Understanding the Basics of Faith

Sermon Summary: Understanding Faith, Its Substance, and a Heart of Gratitude

Opening Exhortations

• Those without Jesus are lost and lack hope after death—Christians must “pour out the gospel” urgently.

• Guard what and how you hear; the ear is the entrance to the spirit, shaping life and outcomes.

• Begin understanding faith by first clarifying what faith is not.

Learning by Contrast: What Faith Is Not

1. Faith is not physical

   • Faith is spiritual from start to finish; it draws and enforces the higher power of God.

   • Hearing is the spiritual channel through which faith comes (Romans 10:17).

2. Faith is not trust

   • Trust builds through familiarity and past experience—physical/experiential evidence (Genesis 18:19; John 2:5).

   • Faith comes through the Word and the Spirit.

3. Faith is not hope

   • Hope relies on visible factors or forecasts; it rises or falls with physical evidence.

   • Faith does not depend on what is seen; it enforces God’s power beyond visible signs.

4. Faith is not love (Faith only works by love- one of the foundations that faith sits on)

   • Agape love is spiritual and essential to faith’s operation (John 3:16; Galatians 5:6).

   • Faith works by love; walking in love empowers faith’s effectiveness.

5. Faith is not doubt

   • Doubt and faith are mutually exclusive; operating in doubt means not operating in faith.

What Faith Is: The Substance and Process

• Faith is spiritual and comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

• Faith has “substance” (ingredients) and “evidence” (confidence in what is not seen) (Hebrews 11:1).

• Vision precedes faith: clearly envision the promised outcome before assembling the “substance.”

• Faith is a process of assembly: gathering scriptural promises and aligning hearing, belief, and action.

• Faith is not a risk or gamble; true biblical faith operates by spiritual law and is absolute—drawing God’s power to fulfill the God-given vision.

• Many think they are “walking in faith” while relying on head knowledge, trust, or hope; true faith enforces God’s power and produces results.

The Role of Hearing

• The ear is a direct gateway to the spirit; what we hear energizes and shapes us for good or bad.

• “Take heed how you hear”—the quality and content of hearing determine spiritual formation and outcomes.

• Hearing God’s Word is the pathway through which faith comes; prioritize Scripture as the main input.

The Missing Link in the Modern Church

• Attendance vs. knowledge: many attend church but lack practical knowledge of how to build and exercise faith (e.g., for healing).

• Bank analogy: Many banks exist, but without understanding how to earn and deposit money, they don’t help. Likewise, churches abound, but without practical teaching on assembling faith, believers struggle.

• Purpose of teaching: Equip believers with the practical knowledge of God’s Word to be blessed and to minister to others.

Illustration Stories and Analogies

• Inventor and electricity: Learning many ways electricity would not work clarified the one true way—understanding by contrast.

• Building at dawn: If no visible signs appear early, hope diminishes; faith is different, not dependent on sight.

• Motivational speakers: Hearing builds confidence and momentum—words move the inner person.

• Memory and clients: Hearing replays in the mind and influences actions.

• Kenneth Hagin account: A mother, walking in love, resisted the devil and commanded him to release her child; healing followed. Faith’s effectiveness is tied to walking in love and exercising spiritual authority.

• Building a chair (vision, substance, faith, trust):

  • Substance: materials (metal, fabric, screws) are ingredients, not a chair.

  • Vision: a clear blueprint of the finished chair—“the thing hoped for.”

  • Faith: assembling the materials toward the vision without prior experience.

  • Trust: after success, you rely on proven outcomes in future efforts.

• Counting your blessings (W-2 analogy): Reviewing God’s works like reviewing year-end earnings—surprising and humbling; fosters gratitude.

Thanksgiving Focus: Gratitude as God’s Will and Wisdom

• A heart of gratitude is wise—recognize blessings, including those not requested; God is the source of every good thing.

• Gratitude is more than offering; it is a genuine inward posture expressed outwardly.

How to Show Gratitude to God

1. Give God quality time of praise

   • Praise consistently, not only when in need.

   • Praise Him for His mighty acts, greatness, and creation (Psalm 150:1–6).

2. Reach out to the less privileged

   • Pure religion includes caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27).

   • Serving others is a practical expression of gratitude and love.

Corporate Prayer and Worship (Led by Kara)

• Job 33:4 — Affirmation of life from God’s Spirit.

• Psalm 27:14 — Prayer to overcome fear with God’s peace while waiting on Him.

Main Prayer Points

1. Salvation of souls in homes, families, and communities.

2. Overcoming fear and panic; receiving God’s perfect peace (Psalm 27:14).

3. Deliverance from emotional bondage and fulfillment of God-given destiny.

4. Prayer for America: spiritual awakening, peace, and healing.

Exhortations and Applications

• Guard your hearing: Be careful what and how you hear; the ear is the gateway to the spirit.

• Prioritize Scripture: Faith comes by hearing God’s Word—make it your main input.

• Walk in love: Faith works by love; cultivate agape love through forgiveness, service, and unity.

• Distinguish categories: Do not confuse trust (experience-based) or hope (evidence-based) with faith (Word-based and Spirit-empowered).

• Evangelize: Boldly share the gospel because without Jesus there is no hope of eternal life.

Take-Home Points and Action Items

• Study the Word: Actively build faith by hearing and studying Scripture (Romans 10:17); gather promises relevant to your needs (e.g., healing).

• Clarify your vision: Be specific about the biblical outcome you’re believing for; align vision with God’s promises (Hebrews 11:1).

• Practice hearing well: Listen humbly, attentively, and obediently; filter media and conversations through Scripture.

• Commit to love: Since faith works by love, forgive quickly, serve selflessly, remove strife, and walk in agape love.

• Distinguish faith from trust: Use faith for unseen outcomes; allow trust to develop after experience.

• Share your knowledge: Be equipped to minister to others; spread the knowledge of God’s Word beyond the church.

• Cultivate gratitude: Thank God in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18); daily praise (Psalm 150:1–6) and serve the vulnerable (James 1:27).

• Scripture reading plan for the week:

  • Genesis 16–20

  • Matthew 16–20

• Engage with questions: Prepare questions for upcoming teachings to deepen practical understanding.

• Evangelize: Participate in scheduled outreach efforts.

Church Announcements and Schedule (September 2026)

• Evangelism:

  • Weekly outreach: Saturdays, 5:00 PM–6:00 PM.

  • Special outreach: Monday, September 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM; meet at the church to walk local neighborhoods.

• Prayer: Weekly intercession hour—Fridays, 7:00 PM–7:30 PM.

• Fellowship: Pastor’s mother’s birthday celebration—Sunday, September 20, 2026, after service; all invited.

Closing Notes

• Pastor Abe invited questions, reactions, and contributions to build up the body through shared understanding.

• Congregational comment included reflections on hearing God and love, with a desire to grow in understanding.

• Closing prayers included petitions for a spirit of faith, a heart of thanksgiving, God’s perfection in our lives, and success in evangelism efforts on September 7, 2026.