THEME: THE CHRISTIAN FAITH REVISITED 

PREAMBLE 

In the Book of Revelations, the Lord Jesus Christ gave a message to the Church about end-time events and the state and hope of the church to the Beloved Apostle. In chapters 2 and 3, the Lord gave a hint as to untoward developments in the Church and with the faith and how to avert them.  He put the route of escape succinctly as follows:  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2: 7).  At the close of the revelations and discourse with Apostle John, Jesus finally declared: –  “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give everyone according to his work.  I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and Last.  Blessed are those who do HIS COMMANDMENTS that they may have the right to the TREE OF LIFE and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22: 12 – 14). 

We can deduce from the Book of Revelations not only the warning signs regarding the issues, problems, battles, and standing of the Church unto the second advent, but also the need for integrity, purity, focus, and courageous stand in the face of the coming events and above all the need for a righteous, faithful, unyielding, and abiding connection with Jesus Christ and submission to His Lordship and Headship of the Church and the truth of His everlasting and abiding reality as the Alpha and Omega He is. In this regard, the Lord Jesus Christ gave a final revelation that the Salvation and Redemption in the Cross—the Victory over Death and Restoration of Lost Glory—is not the end of the Redemption inherent in the Christian Faith. That there is yet access to the Tree of Life and Entry into the Holy City not made with hands. This we can say then is the height of reward for the obedient and faithful and the glorious end of the Faith. 

It goes without saying, therefore, that the Church has to prove true and faithful to Christ to the end as well as prove true, righteous, diligent, and faithful to the Tenets of the Faith, and be found honest and obedient to the commandments of God through time, if the Lord shall grant access to the Tree of Life and entry into the holy city. Need we remind ourselves of the rhetoric of Jesus. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth! Luke 18: 8. 

The Holy Spirit re-echoes this by revealing that in the latter times, some will depart from the Faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1st Timothy 4: 1), that men will deny God, the Faith, and godliness—putting on religious garbs swerving away from their submission to Christ, and connection with the Holy Spirit, and thus the truth of the Word of God and the Faith (2nd Timothy 3: 1 – 16). 

In fact, says the Spirit, there will be a Falling Away in the end and the revelation of the man of sin—the corrupt, disobedient, and religious person, who is devoid of the truth and power of the Faith, without any meaningful connection with and submission to Jesus Christ, the Will of God, and the Spirit, Truth, Power, and Reality of the Faith. Yet, it is the Lord’s wish and pleasure to Keep His Inheritance among men secure and present them pure, chaste, true, and glorious to the Father at the end (John 17:11-17; Ephesians 5:6:27). 

Besides, the reality of the battles with the enemy of God and man and the works of deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, plus the weaknesses and failings of man demand a continuous and unfailing reminder of the Truth of Christ and of the faith so, the church will continue and succeed with her faithful witness of Jesus Christ and the spread of the Faith till His return. We are persuaded that it is with this in mind that the LORD has placed on our hearts a fresh visitation to the Christian Faith, first for the benefit of the Church—as the Redeemed of the LORD—waiting for Resurrection and access to the Tree of Life and Glory in the Holy City; and second, for revitalized Witness of Jesus Christ to the world meanwhile. The world stands condemned, perishing, and without hope. 

The sub-theme of the Christian Faith Revisited, as suggested by the Lord Himself, is the Tree of Life. The truth behind this is that the fresh visitation of the Faith will not only bring revival to the Church but will actually deliver the People of God from Falsehood, the Deception of the world, and the Man of Sin, while encouraging and strengthening the saints to press on in holiness, growth in Christ, and obedience so they can attain perfection and have access to the Tree of Life. For the end of the Christian journey is to attain perfection in the glorified Christ. It is our firm conviction that a deep visitation to connection with Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of the Faith, and Obedience to the Commandments—will yield a fruit of access to the Tree of Life and glorious entry into the Holy City. 

Beloved, we are assembled here for a GREAT CELEBRATION—the celebration of Jesus Christ and the Christian Faith. The 3-Day Celebration can in fact be described as a FEAST: a feast of the Spirit, Love, Power, Joy and Hope in Jesus Christ. The celebration starts with a stand at the feet of Jesus Christ on the Cross moving to the Entrance of the Tomb to witness the Resurrection and on to the mountain to behold THE ASCENSION INTO GLORY. We are here to open our hearts, spirits, minds, and whole beings for the Holy Spirit outpour upon and works within us. Let us with a gladsome mind and humble spirit join hearts and minds to survey the ARK—this gathering of saints. 

