How to Have Faith in God (Mark 6:1-6) James Strait - 8/28/2011

How to Have Faith in GodI We should despair that any of us should come short of real faith and live in unbelief.


Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mexed with faith in them that heard it (Hebrews 4:1-2).

A.  Miracles, signs & wonders will not inspire true faith only the Word of God 
(Ro. 10:17).

B.  Natural thinking and reasoning is an enemy of faith vs. 3-4.


But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies?  who can forgive sins but God only 
(Mark 2-6-8)?

Trust in the Lord with your whole heart and lean not unto your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

II.  There are two responses from us that cause God to marvel:  
Unbelief and great faith!

A.  When Jesus encounters unbelief He simply goes somewhere else.


And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  And he marveled at their unbelief and he went about the villages, teaching (Mark 6:5-6)

B.  When Jesus finds great faith He responds with His mighty power.


When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Luke 7:9)

III.  What are the elements of great faith (Luke 7:1-10)?

A.  Great faith can be experienced when there is a great need which brings you to God.
But my God shall all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus    (Phillip 4:19).

B.  Great faith requires great generosity toward God and His work vs. 5.
 
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf 
(2 Corinthians 8:2-4; 24).

C.  Great faith requires great humility vs. 6


I am not worthy thou should enter under  my roof

D.  Great Faith requires great integrity for the Word of God.


but say in a word and ... healed.

E.  Great faith requires a great (total) submission to God's authority vs. 8.


Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you 
(James 4:7)