LIVING FAITH IN ACTION

MATTHEW 15:2

A. WHY THIS SUBJECT?
  1. Our unfinished work demands a vigorous and active faith:
    1. Our cause is very similar to that of Noah - Heb. 11:7; he was possessed of a moving faith.
    2. We are in need of a faith that looks beyond all things visible! Heb. 11:7, 27
  2. This late hour is very short and it calls for a dynamic faith to meet the challenge of this pleasure loving and godless generation: Rom. 9:28
  3. This Movement is doubtless the voice of the Third Angel: Rev. 18:1-3
B. LET US CONSIDER SOME OF THE POTENTIALS OF LIVING AND ACTIVE FAITH
  1. Experience shows that:
    1. All things are possible through Christ-centered faith - Mark 9:23; PK, p. 157, 2 T p. 140
    2. The church must rely on faith in God's faithfulness - Heb. 11:6; CH, p. 226
  2. Faith, anchored in God's promises, is a mighty force to be reckoned with:
    1. Goliath learned this truth in his combat with a man of faith - 1 Sam. 17:42-51
    2. Pharaoh, too, learned this truth in the experience of Moses' mother - Ex. 2; 6; 8; 9; 10;
      1. This living faith dissipates all obstructions--think of the walls of Jericho!
      2. It changes the most discouraging outlook in life - Josh. 1:7, 8. Remember the experience of Israel when they heard the report of the spies - Num. 13; 14;
      3. O for a faith that will not sink in the face of seeming insurmountable difficulty - -- ". . . stand still and see the salvation of God" - Ex. 14:13 -- ". . . our God...is able" - Dan. 3:17 -- ". . . Let us go up at once and possess it" Num. 13:30
C. NATURE OF LIVING AND EFFECTIVE FAITH
  1. It never questions God's promises:
    1. Abraham's faith -
      1. "My Son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering" - Gen. 22:8
      2. "And being not weak in faith, . . . He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief" Rom. 4:19, 20
    2. Joshua's and Caleb's faith - Num. 14:38; 26:65; Deut. 1:36
  2. It is ever ready to sacrifice for truth: EXAMPLES -
    1. Abraham - Gen. 12:1-6; 22:1-12
    2. David - 1 Chron. 21:24
    3. Paul - Acts 21:13
  3. It is like a grain of mustard seed: Matt. 17:20
  4. It is dependent upon daily vigorous exercise:
    1. It must be developed in the school of Christian experience.
    2. Difficulties, problems, and hardships will aid in the development of our faith -
      1. That was true in the experience of the disciples.
      2. That is true in my own personal experience. Forty years of work in public, meeting all kinds of problems, have taught me to rely on the Lord.
  5. It is steadfast in trials:
    1. Said Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him" - Job. 13:15
    2. ". . . for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 21:13
    3. ". . . Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: . . ." said Ruth. Ruth 1:16
  6. Adverse outlook never deters it from moving forward to obtain its objective: Matt. 15:22-28; Mark 10:46-52


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