How Is Your Faith?

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How Is Your Faith?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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We are approaching the end of 2025.  As you know, I am a big proponent of New Year’s resolutions, though we should not limit resolutions to new years day.  It is estimated that the average person quits pursuing their resolutions by the second Friday of the year. About 43% quit by the end of January.  Part of that is because while resolutions are made with sincere intent, there is not genuine conviction.  But another aspect of that is lack of preparation.  A declaration is made, but a plan to execute that plan is not in place, or thoroughly developed.  That is why I will sometimes present lessons a few weeks BEFORE the beginning of the year.  My intent is to encourage us to examine ourselves NOW (2 Corinthians 13:5)  and to BEGIN making plans so that when the New Year dawns, you can be “off and running”.

Today’s lesson is presented along that line.  I would like for us to begin by asking the question, “How is my faith?”   Our faith is the foundation of our lives as Christians.  2 Peter 1:5-7 finds that faith is what other qualities are built upon.  So let’s notice some ways that faith  is defined in scripture.

 

  1. Is your faith “little”?
    1. The Bible gives several descriptions of insufficient faith – dead faith (more in a few moments), vain faith – Mathew 7:21-23, demonic faith – James 2:19 (intellectual, They knew who Jesus was, but they did not believe Him or surrender to Him), shipwrecked faith – 1 Timothy 1:19, etc.. These are all descriptions of faith that will lead to condemnation.
    2. But what about “little” faith? Is this the faith of a believer that is not as strong as it ought to be?
    3. Matthew 14:31 – Jesus speaking to Peter as he sank in fear. Similarly, as they were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee – Matthew 8:26 (NOTE: Mark 4:40 described it as “no faith”); Matt. 16:8 on yet another occasion after being in a boat and He warns them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; and in Matthew 17:17-21ff where the disciples failed to cast out a demon.
    4. Matthew 6:30 finds Jesus describing the one who worries about this life’s things. This is where He reminds us to seek first the kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33).
    5. Often, our faith ought to be greater than it is. We trust God, but not as much as we ought to.  We believe in His power, but our actions show a lack of faith.  For example: Do we find physical distractions in life crowding out spiritual pursuits? Do we believe that God can answer our prayers?  Do we believe that He will forgive us of our sins? Have we been maturing in our faith?
  2. Are you walking by faith
    1. 2 Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith, not by sight.
    2. To walk by faith, means that as we live our lives, we trust Him. As we have been addressing in our class (strangers and pilgrims), we are different from the world, because we know this world is not our home. In fact, the context of our verse (2 Cor. 5:1-6) speaks about this. So, when the pulls of this world (temptations, distractions, trials and troubles, and cares of life) face us, we continue to trust in God.  We seek to live differently, even if it is not popular – 1 Peter 4:1-4, 1 John 2:15-16.  Romans 12:1 notes that we have presented our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him.
    3. Walking by faith also means that we believe what He tells us in His word. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a, Paul urges and exhorts the brethren to abound more and more, …just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification:… This is followed by admonitions to live lives of holiness.
    4. We did not have to be with Jesus to believe that He lived a sinless life, worked miracles, was crucified for us and resurrected from the dead. By faith we believe God did everything scripture says He did AND that He is able to do all that He has promised.  Hebrews 11:6 notes that without faith, we cannot please Him.  Rather we come to God believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
  3. Do you have a strong faith?
    1. A strong faith is the opposite of a weak (or little) faith. A strong faith obeys God without question.
    2. Hebrews 11:8 notes, By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. When you look at the life of Abraham, you do not find perfection, but you find an unwavering faith that never denied God. Genesis 15:6 notes when God promised him a descendent from his own body, “And he believed the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”   We see that trust as he died in faith KNOWING that God would keep His word and reward him eternally (Hebrews 11:13-16).  Romans 4:20-22 describing Abraham and this promise, He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’
    3. A strong faith obeys God even when you do not fully understand why He instructs you (though often in time you learn that He DOES know what is best). A strong faith obeys God when it is difficult, unpleasant or comes with consequences.  A strong faith NEVER denies His sovereignty.
    4. Matthew 7:21 notes that it is not the one who only says ‘Lord, Lord’ that will enter the kingdom, but he who obeys the will of the Father. Hebrews 5:9 – Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
  4. Is your faith increasing?
