Increasing Your Faith

Opening Scripture: Heb. 11:1

Observations: A. Faith is confidence

B. Biblical faith is confidence in God – as He is as revealed in Scripture and in Jesus Christ

C. This faith is more than theoretical and intellectual. It is active.

The bulk of Hebrews 11 is: “by faith ____name___ ____active verb_____”

D. Though it looks like self confidence, it is GOD CONFIDENCE.

Examples: David & Goliath, Paul – “I can do all things….”

SO…. How to develop this “God Confidence” ?

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR FAITH (some ways…)

#1. Pray for faith. James – “ you have not because you ask not….”

But, remember …. Faith often is born in trials and fires!!

#2. Study the Word. Rom 10:17 – “So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” There are two simple concepts:

A. the more you know of Him, the easier it is to trust Him.

B. the best place to learn of Him is in His Word.

#3. Apply the Word. Application plus obedience leads to experience which leads to confidence.

Example: Mal. 3:10 – “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, …., and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of Hosts, ……..”

#4. Recall the past. (times when He’s been faithful)

A. Your own experiences I Sam. 17:37

B. Other’s experiences. Psm. 44:1-4 “We have hear with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days,……”

#5. Associate with faith people. Attitudes, belief systems are infectious and contagious

Prov. 13:20 – “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”

Note: this doesn’t mean exclude non-believers from your circle, but it does mean control your peer group. I Cor. 5:9-11

#6. Share your faith. – “the more you take away the bigger it gets?” - a hole. This compares to faith. The more you share it, the bigger it grows.

The principle/broad concept is shown in: Luke 6:38 – “Give and it will be given to you,…… for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 16:10 & 11, Philemon 6

This includes: A. Share the gospel - (bridge illustration)

B. Tell your story – (personal testimony)

C. Teach the Word (AWANA)

D. Minister for Him (service)

#7. Experience His presence. – faith often begins with or is solidified in an experience.

We cannot conjur up or control His presence!

But, we can put ourself in a position most likely to experience His presence. Ie: worship, Bible Study, Christian gatherings, etc.

#8. Be constant (consistent) in your Christian walk.

Phil. 4:11-13 “learned” You learn through time, application, consistent perseverance.

SUMMARY: Confidence in God comes from knowing God, and knowing God comes from things like: prayer, study, application, experience, recalling, hanging out, sharing, and keep walking.

Result: 2 Tim. 1:12 “…..for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”