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Scripture Reading: John 12:37-43

What Kind of Faith?

Intro.

1.  We are saved by faith, Eph. 2:8; Rom. 5:1.

2.  Yet, not every kind of faith will save. In fact, most kinds of faith will cause one to be lost.

 

I.  DIFFERENT KINDS OF FAITH.

  A.  No Faith, Jno. 12:37-40.

    1.  Rejects credible evidence or ignores it, 12:37 (Rom. 1:20-21).

    2.  The result of hardened hearts, 12:39-40 (Rom. 1:21-22, 28).

  B.  Little Faith, Matt. 6:30.

    1.  Doubts God’s planning, power & presence to bless.

    2.  Doubts that we are protected by the power of God, Matt. 14:31.

    3.  It is expressed by fear, Matt. 8:26.

    4.  It shows a lack of spiritual depth & understanding, Matt. 16:5-12.

  C.  Weak Faith, 1 Ths. 5:14.

    1.  Without strength, hope, endurance & full conviction, Rom. 4:17-22.

    2.  Need to pay attention to the weak & hold on to him.

  D.  Hidden Faith, Jno. 12:42-43.

    1.  Will not confess Christ (Matt. 10:32-33).

    2.  Wrong values & priorities.

    3.  Will not hear and obey words of Christ, Jno. 12:46-48.

  E.  Only Faith (without works, obedience to God), Jas. 2:17-26.

    1.  No profit, 2:14-16.

    2.  Dead, 2:17, 20, 26.

    3.  Unseen, 2:18.

    4.  Like the demons, 2:19.

    5.  Barren, 2:20.

    6.  Does not (cannot) justify, 2:21-24.

  F.  Great Faith, Matt. 8:10.

    1.  Implicitly trusts the word of Christ; what the Lord says will come to pass (8:8).

    2.  Does not question the authority of Christ, but submits to it (8:9).

    3.  God is amazed by such faith (Lk. 7:9).

    4.  God greatly blesses such faith, Matt. 8:13 (cf. 8:11-12).

 

II.  WHICH KIND OF FAITH SAVES?

  A.  Not: Little, Weak, Hidden, Solitary or Non-existent Faith, Heb. 11:6.

  B.  Faith that Obeys God, Jno. 3:14-17 (cf. Num. 21:4-9); Jas. 2:24.

 

Conclusion

1.  The questions we must ask ourselves include these:

  a.  What kind of faith do I have?

  b.  What kind of faith will I have from this day forward? Matt. 7:21; Lk. 6:46.

2.  “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8)