5  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

6  And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Fact-finding re God’s promises is the basis of  Biblical faith; it is NOT a leap in the dark, but a step into the Light of the Truth

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (cf 1Thess 1:3 2Thess 1:11 work of faith)

Ask, Adjust, Act as if: Ask God to fulfill His promises; Adjust your sights according to His will; Act as if He's answered "yes"

Rom 14:5 Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 23  But he who doubts is condemned …for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Internalization – Visualization through repeated prayer and Biblical fellowship (models) until God’s values are your values (Rom 12:1-2)

Romans 4:20  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,

Take action to live according to the Transforming Truth, fulfilling our prerequisites to blessing, then maintain and WAIT

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

Hang on to your hope of God’s goodness, grace, and wisdom through hell and high water, because it will be tested (1Pt 1)

A. Expectant Faith “brings into being” our hope, therefore we expectantly, diligently seek what God promised, as did those praised in Heb 11

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance (Confidence; underlying reality 1:3; 3:14) of things hoped for, the evidence/conviction (Reproof=brings to light; well-spring) of things not seen. 2  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Mk 9:22b if You can do anything…help us." 23  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

Mt 9:29 "According to your faith let it be to you."  Mt 15:28 "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire."

Mt 8:10 Jesus marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

Mt 9:2 they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "…your sins are forgiven”

Acts 14:9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

Mt 17:20 (21:21) "Because of your unbelief…if you have faith as a mustard seed…it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you

Ro 4:20  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform

Dan 11:32…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits

B. Expectant prayer Jer 33:3  ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

1Jo 3:22 whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Mt 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Mr 11:24  "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Mt 21:22 …believing, you will receive. Jn 15:7 abide in Me, My words abide in you, ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Jn 16:24  "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…

Jas 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

C. Expectant Promises: Mt 6:33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 19 my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus

2Co 9:8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work

   Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

1Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Heb 6:10 God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

   1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

2Co 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Isa 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

   Ps 27:14  Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How does expectant faith differ from receptive-contented faith? How does one find the balance?

2. What’s the difference between believing God for salvation, rewards, things, & ministry? How does that show up in one’s life?

3. Why does God respond to faith? What would cause Him not to respond? Why would we not respond to His promises?

4. How do you know what promises are applicable to you? What happens if you believe God for the “wrong” thing?

5. For what are you believing God this year that will clearly result in His glory? What would prevent it from happening?