Receive ye the Holy Spirit. God Bless You for coming.  Pray for me also as we all go on the survey of the Faith. 

BACKGROUND 

The Christian Faith stands for the heart and open arms of God and for humanity, creation, and the world redeemed, restored, and glorified. God is out to reconcile, redeem, and gather creation back to Himself in and through Christ. Christ and the Faith constitute the Mechanism of reconciliation, redemption, and restoration of Glory to Man, Creation, and God’s Own Glory on Earth. The heavens declare the Glory of God. The Earth will respond with joy, laughter, and raised arms to the Praise and Glory of God. Heaven and Earth shall be one— The DWELLING PLACE OF GOD. This is the Open Door of the Faith, God Receiving Creation—creation broken loose, creation lost in chains of rebellion, disobedience, sin, and hopelessness. God coming down to make His abode on earth—Yea a New Heaven and a New Earth is the glorious end of all things. The Christian Faith brings to humanity, Creation, and the World. 

Beloved, as we come to celebrate the Life, Peace, Truth, Light, Victory, Liberty, Joy, and Hope that  the Christian Faith opens to us, let us ponder over, and bless the saints who have gone ahead, particularly, the Apostles and Prophets through whom and with whom the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit brought down the Christian Faith on Earth. There is Deliverance, Redemption, and Restoration of Glory in the Faith: “For God so love the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever Believe in Him, should not perish, But Have Everlasting Life.” (John 3:16) 

We know, believe, accept, and affirm that Jesus Christ—the Saviour, Reconciler, Redeemer, and Restorer is the Spirit, the Truth, the Message, the End Goal (Reward), and the Glory of the Christian Faith. Christ is the Spirit and embodiment of the Christian Faith. In other words, the Christian Faith pertains not only to the teachings, works, and life of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the Prophets.  These are very important, no doubt.  They constitute the framework and guidelines of the Truth of the faith.  However, the reality of the Faith is the Divine Spirit, Life, Truth, Light, Love, and Power made manifest through the Voice of God.  The Word of God—spoken and written is the essence of the Divine Spirit. The Word of God is the Spirit of God/Christ made manifest.  

That is to say, the Christian Faith is not so much a belief system, consisting of articles of Faith as such.  It is not some kind of philosophy, ideology, and ways of behavior or conduct.  The Christian Faith is not a moral code or other. The Christian Faith is an invitation to the Restoration of Glory, Relationship with God, and Access to the Tree of Life.  The Faith is an invitation to God, His True Nature, and Reality, through the Remission of Sin, Reconciliation with God, Redemption from the Fallen Nature, Deliverance from and Victory over Satan and Death, the Restoration of Glory, and transformation and rise in Glory to the very nature and fullness of God. 

In this respect, we must remind ourselves that Jesus Christ embodied the mystery of the Godliness of God in the Flesh—a Human Being, yet Divine in all reality (1Timothy 3:16; John 1:14).  He is the manifestation of the fullness of the Godhead in the body or in a bodily form (Colossians 2:9-10). Christ is the spiritual door, open for entry into the Divine Nature (John 1:12-13, 16; 10:9-10; 14:6; 15:1,5). This is the prime purpose of the Revelation of Christ.  Christ as a Spirit Person and power has come to intervene in the human story first to save man from sin and restore lost glory (Matthew 1:21), and second to open the door to Eternal Life, and thus, access to the Tree of Life (John 3:16; Revelation 22:14). 

Beloved, I want to believe that all of us here Gathered are quite conversant with the scriptures and have gone through the three basic requirements of the Christian Faith: 

i. Belief in the Truth of the Word of God, particularly God’s Testimony about His Son. 

ii. Belief in the SON—Jesus Christ for Forgiveness of Sins, Redemption, and Restoration 

iii. Being Born Again through receiving Christ—His Divine Spirit Nature—into your heart, spirit, and inner being to live a New Life as a new spirit being in and after Christ Jesus. 

The  above three basic Acts of trust in God, through faith in Jesus Christ, opens the gate of the Garden of Eden and with it the restoration of Glory, the restoration of fellowship with God, the end of death, that is the end of Separation from God, and connected curses, and the regaining of fresh opportunity for access to the Tree of Life. This is the purpose of our Gathering—to revisit the Christian Faith—and Renew our Faith, Love, and Knowledge of God and His Christ, the Faith, and the New Life and Glory of Man renewed of the LORD. 

