HOLY SPIRIT (Part 17)
Faith:
– Greek word for “faithfulness” is “pistis”
(it means: firm persuasion; conviction;
belief in the truth; veracity; reality; or faithfulness).
– It carries the idea of giving someone credit.
– It could be summed up as,
“believing in the reality of a sovereign God”.
Note:
We believe in God and on Christ;
beyond believing in Him and on Him, do we simply believe Him?
(especially in the day-to-day demands
of living and during crisis situations)
– In order to evaluate our faithfulness,
we need to take a look at God’s faithfulness.
– (Exodus 32:15-20)
Moses broke the tablets.
– (Exodus 34:1-6)
Abounding in faithfulness.
The Hebrew word for “abounding” is “rab”
(it means: abundant; exceedingly; full; great);
it refers to both quality and quantity
– Look at Ephesians 3:7-21
– (verses 17b-20)
God’s faithfulness is not in modest proportions.
Question:
Are ours?
– (Deuteronomy 7:9)
Question:
How many generations does God promise to remain faithful?
– 1,000
Question:
What are our requirements?
– Love Him and keep His commandments.
– (Deuteronomy 32:1-4)
– (verses 3-4)
In his farewell address, Moses
describes God’s faithfulness as one without fault
(“His works are perfect”, “does no wrong”, “upright”, “just”).
– (Psalm 33:1-4)
– (verse 4)
The psalmist gives us
the range of God’s faithfulness (“in all He does”).
Question:
What are some areas of His faithfulness?
– Actions. – Words. – Promises.
– Plans. – Judgments. – Answered prayer.
Question:
Wonder what the range of our faithfulness is to Him?
– (Psalm 111:1-8)
– (verses 7-8)
The psalmist says He is faithful with
the “works of His hands”, and His precepts can be trusted.
Question:
How long is He faithful and trustworthy?
– For…ever and ever.
Question:
How long are we faithful and trustworthy?
(day? week? month? year? forever?)
Question:
What causes us to waiver in being faithful to Him?
– Worldliness – Selfishness
– Pressure – Sickness
– Depression – Wealth
– Disappointments – Death of loved one
– Family problems – Tragedies
– Lack of obedience – Loss of job
– Not spending enough time with Him
– (Psalm 117:1-2)
– (verse 2)
Again, His faithfulness lasts forever.
– (Lamentations 3:17-23)
– (verses 22-23)
He is faithful with His compassion.
Question:
What would be a prerequisite for compassion?
– Love.
Question:
“not consumed”, meaning?
– Not consumed by the world
(because He provides a means of escape)?
– (Psalm 145:10-13)
– (verse 13)
He is faithful with His promises, and His love.
Question:
Name one of His promises?
– Whosoever believes in Jesus will not perish,
but have everlasting life.
Note:
“believes” can be equated to “faith”.
– (Isaiah 22:20-24)
Let’s look at one of His promises.
Question:
Who do you think He is referring to?
– Possibly Jesus Christ.
– (verse 20)
“Eliakim” means “God will raise up”.
– (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Look at the description of the One He will raise up.
– “a righteous branch from the lineage of David”.
– “will save Judah and Israel”.
– “the Lord our Righteousness”.
– (verse 21)
“I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash
around him and hand your authority over to him”.
– (Revelation 1:13)
Look at how the Son of man was dressed.
– (Matthew 28:18)
Look at what was given to Jesus:
– All authority.
“He will be a father to those
who live in Jerusalem and to the house of David”
– (Isaiah 9:6)
The government will be on the Messiah’s shoulders.
– (Isaiah 9:7)
The Messiah will reign on David’s throne.
– (verse 22)
“what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open”
– (Revelation 3:7)
Look at the description of the “one with the key of David”.
– (verse 23)
“I will drive him like a peg into a firm place”
– The Hebrew word for “peg” is “yathed” and it means “nail”.
– (Colossians 2:13-14)
Look at what happens to
“the written code with its regulations,
that was against us and that stood opposed to us”.
– (verse 23)
“He will be a seat of honor for the house of his father”
– (Luke 1:30-33)
“The Lord will give him the throne of his father David”
– (verse 24)
“All the glory of his family will hang on him;
its offsprings and offshoots – all its lesser values”
– (John 17:9-10)
“glory has come to me through them”
Question:
Who is “them”?
– “those you have given me” (His family?).
– (John 17:22)
Look what He gives us in return.
– (2 Corinthians 1:18-22)
Because God is faithful, He said yes to us in Christ.
Jesus Christ is God’s guarantee of His faithfulness.
– (Numbers 23:19)
We see reasons why God is faithful.
Note:
Compare these to our weaknesses in faith.
– Those who believe (the faithfulness of God’s people):
– (Hebrews 11:1-21)
Looks like a hall of fame.
– (verse 1)
Look at the scriptures’ definition of faith.
– (verse 4)
Question:
What legacy will we live behind
that will continue to speak to others?
– (verse 5)
Question:
What is the “key” comment about Enoch to you?
– One who pleased God.
Question:
How do you think he pleased God?
– Had a personal relationship with Him?
Note:
(Genesis 5:18-24)
“Enoch walked with God”
Note:
It sounds like a personal relationship, doesn’t it?
Question:
If you had to describe someone who
walks with God, what would you say?
Question:
Would you rather be called a “believer” or a “Christian”?
Question:
Would “walking with God” mean to continue believing?
Question:
If so, then believing what?
Only what we believed when we were saved, or more than that?
Note:
(verse 6)
To please God is to believe He exists and to believe
that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
– Question:
Why should we trust and have faith in what God does?
– Isaiah 55:8-9
– Question:
Why should we have faith in who God is?
– Hebrews 13:8
– (Acts 23-26)
Events that led to Paul being put on a ship in Acts 27.
– He had appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11-12)
– (Acts 27:1-44; Acts 28:1-10)
Faith is strengthened through actions (especially God’s actions).
– (verse 27:20)
Paul thought he knew what was going to happen,
however no lives were lost.
(verse 27:24)
More than likely Paul was influenced
by what he could see, and possibly his feelings.
Note:
Sometimes we are disappointed in God
because we trust our feelings as His will.
– (verses 27:23-25)
Our faith can be strengthened through listening.
Note:
Paul shows his faith in what is not seen
(their deliverance from death).
(verses 27:29-32)
Look at the certainty of his faith.
– (verse 27:26)
God’s deliverance was different than what they
would have chosen (His ways are not our ways).
– (verses 27:39-41)
God keeps His promises.
Note:
Even though they had their own ideas about His promises,
He chose where the ship would run aground.
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
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