Sunday I will be preaching from the book of Hebrews. It is hard to believe that we have been through almost all of the New Testament in our Walk Through the Bible Series over these months. Hebrews is the FAITH book of the New Testament because in the eleventh chapter it says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the key that unlocks our relationship with God. We are told in James chapter one, verse six that the devils believe that God exists, but they do not exercise faith which drives the will to do what is right and good. Real faith is living faith which not only involves what we believe, but also our initiative which guides everything we do. That’s why James said, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
A 7-year old was asked by his parent if he thought it was important to have faith. The child replied, “Yes, so I can talk to God and He helps me.” The parent asked further if the child talks to God, to which he replied, “Yes, last night God told me what I needed to do better next time and I listened…I felt better.” That’s what faith does. It “listens” and “does better” next time. Faith helps us to hear God and follow what God wants us to do.
Martin Luther King said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Faith is being so certain of God’s presence that you step forward because you know He is there. Grace is a community of faith. We are people who have trusted in Christ and are saved by “…Grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Everyone who comes into our fellowship to worship the Lord and serve Him this morning is here because of their faith in Jesus and for what He has done to redeem us from sin. The Bible says that, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Grace would not be Grace and we would certainly not be capable of being the people of God apart from faith in Jesus.
I look forward to preaching about faith today and rejoicing with you that God has given us all a lively and vibrant faith by which we can “listen” and “do better” every day for His glory. God truly is blessing our faith and growing us to be more and more like Jesus. Let God increase your faith. Pray that He will strengthen your faith. Use every opportunity to demonstrate your faith to others. By faith, according to the apostle Paul, we are “the children of God” (Galatians 3:26), we have “access and boldness” to come before Him in worship (Ephesians 3:12), and through faith He “dwells” in our hearts “grounding” us firmly in the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17). Let FAITH have its way in your life today.