24 Jul Kingdom Faith #3 Faith Justifies
Kingdom Faith Justifies Overview
In the third installment of the Kingdom Faith series, this powerful sermon explores how faith justifies believers through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The message emphasizes that true faith is not about having faith ‘for’ something, but having faith ‘in’ Someone – Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Through the dramatic account of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, we discover how God systematically demonstrated His supremacy over all Egyptian gods through ten miraculous plagues, each targeting specific deities the Egyptians worshipped. From turning the Nile to blood to the final plague of the firstborn, God revealed Himself as greater than any false god or earthly power. The sermon continues with Israel’s wilderness journey, where God provided manna, water from rocks, and victory in battle, revealing Himself through various names like Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who heals) and Jehovah Nissi (our banner/sail). This teaching challenges believers to shift their focus from seeking God for things to simply trusting in His character and sufficiency, understanding that He is our everything.
Kingdom Faith Justifies Outline
- 0:00 – Introduction to Kingdom Faith: Faith is not having faith ‘for’ something but faith ‘in’ Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
- 5:00 – The Foundation of Faith: True faith comes through knowing Jesus personally, not through formulas or techniques.
- 8:00 – Israel’s Deliverance from Egypt: God demonstrates His power through ten plagues that systematically defeated Egyptian gods.
- 15:00 – The Ten Plagues Explained: Each plague targeted specific Egyptian deities, showing God’s supremacy over false gods.
- 25:00 – Wilderness Journey and God’s Provision: From bitter waters at Marah to manna in the wilderness, God reveals His character.
- 30:00 – Water from the Rock: At Rephidim, God provides abundant water demonstrating His ability to meet every need.
- 35:00 – Victory Over Amalek: God reveals Himself as Jehovah Nissi, our banner and sail in life’s battles.
Scripture References
Hebrews 12:2, Romans 10:17, Exodus 7-12, Exodus 15:22-26, Exodus 16:1-36, Exodus 17:1-16
Key Takeaways
- True faith is relational – we have faith IN Jesus, not faith FOR things.
- Jesus is both the author and finisher of our faith, guaranteeing its completion in us.
- God systematically proves His supremacy over every false god and earthly power through His mighty acts.
- When we focus on sub-areas of faith rather than Jesus Himself, our faith actually becomes weakened.
- God reveals Himself through various names and characteristics to show He is our complete provision.
- The same God who delivered Israel with mighty miracles continues to work powerfully today.
- God is like a sail in the desert – providing direction and power when we have no natural resources.
Kingdom Faith Justifies Notes
This transformative message on Kingdom Faith challenges believers to examine the very foundation of their faith relationship with God. The central revelation is profoundly simple yet life-changing: authentic faith is not about having faith ‘for’ something, but having faith ‘in’ Someone. This distinction revolutionizes how we approach God and understand His character.The sermon draws extensively from the Exodus narrative, where God systematically demonstrated His absolute supremacy over the pantheon of Egyptian deities. Each of the ten plagues was strategically designed to confront specific gods the Egyptians worshipped. When God turned the Nile to blood, He was challenging their worship of the river as ‘the father of life.’ The plague of frogs attacked their reverence for amphibian deities, while the transformation of dust into gnats showcased God’s power over the very foundation of Egyptian geography – the vast Sahara desert.What makes this account particularly powerful is the selective nature of God’s judgment. While Egyptians suffered through each plague, the Israelites remained completely unaffected in Goshen. This divine protection served as a constant reminder that the God of Israel was not only powerful but also faithful to His covenant people.The wilderness journey that followed reveals God’s multi-faceted character through His various names and provisions. At Marah, where bitter waters were made sweet through a tree (prefiguring the cross), God revealed Himself as Jehovah Rapha – the Lord who heals not just physical ailments but the deep bitterness and sorrow accumulated through 400 years of bondage. The provision of manna demonstrated God’s daily faithfulness, while the water gushing from the rock at Rephidim showed His ability to provide abundantly even in impossible circumstances.The battle against Amalek introduces another dimension of God’s character as Jehovah Nissi – often translated as ‘banner’ but more accurately understood as ‘sail.’ This metaphor is particularly profound in a desert context, where a sail represents divine wind and direction when human resources are exhausted. The imagery suggests that just as a sail requires a mast and ship to be effective, our faith needs to be anchored in the solid foundation of God’s character and promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between having faith for something versus faith in someone?
Having faith ‘for’ something focuses on the object or outcome we desire, while having faith ‘in’ someone focuses on the character and reliability of God Himself. True biblical faith is relational, not transactional.
Why did God use ten specific plagues against Egypt?
Each plague was strategically designed to confront and defeat specific Egyptian gods, systematically proving that the God of Israel was supreme over all false deities. This demonstrated His absolute sovereignty to both Egyptians and Israelites.
How does focusing on Jesus as author and finisher strengthen our faith?
When we focus on Jesus rather than techniques or formulas, our faith becomes anchored in His unchanging character. He both initiates faith in us and guarantees its completion, removing the burden of performance from our shoulders.
What does Jehovah Nissi mean and why is it significant?
Jehovah Nissi means ‘the Lord our banner’ or more accurately ‘our sail.’ It represents God as our source of direction and power, especially when we’re in life’s desert places with no natural resources.
Why didn’t the plagues affect the Israelites in Goshen?
God’s selective protection of Israel demonstrated His covenant faithfulness and showed both nations that He distinguishes between His people and those who reject Him. It proved His power was controlled and purposeful, not random destruction.
How can we apply this message to modern faith challenges?
Instead of seeking God primarily for what He can do for us, we should focus on knowing Him personally. When we truly know His character, we naturally trust Him with our circumstances without demanding specific outcomes.
What lessons can we learn from Israel’s complaints in the wilderness?
Israel’s complaints show how quickly we can forget God’s faithfulness when facing new challenges. Their story teaches us to remember God’s past victories and trust His character rather than focusing on present difficulties.
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