1. THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH Based on the book Understanding How to Fight the Good Fight of Faith by Kenneth E. Hagin ‘The only fight the Christian is called upon to fight is the good fight of faith’. ‘If we are in any other fight – we are in the wrong fight’. Jesus is Lord 1

2. Understanding the New Birth ♣ What is the new birth? 2 nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. Generally expresses as being born again. What creature is being referred to here? The inward man. Our spirit – 2 nd Corth. 4:16 What happens to our body (the outward man)? Is our body also born again? Jesus is Lord 2

3. Understanding the New Birth ♣ What are we to do with our body (the outward man)? 1 st Corth 9:27 – Bring it into subjection to the inward man (our spirit) How are we to achieve this? Thru the help of the Holy Spirit and the renewing of our minds with the Word of God. 1 st Peter 2:2, Rom 10:17 Remission of sins vs. Forgiveness of sins To the new believer your past sins are completely blotted out How can a lack of understanding of the New Birth hinder ones faith? Jesus is Lord 3

4. Understanding Our Place in Him ♣ God looks at things from a spiritual stand point? John 4: 24, Prov. 16:2, Prov. 21:2 In Him We Have Redemption – Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he (Jesus) entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Tricky Quiz – When were you saved? What other benefits and priviledges do we have in Christ? Our redemptive rights – From what are we redeemed? – Ephesians 1:6-7, Galatians 3:13 Jesus is Lord 4

5. Understanding Our Place in Him ♣ What other benefits and priviledges do we have in Christ? Gifts of salvation, righteousness, eternal life etc. In Him we are blessed – Eph. 1:3 Is knowing God’s promises sufficient enough to enable us receive the benefits of His promises? Rom 10:9-10 The ministry of reconciliation – 2 nd Corth. 5:18 - 19 Jesus is Lord 5

6. Understanding Righteousness ♣ With the heart man believes unto righteousness – Rom. 10:10 Righteousness is a gift – Rom. 5:17 As such you do not grow in righteousness A lack of understanding of righteousness – right standing with God is a major hindrance to faith amongst Christians In Christ we become the righteousness of God when we are born again. 2 nd Corth. 5: 17, 21 Thus, as believers, we are born righteous at the new birth! Jesus is Lord 6

7. Understanding Our Legal Right to the Name of Jesus ♣ The name of Jesus. What a name! Philippians 2:9- 10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. The name Jesus is meant for use by the body of Christ which is the church. Eph. 1:21-23, 1 st Corth. 12:27-28 Believers are authorized to use the name of Jesus in prayer (John 16:23-24) and as delegated by our Lord and savior Jesus (Mark 16: 17-18) etc. Jesus is Lord 7

8. Understanding How To Act on God’s Word ♣ Faith is an act. We have to act on God’s word to get the desired result. James 2:26 Our motives must be right and our actions and words must both agree with God’s Word. Putting the Word to work on our behalf – 2 nd Chron. 20:15, Heb. 4:3, 1 st Peter 5:7, 1 st John 4:4 Learn to walk in victory – 1 st John 4:4, Rom 8:37, 2 nd Corinthians 2:14-15, 1 st Corinthians 13:8, Rom 5:5 His Word is sufficient – He exalts His Word more than His name… Jesus is Lord 8

9. Understanding Our Confession ♣ As Christians we are to confess our Faith. Rom. 10 – 9-10 Salvation demands confession – Math.10:32, Rom. 10:10 If we confess weakness, failure, sickness etc. we destroy faith We are to hold fast our confession – Heb. 4:14 Jesus is Lord 9

10. Understanding Our Confession ♣ When our spoken word (confession) and our believe (faith) are in agreement and are also in line with God’s Word we have what we say – Mark 11:23 What do you believe? What do you confess especially subconsciously? We are to renew our mind with the Word of God So our beliefs line up with God’s Word – Joshua 1:8, Rom. 10:17 Confess your faith Jesus is Lord 10

11. In Summary ♣ The only fight the Christian is called upon to fight is the good fight of faith The major hindrance to faith is a lack of knowledge of God’s Word. Faith is an act. Christians should act on God’s Word Confess your faith – The fight of faith comes in holding fast to our confession of faith. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Jesus is Lord 11

12. THANK YOU ♣ JESUS IS LORD Jesus is Lord 12