Basics of Faith Outline

Live Stream Date: Thrs. 5/21

Definition of faith: An active trust and belief, in God and in his Word, which we display through our obedience to his Word.

Example: In Gen. 6, we see Noah demonstrate his faith in God by his willingness to believe God’s promise of protection by his obedience in constructing the ark. 

When I refer to faith, I am not referring to a doctrinal belief and theological understanding (e.g., Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God who has come in the flesh), but what I am referring to is a trust that God will make good on His Word to heal, save, protect, provide and empower us.

1. Where does faith come from? How do we get it?

God has given each of his children the measure of faith.

Scripture References: Romans 12:3; Romans 10:17; Mark 11:22

2. How does faith work, how do we use it? What is the point of faith?

Faith allows us to appropriate everything that Jesus purchased for us on the cross. We are using faith to walk in new life, body, soul and spirit AND to point others to hope and life in Christ.

Scripture References: Romans 10:9; Luke 6:45, Mark 9

3. Faith works by love. Galatians 5:6

Our faith works when it is rooted in the understanding that he loves us, that his intentions toward us are good, that he is not withholding anything from us but he is trying to get everything he has to us.

Faith does not work in an unforgiving heart. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself but hoping it hurts the other person.

All doubt and unbelief are rooted in fear. What is it that you afraid of?

Scripture References: Ps. 100:5; Mark 11:22-26

4. Faith is a choice; it is an act of our will.

And I know no better example of this then the disciple Thomas.

John 20:24

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”