Faith Fulfilled:  Forever From First to Last

Larry Siegle
11/26/23 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: Faith Fulfilled: Forever From First to Last - L Siegle

Faith Fulfilled:  Forever From First to Last

(Romans 1:16, 17)

INTRODUCTION

1.  The title of this series is, “Faith Fulfilled:  Forever from First to Last”

2.  The basic thought for this series arose from a very brief Facebook post from a friend

      Brian Simmons:  He writes: “We should be adamantly opposed to the notion that

      Faith is a never-ending journey.  Unless the journey ends, we are wasting our time.

      We must be dogmatic enough to speak in absolutes.  The purpose of “seeking” is to

      Find.  Once we have found what we are seeking, we should be ready to maintain it

      to the end.”

3.  According to the Dictionary, “FAITH” is defined in several very different ways:

      a.   (atheist-agnostic) “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.”

      b.  (Loyalty) “Allegiance to duty, or to a person” 

      c.   (Confidence) “Trust and confidence in a person, thing, or concept”

4.  In this series of studies we are going to see that “faith” is far more than what we often think it is and how, when properly understood, “faith” empowers us to live and to walk in a powerful, victorious life each day.

WHAT FAITH IS NOT

1.  Before we can fully appreciate what “faith” IS, we must first determine what “faith” 

      is NOT:

      a.   Religious Heritage—The religious leader's attachment to being “Abraham’s seed” 

            (Matt. 3:7; John 8:31-33, 37, 39).

            1)  Being identified by a certain ‘religious group’ or ‘ethnicity’ is not sufficient or

                  identical to what “faith” means.

            2)  “Our family has been members of the church for generations…”

            3)  To be right with God involves heartfelt actions that are consistent with our

                  knowledge of who God IS and what God has DONE.

      b.  Indoctrination—Israel was given “the Law” and had the proper “indoctrination” 

            of knowing WHAT to believe, but ‘missed the point’ or MEANING of what they

            knew to be true (Rom. 9:30-32).

            1)  Israel had a “zeal” for God, but it was their own effort to establish their OWN 

                  “righteousness” rather than that which is given by faith (Rom. 10:1-4).

            2)  Israel missed the identity of their own Messiah, He was the “end” (goal) to

                  which the law pointed forward.

            3)  It is possible for those who profess themselves to be Christians to focus the

                  attention on WHAT to believe over against to WHOM that faith is attached.

      c.   Emotion—Some equate the essence of genuine “faith” with FEELING.

            1)  Elijah the prophet did many great things for the Lord, but when he was chased 

                  away by Jezebel, his faith wavered and was affected by his feelings (I Kings 

                  19:4ff).

            2)  Faith based upon the temporary nature of human emotions cannot be 

                  Trusted (Jer. 17:9).

            3)  Even in those times when we “feel” COMFORT based on things that are 

                  routine, or ‘traditional’—this is NOT the essence of genuine faith.

      d.  Not Self-Righteousness—Israel believed in the substance of their own

            righteousness and the rituals of the law, the priesthood, the temple (Rom. 9:30-

            32).

            1)  Even though Israel had ALL of the promises made to the fathers (Rom. 15:8)

                  that Paul listed here in chapter 9 of Romans (9:1-7), this did not constitute the

                  basis of their “faith”

WHAT FAITH IS

1.  In order to better appreciate how “faith” is properly defined, we have to realize that

      there are multiple layers or elements within the ingredients of what genuine faith

      really is.

      a.   When we use the word “faith” there is the realization that it has both an 

            OBJECTIVE and a SUBJECTIVE application and meaning.

            1)  “the faith” (with the definite article in most instances) has reference to the

                  full and complete body of truth, taught by Christ, the apostles, and recorded

                  in the pages of the NT.

            2)  The “one faith” (Eph. 4:5), listed among the seven ones in the text, describes a 

                  complete, singular body of truth (Jude 3).

      b.  “faith” (without the definite article in most instances) has reference to the trust, 

            and faithfulness of a person that arises out from the information provided in “the

            faith” (Gal. 3:22-23)—Both aspects are interconnected and described here.

2.  Faith is a Verb and a Noun

      a.   Faith IS because faith DOES as a response to what has been revealed in the Word 

            of God (Heb. 11:6).

      b.  Faith becomes activated, based upon what we have heard (Rom. 10:17; Acts 

            8:26-38).

      c.   In this account, the progression of faith (based upon the substance of the

            message is clearly seen) (Acts 8:35-38).

            1)  When Jesus was preached, a response in faith was the result.

            2)  The gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16, 17).

CONCLUSION

1.  In this series we are going to explore whether or not faith is ‘ongoing’ or something

      that was no longer necessary when God kept His promises and fulfilled His Word.

2.  We are going to explore the practical basis of Biblical fulfillment, from the

      perspective of those who lived during the “last days” and how the world at that time

      was affected by the substance and power of the message.

3.  In going through this, the roots of our faith will grow and deepen in our 

      understanding of the plan and purpose of God—then and now.