Intro.
          A. How do you measure your faith?
               — “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
          B. Why were some men & women in the Bible mighty of God?
               — they practiced faith, which led to…
               — they repented of their sins, which led to…
               — they practiced faith, which led to…
               — they focused on what they could do and grow to do, rather than on what they could no longer do
          C. Why were some men & women in the Bible “bench warmers” for God?
               — some refused to study the rules and “drills,” and so were useless for “play”
               — some refused to come to the “practices,” and so were useless for “play”
               — some refused to come to the “games,” and so were useless for “play”
               — some refused to leave the “bench”, and so were useless for “play”

     I. God
          A. He Is
               1. the fool says there is no God – Psalm 14:1; 53:1
               2. heavens declare the glory of God – Psalm 19:1; 97:6
               3. nature reveals His existence – Romans 1:20-21
          B. Five possible responses to this fact
               1. refuse to accept
               2. accept, but refuse to consider
               3. accept & consider, but refuse to act
               4. accept, consider, and act to please oneself
               5. accept, consider, and act to please God

     II. Word (of God)
          A. Communicates information, thoughts, and feelings – 1 Corinthians 2:7-13
          B. From the inventor of communication
               1. Genesis 1:1-3
               2. Psalm 33:6-9
          C. Alive and powerful – Hebrews 4:12
          D. Dwells & authorizes – Colossians 3:16-17
          E. Able to save – James 1:21
          F. The church is to proclaim it
               1. 1 Thessalonians 1:8
               2. Ephesians 3:10-11
               3. 2 Timothy 4:1-5
          G. Those who despise it will be destroyed – Proverbs 13:13-14; 16:20-21

     III. Hearing (successful)
          A. With attention – Isaiah 40:21
          B. To observe – Deuteronomy 6:4
          C. To understand – Matthew 15:10
          D. To please God; to learn what He accepts – Ephesians 5:8-21
          E. To abound more and more – Philippians 4:1-2
          F. Must implant and do the word – Matthew 7:21-29; James 1:21-25

     IV. Faith (successful)
          A. Has zeal, but according to true knowledge
               1. Romans 10:1-3,8-11
               2. Hebrews 11:1
               3. c.f. Romans 8:38-39
          B. Is active & working
               1. Romans 4:20-5:2
               2. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
               3. Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:11-16
               4. Philippians 1:27-28; 2:1-4,12-16
               5. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4
               6. James 2:14-26
               7. Hebrews chapter 11
          C. Is aware of our potential to stumble & sin
               1. against oneself & Christ – Galatians 3:1-3, 6:2-3; James 1:5-8                    
               2. against the brethren & Christ – 1 Corinthians 8:11-12; Galatians 2:11-16; Ephesians 4:25-30
               3. requires mutual confession and forgiveness – Galatians 6:1; James 5:13-20

     Conclusion:  natural law of spiritual world is “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
          — we measure our faith by how we are hearing the word of God