Faith: The Supernatural Gift Transforming Our Lives
Summary
In our exploration of faith, we delve into its profound significance in the Christian life. Faith is not merely a natural faculty or a simple intellectual assent to truth. It is the channel through which all the blessings of salvation come to us, and it is central to our relationship with God. Faith is a gift from God, wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, and it is distinct from mere belief or historical faith. It involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and is characterized by trust and commitment to God.
Faith is not based on the law of mathematical probability or general human experience, as some might argue. Instead, it is a supernatural gift that enables us to hope against hope, as exemplified by Abraham. It is not something we can muster on our own; it is given by God and brought forth by the Word of God. The truth of the gospel calls forth faith, and it is through hearing the Word that faith is born and nurtured.
The elements of faith include belief, trust, and commitment. It is not enough to intellectually assent to the truths of the gospel; we must trust in them and commit ourselves to them. Faith involves a deep conviction and persuasion of the truth, leading to a life of obedience and action. It is not a mere intellectual exercise but a transformative experience that engages our entire being.
The relationship between faith and reason is crucial. Faith is not contrary to reason, but it transcends it. It is supra-rational, accepting the revelation of God even when it surpasses human understanding. Faith involves an element of knowledge, but it is more about apprehending the truth rather than comprehending it fully. There are essential truths that form the core of our faith, such as the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the redemptive work of Christ. These are non-negotiable and form the foundation of our belief.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is a supernatural gift from God, not a natural faculty or mere intellectual assent. It involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and is characterized by trust and commitment to God. Faith is the channel through which all the blessings of salvation come to us. [11:31]
- Faith is not based on mathematical probability or human experience. It is a supernatural gift that enables us to hope against hope, as exemplified by Abraham. It is not something we can muster on our own; it is given by God and brought forth by the Word of God. [10:48]
- The elements of faith include belief, trust, and commitment. It is not enough to intellectually assent to the truths of the gospel; we must trust in them and commit ourselves to them. Faith involves a deep conviction and persuasion of the truth, leading to a life of obedience and action. [22:00]
- Faith is not contrary to reason, but it transcends it. It is supra-rational, accepting the revelation of God even when it surpasses human understanding. Faith involves an element of knowledge, but it is more about apprehending the truth rather than comprehending it fully. [34:50]
- There are essential truths that form the core of our faith, such as the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the redemptive work of Christ. These are non-negotiable and form the foundation of our belief. Faith is a belief in this gospel, this word of God, and it is an acceptance and persuasion of that which moves us to action. [46:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the Recording
[00:39] - Conversion: Repentance and Faith
[01:13] - The Importance of Faith
[02:41] - Faith as the Channel of Salvation
[03:35] - Different Uses of the Word Faith
[05:10] - Saving Faith vs. Other Types of Faith
[06:13] - What is Faith?
[07:34] - Faith vs. Mathematical Probability
[09:25] - Biblical Faith: Abraham's Example
[11:31] - Faith as a Gift from God
[13:21] - The Origin and Nature of Faith
[16:16] - Faith Comes by Hearing the Word
[19:09] - Elements of Faith: Belief, Trust, Commitment
[22:00] - Intellectual Ascent vs. True Faith
[25:30] - The Whole Person in Faith
[32:09] - Faith vs. Believism
[33:08] - Faith and Reason
[37:37] - Faith and Knowledge
[41:21] - Essential Truths of Faith
[46:53] - Conclusion and Next Steps
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:10-17
2. Hebrews 11:13
3. John 5:44
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 10:10-17, what is the relationship between hearing the Word of God and the development of faith? How does this passage describe the process of coming to faith?
2. In Hebrews 11:13, what does it mean that the people were "persuaded" of the promises? How does this persuasion relate to their faith?
3. How does John 5:44 describe the challenge of believing in God? What does this suggest about the nature of faith and human disposition?
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon describe the difference between faith and mathematical probability? Why is this distinction important for understanding biblical faith? [09:25]
2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the development of faith according to the sermon? How does this relate to the idea of faith as a gift from God? [11:31]
3. The sermon mentions that faith involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will. How does this comprehensive involvement distinguish true faith from mere intellectual assent? [22:00]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on human experience or probability rather than faith. How can you shift your perspective to trust more fully in God's promises? [09:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes that faith is a gift from God. How can you cultivate a heart that is open to receiving this gift? What practices might help you be more receptive to the Holy Spirit's work in your life? [11:31]
3. Consider the elements of belief, trust, and commitment in your own faith journey. Which of these do you find most challenging, and how can you work on strengthening that aspect of your faith? [22:00]
4. The sermon discusses the relationship between faith and reason. How do you balance these in your own life, especially when faced with doubts or questions about your faith? [34:50]
5. Identify a core truth of the Christian faith that you find difficult to fully accept or understand. How can you seek greater understanding or acceptance of this truth in your spiritual journey? [46:20]
6. Think of a situation where you need to "hope against hope" like Abraham. How can you apply the principles of faith discussed in the sermon to this situation? [10:48]
7. How can you ensure that your faith is not just an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience that leads to action and obedience? What specific steps can you take this week to live out your faith more fully? [22:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as a Divine Gift
Faith is a supernatural gift from God, not a natural faculty or mere intellectual assent. It involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and is characterized by trust and commitment to God. Faith is the channel through which all the blessings of salvation come to us. [11:31]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you struggle to trust God fully. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith in this area today?
