Trust . . .

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Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

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1. Your relationship with God is built on trust . . . "without faith it is impossible to please Him"
   The word "please" is in the aorist tense meaning, "without faith it is impossible to please Him at all." Faith and trust are both five leltter words and are synonyms of the same idea. Someone has defined faith as "Forsaking All I Trust Him," but we must ask, "What does it mean for me to trust God?"
   1. You believe what he says . . . "(Abraham) did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform" (Romans 4:20-21).
   2. You understand what He says . . . trust is the act of assenting to something understood.
      Did God say He intends for everyone to always be healthy? NO. Did God say He intends for everyone to be wealthy? NO. ; So then, it is foolish for someone to say, "I am trusting God for Him to bless me with healing, riches, or blessing . . ." because you don't know if it is His purpose to give you these things. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" Job said.
2. Your relationship with God begins with trust . . . "without faith it is impossible to please Him."
   There is no relationship with God apart from faith in Jesus Christ. In order to know God you must come to Him through faith (trust) in Jesus Christ. "Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ" (NIV Galatians 2:16). "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven . . . whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). A sinner must believe that God would be just to send him to hell, but that God gave Himself to die on the cross in the place of sinners.
   1. Faith is contrary to your sinful nature . . . we want to do it ourselves, take pride in ourselves.
      That is why it is impossible for you to come to faith in Christ without Him breaking you of your selfishness and pride by His grace. This is why Jesus is called, "The author and the finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). God changed my nature before I had faith in Him.
   2. Faith is consistent with the new nature . . . "The just shall live by faith . . . " (Romans 1:17).
      It is the pattern of the Christian life, the substance of our relationship with God -- faith in Him.
3. Your relationship with God deepens with trust . . . "without faith it is impossible to please Him."
   Who is that person that has a meaningful, mature walk with Christ? It is the person who trusts Him. In Acts 6:8 Stephen was said to be "full of faith." ; The Greek word for "full" is pleres which means complete or mature. In I Thessalonians 3:10 Paul said he wanted to perfect that which was lacking in their faith, and II Thessalonians 1:3 Paul said, "your faith grows exceedingly." How do we get to the place where our faith grows and matures so that God is pleased with us, His children? "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). In the next few weeks I want to strengthen your faith by showing you God's promises to His people.

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