The Cultivation Of Faith THE CULTIVATION OF FAITH B6-08-6P Heb. 11:13-14 (read 1-14)
PURPOSE: To instill faith in God for everyday living. INTRODUCTION: III. CULTIVATE FAITH BY EMBRACING PROMISES A. Faith is unquestioning belief, complete trust A. Not only BELIEVE the promises, you must or confidence. EMBRACE them (claim for YOU) B. This is the only thing that please God. B. The widow was heard because she would not C. It is also a very difficult place to find take “no” for an answer from the wicked judge D. To reach such a high plane, we must cultivate such faith as we possess IV. CULTIVATE FAITH BY CONFESSING A. Not “Name it and claim it” I. CULTIVATE FAITH THROUGH SPIRITUAL SIGHT B. This confession is that we are “strangers & A. Seeing miracles strengthens faith pilgrims on the earth” 1. Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable and rewarded C. That we have no permanent possession here (versus Cain’s evil sacrifice) D. That we are seeking another country as home 2. Enoch believed “them that honor me I will honor, & them that despise me shall be ALTAR CALL: lightly esteemed” (1 Sam. 2:3) & pleased God A. What do you need from God? (versus others alive at the time) B. Exercise FAITH IN GOD (not prayer, faith, etc) 3. Noah heard “build an ark & save your house” C. Ron Wood’s son in hospital room during C.M. ’85 He obeyed and lived–others drowned 1. 75% chance that he will never walk again 4. Abraham believed God when He said, “Go! & I 2. Tend to loose faith in prayer will give you an inheritance” 3. Habakkuk 3:17, “Although the fig tree shall While Lot looked to Sodom not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the B. Ro. 10:14, “How shall they believe in him of vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, whom they have not heard?” and the fields shall yield no meat; the C. This is perhaps the least of faith flock shall be cut off from the fold, and D. “These all died… having seen [the promises] there shall be no herd in the stalls; afar off” YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will JOY in the God of my salvation” II. CULTIVATE FAITH BY PERSUASION A. “These… were persuaded of [the promises]” B. Prayer requires faith (James 1:6, “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering…. Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” C. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them & ye shall have them” 1. Cain did not believe the promise of God’s blessing–Trusted his own labors 2. Those alive with Enoch did not believe it necessary to “please God” 3. All the world in Noah’s day did not believe 4. Lot wanted security and choose the plain D. But if you will have faith, you must be persuaded of God’s promises