SIX LEVELS OF FAITH TEXT: HEBREWS 11 - The Church at ...
SIX LEVELS OF FAITH TEXT: HEBREWS 11 - The Church at ...
SIX LEVELS OF FAITH TEXT: HEBREWS 11 - The Church at ...
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<strong>SIX</strong> <strong>LEVELS</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>FAITH</strong><strong>TEXT</strong>: <strong>HEBREWS</strong> <strong>11</strong>: 1 B 6, 32 B 34THEME: <strong>FAITH</strong>I. THE SIGNIFICANCE <strong>OF</strong> HAVING A<strong>FAITH</strong> IN GOD@A. Jesus tells us in Mark <strong>11</strong>: 22 to Ahave faith in God.@B. James tells us in James 1: 6 B 7 ABut let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he th<strong>at</strong> waiverethis like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not th<strong>at</strong> man think th<strong>at</strong> he shallreceive anything of the Lord. Also note: Heb. <strong>11</strong>: 6C. Jesus spent a large portion of his earthly ministry teaching on the subject of Faith in God. Why?D. Because faith is the currency, the medium of exchange th<strong>at</strong> the economy of the Kingdom of Godoper<strong>at</strong>es on.St<strong>at</strong>ement: Faith is a significant enough truth th<strong>at</strong> the Bible lists six levels of faith.Question: Why would it be important to know the six levels of faith the Bible teaches?Answer: <strong>The</strong>re two reasons why it would be important to know the six levels of faith. First, we need to knowwh<strong>at</strong> does and does not happen <strong>at</strong> each level of faith. <strong>The</strong> second reason is so we can know wh<strong>at</strong> level offaith we are and make wh<strong>at</strong>ever adjustments necessary in our faith toward God.II. <strong>SIX</strong> <strong>LEVELS</strong> <strong>OF</strong> <strong>FAITH</strong><strong>The</strong> first level of faith is: No FaithQuestion: Wh<strong>at</strong> is no faith?<strong>The</strong> book of Deuteronomy tells us:"I will hide my face from them," he said, Aand see wh<strong>at</strong> their end will be; for they are a perversegener<strong>at</strong>ion, children who are unfaithful. <strong>The</strong>y made me jealous by wh<strong>at</strong> is no god and angered mewith their worthless idols. Deuteronomy 32:20-21 NIVAnswer: Trust in false gods. This is the lowest level.If we have something more important than God, then you have an idol.<strong>The</strong> second level of faith is: Weak FaithQuestion: Wh<strong>at</strong> produces weak faith?1. We see weak faith in Romans 4: 19 - 22And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred yearsold, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not <strong>at</strong> the promise of God through unbelief; butwas strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded th<strong>at</strong>, wh<strong>at</strong> he had promised, he was ablealso to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.Romans 4:19-22 KJV
2. Answer: <strong>The</strong> answer to weak faith is best understood in light of the word Aweak@ in verse19 of Romans 4. Weak means sickly or impotent, a lack of strength. A person who is weakor sickly is unable to exercise. Weak faith is faith th<strong>at</strong> is not exercised, utilized, or put intoaction. It is impaired faith. Faith th<strong>at</strong> is hampered by restraints and limit<strong>at</strong>ions.This is wh<strong>at</strong> Jesus implied when to the disciples on the occasion of prayer in the garden whenhe said, A<strong>The</strong> spirit is willing the flesh is weak.@<strong>The</strong> third level of faith is: Little FaithQuestion: Wh<strong>at</strong> produces little faith?1. We have three examples of wh<strong>at</strong> produces little faith in scripture:a. Jesus is teaching the Sermon on the Mount. Note M<strong>at</strong>thew 6: 30If th<strong>at</strong> is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into thefire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?(<strong>The</strong>ir lack m<strong>at</strong>erially impaired their faith)M<strong>at</strong>thew 6:30 NIVb. Jesus rebukes the wind in M<strong>at</strong>thew 8: 23 B 26. Note verse 26:He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" <strong>The</strong>n he got up and rebuked the winds and thewaves, and it was completely calm.M<strong>at</strong>thew 8:26 NIVc. Jesus walks on the w<strong>at</strong>er in M<strong>at</strong>thew 14: 22 B 32. Note verse 32:Immedi<strong>at</strong>ely Jesus reached out his hand and caught him (Peter). "You of little faith," he said, "whydid you doubt?"M<strong>at</strong>thew 14:31 NIVQuestion: Wh<strong>at</strong> stifles faith th<strong>at</strong> only produces Alittle faith?