Oftentimes believers have no clue how faith operates. Defining faith will be easier once we understand that the primary meaning of faith has to do with trust; you cannot trust someone unless you know them. Hence, faith develops based on relationally growing and knowing God.

Text: Romans 10:17
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

I. Our text teaches us that faith comes by hearing the word of God.

1. This shows that faith is carried and created organically more than mechanically inorganic.

2. Faith is both supernatural and natural! It is not just supernatural; it needs to come in a way that is relational in the spirit realm and natural realm.

3. The context of this text teaches us that faith comes by the word spoken by a preacher. Hence, there is both a human and a divine element involved in creating faith.

II. The word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)

1. Living: It is alive, breathing, moving, relational.

2. Active: It is something that is not stagnant or based on a mechanical formula.

III. John said that he does not want merely to communicate through pen and ink, he wants a face-to-face encounter with the church (2 John 12)

1. Faith does not just come by the written word — there has to be a relational element for it to turn into faith.

IV. John 15:7 teaches us how the word of Christ must be relational to work

1. It is not just a word you read — it has to become a personal word from Jesus to you in order for your prayer to be answered.

2. Even if something like salvation is provided for all human beings, it is only given to the persons who believe Jesus personally died for them. We have to receive the word for ourselves in a personal way in order for faith to come into our hearts.

V. How Faith Comes
1. Through hearing God’s voice in our heart through the Scriptures.

2. Through hearing the preached word of God.

3. Through having a person exhort us or prophesy to us.

4. By being aware of God’s still small voice impressing something on our hearts.

5. By worshipping the Lord or being in a prayer meeting where the presence of God comes down.

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