Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
-Faith has substance and evidence; therefore it can be tested and measured.
-Note these verses on the different levels of faith compared to the circumstances
Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm
Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
- We can measure ones faith based on how they handle circumstances.
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith
Salvation
-What about salvation.. Ever have someone say… I don’t have enough faith to get saved?
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
- There are so many that see, but don’t understand, Hear but can’t comprehend and say that they just don’t have the faith to be saved!
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
- Jesus was telling them you have, right now enough faith to get save. In fact with just a little faith; like the size of a mustard seed you can achieve so much more.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
-If you must have faith to get saved then that faith must come from God.. Otherwise it is no more faith… but a work. (lest any man should boast)
Romans 12:3 For 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 to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God has already provided each of us the faith needed to get saved, but that salvation can become much more:
Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
- In order for that tree to grow from a simple seed to a tree it must be tended. It needs nutrients and purity. So comes the Word of God, it contains all we need to grow into someone that God can use for great things.
Faith Produces an Action
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.