This is the reason why we have spent some time to bring our attention to Christ and the Faith in our opening statement. We must know What and Whom we are in Christ, the purpose, and significance of the Faith we have confessed and do confess and what the goal is in declaring ourselves as Christians. 

We will consider the New Life of Glory and Hope in Jesus Christ, and the Faith under three topics, FAITH versus FAITH, LOVE versus LOVE, and KNOWLEDGE verses KNOWLEDGE. The topic we have for today is FAITH versus FAITH.  Tomorrow we will take on LOVE versus LOVE, and KNOWLEDGE versus KNOWEDGE, Thursday. Before we start the discussions, please let as re-align ourselves to God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and open our hearts, minds, and beings to the Holy Spirit. He will teach and minister to us the truth, reality, and glory of Jesus Christ. 

INTRODUCTION 

The opening topic for the three-day Celebration is FAITH versus FAITH. 

First, let me explain that the proposition Faith versus Faith, Love versus Love, and Knowledge versus Knowledge—is not meant to engage ourselves in positive versus negative, or good versus evil. We do not intend for that matter, to present what the Christian Faith espouses and what it does not.  What we hope to do is essentially, to bring our awareness to the difference between the Flesh (the life and glory of the Old Fallen Man, without God, without Life, and Without Hope) and the Life and Glory of the New Man (Man Redeemed, Restored, and Raised in Glory in Christ).  

Now, man originally created in the image of God, that is, in the semblance and likeness of God as spirit-being, albeit at a lower level of spirit-nature, power, and glory bore a nature, endowments, and glory of the Creator. He is capable of activity, performance, and excellence in Faith, Love, and Knowledge of a nature and reality of a Divine person, except that it is in a pre-defined, pre-determined, and limited way, limited and confined to the boundaries God demarcated for him. This is the case for example when God said, “The soul that sins shall die”.  Man has to but yield and submit to death; he has found no solution to it from the beginning till this day. Hear the anguish and lamentation of the human spirit on this vexatious matter: Read through Moses in Psalm 90.  Hear how Job describes the situation in Job 14:1-15. 

Both Job and Moses have come to the Reality of the hopelessness and futility in the human system. They both call upon and express their hope in God. This is where Christ comes in: 

i. “Come unto Me all ye that labor…” 

ii. “I am The Way, The Truth and the Life” 

iii. “He that believes in Me SHALL PASS from DEATH to LIFE” 

iv. “I AM THE RESURRECTION and LIFE.” 

The general proposition in this discourse is that man operating in his endowments including acquired abilities cannot reach the perfect Divine Order, Permanency, and Heavenly Glory, such as Jesus Christ has brought into the human system. Man limited, committed to the grave, open to corruptibility, mortality, and futility has and exhibit faith, love, knowledge, abilities, and powers different from and in any case, incapable of reaching the heights of Glory of God, as revealed and is possible in the New Man Born Again in and after Jesus Christ. Christ and the Christian Faith open a completely New Door of Life, Glory, and Hope for Man.  To Believe in Him and the Faith is to transfer and transform in the New Man, New Life, and New Glory.  

It implies therefore, that the confidence, trust, faith, life, hope, and glory of the Christian is not in and after the Old Man, regardless of his virtues, powers, and glory. Our confidence is in Christ Jesus and the open door of New Life, New Things, and New Glory such as Faith, Love, and Knowledge presented in the Christian Faith. 

This is the essence of the Christian Faith; the New Man created in Christ—Restored and Raised in Glory and given access to the Tree of Life.  His Life is in and after Christ. This is a Heavenly Order to depict God/Christ incarnate—the marvelous light and glory of God on Earth. So, to build and establish the Heavenly God Kingdom Order on Earth. 

DEFINITION OF FAITH 

The Dictionary defines faith as a belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of someone or something. The Bible, on the other hand, defines Faith this way:  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Whilst the dictionary directs us towards confidence in an inherent value in someone or something, the Bible directs us to confidence in the Word of God, which the Bible describes as Spirit, Life, and Power (John 6:63; Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 4:12).  Thus, whilst the human understanding considers faith as pertaining to confidence in natural ability, enhanced by acquired skills and knowledge operating within the human spirit and mind system, the Christian Faith presents FAITH as confidence and trust in the Spirit, Life, and Power hidden in the Word of God, the Voice of God— that is, in other words, Faith of the Christian Faith is Spirit Power embedded in the Word of God. 

