GRACE is critical because it is vital to everything for our spiritual present and future God’s PROVISION (Will of God) INTRODUCTION

FAITH is critical because it is vital on our side of the equation to connect with God Human ACQUISITION (Will of Man) INTRODUCTION

FAITH Brings to our life… CONFIDENCE ENDURANCE COMPLETION INTRODUCTION

Faith Essentials INTRODUCTION

Gripping 1 POINT ONE FAITH… Who has this?

Gripping John 2:11; 7:31; 8:30; 11:45 SCRIPTURE John 2:11 (NIV) 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. John 7:31 (NIV) 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?" John 8:30 (NIV) 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. John 11:45 (NIV) 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

Gripping John 12:11; 12:42 14:12 SCRIPTURE John 12:11 (NIV) 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. John 12:42 (NIV) 42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; John 14:12 (NIV) 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Gripping 1 POINT ONE FAITH… Everyone has it! It is not a question of IF one believes

Gripping 1 POINT ONE FAITH… BUT in WHO or WHAT one believes.

Gripping 1 POINT ONE FAITH… One cannot live long without believing…

Gripping 1 POINT ONE FAITH… One cannot live eternally without believing in CHRIST!

Gripping 2 POINT TWO FAITH What fires it up? What suppresses it?

Gripping John 2:11; 7:31; 11:45; 12:11 SCRIPTURE John 2:11 (NIV) 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. John 7:31 (NIV) 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?" John 11:45 (NIV) 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. John 12:11 (NIV) 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

Gripping John 8:30 ; 12:42 SCRIPTURE 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. 42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;

Gripping 2 POINT TWO FAITH – Jesus aligned WORD and DEED

Gripping 2 POINT TWO Biblical Faith is saying AND doing Faith on display fires up fire in the heart.

Gripping 2 POINT TWO FEAR rains on FAITH’s parade

Gripping 2 POINT TWO Courage & confidence Outlasts fear and doubt

Gripping 3 POINT THREE FAITH Isn’t it special, rare and limited?

Gripping John 14:12 SCRIPTURE 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Gripping 3 POINT THREE Tradition and fear combine to place limits upon faith and thus place limits upon GRACE

Gripping 3 POINT THREE Jesus came as the best example for all of his followers to continue in his mold not as a one and only to break the mold and throw it away!!!

Gripping 3 POINT THREE Our calling to FAITH is a calling to TALK like JESUS and WALK like JESUS

Gripping CONCLUSION FAITH… You have it – where will you direct it? You can inspire it by word and deed – will you say and do? For whosoever will…not for the few and far between