Three Keys to Amazing Faith

Faith that impresses the Almighty

Matthew 8:10 (English Standard Version) ¹⁰When Jesus heard this,^(A) he marveled and said to those who followed him, ”Truly, I tell you, with^(B) no one in Israel^[a] have I found such faith.

Did you know that you can exhibit faith that impresses the Almighty?  The quick answer is, yes, as a matter of fact it not that hard to have impressive faith.  Faith has been characterized by some, as a mystical force. Especially when we read a verse like the one found in Hebrews eleven; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  In our modern age we have seen biblical faith slowly replaced with hyper-spirituality and emotionalism. To prove my point take a quick scan through the television and you will find an evangelist saying “reach deep within yourself and feel the miraculous power of your miracle”, “lay your hands on the TV right now and allow your faith to flow….. grab your financial miracle”.  Now go over to your credit card and send us a love offering of $100.00 or more and we will send you this miracle anointing oil that will stir up your faith. I realize there will be a few who will hear this message and be shocked when they learn that Faith is not an emotion nor is it a mystical epiphany. If this message shakes your world of post modern religion, I apologize in advance for assaulting your ideas of faith.  Please be patient with me until I deliver this lesson.  At the conclusion of this lesson you will find that “Amazing Faith” is obtainable. You can have faith that amazes the Almighty. Without rubbing your television at 2:00am, or sending some “Jacked Up” televangelist your credit card number, you can cause the great God of the universe to marvel at your faith. This morning we will examine true Biblical faith and how you can have amazing faith.

Luke 7:1-10 (English Standard Version) ¹After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people,^(A) he entered Capernaum. ²Now a centurion had a servant^[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. ³When the centurion^[b] heard about Jesus,^(B) he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying,^(C) “He is worthy to have you do this for him, ⁵for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us^(D) our synagogue.” ⁶And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord,^(E) do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. ⁷Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But^(F) say the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ⁹When Jesus heard these things,^(G) he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, ”I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such^(H) faith.” ¹⁰And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

I. Having compassion and respect for others

Luke 7:2-3 (English Standard) ²Now a centurion had a servant^[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. ³When the centurion^[b] heard about Jesus,^(B) he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.

a. By your compassion.

-       Those in need

-       Who was highly valued by him (Greek: ἔντιμος = entimos held in honor)

Hebrews 10:34-35 (English Standard Version) ³⁴For^(A) you had compassion on those in prison, and^(B) you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had^(C) a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which as^(D) a great reward.

b. By your respect.

-       He sent to him elders of the Jews

Romans 13:1 (English Standard Version) ¹Let every person^(A) be subject to the governing authorities. For^(B) there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

II. Love for the Kingdom of God

Luke 7:4-5 (English Standard) ⁴And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying,^(C) “He is worthy to have you do this for him, ⁵for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us^(D) our synagogue.”

a. A love for the people of God.

Genesis 12:3 (English Standard Version) ^3(A) I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and^(B) in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”^[a]

-       “Loves our nation”

• The people of Israel
• The body of believers

b. Love for the things of God.

-       “the one who built us our synagogue”

• Our giving reflects our faith

Matthew 6:21 (English Standard Version) ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

III. Recognize Gods creative order and authority.

Luke 7:6-8 (English Standard) “Lord,^(E) do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. ⁷Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But^(F) say the word, and let my servant be healed. ⁸For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.

a. In humility before God

James 4:10 (English Standard Version) ^10(A) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

b. In submission to authority

Ephesians 5:20-22 (English Standard Version) ^20(A) giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father^(B) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^21(C)submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

c. In Honor of Gods sovereignty

Exodus 33:19 (English Standard Version) ¹⁹And he said,^(A) “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And^(B) I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Conclusion:

⁹When Jesus heard these things,^(G) he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, ”I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such^(H) faith.” ¹⁰And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Fact of Fable

Genesis 19:24-29 (English Standard Version)

²⁴Then^(A) the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. ²⁵And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. ²⁶But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became^(B) a pillar of salt. ²⁷And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had^(C) stood before the LORD. ²⁸And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace. ²⁹So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God^(D) remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived

I. Historical and Archeological Evidence?

a. Researchers located what they believe to be the ancient remains of the ancient cities. -

-       Gomorrah 34.5 miles south/southeast of Jerusalem

-       Sodom 17 Miles south of Gomorrah

-       Zoar 5-6 miles south/ southwest of Sodom

b. Geological data confirms vast deposits of 99% pure calcium Sulfate which is the byproduct of calcium carbonate (Limestone building material) and intense heat from burning Sulfur.

