I have been having a few conversations with some people and there have been a number of questions about faith that have been coming up… It seems that many of us have allowed our church jargon to get in the way of truth and we do not really have a firm grasp on what faith is… There is so much emphasis put on faith in the New Testament alone that I think it is very important that we understand that which Jesus said was necessary to make us whole…
The issue is actually much larger then having a working definition of faith, we also must know how to develop our faith (that is a big mystery for many)….
We have been dealing with Nehemiah during our mid-week services, and think about the amount of faith that it took for him to do what he did…. We are going to be talking about that tonight and tomorrow for my mid-day people…. so come and check it out if you can…
Also, why do any of you think our concept of faith is all messed up? How have you heard it taught before?
The lesson sounds interesting and I’d like to hear more. I’m out of state, so can’t make it to service.
I have been in the church all my life being that my father is a minister. When I went to church when I was younger and even after I got out of the house I went to church and heard the preacher preach, but did not really pay attention to what was being said. I went because it was “the right thing to do”. As I got older I started going to church for the right reason and here I am today. Although I’ve heard many sermons it was only within the last 5 years that I actually started to pay attention and try to improve my relationship with Christ and understand the word. Over the years I have heard many different sermons on what faith is. I’ve also heard many cliches about faith. I understand what faith is, but like you said above, I was never taught how to develop my faith. I think that is where the problem lies for me. I enjoyed the sermon taught on Thursday and I am definitely working on developing my faith. This sermon was right on time for me cause right now I am in the process of a transitional period in my life where without faith there is no way I can make it through.
Based on the word that was spoken on Wednesday and Thursday, could a lack of faith on my part be the reason that those that I invite to church haven’t came yet? I would also like to know if it is possible for me to not know if or when I am acting in a different manner around others? Would it be wrong if someone was to tell me when this is happening?
@Tasha - The first thing to consider when you want people to come to Christ or when you are inviting them to church is what do they see in you when you invite them. Your lifestyle is the manifestation of the word right before their eyes. While we must have a great handle on the Word of God, it is our life that must “look like Christ” in order for people to come to Christ… So then, your faith must be in your ability to be all the Christ has called you to be…
wow friend. the subject of faith is one that I am indeed passionate about. I didn’t realize how BAD we (and I mean me too) have set the saints up for failure when it comes to how we have taught faith. I didn’t even think about it until a minister came to by bedside in the hospital and told me that if I had “the faith” my daughter would be fine. Then when she was born “still” and I came home after a very LONG 6 weeks in the hospital with empty arms he stood firm on his belief and said had I believed she would have made it. Since then, I’ve been very careful when teaching and/or explaining faith. Cause guess what…my faith doesn’t make God any stronger or any more powerful. Faith allows… lata friend
@D - Can you expound more on your thoughts about “faith allows”? I would love to hear what you have to say about that. I agree that we have messed up bad in a lot of our teaching on faith… The bottom line is the basis of faith is the word, and we have to build our conviction based upon its’ promises and not our speculations… I think often times we our having “faith” for things that do not line up with scripture and that will never work…
I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts…
[...] - Part 2 12 03 2008 I spoke about faith in this post, and I wanted to give you 4 steps that I think are necessary to develop your faith… This is [...]