FAITH 2.0 – DYLAN JAHNIG
Scriptures:
Genesis 15:1-6 NIV
Genesis 16:1-4 NIV
Isaiah 59:19 NKJV
Isaiah 49:22 NKJV
Romans 10: 8-9 NIV
Matthew 28:18 NIV
Romans 8:16 NKJV
Isaiah 11:10 NKJV
Points:
1. Faith raises the standard of our conviction
2. Faith raises the standard of our confession
3. Faith raises the standard of Authority
4. Jesus is THE STANDARD
“When doors close. When things don’t make sense. When we fail. When people fail us. When we’re disappointed. When were devastated by this life…
What do we make of FAITH, then?”
Faith lifts the standard.
“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19 NKJV
“Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, and set up My standard for the peoples; they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.”” Isaiah 49:22 NKJV
A standard in the Old Testament = a banner of flag
Used often within military terminology/ stories of war – banner or flag raised up on a pole for the soldiers to see above the chaos of war.
Faith (belief, confidence, assurance) in Jesus LIFTS A STANDARD over our lives.
1. FAITH RAISES THE STANDARD OF OUR CONVICTION
Hebrews 11:1-3 (AMP)
Conviction = confidence in His truth, His promises, His call, His words – despite the circumstances that we see with our physical eyes.
What is your conviction? At some point, we will be challenged in our convictions for ourselves.
Especially when the chips are down and the odds are stacked against us) FAITH RAISES OUR CONVICTION to believe that even though we cannot see it with our physical eyes, IT IS SO.
2. FAITH RAISES THE STANDARD OF OUR CONFESSION
When we boldly declare, by faith, the gospel here on earth, heaven responds in a bold way towards us.
Romans 10:8-9
Our confession brings completion to our belief and causes us to ACT in submission and obedience to the Lord.
Words create worlds.
Our confession BY FAITH is the privilege we have of being partners with Jesus and His redemptive work. By faith, we can look at our impossible circumstances and say WHO ARE YOU GREAT MOUNTAIN THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BOW LOW?
3. FAITH RAISES THE STANDARD OF OUR AUTHORITY
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18
JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY. Which means we do, too. How do we know this?
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” Romans 8:16
We inherit what is HIS – ALL AUTHORITY
What does Jesus have authority over?
Death, sin, shame, sickness, defeat…
By faith, A STANDARD of AUTHORITY is raised in our lives.
4. JESUS IS THE STANDARD
Isaiah 59 – “When the enemy comes like a flood, THE LORD RAISES the STANDARD”
Isaiah 11:10 – “the root of Jesse – a banner to the people”
Who is the one who will raise the standard?
JESUS. BECAUSE HE IS THE STANDARD. A banner of victory.
He was raised up on the cross, taking on the failure, sin, death and shame of all of humanity and burying it in the grave forever. Conquering it all with His resurrection power.
BY FAITH HE BECOMES THE STANDARD IN OUR LIVES.
Faith is not a special insight, ability or power to do something. FAITH IS A GIFT given to us by God so that Jesus – the STANDARD – will be raised over our lives, and in Him, we take hold of everything that is our inheritance.
Discussion Questions
1. Faith Raises the Standard of Our Conviction (Hebrews 11:1-3):
– How would you define “conviction” in the context of faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1-3? Share a personal experience where your faith raised the standard of your conviction, allowing you to believe in something despite challenging circumstances.
2. Faith Raises the Standard of Our Confession (Romans 10:8-9):
– Discuss the relationship between faith and confession, as mentioned in Romans 10:8-9. How does our confession impact our beliefs and actions? Share a time when boldly declaring your faith had a significant impact on your perspective or situation.
3. Faith Raises the Standard of Our Authority (Matthew 28:18, Romans 8:16):
– Reflect on the idea that as believers, we inherit the authority of Christ. How does this realisation impact the way we approach challenges and difficulties?
– In what areas of your life do you need to remind yourself of the authority you have in Christ? How can faith raise the standard of authority in those areas?
4. Jesus is THE STANDARD (Isaiah 59, Isaiah 11:10):
– Discuss the concept that Jesus is the standard, raised like a banner over our lives. How does this imagery resonate with you? How can we maintain faith as a gift and actively allow Jesus to be the standard over our lives, especially in times of disappointment or failure?
THE LINC COLLECTIVE 
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