Faith, Hope, and Love

When everything else walks out, faith, hope, and love walks in.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

This verse is taken from a chapter on love as well as a chapter on life. 

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (MSG)

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

This letter was written to Corinth from Paul.  Corinth was known for polishing metals to make mirrors in the ancient world.   

When Faith, Hope, and Love are used to view our circumstances, it clears everything up like that polish on those ancient mirrors.

Faith, Hope, and Love do not have an expiration date.  They are permanent.  You can build your life upon these three.

Grab hold of these three to help you handle your life because they will last.  Let's talk about Faith today.

Hebrews 11:1 (NET Bible)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.

Faith is mentioned 355 times in the Bible.   

1.  Faith is choosing to believe that God will do what He says that He will do.

  

2.  Faith is believing when we do not yet see it. 

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NET Bible)

7 for we live by faith, not by sight.

You can put your life into the hands of a God you cannot see because He is there.  

3. Faith is obeying even when we don't understand it.  

Don't let disobedient people discourage you.  

4.  Faith is worshiping even when you don't feel like it.  We live by revelation and not by reason. 

5.  Faith is giving even when we don't have it yet.

We can give things like time, love, and friendliness. 

Acts 20:35 (NET Bible)

 ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

7. Faith is trusting even when it hurts.  

Hebrews 11:39-40  (NET Bible)

39 And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. 

40 For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.

God is going to work good in our lives no matter what happens. 

Romans 8:28 (NET Bible)

28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Dino Rizzo, Church of the Highlands
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/faith-is