In this inspiring message we study how to live a life of faith by understanding some of the key foundations of faith and how faith brings transformation to our lives so we live as conquerors and overcomers.

1. Life of Faith from First to Last
Rom 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of
God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith
from first to last, just as it is written: “The
righteous will live by faith.”

2. Life of Faith from First to Last
1. Faith—what is it?
2. Faith brings pleasure & amazement to God
3. Faith comes first, understanding follows
4. Faith brings Transformation
4 (a) Transformation begins and ends with Resting with God
4 (b) Transformation makes you an Overcomer
4 (c) Transformation makes you More than Conquerors

3. 1. Faith — what is it?
Heb 11:1-3 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and
assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the
ancients were commended for.3 By faith we understand that
the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is
seen was not made out of what was visible.
(a) Description of Faith (v1)
(b)Honour associated with Faith (v2)
(c) See and do all things through faith — faith is not blind (v3)

4. 1 (a) Description of Faith — v1
(i) The Greek word translated "confidence” (NIV) or “substance” (KJV)
actually means literally "to stand under, to support." Faith is to a
Christian what a foundation is to a house: it gives confidence to a
person that he will stand. So, you might say, "Faith is the absolute
confidence in what we hope for".
(ii) The Greek word translated “assurance” (NIV) or “evidence” (KJV)
actually means to be convinced deeply without a doubt inside our
hearts. So, you might say, "Faith is being deeply assured inside our
hearts of we hope for".
Combining the above: Faith is being absolutely confident and deeply
assured inside our hearts of what we hope for (given in God’s word)

5. 1 (c) Faith is not blind — v3
• Faith enables us to understand what and how God does
everything because that’s the way God created the visible
universe from nothing (invisible)—all through His word.
• Therefore, faith enables us to see what others cannot see
[e.g. Heb 11:7 Noah]—remember, faith is not blind but can
see the unseen.
• As a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do!

6. 2. Faith brings pleasure & amazement to God
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he
rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to
the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great
faith even in Israel.”
(regarding the Centurion whose servant was sick at home)

7. 3. Faith comes first, then understanding follows
It begins with Surrender to Jesus
Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed
at God’s command. . . .
2 Cor 3:14-16 But their minds were made dull, for to this day
the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has
not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken
away.15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their
hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is
taken away.

8. 4. Faith brings Transformation
2 Cor 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces
contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
v17: The Holy Spirit frees us from condemnation and tenderly
witnesses to us that we are children of the Father
v18: The veil is removed to enable us to contemplate the Lord’s glory
(the Father heart of God) and be transformed into His image.

9. 4(a) Transformation begins and ends with
Resting in God
1 John 2: 12 & 14
I am writing to you, dear
children, because your
sins have been forgiven
on account of his name
(v12) and have known the
Father (v14)
Ps 23: 1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack
nothing. He makes me lie down
in green pastures, he leads me
beside quiet waters, he refreshes
my soul. He guides me along the
right paths for his name’s sake.

10. 4 (a) Transformation occurs due to Grace as you rest in God
(after you surrender to Jesus)
Grace favours you without having to work for it (Father loves
you as much as He loves Jesus)
• John 17:23 (You), have loved them even as you have loved me (also John 15:9)
Grace transforms you to become like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18)
Grace empowers you to be all that God designed for you
• Eph 3:7-8 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me
through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God's
people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ (also Rom 1:5, 1Cor 15:10)

11. Abundant provision of Grace — 4 (a) Contd.
Grace enables us to Reign in Life (Rom 5:17)
Rom 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through
that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant
provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through
the one man, Jesus Christ!
Sources of Grace:
i. Word of God (Ps 45:2, John 7:45-46, John 6:63,68, Luke 10:41-42)
ii. Partaking the Lord’s Supper worthily (1 Cor 10:16, 11:28-30)
iii. Honouring a righteous person (Matt 10:40-42)
iv. Encouragement (Eph 4:29)

12. 4 (b) Transformation makes you an Overcomer
in the midst of trouble
1 John 2:13-14
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong, and the
word of God lives in you, and you
have overcome the evil one (vv 13
& 14)
Ps 23:4-5
Even though I walk through the
darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and
your staff, they comfort me. You
prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies. You
anoint my head with oil; my
cup overflows (vv 4-5).

13. 4 (b) An overcomer in the midst of trouble –
(contd.)
Jeremiah 32:38-41 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I
will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always
fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them.
40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop
doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will
never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will
assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for you
Rev 12:11They triumphed over him [overcame] by the blood of the
Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so
much as to shrink from death.

14. 4 (c) Transformation will make you
More than Conquerors
1 John 2:13 & 14
I write to you, fathers, because you
know him who is from the beginning
Ps 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will
follow me all the days of my life, and I
will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us.
2 Cor 4:13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that
same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak.
Numbers 23:21 “No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel.
The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.