 

II. Biblical evidence

a. First mentioned in Gen as the area where Ham son of Noah’s descendants settled.

Genesis 10:18-20 (English Standard Version) ¹⁸the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites dispersed. ¹⁹And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon in the direction of Gerar as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. ²⁰These are the sons of Ham, by their clans, their languages, their lands, and their nations.

b. Second Mention in Genesis as the fertile are where Lot settled his clan

Genesis 13:10 (English Standard Version) ¹⁰And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the^(A) Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like^(B) the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of^(C) Zoar. (This was before the LORD^(D) destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

c. The Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) speaks of it as an example of the end of days.

Luke 17:26-30 (English Standard Version) 26(A) Just as it was in the days of(B) Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27(C) They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28Likewise, just as it was in the days of(D) Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29(E) but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30so will it be(F) on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

d. Peter warns and encourages the believer using the example of Sodom and Gomorrah.

2 Peter 2:4-6 (English Standard Version) ⁴For if God did not spare^(A) angels when they sinned, but^(B) cast them into hell^[a] and committed them to chains^[b]of gloomy darkness^(C) to be kept until the judgment; ⁵if he did not spare the ancient world, but^(D) preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought^(E) a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ⁶if by^(F)turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction,^(G) making them an example of^(H) what is going to happen to the ungodly;^[c]

III. A Message for a modern age

a. Evidence confirms that this is not a fable.

b. We learn from the Ancient historical account.

-       When the Almighty declares destruction of the wicked it will happen.

-       God will hear the prayers of the righteous for salvation

-       God will spare the righteous

b. The New Testament points to the end of day being like that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

-       They will carry on in life as if there is no end

-       Wickedness will prevail

-       Destruction will be swift and sure

Conclusion:

2 Peter 2:7-10 (English Standard Version) ⁷and^(A) if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day,^(B) he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹then^(C) the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,^[a] and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰and especially^(D) those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and^(E)despise authority.

Q&A

This is a question posed to me from a person who read a blog from Dr. Richard Beck .

I think the guy makes some decent points, but I don’t feel that our goal as Christians is to do our best to be decent people. A true relationship with Christ (which includes devotion, fasting, fellowship, etc.) should make us decent people. We’re nothing without Christ.

I know some Christians out there are jerks and don’t tip well and maybe they aren’t decent people. What I do know is that you can be a “decent person” and not be a follower of Christ and it won’t be enough for your salvation. You can spend your time doing good deeds for others and without that “relationship” it won’t be enough either. Maybe that is my issue here. It doesn’t point out that. For me this starts me down a slippery slop. Do I end up not having fellowship at all? Do I go about life doing what I think is right b/c it makes me “feel good” to do what I think is decent? Sigh.

For me “working on my relationship with God” includes being decent to people. Basically doing my best to reflect Christ in all things. I think I am offended by this thread all together in that it so easily paints all Christians as folks who don’t care about humanity. Especially since the majority of Christians I know are beyond decent, they are extraordinary examples of His grace, love and charity towards others.

Again, maybe I’m reading way to much into this. I think the point he is trying to make is to point out that some Christians don’t treat people well. I just don’t like the undertones.

I would love to hear your thoughts/comments on this. If I am way off and you think this is an excellent point without any undertones that seem to want to demean Christianity, pls let me know.

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My Response:

The blog from Dr. Richard Beck has a very valid point. I agree that post modern cultural Christianity has replaced the intrinsic call of the Almighty to be salt and light with religious activity. One could read this blog and assume that Dr Beck is saying all a person needs to do to be saved is be a decent person. I do not pick up in the tenor of the blog that message. However I will attempt to give you a Biblical response to your question.

Our western thinking often catches us in a trap of thinking in “black Vs white” or “this Vs that”, conclusions.   According to scripture it consists of both elements. Religious activity without the call of decency to is tantamount to faith without works. We know that faith without works is dead. The problem lies in this fact. Many think that the work of a believer is religious activity. The instructions of God “TORAH and the New Testament is clear in its command to believers. We are to be a light to the nations. The sages and Yeshua (Jesus) understood this by using the comparison of Gods children being like a lamp stand (menorah). The menorah’s light was supplied with olive oil. If there is no oil then there is no light. The master teacher Yeshua (Jesus) stated; “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Every Jew that heard the Lord say these words would know that He was using the menorah’s flame (eye) and the oil that fills the body of the menorah as an example of mankind. What He is saying is this. If the flame (good works) of the Menorah (Man) is dark (is not displayed) then there is no oil (no internal work of righteousness) in the menorah (man).

