Sermon excerpt printed in The Pentecostal Faith-- November 1950:
How Faith May Be Increased
“Abraham staggered not at the promise of God thru unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And being fully persuaded that what He had promised He was able to perform.” Romans 4:20-21. We would like to give you the true meaning of faith before we take up the text.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is counting Him faithful who promised. “Sarah judged Him faithful who had promised.”
Hebrews 11:11
Faith believes God is able. “By faith Abraham when he was tried offered Isaac, accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, from whence also he received him in a figure.”
Hebrews 11:19
Faith is to ask in faith nothing wavering, “…for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from God.”
James 1:6-7
Faith believes while the answer is on the way. “Therefore I say unto you, whatsoever things ye desire when you pray, believe that you receive and ye shall have them.” Mark 11: 24
What Faith Is Not
Faith is not feeling that prayer is answered. Faith has not the slightest relationship with feelings and sense evidence. Anyone that lets their feelings direct them will never have unwavering faith. Our feelings fluctuate, roll to and fro, rise and fall. But God’s word never changes.
There Are Many Kinds of Faith
Weak Faith, strong faith, little faith, great faith, unfeigned faith, temporary faith, historical faith, mental faith, active faith, wavering faith, unwavering faith, human faith and divine faith. We don’t have space to discuss all the different kinds of faith, but we would like to mention two or three: especially temporary faith. In Luke 8:13 we find this kind of faith illustrated. “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for awhile believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” This reminds us of Peter before he received the Holy Ghost, he thought he could die with the Lord, but when the test came, he denied the Lord. He thought he could walk on water, but when he saw the wind and waves, his faith failed. But on the Day of Pentecost, Peter received unwavering faith and promised it to you. Acts 2:38.
The Pharasees had historical faith. They believed God worked miracles for Abraham, but didn’t believe that God would do it for them. The churches are still full of these kinds of people. This kind of faith will never get an answer from God.
How Faith Can Be Increased
By looking unto the promises of God. “By looking unto the promises of God he wavered not through unbelief but waxed strong through faith giving glory to God.” RV Romans 4:20. Many of us wax weak while we look at our symptoms.
By exercising the faith we already possess. “Take heed therefore how ye hear, for whosoever hath, to him shall be given and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he seemeth to have.” Luke 8:18. Many of God’s people wouldn’t have to travel a thousand miles to get someone to pray for them if they would exercise the faith they have.
By looking unto Jesus. “Let us run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2. If we look to Jesus our faith grows, if we look at the winds and waves, we sink.
By reading the Word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
By meditating on God’s Word. “This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that’s written therein. For then shalt make they way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8.