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Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Lesson Focus:
- Faith is an attitude necessary to be a spiritual leader
- Learn what faith is and how it affects our attitude
- Jesus was always on the search for faith
- You must develop trust, reliance and obedience to God in order to lead others to follow Him
Luke 18:8
I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
- Jesus cam looking for faith
- This is the attitude needed to see God do his greatest work
What is faith?
1. Believe - Truths
John 6:29
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
2 Corinthians 4:13
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.
Faith means believing God's truths even when you can not see, feel, hear, taste, touch or know they are true, to the point when all outside input says they were false, you still cling to them because the Bible says they are true
2. Trust - Promises
Jeremiah 17:7
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Romans 4:5
However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Faith means trusting God's promises even when you have no reason to do so. You may feel like the biggest fool in the world but you keep on praying and believing that God will intervene.
3. Obey - Commands
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
Faith means obeying when the thought of doing God's will makes you sick and angry. Emotionally, you don't want to forgive but you pray daily to do so. You keep your commitment even when you don't want to, you let the bible and not your emotions dictate your actions.
Q: How is your faith?
What does it produce?
Peter's faithful attitude was a strength
a) Fired-up - Filled with zeal out of themselves and energetic
John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
Jumping out of the boat to run and meet Jesus
b) Verbal - People who speak up
Matthew 15:15
Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."
Matthew 19:27
Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Luke 12:41
Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?"
c) Initiative - People who volunteer ideas or work
Matthew 17:4
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
John 13:9
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
d) Risk takers - People who are willing to try something new and chance failing to succeed
Matthew 14:28
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
e) Humble - People who are open about their sin
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
f) Obedient - People who simple do what is asked of them
Luke 5:5
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
g) Out-Spoken - People who speak their minds and stand by their convictions
Matthew 26:33
Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
John 13:8
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
Matthew 16:22
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
h) Deep conviction - Will always stand on what they believe and refuse to waver
John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Matthew 16:16
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
People will desire to follow a faithful and confident leader
Faithless and cowardly people do not inspire courage or a desire to follow
- Our attitude determines our approach to life
- Our attitude determines our relationships with people
- Often our attitude is the only difference between success and failure
- Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything else
- Our attitude can turn our problems into blessings
- Our attitude can give us an uncommonly positive perspective
- Our attitude is not automatically good just because we are disciples
Discussion Questions:
- Think through your faith in God. How is it growing or not?
- What areas can you grow in?
- How can a greater faith change your attitude?
Home Work: Identify others who are strong in your areas of weakness and make a point to have a great fellowship with them. Write down anything that may be helpful and put it into action
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