THE NON-CHRISTIAN FAITH 

We can deduce in this direction three operational theatres of faith that are NOT of the Christian Faith: 

a. Faith built upon Human Spirit and Mind Power —1Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-5)  e.g. Positive thinking is not of the Christian Faith. 

b. Faith built upon Nature—natural forces—Romans 1:20-25.  e.g. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Sea, the Mountains, Metals, including Silver and Gold, guns, and economic power. The findings of nature are not and cannot be the basis of the Christian Faith.  God knows and gives revelation of nature and its hidden treasures.  But He does not require nor demand that we build our faith on these things. 

c. Faith built upon Human senses—Jude 17-21; 1st John 2:15-20).  

There is a fourth one that needs close examination, the doctrine and power of the devil – 1st Timothy 4:1-3. This kind of faith does not build in truth, righteousness, and godliness, but instead in rebellion and the spirits and powers of darkness with lying, signs, and wonders. Here we want to be cautious about the doctrines and practice of “miracles” and “winning ways” which have gained an entrance into the church scene.  

In this system, faith is often not in the Salvation of God by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ, the Cross, the truth, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Instead, it is placed in power, signs, and wonders as of themselves—signs and wonders that may well be of demonic origin or of human spirit and mind (thinking) power (2nd Thessalonians 2:1-17).  In such demonic or human spirit power system, it is the “end result” that commends itself; however, without the expected end, there is and can be no faith. 

FAITH OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 

The Christian Faith presents trust in God and His Christ, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit alongside obedience to the commandments of God, as the pillars, structure and embodiment of faith. The structure on one-part presents; Trust, Love, Faith, and Hope in the Triune God and on the other Assurance, Confidence, Trust, and Hope in the Scriptures and thus, Obedience of the Scriptures, Direction, and working power of the Holy Spirit. Faith in that respect is defined as “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  The basis of this phenomenon is THE WORD OF GOD. “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3) 

That is to say, the Word of God upon which Faith is built on one part conveys a Vision of what the Triune God demands, promises, or is willing and is ready to work out, and on the other presents a Mission agenda or proposition upon which and by which to work out the expected end. The desires, pleasure, will, and commandments of God are conveyed to the believer in the Word of God. Upon the Word of God therefore, the saints work out the will of God—and builds his/her life, not depending upon his/her natural abilities, convictions, desires, and persuasions.  “THUS, SAITH THE LORD” is the Key in the Christian Faith.  

In this regard, the Word of God possesses a built-in, internal, and cohesive structure of Spirit, Life, and Power by which it is able to transmit the Divine attributes for the works demanded by God (John 6:63; Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). That is to say, the Christian Faith presents belief and absolute trust in—and dependence upon—the inherent virtues in the Word of God, and thus, the faithful application of the Word of God as the astute Spirit of the Christian Faith.  

Accordingly, Faith of the Christian Faith can be said to be and is in fact unique and different from faith built upon the forces inherent in nature, whether they are of human ability or the virtues of nature, including things of human creation such as technology and the power and operations of spirits and powers, elemental, and angelic.  

THE FRUIT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 

As we stated at the beginning, the Christian Faith is an Invitation to God and Newness of Life determined and based upon the Divine Nature through trust in and obedience of God via Faith in Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Now, the New Life is determined on one part by the Living Power and Gracious Works of the Spirit of Christ indwelling the Born Again believer  (Rom. 8:1-11) and on another by the Spirit and Life Working Power of the Word of God as ministered by the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 3:18).  

There is yet, another dimension of the New Life, the exercise of Faith in Christ, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The combined effect is to produce a life of holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, and godliness in and after Jesus Christ. Another characteristic of Faith of the Christian Faith is the Spirit and Power of Suffering, Patience, Endurance, Resistance, Enduring Faith, and Hope in Jesus Christ unto the end (2nd Timothy 3:1-2, 7-15; Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 11:33-40). 

Narration 1st Peter 1:1-9 

We are elected to the foreknowledge of God unto a lively hope, on things not seen yet profound as promised in the Word and to a City, a state of being, nature, and life—not built with  hands, which we meanwhile earnestly contend for, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 13). Please study Hebrews 13. 

FAITH FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD 

Let me end by a brief consideration of Faith for the Kingdom of God.  Soon Jesus Comes.  His reward awaits us if we faint not and turn not back. The Kingdom of God is a realm of existence where the Sovereignty, Dominion, the Reign, and Rule of God is the accepted norm and reigning reality. To subscribe to the Kingdom of God on earth demands these three things: 

a. Denial of and Dead to Self in the denunciation of the Human system as being of no hope and no glory. 

b. Denunciation and Separation from the Human system and its glory.  We are in the world, but we are not of it.  Delight with the world, the rudiments, and glory thereof, is enmity with God and death.  Delight not, at least worship not Graven Images (Isaiah 42:8-10; Acts 17:24-31) 

c. Denunciation of, Separation from, and Battle with Satan, the Power, Dominion, and Glory of Satan in human, earthly and world affairs. 

