Faith: Absolute belief in God

Hello everyone, this morning we will be discussing a topic titled faith.

As children we must have all known the Hebrew 11:1 definition, back in my sunday school class we used to have a song for that bible passage and that was the official definition.
<Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen>.
But has a believer today what does it really mean to have faith.

From that short passage we can thoroughly understand faith. I hope for something, but as scientists today choose to believe without evidence there is no fact, now i have absolutely no evidence that my hope would be actualized, no form of assurance whatsoever but my strong belief in God and his word as my assurance; now that is faith.

And it goes a long way, it does not just stop in what you believe and what not because Hebrew 11:6 makes it clear that < Without faith it is impossible to please [God] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.> You also have to believe completely in a God you cannot see.

The person whose faith challenges me the most is Father Abraham. This is a man who has his first legitimate child in his old age and God asks for the child to be sacrificed to him (not asking for the child to be dedicated to him but sacrificed) this is after promising <your children would multiply like sand on earth> and the only hope of that is being taken away.

Typical parents would not agree to such but Abraham did and he was beautifully rewarded. If that is not faith i wonder what is.

People who exhibited faith in the Bible

1. Mary, the Mother of Jesus: Luke 1
2. Woman with the issue of blood: Matthew 9:20-22
3. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the Fiery Furnace: Daniel 3
4. David: 1 Samuel 17
5. The children of Israel crossing the Red Sea: Exodus 14
6. Queen Esther: The Book of Esther
7. Jacob when he Wrestles with God: Genesis 32
8. The Repentant Thief on a Cross: Luke 23
   And many more.

Benefits of Faith*

1. Faith brings salvation. (Ephesians 2:8,9). Whosever believes in Him
   has eternal life. (John 3:16), and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24). The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)

2. Faith brings answers to prayer. “And whatever things you ask in prayer, really believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22). Since God tells us to pray for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11), faith is therefore a key to our material provision.

3. Faith brings all the benefits of salvation into our lives (Ephesians 2:8,9). This includes healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy (1 Peter 1:8), deliverance from demons and the curse, sanctification of the mind and emotions (the salvation of the soul) and any other benefit which the word of God promises to us.

4. Faith is a spiritual force through which our ministry for Christ becomes effective. (Mark 11:23; Matthew 17:19,20). Faith is a major key to ministry success. It brings to you what you need for your ministry, and by imparting it to others through your life and your ministry of God’s Word, you enable them to receive the blessings of God’s grace mentioned above.

5. In particular, faith is the major key for an effective healing and deliverance ministry. Jesus Christ “the same yesterday, today and forever” lives in the Christian (Hebrews 13:8, Galatians 2:20), and through the Christian wants to reveal the power of salvation to men in a way they can see and feel. In this way, our evangelism concerning the Kingdom of God will not be in talk, but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20).
   Source: (https://praisephilly.com/93411/what-are-the-benefits-of-having-faith/)

Before i drop my pen i will love to apologize to sir@@@jaff8 and the entire leadership and membership of the steemchurch community for plagiarism. I promise never to be found wanting.

That will be all, may God enable and strengthen our faith in him. Stay faithful!!!