2 Thessalonians 3:2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. I. WHAT FAITH IS. 1. It is taking God at His word. Noah did it about a thing unknown (Hebrews 11:7); Abraham did it about a thing unlikely (Hebrews 11:17-19); Moses did it about a thing untried (Hebrews 11:28). 2. It is trusting Jesus at His invitation. The Jews who had no faith, had no profit (Hebrews 4:2); Peter who had little faith, had little comfort (Matthew 14:28, 30, 31); the woman of Canaan, who had great faith, had a great blessing (Matthew 15:28); the centurion, who had most faith, had most honour (Matthew 8:10). Trust your souls to Christ's care (Acts 7:59); trust your sins to Christ's cleansing (1 Peter 1:18, 19); trust your life to Christ's keeping (Colossians 3:3, 4). II. WHENCE FAITH COMES. 1. From God's grace (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 12:3). 2. From God's Word (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15). 3. From God's working (1 John 5:1; Colossians 2:12). 4. From man's heart (Romans 10:10; Romans 6:17). III. HOW FAITH WORKS. 1. It overcometh the world (1 John 5:4). 2. It purifieth the heart (Acts 15:8, 9). 3. It worketh by love (Galatians 5:6). Two great benefits come from faiths. (1) the preciousness of Christ (1 Peter 2:7); (2) the blessedness of Christ (1 Peter 1:8). (Archdeacon Richardson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.WEB: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith. |