FAITH - LESSON 2 - 1

The Principle of Progressive Faith

You may need your Bible, a pen & notebook to complete these lessons. You should be able to copy and paste these outlines to your word processor and print them without difficulty if you so desire. We recommend you record in your note book deep thoughts or questions that may arise as you study, and certainly record all things God reveals to your heart. Look over these notes frequently and use them even as you pray. God will cause you to grow in wisdom and understanding. Keep your note book with you throughout the day as much as possible to record all God reveals to you and to review the things you have learned. Look up all bible verses in this study. Highlight or mark them in your bible. It is Gods Word speaking directly to you.

   We also recommend you make a habit of memorizing a scripture each week. This not only helps get the Word deep in your heart, but is also an excellent mental exercise.

Progressive Faith

Heavenly minded - not earthly minded

Advancing in spiritual growth should be every believers goal.

How?

        The Maturing Life of a Believer
           aka: The Principle of Progressive Faith

Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Heavenly minded - NOT earthly minded!

There is SOOO MUCH in this verse!
We CAN BE transformed - by the Word of God

Perfect will!!!
   - for each of us individually
   - for our church
   - for our city & our nation

Perfect: finished, complete, perfect; mature. (ripe, ready, fullness, wholeness, not lacking, done)

#1. Our faith is proven in our works
James 2:14-19

   - It’s not enough only to believe!

   - It is our life’s work that proves what we really believe.

~ The A Team

A) Appetite - What we focus on grows in our life.

Matthew 633 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

* Faith is required to accomplish your part in God’s plan.

Habakkuk 2:4 The just shall live by faith
Romans 1:17 The just shall live by faith
Hebrews 10:38 The just shall live by faith

Is God making His will clear?!

2 Corinthians 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

Is our faith a priority?
Will we let our own hearts betray us?

Psalm 119:97-88 Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.

* The word is forever with him, not the enemies! The Word never leaves his heart!

WE MUST PUT THE WORD IN OUR HEART!

Verse 133, Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Verse 135, Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

B) Action - What we do defines how others see us AND even how God sees us!

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.

1 Samuel 15:22 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams”.

The bible declares even the demons believe, but tremble.

Again, believing alone does not save us. We must act on what we believe!

Our life’s work matters! ~ do we love, forgive, be kind to others, helpful, patient, overlook faults and can we ignore when wrong is done to us by an immature believer?

Romans 2:6-7 Who will render to each one according to his deeds;

Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality;

C) Aorta: The heart - It’s what’s inside that counts!

Matthew 7:15-20 ~ Our lives activities reveal what’s in our heart.

Romans 2:28-29
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not from men but from God.

#2. Our faith is revealed by our words.

~ Our words shape our life

James 3:3-8

James is NOT saying a man can’t learn to control his tongue. He IS saying that the tongue will always be able to cause great trouble or fire; which is always within it’s ability, unlike animals that can be broken.

Notice the answer and solution that bears this out;

James 3:10-13
[and also James 3:18-4:10]

The mouth reveals the heart!

John 7:38
“He who believes in Me, As the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’

*What we consistently say and pray is what we really believe.

We must teach our mouths to line up with our Word filled, faith filled heart!

- If one disagrees with the other than:
Jesus said “…a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
& James says:
“…(James 3:6-8) let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord..” 

Jesus said - “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Our mouth truly reveals how we really feel

  - So what’s in your heart in abundance?  - Worry, fear, doubt? Or faith, hope, confidence?

Conclusion:
Only by focusing our attention on God’s work and God’s Word can we feed our hearts the right foods, which will genuinely change your hearts storehouse!

That’s how you fill up your faith!

Get involved in what God is doing!

Get plugged in and serve in your local church
Spend time meditating God’s Word every day
Seek Gods presence daily!

You are part of the A-Team

The righteousness of God in Christ!
You are Light
You are Chosen
You are redeemed of God
You are a child of God
You are an heir of God and Joint heirs with Jesus

You are heaven sent & heaven bound

GO SHOW THE WORLD HOW GREAT OUR GOD IS!

Please let us know how these lessons are helping you. You can also reach us with your prayer requests. See the contact page for contact information. God bless you.