    1. Luke 17:5 – the was an occasion when the apostles asked Jesus, “Increase our faith.” It was a realization that their faith needed to grow.
    2. A quality of our faith needs to be that as we mature, it ought to be growing stronger. Paul commended the Thessalonian brethren because their faith was growing exceedingly – 2 Thessalonians 1:3.
    3. You can look at many examples in scripture and see faith reaching toward maturity. Abraham is a prime example reaching the point where he was willing to sacrifice Isaac knowing that God would raise Him up because of His promise (Hebrews 11:17-19).  As you study the faith of the apostles, you also see maturity in their faith.  Again, note Romans 4:20 – he was strengthened in his faith.
    4. David in Psalm 37:25 noted, I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
    5. If we are growing as we ought to as Christians, our faith will become stronger and stronger.
  5. Do you have a working faith?
    1. James 2:14-20 notes that faith without works is dead. His point is that you can say all day long that you believe in God (and perhaps you do), but unless you show it by your actions, you do not have a proper faith.  (NOTE: We will develop this further next week in our continued study of James).
    2. Recall James 1:22 which notes we must be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 25 notes that the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty (learns it), continues in it (he does what he learns), and does not forget  what he heard (remembers) and does the WORK, will be blessed.  NOTE how James tied together the word of God and WORK (doing what God’s word says).
    3. Jesus emphasized the same thing in Matthew 28:20.
    4. Nowhere in scripture does God commend inactivity. In fact when you consider Hebrews 11, you will not a series of action words:  Hebrews 11:3 – Abel offered; 11:4 – Enoch pleased God; 11:;7 – Noah moved & prepared an ark; 11:8 – Abraham went out, 11:17 – offered Isaac; etc.
    5. BUT, also understand that a working faith is NOT done to be seen by men – Matthew 23:5 – the Pharisees were condemned for doing their works to be seen by men. See also Matthew 6:1 – giving, 6:5 – praying; 6:16 – fasting, etc.  That was Paul’s point in Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved BY grace THROUGH (our) faith, but not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
  6. Do you have a faith that shows?
    1. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 – their faith in God had gone out to the world around them.
    2. Romans 1:8, Paul commended the brethren at Rome noting, Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
    3. Matthew 5:15-16 – we are not to hide our light but put it on a lampstand.
    4. When our faith is what it ought to be, it will become evident. People we see that you are different.
    5. And it is NOT about what you are wearing, though modesty certainly factors into how you show your faith. NOTE: Should you decide to wear something that professes faith (please be careful with this – TT), do NOT let that be what defines your faith.   1 Peter 1:3-4, Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. It is your CHARACTER that demonstrates the nature of your faithfulness.
  7. Is your faith precious to you?
    1. 2 Peter 1:1, he is writing To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV) The word for precious indicates something of equal standing with others.  In other words, you SHARE it with one another.  This implies value and something special to you.
    2. Our faith is something to be valued. Peter would also describe our faith as genuine – 1 Peter 1:7 which means that it is real (not fake).  He also describes it as precious (of great worth) in that text. In 1 Peter 1:19 he used the same word to describe the blood of Jesus
    3. Toward the beginning of this lesson, we mentioned those who had made shipwreck of their faith, as well as those whose faith was dead. WE need to be careful that we do not depart from the living God – Hebrews 3:12 warns us to beware, lest an evil heart of unbelief enters and we depart from God.
    4. As a Christian your faith needs to be so valuable that you guard it, keeping it pure (both unpolluted and undiluted) and without compromise. You will NOT sell it for anything.
  8. Is your faith tried and true?
    1. If you are faithful to God, given enough time, your faith is going to be tested. We need faith that will endure no matter what.
    2. Again Hebrews 11:17 speak of Abraham’s faith being tested.
    3. Again 1 Peter 1:7 speaks of our genuine faith, …though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
    4. James 1:2-3 notes how the testing of our faith produces patience.
    5. 1 John 5:3-5 notes, For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
    6. We need a faith that will NEVER compromise, give up or give in.

And thus we can see some descriptions of the type of faith we need.  Let us pause to examine our faith.  If it is not where it ought to be, resolve that in the coming year you are going to strengthen your faith so that it IS pleasing to God and unwavering.   You have one month until 2026 arrives.  Use it to put factors in place that will help you to grow your faith in Him.  And resolve that you will keep working to increase that faith until your time in this world is complete.  THEN, you will finally see the results of your faith realized as you enjoy your eternal rest with God and the faithful.  So – how is your faith?  Is there some way that we can help you?  Think about it!

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