Bible Study: Growing in Faith

Hi Everyone

Here is the latest Bible Study notes and the audio.

As usual, please do share them around as you are blessed.

Chris

We Need to be Walking by Faith

Really believe.  If the life you are living now does not require you to believe in God’s promises in His Word in any area to solve a problem in your life, then you are either:

1. Dead
2. Not growing in the Lord

What may be known as an Unbelieving Believer.

Trials are Testing for Faith

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (NKJV)

Trials are chances to test out God’s Word.  This active – we can use the trial to put our faith to test, or we can choose to ignore the Word.

Every trial has a promise from God.

Not There But OTW (On The Way)

Philippians 3:11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (NKJV)

We talked about our goal in becoming like Christ.  We will always be going after it this side of heaven, but we must never stop.

Stand still and you go backwards.

God’s Word: The Standard for Belief

Not Experience.  If we “aren't there” (we never are), if our lives don’t seem to line up with the promises of God, it doesn't mean that the Word of God is not true.  It simply means we need to seek Him more.  This is the walk of faith.  God’s Word is true.

Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.” (NKJV)

Head Knowledge  Believing

Truths we know – perceive deep in us, that become part of our persona, are the ones that set us free.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)

Example:

We all have heard to work that we have something to give.  

Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. (NKJV)

How many of us work that way?

“Man, I have to get to work, so that I will have something to give!”

More to Just “Believing in God”

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (NKJV)

Faith requires action.  It requires a decision to believe what God said versus what we see.  It requires us to disbelieve what we sense (the flesh) and believe the Word.  This belief is seen in our action, the work of faith.

KnowDo, DoKnow

It’s not about going out and doing good to all, nor living by “Christian values”.  We do not do things to gain God’s favour or blessings.

We realise who we have been saved to be and act according to this.

Daniel 11:32b the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. (NKJV)

It is about acting out in faith what God has promised in His Word.  It is in believing Him when He tells us who we are and what we are entitled to because of the finished work of Jesus.

It is about walking life by faith in the Word, walking in the Spirit.

Know as I am Known

We act out of who we are – dogs bark, cats meow, cows moo.  Kings reign, sons of God speak to mountains.

How does God see me today?  He sees in the Spirit.  Who are we in the Spirit?  What does the mirror of the Word say?

We see dimly – He sees clearly.  He sees His glory in us.  He sees us IN CHRIST.  

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (NKJV)

As we keep looking at the mirror of the Word, we will know more and more and be transformed from glory to glory.

Know and Trust because of Jesus’ Love

Jesus came on earth, lived as a man, died and rose to win these promises, to make us who we are.  The finished work of the cross was all because of love. 

Faith works by love

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (NKJV)

So we have to be rooted and grounded in His love

Ephesians 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (NKJV)

Humble Youself, Trust Him

Humble yourself under God, under His Word.

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)

Why cast ALL your cares?  Because He cares for ALL your cares.  What are you standing in faith for today?  He knows and takes care of all your cares.

Like children growing up, as we grow in Christ, things that were cares become less and less of cares.  This is true freedom. (Like the lives of Joseph, Paul etc.)

Pray Out Scriptures

Scriptures are God’s Word to us.  Thank God for who we are in Christ.  Pray the prayer of faith.

James 5:15a And the prayer of faith will save the sick, (NKJV)

Not the prayer of fear, panic or the prayer of try-and-see.

Steps to Belief

• Can’t know what you haven’t heard or read (Rom 10:17) - Read the Word!
• Can’t understand, gain wisdom (renew mind) from what you haven’t spent time meditating on (Josh 1:8, Ps 1, Col 3:16) - Meditate on the Word!
• Can’t believe whom you cannot trust (Ps 3:5-6, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:19) - Trust God in His Word - they are His promises to you!
• Can’t perceive what you haven’t tried out (James 1:2, Ps 34:8) - Try it out, one step at a time!

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” (NKJV)

What are you standing on God’s Word for today?