BELOVED, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3).

Ever since Jude wrote these words, we have been contending with one another over which doctrines are the best, and how very contentious we have been! And we all have used this same scripture as authority for our efforts to divide the Body of Christ and establish our particular brand of doctrine as "The Faith". But I declare to you today that The Faith Jude is speaking of here is not a set of doctrines or beliefs, but it is a living, powerful, dynamic faith that will move mountains and destroy kingdoms, bind devils and bring order out of the chaos of this present world!

HEROES OF FAITH

Turn to the 11th chapter of Hebrews and see a list of men and women who moved by faith. Here are weak frail humans like you and me, who by their faith stormed the citadels of hell, opened prison doors and set the captives free. They performed the will of God and made a mockery of Satan's hordes, many times laying down their lives in the process. . by faith! By faith they were translated and escaped the cold clutching fingers of death. By faith they built an ark prepared for the judgment that came upon the earth, and escaped the floods of God's wrath. By faith they moved in strange lands, ever following the leading of the Spirit of God, seeking the promises of God in a world gone mad with material wealth and comforts. It was by faith they defied kings, opened up the sea, brought down the walls of the city, subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, put armies to flight ... and suffered persecution beyond measure! It was not some doctrines or legalistic beliefs that gave them power to do this, but it was something placed in their hearts by the Holy Ghost.... a glorious, mighty living faith that exploded in the midst of Satan's plans like a hydrogen bomb in a village square ! These people were not victorious because they were the strongest people on earth, or the wisest, or the richest. They conquered because they moved in a realm unknown to the ungodly people of this world, they moved by that invisible spiritual thing known as FAITH. Yet for all this, and in spite of all these glorious exploits of faith, they did not have that faith that Jude was writing about, that faith that was "once and for all" delivered unto the saints.

SOME BETTER THING

After recounting the marvelous things their faith had accomplished for these Old Testament men and women, Hebrews 11:39 goes on to tell us: "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE: God having provided some BETTER THING FOR US, that they without us should not be MADE PERFECT." Yes, their faith brought them to great heights in God, but it was still lacking. . it could not perfect them. It could not bring them THE PROMISE. The Word says plainly that coming to perfection, and receiving the promise had to wait until God brought us to that "better thing" which He had provided for us. Now, what is this "better thing"? What is it that is better than the faith which O. T. saints manifested in their victorious lives? The same subject is continued right on into the 12th chapter, and here we find the answer . . .

"JESUS THE AUTHOR"

After speaking of these faith witnesses, and the stripping of ourselves that we might run this race that is set before us .... "Looking unto JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH" . . . That word, author, means "leader" or "originator". Glory to God! The faith that was once delivered to the saints did not begin with Abel, or Noah, or Moses, or Joshua or any of the O. T. saints. Mighty though their faith was, it did not in any way compare with that which Jesus introduced into the world, that faith which He authored or originated and delivered to His Church. This is a far higher realm of faith than was ever known to man, and it was this faith that destroyed the power of Satan and put him to open shame. It was this faith of Jesus that continually caused havoc in hell's program, overthrew thrones and principalities, destroyed the power of death and hell and put all enemies under His feet! At the time Jude wrote his epistle he found it "needful" to write and exhort them to contend for this faith, for he found it lacking in their midst. Only 33 years after the resurrection of Jesus and the pouring out of the Spirit upon the Church, and already men had crept in unawares and began to destroy the purity of this faith. But this was all in the preordained purposes of God, for it was in the last days that this great faith, this faith of Jesus, should be the means used in bringing in the Kingdom of God and putting all enemies under the feet of the Body of Christ!

THE FAITH OF JESUS

Jesus was the greatest man of faith the world has ever seen. No one ever had to move by faith as He did, for in His coming to this earth He was stripped of all His powers of deity and was made in the likeness of man, "in all things" made like unto us. He was as weak and helpless as any man, yet all the powers of hell were arrayed against Him to destroy Him. So there came unto Him a faith . . . a faith that was worlds beyond anything man had known before. But it was a faith that He was making available to His own elect, His Body, after He demonstrated it in actual combat against the forces of hell and earth. It was a faith which made perfect. It was a faith that gave man dominion once again over all God's creation, and regained what Adam had lost.

