The Way of Faith

September 6, 2009 MW
Stockwell Road MBC
THE WAY OF FAITH
Romans 5:1-5
INTRODUCTION:
A. A fellow by the name of Harold Bermel tells of an occasion while driving through Pennsylvania Dutch Country with his daughter and 7 year old grandson. They passed by an Amish man driving his horse and buggy and the grandson’s curiosity was stirred. “Why do they use horses instead of automobiles?” His mom explained that the Amish people don’t believe in automobiles. After a few minutes he asked, “But can’t they see them.”

B. His idea of faith is being able to see something. Many, today, only believe what they see or what they experience. Faith has nothing to do with sight or experiences. According to Hebrews 11, we find that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is simply our response the absolutes of God’s Word. If we are to live a life that pleases God then we must be a people of faith! God reveals to us His truth, His ways and His desires and it is up to us to respond in faith to those things. In Romans 5, Paul is telling the believers about the WAY OF FAITH. He teaches them about the results of faith in their lives. It is absolutely vital to our Christian walk that we have faith.

C. Many times in our lives we find ourselves struggling with this idea of faith. We know that the Lord has something better out there for us but we lack the faith necessary to believe Him. As a result, we find our Christian lives stagnating and we never progress in our walk with the Lord. We find ourselves going through the motions without ever experiencing the awesome realities of our relationship with Jesus. We find ourselves living defeated and downtrodden lives because we don’t have faith in the promises of God’s Word. How strong is your faith this morning!

D. Paul connects chapter 5 with the previous 4 chapters by the word “therefore” in v. 1. In the first 3 chapters he establishes the problem of sin and in chapter 4 he establishes the provision of salvation! Now he begins with the provisions of faith in chapter 5. He begins to show us how we are to live by faith and what the WAY OF FAITH is!

BODY:
I. THE POWER OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST v. 1, Eph. 2:8-9, Col. 2:14, v. 10
Note: In order for this message to be understood the issue of being saved needs to be settled in your heart. Paul told the Church at Ephesus, that we are saved by grace through faith! God provided everything we would need to be saved by His grace and we are to respond to that in faith! This is important to understand because of the word, “therefore” in v. 1. As a result of what happened when you were saved because of your faith certain things took place!
A. We Have Been Declared Free from Sin
--justified—means that we have been declared as innocent of all charges
--consider the many ordinances against us!
--because of our faith in Jesus we have freed!
B. We have Been Deemed Friends with the Sovereign
--Notice v. 10—we were enemies
--this means we were opposed to God estranged from God because of our sin.
--now we have peace with Him because of our salvation!
--we are now in a settled relationship with God!

II. THE PRIVILEGE OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST v. 2, II Cor. 12:9
Note: When you become a member of something you gain certain privileges. When you become a member of Sam’s Club you can buy an industrial size jar of pickled okra and enough French fries in one bag to feed an army! Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, you and I, have certain privileges that others don’t have!
A. We have Access
--to the Father as we pray
--to the sufficiency of grace
B. We Have Assurance
--of our eternity

III. THE PROCESS OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST v. 3-5
Note: One of the moms at Peyton’s football practice asked if any of us had noticed a hump on the necks of our children. We said we hadn’t but she said that from wearing the football helmet her son’s neck muscle had started to grow. Faith isn’t unlike that muscle…with work it grows and gets stronger! The Lord takes us through a process in order to strengthen our faith…notice the amazing progression that the Lord uses in all of our lives.
A. Tribulations strengthen our Patience
B. Patience leads to Experience
C. Experience brings Hope
D. Hope determines Victory

CONCLUSION:
If you want to live the victorious and abundant life in the Lord Jesus Christ that He wants you to live it will be determined by your daily faith in the Lord!
This daily faith makes no sense until you have responded to God’s invitation to salvation by faith.