Faith and Blessings of God
Confidence in God’s ability and desire to act in supernatural power to spread his kingdom, as well as a commitment to be the means by which he does so, expressed in prayer and action.
God’s power is released through faith
Mt 17:20 See also Mk 9:23; Lk 17:6
Praying in faith Mt 21:21-22 pp Mk 11:22-24 See also Jas 1:5-7; 5:14-15
Praying in Jesus Christ’s name Jn 14:12-14
In the OT, faith in God’s power
Heb 11:32-34 Also see: Heb 11:11-12 Abraham’s faith when promised an heir in his old age; Jos 14:6-14 Caleb receives Hebron; 1Sa 14:6 Jonathan’s confidence in God’s power to defeat the Philistines; 1Sa 17:32-47 David’s confidence in God’s power to overcome Goliath; 2Ch 20:20 Jehoshaphat’s faith in God’s power to give success against Moab and Ammon; 2Ch 32:7-8 Hezekiah’s faith in God when threatened by the Assyrians under Sennacherib; Da 6:23 Daniel’s faith when in the lions’ den
In the NT, healing in response to faith
Mt 9:22 pp Mk 5:34 pp Lk 8:48 The woman had exercised faith by touching the edge of Jesus Christ’s cloak. Also see: Mt 9:29-30 Two blind men are healed; Mk 10:52 pp Lk 18:42 Bartimaeus receives his sight; Lk 17:19 One of the ten men with leprosy who thanked Jesus Christ; Ac 3:16 the crippled man at the temple gate; Ac 14:8-10 the crippled man in Lystra
Powerful ministries marked by faith
Ac 11:24 See also Ac 6:5-10 Stephen; 1Co 12:9 Exceptional faith to meet specific needs is a special spiritual gift.
Faith and spiritual warfare
Eph 6:16 See also 1Th 5:8; 1Jn 5:4-5
The importance of love accompanying faith
1Co 13:2
Faith is a gift from God
Jn 6:63-65; Eph 2:8-9 Also see: Mt 16:15-17; Mk 9:24; Lk 17:5; Ac 3:16; 14:27; 18:27; Ro 12:3; 1Co 4:7; 12:9; Php 1:29; Jas 2:5
Faith comes through God’s word
Faith following a direct word from God Heb 11:29-30; Ex 14:15 Moses receives God’s instructions at the Red Sea; Jos 6:2-5 Joshua receives God’s instructions concerning Jericho; Ac 27:23-25
Faith through the Scriptures Jn 2:22; 20:30-31; 2Ti 3:15
Faith comes through hearing God’s word preached Ro 10:14-17 Also see Isa 52:7; 53:1; Jn 1:7; 4:41-42; 17:20; Ac 11:19-21; 1Co 2:4-5
Faith comes through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ
Jn 9:35-38; 20:26-28
Faith comes through witnessing miracles
Jn 14:11 See also Jn 2:11 the miracle at the wedding feast; Jn 4:53 Jesus Christ heals an official’s son.
The raising of Lazarus: Jn 11:45; 12:11
Ac 9:42 the raising of Tabitha
Faith based on knowledge of God
Knowledge of God’s faithfulness leads to faith Ps 46:1-3; La 3:19-24; Na 1:7; Ac 2:25-26
Knowledge of God’s achievements leads to faith Dt 3:21-22; 1Sa 17:34-37; Jer 14:22
Father in heaven, I believe you raised Jesus from the dead.
Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me live for you and tell others about you for the rest of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.