CONCLUSION 

The Christian Faith is a Spirit System—determined, structured, and glorified in Christ, propelled by the Word of God, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Christ is the abiding Spirit, entity, Reigning, and Ruling reality of the FAITH. 

Anything outside this is NOT of the Faith, and cannot establish one in the holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, godliness, and therefore, the Kingdom of God (Romans 3:20-31). The Christian Faith justifies by Faith in Christ, the Truth of the Scriptures, and Hope in the Holy Spirit—not by law, theories or by works.  Principles and Theories are of the human creature order, not the Divine order. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the Law.  Salvation is by Grace through Faith not by law, not by work, not by principles nor theories, not keys as such. 

Salvation is a finished enterprise. It is the testimony and proclamation of Christ, and the message of the faith: “It is Finished” saith the LORD.  We enter into the spiritual system of the Faith by agreement, acceptance, and entry into the finished work through belief and trust in the Word of God or the Voice of God for that matter. To receive Salvation, to Work the Works of God, to enter into the Divine Nature, Rest, and Glory of God is by Trust in the Voice of God.  Faith is Spirit available in and received from Jesus Christ, ignited, and transmitted through the Word of God—sealed and settled by the Holy Spirit.  Faith of the Faith is not the working of the human spirit. It is a factor of utter dependence on the Word of God. On the other hand, the earthly or worldly system of faith, power, and glory in the human system and natural order is sealed, committed either to the grave or corruption, decay, and extinction. There is no permanency in the faith of the world order. 

Trust in God through Faith in Jesus Christ and the Voice of God is the open door of redemption, restoration, eternal life, and glory accessible in the Christian Faith. 

In this respect, there is this One Truth we must emphasize. The tragedy of the human story started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided to break loose from God, be independent and free, work out, self-sustaining works, and rise to glory equal to God.  Man rejected the Commandment of God and went out to establish a new order for himself outside God. The Fall, exit from the Garden of Eden, Loss Glory, and Loss of opportunity of access to the Tree of Life became the prevailing order. To return to the “Adamic order” in the name of the Christian Faith is a deception and delusion.  The Christian Faith cancels all this, opens a door to Divine Glory and Heavenly Order on Earth. 

The Spirit of Faith in and from Christ Jesus is the key to the Heavenly City and God Kingdom Order. But there is this proviso—obedience of the commandments of God.  It is obedience that will help propel the believer to regain right of access to the Tree of Life and Entry into the Gates of the City. And what is the gate to the Heavenly City —the Heavenly Jerusalem—Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:16-19; John 10:9-10).  Upon this Rock— that is Faith in Me Christ, I will build the Church, and give the Church power to Minister Redemption, Restoration, and Entrance to the heavenly gate.   

It is worth reminding ourselves that disobedience to the Commandments of God is where Adam and Eve failed.  This led to the fall and world order of Satanic rebellion and the Human Disobedience.  Disobedience as we are told is the reigning and ruling spirit in the world, and for that matter the hallmark of the worldly order (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:9-11; Ephesians 2:1-5).   

The spirit of Man unless regenerated, submitted, and surrendered to Christ is under the spell and charm of disobedience and the power of the prince of the power of the air. The nature, desires, and law of the flesh is by definition enmity with God, and hence, under the wrath of God.  

However, the Christ Spirit in the believer is a Spirit of Obedience and Righteousness walking, working and depending upon the Spirit of Christ in the believer under the direction of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit can yield the fruit of obedience and righteousness and hence, access to the Tree of Life.  Christ Is the key to the Gates of the Heavenly City (John 14:6). 

Let us remind ourselves finally of the key scriptures of the Faith: 

• John 3:16 – The Love and Gift of God. 

• Acts 16:31 – The Command to Believe. 

• John 14:6; 10:9–10 – The Way and the Door. 

• John 5:24–25; 11:25–26 – The Transition from Death to Life. 

• Matt. 16:16–19 – The Revelation and the Keys. 

• Rev. 22:12–14 – The Reward and the Tree of Life. 

COME, LET US ENTER into CHRIST, The SPIRIT and GATE to Heaven, the Abiding Reality of God the Creator. 

14th December 2004