Faith That Overcomes / Overcoming Faith

By Rev Dr Taiye ‘Shola Adeola

TEXT: 1 JOHN 5:1-5

If we are going to overcome, we must operate by faith. Hebrews 10:38 – 39 says “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”.

WHAT IS FAITH – Hebrews.11:1

1. Faith is a seed that is sown in the heart of a believer that grows and the evidence of its fruit is experienced even before the fullness of the growth. It becomes real even before it is seen.
2. Acting on God’s word
3. Unwavering believe until you receive what you desire
4. Absolute trust and confidence in the person and ability of God even when practically it looks unreasonable to do so
5. Having a positive disposition in the phase of opposing/contrary realities. It is not a denial of the realities but an assurance that keeps you going in spite of the contrary realities.
6. Never doubting God but being sure of what he is able to do at all times
7. FAITH: LIVING ABOVE WHAT REALITY PRESENTS – Absolute trust in God and his ability

• FAITH FOR SALVATION – Motivation by the Holy Spirit to entrust our lives to God
• FAITH FOR VICTORY – We daily need to overcome the challenges that the devil brings our way
• FAITH FOR RECEIVING THINGS FROM GOD – We have to trust him for all we need for a comfortable life

OVERCOMING FAITH – Faith that is consistently victorious, not defeated by the devil, enemy or situations orchestrated by them

1. Believe that Jesus is Christ – Born of God -1 John 5:1 and 5
2. Obedient in keeping God’s commandments – 1 John 5:2-3
3. SIMPLE – Faith is not a complex – Matthew.17:20 – Faith as small as mustard seed;  Matthew – 15:22-28 (Woman from Canaan)
4. HUMBLE – Not arrogant, not proving any point – Matthew 8: 5-13 (Centurion’s servant)
5. CONSTANT/PERSISTENT – Never gives up, continues in spite of practical opposition, difficulties and challenges
6. EXPECTANT – Still looks up to the master, hoping that something will come to her from him

7. PERSEVERING – She took the insults and kept on asking and following them
8. DARING OR OUTGOING/STEP OUT – Taking action and not just sitting down hoping that something will happen. Faith is about acting – Matthew 9: 20 – 22

9. PATIENT/HOPEFUL – Faith and patience are companions that cannot be separated. While you are hoping, you are waiting patiently for you victory – Hebrews 10: 35 -36 “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

10. FOCUSED – Hebrews 12: 2 “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” The Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 did not allow the response of the disciples and that of Jesus to get her distracted. She concentrated and looked unto Jesus until she got her request met

11. ADORING/WORSHIPPING – She recognized the Lordship of Jesus hence; she worshipped and adored the master. A life that is not submissive to the Lord ship of the master cannot connect to him in faith to obtain great things from him

12. ASKING FOR MERCY – She recognized her unworthiness even as she is demonstrating what Jesus referred to as great faith and simply asked that the master help her and she got the help that she pleaded for.

This is a woman in need, from Canaan regarded as dog yet commended for her faith. Jesus said you are a woman of great faith. What is your need, in simple faith look up to him and receive from him today.

Rev. Dr Taiye ‘Shola Adeola is a minister of the gospel, he Pastors the english chapel of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sabo-Oke Ilorin.