Review from 12.1.24

1. We can’t live without Jesus
   

Matthew 4:4 (NASB) 4But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

1. We can’t live saved without the shed blood of Jesus Hebrews 9:22 (NLT)
   
2. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
   
3. We can’t live without faith in Jesus Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
   

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.

Faith defined: Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Substance = Gk. hupostasis (WHO-PO-STAH-CEES) = being sure (confidence)

Evidence = Gk. elegchos (L-A-HAAS) = tested. (certain) – proof. proven.

Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing(comprehending), and hearing by the word of God.

WHR definition of faith:

The 3 C’s: comprehending(hearing) = confidence (substance) + certainty (evidence).

1. We don’t know what God will do in the future but based on what we KNOW He has done in the past, we rest assured here in the present.
   

Lamentations 3:15 – 23 (NLT)

1. He has filled me with bitterness and given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink.
   
2. He has made me chew on gravel. He has rolled me in the dust.
   
3. Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is.
   
4. I cry out, “My splendor is gone!
   
5. The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.
   
6. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

(KJV): 21 This I recall to my mind (NLT: this I remember), therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Topic for 12.8.24: What excites Jesus? Great faith!

What are the ingredients of “great faith”?

• BBC Website: How to Build Our Faith in God (pt. 1) sermon on 1.1.23
  

Know that Jesus is full of compassion (vv.2-3)

Know that we are totally unworthy (v.4 & v.6)

Know that Jesus has authority over everything (v. 7)

Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing(comprehending), and hearing by the word of God. The 3 C’s: comprehending(hearing) = confidence (substance) + certainty (evidence). Heb. 11:1 Matthew 8:5 – 10;13 (NASB) Jesus was astonished, excited.

10 Now, when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. (marvel = Gk. thaumazo (thou-mad’-zo) – amazed: also Luke 7:9)

13 And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.

Matthew 15:21 – 28 (NLT) The Syrophoenician Woman

21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their master’s table.”

28“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

How can we get great faith?

Hearing the Word.

• Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
  
• Luke 7:3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
  
• 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) 15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
  

Agreeing with the Word.

• Acts 17:11 (NASB) 11Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
  
• Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
  
• 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT) 13Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God— which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
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    “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 20) Praying in the Spirit greatly helps to build us up in our faith. When we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit will help us pray. He prays in an unknown vocabulary, praying for our needs when we don’t even know them yet (see Romans 8:26-27).