testament, I see this little phrase as it is connected to a variety of things. The first thing I want to mention this morning is that the phrase describes the incredible role of faith in the Christian life. As a gospel preacher, I am not sure that I have been as careful as I should have been over the years to emphasize the need and role of faith in Christian lives. Oh, we all know and understand that faith (belief) is essential in Gods plan for redeeming humanity ... the scheme of redemption. But it is also in the Christian life that faith is so necessary and associates with so many things. For example:
1. The hearing of faith - Gal 3:1,2
a. question? How did the Galatian people hear about and obey Christ?
b. obviously, it was through the hearing of faith
c. Gal 3:8 - the hearing of faith requires the preaching of the gospel
d. Rom 10:17 - toward salvation, the hearing of faith cannot be overlooked
2. The obedience of faith - Rom 16:26 (also Rom 1:5)
a. here is a point which so many apparently overlook as they think of salvation
b. consider the to all nations here in conjunction with Mk 16:15,16
c. are we far afield to say that baptism is the obedience of faith? No
d. there may be very sincere folks who have been confident in salvation by faith alone ... who simply have not see this connection - should you act on this truth?
3. The household of faith - Gal 6:10
a. what is the household of faith? Does Eph 2:18-22 help us?
b. the simple answer is this: it is the church (Eph 3:21)
c. when one is baptized in obedience to the faith, he becomes a family member
d. Acts 2:47 - the Lord adds that person to His family
4. Joy of faith - Phil 1:25
a. from the obedience to the faith this joy should come so naturally - Acts 8:39
b. one baptized in obedience to the faith is forgiven his sins - Acts 2:38
c. what a great blessing ... what a great cause for rejoicing
d. and Pauls letter to the Philippians contends that Joy should be a characteristic of the Christian life - Phil 3:1a
5. Words of faith - 1 Tim 4:6
a. earlier we noted that faith come by hearing the word of God
b. but one who is obedient to the faith is not finished with the word of faith!
c. Jas 1:21 - the implanted word continues as a necessity for Christian living
d. Jas 1:25 - blessings in the Christian life come as we continue to study, to grow and to keep Gods faithful word in our lives
6. Work of faith - 1 Thes 1:3
a. Gal 5:6 - may help us to understand a bit better work of faith
b. faith in the Christian life must be expressed in good works
c. so, obedience to the word of faith is a continuing necessity - but so are good works
d. Titus 2:14 - zealous of good works
7. Fight of faith - 1 Tim 6:12
a. this connection of fight to of faith suggests discipleship is not always easy
b. indeed, Christian people are engaged in a struggle in which Satan is actively warring against saints
c. Eph 6:13 refers us to the whole armor of God - thence, Eph 6:16
d. our faith must be growing and active if it is to protect us from Satan - we must be engaged with the word, with prayer, with worship, with service
8. Assurance of faith - Heb 10:22
a. in the context, assurance of our forgiveness; the remission of sins
b. further, the assurance which says to us that living the Christian life is so worth the price
c. the assurance that the Lord stands with us in the struggle - Heb 13:5,6
d. I suggest that one reason for our needing to read, read, read the scriptures is for this assurance we so desperately need
CLOSE: Where is your faith taking you? Is it taking you to the obedience of baptism? Wonderful! Is it taking you day by day in the security of your walk with the Master? Rejoice! To close I suggest a reminder from Acts 11:24. Are we full of faith?
Cecil A. Hutson
07 December 2003