1. The Way It Is

2. The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power First law: He is God, and we are not. Second law: God doesn’t need us, but we desperately need Him. Third law: What God demands, He supplies. Fourth law: What you seek, you find. Fifth law: Active faith releases God’s power.

3. The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: For he that cometh to God must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

4. Romans 14:23 – “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power

5. The whole Christian life is a life of faith Saved by faith – Ephesians 2:8 Kept by faith – I Peter 1:5 Walk by faith – II Corinthians 5:7 Endure by faith – Hebrews 10:36-38 Serve by faith – I Timothy 3:13 Pray by faith – James 1:6,7 Worship by faith – Hebrews 11:21 Obey by faith – Hebrews 11:8 The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power

6. I.What is Faith? Faith is about three words: A. Faith believes what others do not believe B. Faith sees what others do not see C. Faith does what others do not do “Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse” – Phillip Yancey The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power

7. II. How Does Faith Apply to My Life? Hebrews 11:24-27 – “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt……

8. II. How Does Faith Apply to My Life? Moses’ story of faith Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter Chose to suffer affliction with God’s people Regarded the promises of God Preserved: Found strength to endure Saw Him who was invisible The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power

9. II. How Does Faith Apply to My Life? You will endure great trials and see great triumphs. You will be misunderstood by the world. You will be glad that you lived by faith in the end. Our call is not to understand, but to follow. Christ wherever He leads, whatever it costs The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power

10. III. A relationship with Christ requires faith. You start with faith as the first step of a new life, and then constantly add to it. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "We walk by faith,not by sight.” We live by faith in the eternal God. God wants us to live in absolute dependence on Him. The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power

11. IV. Three Kinds of Faith 1. Blind faith, a guessing kind of faith, hoping, trying, wishing for something to happen, with no idea and no guarantee that it will happen. 2. Neglecting faith that leaves firm beliefs to pastors, and to religious fanatics. It is trusting ANY other source for truth other than the Bible – Your Experiences – “well, I know what I saw…” Your Feelings – “I just can get over how I feel…” Your Past – “How could God ever forgive ME?”

12. The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power IV. Three Kinds of Faith 3. Active Faith - Active faith has substance Hebrews 11:1 Active faith is precious I Peter 1:7 Active faith is common – Titus 1:4 Active faith is proven – I Peter 1:7 Active faith is Biblical 1Thes 2:13

13. The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power V. The Effect of Active Faith A. Accesses the free gift of forgiveness and salvation. (Ephesians 2:8,9) B. Accesses peace with God (Romans 5:1) C. Pleases God – (Hebrews 11:6) D. Answers to your needs (Mark 11:24) E. Brings all good things into your life (2 Peter1:3)

14. The Way It Is: Active Faith Releases God’s Power VI. How to Activate Your Faith A. Constantly Feed it (Rom 10:17) B. Constantly Force it C. Constantly Fight with it D. Constantly Live in it