DOMINION OVER NATURE

In Psalms 8, God declares that He made man to have dominion over all His creation. Hebrews, chapter 2, tells us that we do not yet see this in effect, but we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor, for by this glorious faith He obtained dominion. Then He delivered this Faith on to us that we too might rule and reign with Him and sit down with Him on His Throne. In Mark 4:35-41 we read of the story of Jesus and the disciples crossing the sea of Galilee on their way to Gadara. While Jesus slept, a great storm arose and the waves filled the ship. Those experienced seamen had never been in such a storm, and they finally gave up all hope. They woke Jesus with the news that they were about to perish. Verses 39-40: "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no FAITH?" It was not doctrines they were lacking.... it was not a set of beliefs . . . but it was that dynamic, living, perfecting FAITH! They had no control over the violent forces of nature at her worst, because this dominion only comes to man through this Faith of Jesus! Then they said to one another: "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Glory to God, I'll tell you what manner of man He is. . . the same kind of man that He is going to make of every one of us who follow in His footsteps and are conformed to His image.. A man of Faith! For when He spoke to the wind and waves, He did not speak with deity powers as God the Creator, but He spoke with the voice of faith as the Son of God, whose sons we also are. For deity powers are not available to us, but this power of faith is available. And men are once again contending for this faith which was once delivered unto the saints. And this is the hour, dear ones, when by faith, this faith of Jesus . . . which He authored or originated .... weak frail humans shall gain dominion over the physical universe, over principalities and spiritual powers, and shall rule and reign as kings and priests on the earth! For in Mark 11:22 Jesus says: "Have faith in God." The margin of my Bible says this reads in the original, "Have the faith of God." And Jesus goes on to say that with this faith of God mountains shall be cast into the sea at your word, and you shall have whatsoever you saith! What a tremendous statement and promise! Only God could back that up! With all their big talk, no one is producing such as this today. But Jesus did . . . and He delivered this power to His own. And in these last days this life and faith of Jesus shall be manifest in mortal bodies. Look at the story of the fig tree: Mark 11:12, "And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, HE WAS HUNGRY. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves;" Matthew 21:18-19, "Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."

Notice that he came to this tree as a MAN. He came to it because he was hungry. He came in faith expecting to receive nourishment. Being disappointed in this, He spoke this word of faith . . . and the fig tree withered away. An unbearing, unthinking piece of God's physical creation . . . yet the power and force of this word of faith took effect. This faith cannot be denied! In verse 21 Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples: "Verily I say unto you, IF YE HAVE FAITH . . . " that they could not only speak to the fig tree, but also move mountains. Yes, He moved by faith, and then told His disciples that this faith was also available to them.

OVER EVERY CREATURE

Jesus demonstrated the dominion of this Faith over the creatures that dwell on this earth. Let us take an example or two. In Luke, chapter 5. we have a remarkable story of Jesus' ability as a fishermen. As He was teaching on the seashore one day, the people pressed in on Him so much that He got into Simon Peter's ship and asked him to get just far enough from the shore to where He could speak to the people and teach them. When He finished speaking He told Simon to let down the nets (plural) for a catch of fish. Simon answered that they had toiled all night and caught nothing. Furthermore they were washing their nets. Nevertheless, because Jesus requested it, Simon let down one net (singular). What happened? Fish came from everywhere and swam into that net, so that it was overloaded and broke. They got help from another ship, and filled both ships so full of fish that they sank lower in the water. This greatly amazed and even terrified Simon, for this was not the time for fishing, it was not the place, nor was it the proper procedure. Yet the fish were there. . . because of the dominion this Man of Faith had over nature. Another case .... In Matthew 17:27 we find that Peter had told the collectors that Jesus would pay them tribute. Then Jesus told Peter to cast a hook into the sea (didn't even bait it) and the first fish that came up would have a piece of money in its mouth which he should use to pay the tribute. If you think you have this faith, try that sometime when it's time to pay your taxes! God's purpose in man is that he should have dominion over all creation.

DEVILS TREMBLE AT THIS FAITH

The cases are too numerous to try to enumerate the times when Jesus took dominion over demons, afflictions, sicknesses, even death. But everywhere that He went devils were exposed and fled from their human habitations. Everyone who came to Him desiring help received complete deliverance! In Mark, chapter 5, we see Jesus coming to Gadara where there met him a man out of the tombs whom no man had been able to tame. A wild man, filled with a legion of devils. A stronghold of Satan. Perhaps you have met people, religious or otherwise, whom you recognized to be a stronghold of satanic forces, a habitation of evil spirits. Well, friends, here was a strong tower of demons, a walled city of evil spirits entrenched behind the man's helpless demonic possession. He was hardly able to present himself for help. Yet at the word of Jesus, the man of Faith, these demon powers left this vessel never to return again. Praise God! I know every preacher reading this has longed for the power to set such poor people free from their bondage. Well, friends, it comes by FAITH. The faith of Jesus. Contend for this faith. It is yours . .. He has delivered it to the saints. Now is the time to rise and lay hold upon it. Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the Word of God. Now that you have heard of this glorious inheritance, the door is open to go in and possess it. Rise up, saints of God! Your light is come, and the time for the Glory of the Lord to shine upon thee is come! Never was there a day as the day in which we are living. All God's purposes in this creation are to be climaxed in this great Day of the Lord!

