DEGREES OF FAITH #1
ZERO FAITH – THOMAS EXAMPLE

1.DEGREES OF FAITH
There are various types of faith / degrees of faith:
– Zero faith = no faith;
– Small faith = insufficient;
– Big faith = produces results.

The faith that overcomes the world is:
– that which overcomes problems, sickness, poverty, etc;
– a God-fashioned lifestyle;
– that which works and brings results (blessings, happiness, success, etc);

1 John 5:4

He who is a child of God has the ability to overcome the world.
Not by their strength or ability, but by their faith.

2.ZERO DEGREE OF FAITH = NO FAITH – John 20:24-29
Faith is believing what God says without seeing it.

Thomas was an unbeliever because he only believed after seeing. He had a “false” faith.

Believe only after
– seeing;
– feeling;
– understanding;

This faith says that if something is unknown, then it is false, it does not exist…

3.THE FAITH WE PREACH – Romans 10:8
With our hearts we must believe what God says will come true!
With our mouths we have to say the same things that God says about our health, finances, family, etc.

We believe that God heals, but we are not able to believe that God has a better timetable, a better job? We can only overcome problems? We can not get past them?

God has something better and greater, but he needs our faith.

4. WHAT IS NOT FAITH 
It is not:
– enthusiasm or sentiment;
– mental suggestion or ignoring problems;-hope or mysticism

– making promises or mechanics

 – understanding or believing in my own way;
– having a religious title or customs: wearing a veil, going to Israel / Fatima, etc;

5.MENTAL FAITH vs HEART FAITH
MENTAL FAITH:
– Saying “I know that God heals, but …”
– Admits that God’s Word is true, but looks at symptoms, emotions;
– Asks God every day, cries, begs;
– It is not just believing – Example of the man in the desert;
– It is not hope – “Tomorrow we believe and today we will not believe.

FAITH OF HEART IS:
– Believing first and seeing later;
– Trusting in God’s Word – If God says I am healed, then I really am healed:
– seeing;
– feeling;
– understanding;

This faith says that if something is unknown, then it is false, it does not exist…

6.EXAMPLES

BUSINESS MEN WITH ZERO FAITH –This is the person who only believes that the business is doing well after seeing the money in the bank;

MINISTERS OF GOD – This is the Pastor who only believes that the Church is full after seeing the Church full. They do not believe they have salvations until they see them.

7.SOLUTION
Faith only comes by:
– Hearing God’s word;
– Filling the heart with the Word = Bible, CDs, Books, etc;

Next Sunday, come to a Maná Church near you!