1. The Road To Spiritual Success Understanding Faith

2. 2 Peter 1:5-8 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, [6] to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, [7] to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, [6] to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, [7] to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Faith Virtue Knowledge Self Control Perseverance Godliness Brotherly Kindness Love You don’t add faith to anything; You add everything to faith. Faith is the foundation of everything in life

4. Faith is Confidence in God Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. [7] "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. [8] For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

5. Faith is Confidence in God Hebrews 10:35-36 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. [36] For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

6. Examples of Faith in God: Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. Genesis 6:14 (NIV) So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. Luke 10:3-4 (NIV) Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. [4] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

7. Examples of Faith in God: Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV) Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!” "Here I am," he replied. [2] Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV) By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, [18] even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." [19] Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

8. Faith is Motivated By The Word and Authenticated By Action Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. John 2:5-7 (NIV) His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." [7] Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

9. Faith is Motivated By The Word and Authenticated By Action Matthew 12:13 (NIV) Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. Genesis 12:4 (NKJV) So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran John 10:37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.

10. Faith is Motivated By The Word and Authenticated By Action James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:18 (NLT) Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.” James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

11. Faith is Motivated By The Word and Authenticated By Action Faith >< Presumption Faith is action motivated by obedience to God’s Word Presumption is action motivated by our own desires Faith >< Unbelief Faith is action motivated by obedience to God’s Word Unbelief is failure to act caused by fear and doubting God’s Word

12. Faith Needs To Be “Taken Up” Faith is not an emotional high; it is not a mental exercise; “It is a decision to believe what you know is the Word of God, and to take appropriate actions pertaining to it” Ephes. 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

13. Taking Up Faith Is Our Responsibility Hebrews 11:33-34 who through faith subdued kingdoms, Hebrews 11:33-34 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

14. Power of Faith Faith facilitates the greatest miracle in life: Ephes. 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. Even the ultimate free gift (grace) cannot be obtained without faith! There is no challenge in life that will not answer to faith!

15. Power of Faith Luke 22:31-32 (KJV) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: [32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. As long as your faith does not fail; you will not fail! 1 John 5:4 …for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.