DEATH OVERCOME BY FAITH

Three times Jesus raised people from the dead before His own resurrection. Let me tell you, beloved, it took faith for this young Galilean preacher to stop a funeral procession with all its solemnity and its sorrow of heart as the poor widow mother was taking her son to the tombs. What criticism was heaped upon Him as He intruded upon the poor woman's grief. But His compassion reached out to her, and His faith demanded action! The criticism turned to wonder as the young man got up from the funeral bier and was delivered back to his mother. How the people laughed Him to scorn when He declared that Jairus' daughter would live. But she did. In answer to His all conquering faith. What a fool He would have been, what ignomy and shame would have resulted had not Lazarus answered His summons from the open door of the tomb. What if there had been only the sickening stench of dead flesh to greet the bereaved sisters ? Oh, but friends, with this Faith in operation there are NO "ifs". It does not fit into circumstances, it creates circumstances! By the power of this faith He arose from the tomb victorious over death, hell, and the grave. By the power of this same faith, operating through His glorious Body, shall other graves be opened and saints of all ages arise victoriously! Death is defeated! Faith is the victor! Open your hearts to receive the full measure of this faith. With the coming of the Holy Spirit we received the first-fruits of our inheritance. And with this came a "measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). But God's eternal purpose for those whom He hath chosen is that we might receive "the Spirit without measure',, and with that comes this measureless faith of Jesus.

Wake up, saints! Lift up your heads and rejoice, for the time of your full salvation is at hand. You "Who are kept by the power of God through FAITH unto salvation ready to be revealed IN THE LAST TIME. " (I Peter 1:5) .... The unveiling, or revelation, or appearing of our Christ is at hand.

TO THE THRONE BY FAITH

Don't listen to the voice of unbelief that would try to say that Jesus overcame because He was God, therefore we do not have a chance. He laid aside those glorious robes of deity and was made a human like us. He overcame because He moved by faith and obedience. He constantly repeated that He could do nothing of Himself, only as He received of the Father. . He received instruction from the Father through the Spirit, and by faith He moved to fulfil those instructions. Outside of faith He had no guarantee that it would work, for He had no power of His own. You who are waiting until you can see and know before you move in God . . . let me tell you that you will never come into God's best until you begin to move by faith! That "better thing" that God has provided for us to bring us to perfection. As we contend for this faith and move in to possess it, not only we, but the saints of all ages also shall find that glorious realm of eternal perfection in Him. Yes, He rose to the Throne of God by faith.

Jesus did not wait until after death to ascend to a place of dominion and rulership. By faith He believed it was for Him here and now, and by faith He entered into it right here on this earth in His earthly life. So shall we follow Him. The children of faith shall lay hold of the throne on this side of the grave, claim our rightful inheritance, and cheat death from his prey! There are many enemies to be overcome yet, death being the last enemy to be put under our feet (I Corinthians 15:26). But our faith shall conquer them all and gain us "the promise". For the faith of Hebrews 12:2 is far greater then the O. T. faith of Hebrews 11. It is a different realm altogether, it is a realm of dominion and perfection, "without measure". Glory be to Jesus for a God who designed such a glorious victory! Fear not, for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!

FAITH WITHOUT MEASURE

I can hear some saying: "But Brother Bill, we have faith, even to having dominion over the forces of nature. Why, we prayed for rain, and it rained. We rebuked a hurricane and it veered off and missed our city. We even spoke to a raging tornado and it lifted from the earth. Is this not dominion?" Yes, this is the first-fruits of what I am talking about. And we thank God for every case where God's people have overcome by their faith. I also have many cases such as these that I could report, as many as most men. But the greatest men of faith today are operating only in a measure of faith, according to the anointing of the Spirit upon them. This is not enough. Let us face the facts. With all our exploits we are not getting the job done. Some men recognize this and give up in the fight, falling back on the old false theory that we should just leave this old sin cursed world and let the devil have it. Faith will not hear to such a solution. Faith will overcome. Faith will put all enemies under our feet and deliver this whole creation from the bondage of corruption. This kind of faith will bring on the manifestation of the sons of God! It will take faith without measure to win total victory. Jesus could not have won the victory over death, hell, and the grave, putting all the forces of Satan to an open shame with only a measure of faith or a first-fruits of the Spirit. He was filled with the fulness of God, the fulness of faith without measure. Just as surely as He had this, so shall it come to His Body. He is our Pattern. It MUST come! All hell cannot prevent it, neither the doubts and arguments of ten thousand modernistic preachers! Glory to God, children, look up, for your redemption draweth nigh!

Chapter 10