DoctrineOfGod: Spiritual Gifts (Gifts Of The Holy Spirit) "Gift Of Faith"

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  Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Gift Of Faith

NKJV Notes by Pastor Bob Caldwell

I. Important to Distinguish Between the Different Types of Faith.

  1. Faith of Mental Accent - James 2:19 - Demons are said to have a form of belief in Jesus yet it only produces a fear of their judgment by Him.
  2. Saving Faith - Ephesians 2:8 - There is a saving faith that accepts God's grace in what Jesus did one the cross to forgive all sin.
  3. Faith Given to All Men - Romans 12:3 -God gives a measure of faith to everyone in the Body of Christ.
  4. Walk of Faith - 2 Corinthians 5:7 - There is a faith that can be called a life or walk of faith that effects the way a person lives out their daily lives.

II. Gift of Faith

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:9 - Faith given by a direct impartation of the Holy Spirit to believe God for what naturally would be impossible.
  2. This originates in God, not ourselves.
    1. Acts 3:4-16 - Here is an account of an amazing act of faith by Peter that he said in v. 16 was the result not only of faith in God but because of a faith that comes from God.
  3. This faith is accompanied by a confident assurance that results in spiritual rest. (Heb. 4:3)

III. A Personal Lifestyle Where This Gift Can Thrive.

  1. A life given to the study and meditation of God's word
    1. Romans 10:17 - Faith comes by hearing the word of God.
  2.  A sensitivity to God's personal prophetic word that the gift of faith can be applied to.
    1. Romans 4:16-21 - Abraham's faith to believe God for the naturally impossible birth of a child was based upon God's personal promise to Abraham and Sarah.
    2. 2 Kings 7:1-2 - Here Elisha the prophet declares by faith what God will do with complete assurance based upon God's personal word to him.
  3. 2 Kings 17:1 - A life lived in the Holy Spirit before God in prayer provides a personal revelation of God that makes yielding to the gift of faith much easier. The growing knowledge of God's faithful character to act in His infinite power to bring to pass His will and word become easier to believe and easier as we spend time in the Spirit before Him. (Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21)

IV. Examples of This Gift in Operation

  1. In Times of Danger
    1. Daniel 3:16-27 - Here we see a supernatural confidence these men had in the face of what naturally was going to end in sure destruction.
    2. Daniel 6:10-21 - Daniel reveals a calm assurance that was the result of Daniel's receiving from God faith to believe in divine protection even though what awaited him appeared to be sure death.
    3. Acts 16:22-29 - In this account Paul and Silas reveal a supernatural faith that in spite of no divine intervention during their arrest and beating they begin to worship and praise God which in this instance is followed by a powerful intervention and deliver ance of God.
    4. Acts 28:1-6 - Paul responds in faith when it appears that he will die from this snake bite.
  2. In Divine Provision
    1. Genesis 22:7-14 - In this we see Abraham yielding to the impartation of faith as he declares in v. 7 his confidence in God to provide the sacrifice God has required of Abraham in a way that somehow will still allow Isaac to be the child God promised would become a father of many nations. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
    2. Mark 10:29-30 - Here we see the need for faith to give to others what we ourselves need from God. Throughout the history of the church there have been amazing accounts of men and women who by the gift of faith have seen amazing provisions from God as they by faith were themselves giving people. This appeal of the gift of faith can be seen by reading the biographies of people like George Mueller and Hudson Taylor.
  3. To Be Able To Endure Suffering
    1. Hebrews 11:35-37 - This list of extreme suffering is seen as an example of faith equal to the accounts of faith that resulted in miraculous intervention in the earlier part of this chapter. In some ways a gift of faith is even more needed to endure suffering God has sovereignly chosen will best serve His purposes rather than provide some form of divine deliverance.
  4. Listed below are some general examples of faith that appear to be the result of a divine source of faith that did not originate in the person but God.
    1. Genesis 6:14-22 - Noah in building the ark.
    2. Genesis 50:20 - Joseph in his response to the unfairness and troubles of his life.
    3. Numbers 16:28-29 - Moses in his treatment of the rebellion of Korah.
    4. 1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan in his attack upon the Philistines.
    5. 1 Samuel 17:37-47 - When David faced Goliath.
    6. 1 Kings 18:21-38 - The challenge Elijah presented to the priests of Baal.
    7. Ezra - 8:22- Ezra in making his journey without a military escort.
    8. Esther 4:14- Mordecai in his complete confidence in God's deliverance of the Jews.

V. Conclusion

  1. Mark 9:23-24- Through faith, as it is directed by God's will, we have opened up before us the divine intervention of God to overrule any obstacle that stands between us and God's will. Therefore, we see the wisdom in being open to God to receive this gift of the impartation of faith for the impossible things we face. We can then share in being a vessel of God's will, overruling this fallen world that opposes God, and thereby His good, acceptable and perfect will.
  2. 1 John 5:14-15 - This gift of faith is not something we can independently exercise apart from God's will. It is not given so we can use it to "have faith" for bringing about out own will, but instead it is given so it can be applied to God's own purposes.

Posted via email from ..................The Last Call Digest

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