ONLY FAITH PLEASES GOD
Thursday – April 12, 2018, Nisan 27, 5778
Well, here we are, back together for another exciting study time, building our faith together. God is so very good and He will bless you richly as you walk as one with Him. Before we start with our Hebrew text I want to remind you that on the Hebrew Calendar today is a day to remember the Holocaust when some six million Jews were killed primarily by the Nazi’s in World War Two. Unfortunately, there is another Holocaust coming to the Jewish people and that is during the Tribulation when two-thirds of the Jews will be killed (Zechariah 13:7-9). In spite of this judgement to come, we (body of Christ) are commanded to pray for and to bless the Jewish people and Jerusalem. No Jew starting with Abraham and the initiation of The Blood Covenant there would be no Christ and no Christians. Now back to the Book of Hebrews. As you know we are in the faith chapter of the Bible, reviewing the Faith Hall of Fame. Now, read aloud our primary text.
Hebrews 11:5-7 (KJV)
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
As we come into verse six of our text we run into a sobering statement. In the KJV of the Bible this verse starts with the conjunctive ‘but’ however in other versions the conjunctive is ‘and’ or ‘now’ or it simply starts by saying it is impossible to please God without faith. The point that is being accentuated is that faith is the one and only key with no substitute for pleasing God. Faith is simply believing God, the Word of God, not just that there is a God, being free of doubt, and acting upon His Word. Everything with God is by faith and anything that is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 (KJV)
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Bold added by Dr. Wood)
What did Jesus say over and over to those who were healed in His ministry? Your faith, referring to the healed person, has made you whole. Our faith is what secures salvation and faith is the only thing that can and the only thing that will bring all of the aspects of salvation into our lives. We have not been redeemed to only receive a ticket to Heaven. When we entered into Christ Jesus we entered the Kingdom of God, we entered into abundant life. This abundant life, however, does not fall upon us without effort, it requires diligence. Some exercise their faith for salvation and perhaps for the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and that is where they sit until they die. Interestingly the antonym of the word diligent is hasty. We have become a microwave generation and haste is our middle name. The things of the Kingdom will not be obtained in a hasty fashion, but will require time and persistence. Scripture tells us that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.
Luke 12:32 (KJV)
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
The minute each of us made Jesus Lord and Savior all of the possibilities of the Kingdom of God were ours. For the most part we do not take possession of the various elements by asking the Father for them either. It is like money in the bank which is awaiting our demand or instructions as to how it is to be used. The things of the Kingdom move at the name of Jesus as do things outside the Kingdom like the devils. The Holy Bible is a Policy and Procedure Manuel and it must be followed to be successful in the Kingdom of God. All authority in the earth is ours, first given of God in the beginning and restored by God after the Resurrection. All Power (miracle working) was and remains with God. The Blessing, the Holy Spirit is with us and waits to hear the Word of God in our mouth to move. This is true of the holy angels as well (Psalm 103:20). In order for the Power of God (Holy Spirit) to flow someone with authority in the earth, that is you and me, must speak the command in faith, without doubt, believing that we have received what we said and it shall be done. Period. We do not ask God to heal us or bring us money, it is part of our Covenant and we speak it in the name of Jesus. We ask the Father for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we ask for teaching, we ask for correction, and we ask for leadership. However, we command sickness, death, poverty, and storms. Tomorrow Lord willing we will pick up talking about the faith of Noah.
Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (KJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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