Day 2: Faith Beyond Human Understanding
Faith is not based on mathematical probability or human experience. It is a supernatural gift that enables us to hope against hope, as exemplified by Abraham. It is not something we can muster on our own; it is given by God and brought forth by the Word of God. [10:48]
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'" (Romans 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where the odds seem stacked against you. How can you practice hoping against hope, trusting in God's promises rather than human probabilities?
Day 3: The Elements of True Faith
The elements of faith include belief, trust, and commitment. It is not enough to intellectually assent to the truths of the gospel; we must trust in them and commit ourselves to them. Faith involves a deep conviction and persuasion of the truth, leading to a life of obedience and action. [22:00]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one truth of the gospel that you believe but struggle to live out. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with this belief?
Day 4: Faith and Reason
Faith is not contrary to reason, but it transcends it. It is supra-rational, accepting the revelation of God even when it surpasses human understanding. Faith involves an element of knowledge, but it is more about apprehending the truth rather than comprehending it fully. [34:50]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's ways didn't make sense to you. How can you embrace the mystery of faith, trusting in God's higher wisdom today?
Day 5: Core Truths of Faith
There are essential truths that form the core of our faith, such as the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the redemptive work of Christ. These are non-negotiable and form the foundation of our belief. Faith is a belief in this gospel, this word of God, and it is an acceptance and persuasion of that which moves us to action. [46:20]
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Which core truth of the gospel do you find most challenging to accept or live out? How can you deepen your understanding and commitment to this truth in your daily walk with Christ?
Quotes
Faith is that by which all the blessings of Salvation ultimately come to us and that is stated in the scripture many times in many places we are saved by faith we are Sanctified by faith we walk by faith this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith. [00:01:30]
Faith is after all the instrument or the channel by which all salvation that is in Christ Jesus enters into us and we are enable to appropriate it it is the thing that links us to the fullness that dwells in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that is Faith in its Essence. [00:02:56]
Faith is not the exercise of Faith what is he doing well he is just doing something which is based upon the law of mathematical probability now that's a very vital distinction in other words what this man is saying either consciously or unconsciously to himself is this the chances are that this train will go from here to Brighton without an accident. [00:07:41]
Faith in thy power thou seest I have for thou this Faith Hast wrought it's God who's wrought it in him it's not a natural faculty that he's always had and Every Man Has It's God who's wrought it dead Souls thou callest from their Gra grave and speakest worlds from not but listen in hope against all human hope self desperate I believe. [00:10:00]
Faith is something quite unique and special you see it to Perfection for instance in Abraham we've already had reference to that in that reading at the beginning and Charles Wesley holding the theological views that he did puts it very clearly in that hymn that we've just been singing you notice how he puts it. [00:09:53]
Faith is the gift of God now here we come to a controversial point take the statement in Ephesians 28 By Grace are he saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God now there are people who say the the whole question is what does that that mean by grace are he Saed through faith. [00:11:56]
Faith ultimately is governed by what we called a few weeks ago our disposition it is man's fundamental disposition that determines whether he has Faith or not now listen to the author of The epistle to the Hebrews saying that in Hebrews 3:12 he talks about there an evil heart of unbelief you see that's it. [00:14:19]
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the the word of God now that is the way in which faith comes into being and into operation it is called forth by the word of God by the truth by the gospel by the message preached and so Paul exalts Timothy preach the word and it's the same everywhere right through the scriptures. [00:18:21]
Faith also includes an element of trust an element of confidence a Readiness to commit oneself to it there it is again in that very 13th verse of that 11th of Hebrews they died in faith not having received the promises but having seen them a were persuaded of them and they embraced them and confess that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth. [00:21:15]
Faith is not some sort of intellectual belief you carry with you in a bag it's something that grips you and the whole of you not something that you manipulate and bring in and put back when you like you're there are two great texts the first is again Romans 6:17 ye were the Servants of sin that he have obeyed from the heart the form of sound Doctrine delivered unto them. [00:26:25]
Faith is not a matter of reason you know there are people who are teaching that today there's been a very popular religious writer he's not so popular now as he was until 3 years ago but his popularity began about 14 years ago the Discerning will know to whom I'm referring who doesn't hesitate to say that if a man reasons truly he's bound to become a Christian. [00:33:08]
Faith is accepting this Revelation I like to think of it more and more like this faith means that I deliberately shut myself down to this book I refuse to philosophy I refuse to ask certain questions people are always asking them they want to understand the doctrine of the Trinity you can't you've just got to accept it you'll never understand it your mind is reason can't grasp it. [00:35:32]
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