Faith 2
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ROMANS 10:17 Faith will come, and grow, if we have an ear to hear
the word of God.
John 10... the sheep know the shepherds' voice and will not respond to
the voice of a stranger. Every believer has the seed within him to hear,
recognize and discern the voice of God.
ROMANS 12: 3 Greek, "metron", a limited portion. With this faith, we
are able to respond to God.
The stranger's voice clamors to be heard. Here's what he would say:
"That's right. You've received a certain portion, a limited measure of
faith. Too bad it's never going to change. You'll always be stuck with
small faith."
2 THESS. 1: 3 KJV - "your faith groweth exceedingly", exceeding what
you need, beyond measure, superabundantly. Their faith was growing,
in the midst of persecution.
( c.f. Acts 17, paraphrase... v.2 brief stay, only three weeks...v.5 mob,
riot... v.10 escape by night. Next stop - Berea, good results...v.13 they
traveled 50 miles to stop the preaching of the word.
Thessalonica was not a "faith friendly" place. The Roman author and
statesman, Cicero, once stated that this city was so hostile that he often
found it better to sneak in at night if he had to do business there.
Your faith "grows exceedingly." Dr. Charles Ryrie says that this is a
strong compound verb, found only here in the NT. It indicates
organic growth, as of a healthy plant.
THE MEASURE OF FAITH THAT YOU HAVE IS MEANT TO GROW
AND INCREASE.
Faith comes , and grows, by having an ear to hear the word of God.
Any voice that is not the word of God, the stranger's voice, we must
not follow.
HEBREWS 3... The main topic of this chapter is the "rest of faith."
3: 3 , present tense verb. We are entering that rest now. We are already
in the process.
3:2 Faith comes as we hear the word, but it's our choice to believe. When
we hear, will we mix faith with the word?
v.6 Faith comes as we hear the word. When we hear, will we obey the
word?
v.7 Faith comes as we hear the word. When we hear, will we harden
our hearts and resist?
v. 11 Make every effort... this verse is an introduction to the exhortation
that follows.
HEBREWS 4: 12 - 13
"Anything in me Lord, that is an enemy of faith; anything in me Lord,
that is resistant, stubborn, fearful or hard - let Your word penetrate and
reveal to me what I am accountable to deal with."
There are certain things that the word of God is going to reveal that
we must be accountable for.
"discerner" - discriminating (Gk. - kritikos). The word of God will
discriminate your thoughts and attitudes. Sift out, distinguish,
differentiate, make a distinction between. Criticize - to consider and
then judge accordingly, to evaluate.
Faith comes, and grows, as I hear and respond to, what God has to
say about how I'm thinking.... as I hear and respond to, what God has
to say about the inner attitudes of my heart. Faith does not come to
your outer man with little change; faith comes to your inner man, with
much change.
The word of God will discriminate between what you should and
should not, be thinking.
Discrimination is a good thing, if what needs to be separated is in
the will of God. ( E.G. wrong discrimination.... )
Faith, is trusting from your heart, that God will do what He's promised.
The deeper in your heart that you trust, the deeper your faith.
Faith will come, and faith will grow exceedingly, to an abundant
measure, as we hear the word God is speaking to us and allow it
to discern the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts.
An ear to hear, a heart to obey, and a willingness to go under the surgical
knife of the word of God.
"Sift and separate out from me Lord, all that does not belong."
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Email: grosik@juno.com
