UNDERSTANDING WHAT FAITH IS. Part One

Hebrews 11:1, 6 (KJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.....6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 1:16-17; 3:19-28; 4:1-16; 14:23; Hebrews 11:1-40; Habakkuk 2:4

1. Welcome to this series on Understanding What Faith Is. Of all the topics in the bible faith is the most important for every believer to know, understand and use. The bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. And whatever is not of faith is sin. The ultimate goal of every believer and all believers in God is to please God and for God to be pleased with us, as we live a true holy life. Only faith can make us please God and only faith can make us sinless before God. As a result, the primary purpose of this teaching series on faith is to unveil to us, The importance of faith in the Christian walk, What Faith Is, How we can have faith, How we can release or make our faith to work for us and Why we need to have faith, walk and live by faith, plus much more.
But before we delve into what faith is, it is important we lay a background on faith. Until Jesus came God did not demand faith from people as a means of pleasing Him or serving Him, although he expected men to believe Him, trust Him and be faithful to Him. Through out the old testament the word faith was used only once in the King James version. But the word believe or faithful was frequently used. But when Jesus came the word faith became one of His most frequently used words and in the new testament alone it was used over 237times. Why did Jesus and the apostles put more emphasis on this word faith more than God did in the old testament?
It is important we lay this background in order for us to understand how God related with people in the old covenant and God's standard for pleasing Him in the new covenant. God's relationship with every generation is always based on terms and conditions of a covenant. In the old testament they had to do something before God could do something for them but under faith God has already done everything in Christ only waiting for us to possess them by faith. Understanding this difference is important so that we don't use old covenant terms and conditions to demand or expect things from God in the new covenant.
Many believers are going to God on the old covenant terms instead of the new covenant terms of faith and faith alone as the means of worshipping, pleasing, serving and receiving anything from God. Several believers are being frustrated daily because they are not receiving what they are demanding from God. God is never at fault, in Christ Jesus in the new covenant God has done all He can do for us, He is only waiting for us to come freely and boldly by faith to take all that we desire. For all things are yours says the scriptures. Romans 10:17; 14:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; 4:24; Mark 5:34; 10:52; 11:22-24; Galatians 3:6-26; Genesis 15:6; Exodus 23:25-26; Deuteronomy 28:1-15; Ephesians 1:3; 1Peter 2:24; 1Corinthians 3:21;
I pray the eyes of our understanding be enlightened to this present truth that we may begin to walk in the fullness of all that belongs to us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

If you need healing the bible says In Matthew 8:17 that Jesus Himself took all our sicknesses and diseases. Therefore you can receive your healing now by faith in the name of Jesus. Just lay your hand on the affected area of your body and say this prayer. Father God in the name of Jesus I believe that Jesus died for my healing. I believe He took all my sickness and diseases on the cross. If He took them, then I cannot have them. Therefore I resist and I reject every sickness in my body and I confess Jesus today as my healer and I receive my healing now. Thank you Jesus that I am healed. 1Peter 2:24; Ps 107:20.
Now begin to do what you couldn't do before because of the sickness. You are healed in Jesus name.

Heaven is real, Hell is real. Jesus is coming very soon. Judgement Day is coming. But you can become a born again child of God today. The bible says If you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12.

Say this prayer: Father God have mercy on me. I come to you today in the name of Jesus. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that He died for me. I believe that you raised Him from the dead for my salvation. I accept Jesus in my heart today and I confess Him today as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you Father that today I am saved In Jesus name.

If you prayed the prayer of Salvation, pls go to a nearby bible believing Church in your area, so you can grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus. Grace be with you. To Jesus be all the glory.