By Faith | Overflow Church Grand Prairie, Tx | Notes
Overflow Church Grand Prairie, Tx
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By Faith

summer2017

Galatians 3:26-29 (NLT) 26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

The Abrahamic Covenant…
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT) 1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
1. The promise of new territory. (Dominion)
2. The promise of descendants. (Reproduction)

3. The promise of blessing (Conduits of blessing)

The New covenant, like the Abrahamic covenant, hinges upon: #1. Justification by faith
#2. Friendship/
Connection with God

James 2:23 (NLT)
“Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.


Realities of Faith…
1. Faith in Christ makes us righteous- Romans 3:22, John 6:29
2. Faith is Active Trust
Hebrews 11:1
(NLT) Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

3. Faith is necessary to please God.
Hebrews 11:6(NLT) It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

4. Faith will be tested-
James 1:2-4 

5. Faith produces
Your actions prove what you believe.
“Faith that won't work, don't work!”
James 2:18-20 (NLT)
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Expanding our Faith
“Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible & receives the impossible.”

Matthew 14:22-33(NLT) Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.


Expanding our Faith
1. Shift the If.
What IF I sink…what IF you walk on water?”
Faith OR Fear always starts with
“What if”
Ephesians 3: 20(NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.


2. Get out of the boat.

“The enemy of great is always good. We will never experience the greatness of what God has if we are complacent with the good that we are currently in.”

“It doesn't matter how much potential we have if we stay in the boat it wont matter.”


3. Continue in Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.

“We start with faith, we continue with faith, everything is done by faith, in faith through faith, and we will finish it in faith!”

4. Focus on
HIS faithfulness.

vs 31 “Why did you doubt me…”He is constant, steady, & unchanging.
“If our trust is in the unshakable one then we will be unshaken when the storms come.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.