SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
THE CHALLENGE OF FAITH

Matt. 9:29 – According to your faith will it be done to you.

Heb. 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Luke 17:5 – The apostles said, Lord, increase our faith.

I. How does God strengthen my faith?
By testing it.
James 1:3 – The testing of your faith develops perseverance so that you may be mature and complete.

Job 7:17-18 – What is man that you make so much of him, and that you give him so much attention that you examine him every morning and test him every moment.

II. How does God test our faith?

1. God tests our faith through difficulties.
I Peter 1:6-7 – For a little while you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Isa. 48:10 – I have refined you, though not as silver, I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

LESSON: To live by faith, I learn to:
To live by faith.

2. God tests our faith through demands.
Ex. 16:4 – The people are to go out each day and gather enough manna for that day. In that way I will test them and see whether they will follow instructions.

Heb. 11:8 – By faith Abraham obeyed and went.

Heb. 11:7 – By faith Noah built an ark.

LESSON: To live by faith I must learn to:
Obey God quickly.

3. God tests our faith through delays.
Deut. 8:2 – God led you all the way in the desert these 40 years to test you in order to know what was in your heart.

Isa. 64:4 – God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

LESSON: To live by faith, I must learn to:
Wait patiently.