@Answer: Little faith is produced by th<strong>at</strong> which is moved by circumstances.2. Circumstances Will Either Change Our FaithorFaith Will Change Our Circumstances.3. Often the devil makes the burden gre<strong>at</strong>er or more difficult so we will not believe thepromise or the Word of the Lord. It comes down to a lack of confidence, little faith in Christ.<strong>The</strong> fourth level of faith is: FaithQuestion: Wh<strong>at</strong> is faith? Wh<strong>at</strong> type of level is faith?1. M<strong>at</strong>thew 9 records four straight instances of the level called AFaith.@a. <strong>The</strong> four men who brought the paralytic man to be healed, vss. 1 - 8b. <strong>The</strong> woman with the issue of blood, 20 - 22 vss.c. Jabirus daughter who was sick and had died vss. 18 - 19, 23- 26 And,d. <strong>The</strong> two blind men, vss. 27 - 31
2. <strong>The</strong> definition of faith, as it rel<strong>at</strong>es to our Six Levels of Faith:* This person believes th<strong>at</strong> faith is the ability to obtain the promises of God in theirlives.* <strong>The</strong>y believe the Word of God is the Kingdom Word. <strong>The</strong>y believe this is howGod=s Kingdom oper<strong>at</strong>es B th<strong>at</strong> is, they act on wh<strong>at</strong> they know.* <strong>The</strong>y are unselfish people, they give themselves to the Kingdom. (Note the 4 menwho brought the paralytic man to Jesus and their faith.)Answer: We maybe people who believe, and we believe faith is the route toreceiving, but somehow AWe believe the Word works for others but not for me.@Lingering doubt.St<strong>at</strong>ement: This is where many Christians are. <strong>The</strong>y love God, committed to God but AIt works for someoneelse but not for me.@3. Half of the examples of healing in M<strong>at</strong>thew 9 th<strong>at</strong> I cited were for someone other thanthemselves. <strong>The</strong> four men bringing the paralytic man and Jairus seeking a miracle for hisdaughter.<strong>The</strong> fifth - level of faith is: Gre<strong>at</strong> Faith.Question: Wh<strong>at</strong> is Gre<strong>at</strong> Faith?1. <strong>The</strong> Bible records two instances of AGre<strong>at</strong> Faith@:a. M<strong>at</strong>thew 8: 5 B 10 <strong>The</strong> Centurion Soldier and His Servant, andb. M<strong>at</strong>thew 15: 21 B 28 Woman=s Whose Daughter Was Demonically OppressedAnswer: Gre<strong>at</strong> Faith is the ability to draw a promise from God for someone else.2. Gre<strong>at</strong> Faith has as its basis in Level Number Four: Faith, and all its qualities. But Agre<strong>at</strong>faith@ also has as its core value:a. Submissionb. Humilityc. Determin<strong>at</strong>ionNote: Jesus oper<strong>at</strong>ed in these qualities.<strong>The</strong> sixth - level of faith is: Strong FaithQuestion: Wh<strong>at</strong> is Strong Faith?Answer: Simply put, Strong Faith has the ability to believe for the next gener<strong>at</strong>ion.1. <strong>The</strong>y know it is not all about them, they are prepared to help the next gener<strong>at</strong>ion usher inthe next move of God and purpose of God.<strong>The</strong>re like a good f<strong>at</strong>her, they want their children to have more and do more than theydid or had. This could also be called apostolic or f<strong>at</strong>herhood faith,2. Those in the Bible th<strong>at</strong> fit this mold of Strong Faith, just to name a few was:
JesusDanielJoshua and CalebDavid2. Listen to wh<strong>at</strong> God told Daniel:But the people th<strong>at</strong> do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.Daniel <strong>11</strong>:32 KJVAnd God told Joshua:"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to theirforef<strong>at</strong>hers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servantMoses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, th<strong>at</strong> you may be successful whereveryou go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; medit<strong>at</strong>e on it day and night, soth<strong>at</strong> you may be careful to do everything written in it. <strong>The</strong>n you will be prosperous and successful. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."Joshua 1:6-9 NIVConclusion: Wh<strong>at</strong> level of faith are you?
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