Those who heard the Lord speak that day would know that the oil represented the righteous heart of one who followed the commands of God. Therefore, one who is committed to true spiritual development through prayer, fasting, and study is one who is supplying the fuel of righteous works. One who boasts of religious devotion but does not shine a light of righteous acts, then their religion is empty. The brother of Yeshua stated “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Summation:
One who is truly religious must be a decent person. Not all decent persons are children of the Almighty. Conversely one who is religious without good works “decency” is not a believer. Therefore they have empty religion which is useless.

Issue of Salvation:
If being decent alone was good enough for salvation then there would not be a need for a Messiah. Paul states; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The Lord’s Prayer

Touching the Heart of God

Matthew 6:5-14 (English Standard Version)

⁵“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love^(A) to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.^(B) Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.⁶But when you pray,^(C) go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.^(D) And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ⁷“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as^(E) the Gentiles do, for^(F) they think that they will be heard^(G) for their many words. ⁸Do not be like them,^(H) for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ^9(I)Pray then like this: ^(J) “Our Father in heaven,^(K) hallowed be^(L) your name.^{[a] 10(M)} Your kingdom come,^(N) your will be    done,^{[b] (O)} on earth as it is in heaven. ^11(P) Give us^(Q) this day our daily bread,^{[c] 12}and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And^(R) lead us not into temptation, but^(S) deliver us from^(T) evil.^{[d] 14(U) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,}

I. Our Father in Heaven

(Our Father which art in heaven)

Isaiah 64:8 (English Standard Version) ^8(A) But now, O LORD, you are our Father; ^(B) we are the clay, and you are our potter;^(C) we are all the work of your hand.

a. Our Father

-       He is the father of all man

-       He is creator of human life and establishes His children by:

• Raising them
• Educating them
• Providing for them

-       He expects us to Honor Him

-       He rewards those who are faithful

-       He correct and disciplines us

b. In Heaven

-       His abode is supernatural

-       His abode is mysterious

-       His abode is promised to His children

II. May your name be sanctified

(Hallowed be thy name)

This is not just a statement of fact but a call to action similar to God saying; “let there be light” during creation. When God said these words he did not mean “allow there to be light” or “I wish there be light”.  This call to action was a commandment that summoned light into existence.

A Prayer To Our Father

By Nehemiah Gordon and Keith Johnson

a. We sanctify His name by:

Matthew 5:16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so^(A) that they may see your good works and^(B) give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

-       Our faith in Him

-       Our  works of obedience

-       Our praise and declaration of His Holiness

When we speak these words we are speaking into existence that Gods name is exalted above all things in heaven and earth. Our lives become a living testimony of sanctifying the name of the Holy One.

III. May your kingdom be blessed

(Thy kingdom come)

a. His kingdom was established before creation

b. His kingdom exists in the eternal present time.

c. His kingdom is here among us. We are citizens of His Kingdom.

We bless the kingdom of God through our humility recognizing His supreme power and holiness.  At the end of time every knee will bow and tongue will confess.

Isaiah 45:23 (English Standard Version) ^23(A) By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in^(B) righteousness a word that shall not return: ^(C) ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’^[a]

Philippians 2:10 (English Standard Version) ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus^(A) every knee should bow,^(B) in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

IV. Your will shall be done

(Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven)

a. In heaven

-       Before creation His divine providence was at work with in the universe

-       His divine will exist eternally with Him in heaven

-       His divine will is being done in heaven as we speak

b. On Earth

-       At creation He spoke into existence His divine providence.

-       His divine will was displayed in the flood

-       His divine will was revealed at Mount Sinai.

