F A I T H that pleases God

Pleasing God: Faith What is faith? What kind of faith pleases God? How is faith rewarded?

Hebrews 11:6 “And without FAITH it is impossible to please Him (God), for whoever would draw near to God must BELIEVE that He (God) exists and that He (God) REWARDS those who Seek Him”.

What is faith? Def’n:  (Hebrews 11:1)  “Faith is the assurance of things Hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”

Faith (Greek) in this verse “Pistis” which means a Reliance or Trust How do we come to trust something or someone? Romans 10:17

Justification: means to be “Righteous” or “Declared Righteous” before God

“Faith is the one attitude of the heart that is the exact opposite of depending on ourselves”. (quote from Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)

What kind of faith pleases God? Philippians Chapter 3

Paul’s Confidences vs Religious Man’s Confidences circumcision on 8th day membership/baptism tribe of Benjamin, born into a Christian family Hebrew of Hebrews Pharisee (knowledge of the law) knowledge of the Bible zealous, persecutor of the church judgmental blameless under the law as per confident in works/ man’s standards rules/legalism

“But, whatever gain I had, I counted as loss “But, whatever gain I had, I counted as loss. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through Faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on Faith.” (Phil: 3: 7-9)

What kind of faith pleases God? (Phil 3:10) that I may Know Him that I may Know the Power of His Resurrection that I may share His Sufferings that I may become like Him in His Death (death to self)

Paul “Presses On” (Sanctification: Christ’s continued work in us) “Not that I have already obtained his or am already perfect, I Press On to make it my own because Christ has made me His Own” (Phil 3:12)

Warning re Enemies of the Cross (found in the church) their end is destruction their god is their belly they glory in their shame set their minds on earthly things

How is faith rewarded? “Our citizenship is in heaven, from it we await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His Glorious Body, by the Power that enables him even to subject all things to Himself”. (Phil 3:20-21)