-       His divine will was made flesh in Jesus Christ (Yeshua  the Messiah)

John 5:30 (English Standard Version) ^30(A) “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and^(B) my judgment is just, because^(C) I seek not my own will^(D) but the will of him who sent me

God divine providence is done by His will alone. We become partners in the divine purpose of creator God when we declare in prayer “Your will be done in heaven and on the earth”

V. Give us our bread   ותתן לחמנו תמידית

(Give us this day our daily bread)

Give us our bread continually/daily (תמידית te-mee-deet) the last word which was translate daily has deeper meaning that is why some translators choose to say continually/daily.  Our prayer is that the Almighty perpetually provide us our basic necessity to sustain life.

a. God supply is Continual ( without ceasing)

b. Mans need is Daily

VI. Forgive us

(forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors)

Matthew 6:14-15 (English Standard Version) ^14(A) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ^15(B) but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

a.  Forgiveness is conditional base upon us forgiving others.

b. Forgiveness is not an emotion it is an act of goodness

c. Refusing to hold the debt of others

-       Clearing the judgment we have against others

VII. Do not bring us into the hands of a test and protect us from evil.

“And lead us not into temptation” is the usual English translation but there is a problem because James 1:13-14 states “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”  The Father does not tempt man as we would define temptation today.  The Almighty does not tempt His children rather he may test for the purpose of building character.  The problem lies in this fact that a temptation can be a test but not all tests are a temptation.  Though we are tested at times by life, we are tempted when we are drawn away from Gods will because of our evil inclination and desire.

a. Keep me from being tested

-       Guide me by your precepts

Psalm 119:173 (English Standard Version)¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have^(A) chosen your precepts

-       Let walk in the light of your word

Psalm 119:1 (English Standard Version) ^1[a] Blessed are those whose^(A) way is blameless,  who^(B) walk in the law of the LORD!

-       Teach me your ways.

Job 6:24 (English Standard Version) ²⁴“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

b. If I am tested keep me from doing evil

Psalm 121:7 (English Standard Version) ⁷The LORD will^(A) keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

God’s Covenant with Abraham

Its fulfillment revealed

Genesis 12:1 (English Standard Version) 1Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:7 (English Standard Version) 7Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 13:14-16 (English Standard Version) 14The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.

Genesis 15:18 (English Standard Version) ¹⁸On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,^(A) “To your offspring I give^[a] this land, from^(B) the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,

I. Who was Abraham?

a. Great Grandson of Adam 19 generations after Adam.

b. He was born in Babylonia (present-day Iraq), during the rule of King Nimrod.

c. His Faith was tested

-       In his obedience to leave Ur

-       In his Character to survive famine, and deal with family disputes with Lot then to rescue Lot.

-       His patients to wait upon a worthy heir  through a barren wife

d. He was a friend of God

James 2:23 (English Standard Version) ²³and the Scripture was fulfilled that says,^(A) “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a^(B) friend of God.

II. What were the Promises of Gods Covenant with Abraham?

a. Father of a great nation.

Romans 4:16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁶That is why it depends on faith,^(A) in order that the promise may rest on grace and^(B) be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham,^(C) who is the father of us all,

-       The Hebrews (Physical)

-       The Gentile followers of Christ (Spiritual)

Galatians 3:5-7 (English Standard Version) ⁵Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and^(A) works miracles among you do so^(B) by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ⁶just as^(C) Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? ⁷Know then that it is^(D) those of faith who are^(E) the sons of Abraham

b.  Descendants will inherit a great land.

III. How is the fulfillment revealed in scripture?

a. Just as God promised, Abrahams descendants were held captive in Egypt and subsequently rescued by God.

-       Abraham’s great grandson Joseph Son of Jacob was sold into captivity and taken to Egypt.

-       Joseph ended up as Agricultural Minister of Egypt and saved his people who moved to Egypt.

-       They remained in Egypt 400 years until Moses lead them out of Egypt.

B. The nation of Israel was divided and dispersed in every region of the earth therefore being a people of many                             nations.

-       The southern tribes after serving in captivity in Babylon returned to build the second temple and settled in                      what is now modern Israel.

-       The Ten Northern tribes were taken into captivity by the Assyrians and eventually dispersed up through                            Turkey, Iran India, China, Europe even the United states

c. At the end of day God will fulfill the promise to Abraham by.

-       Gathering His promised seed back to the land.

Jeremiah 23:7-8 (English Standard Version) ^7(A) “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ ⁸but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he^[a] had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”

Jeremiah 31:10 (English Standard Version) ¹⁰“Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will^(A) gather him, and will keep him^(B) as a shepherd keeps his flock.’

• Israel became a Nation again in 1958.

-       Restoring the kingdom and its boundary of land originally promised.

• from^(B) the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates

-       Messiah will rule over the earth from this Promised Land where the New Jerusalem will descend.

Zechariah 9:10 (English Standard Version) ^10(A) I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and^(B) the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and^(C) he shall speak peace to the nations; ^(D) his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from^(E) the River to the ends of the earth.