by Dr. Larry Ollison, Ph.D. 

Once I sat through a worship service where several thousand were in attendance.  The preacher gave an inspiring message about alcohol. For an hour he preached. He had good illustrations and stories. In fact, it was one of the most informative messages on alcohol I had ever heard. The only problem was, when it was over, I didn’t know if he was for it or against it. But he sure was a good speaker.

Second Timothy 3:5 says in the last days men will have a form of godliness but deny its power. Verse 7 says that they will always be learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is the way many Christians are today. They attend church meeting after church meeting, but it’s only a form of godliness. They seem to always be learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

As Christians we must never forget the reason for assembling ourselves together. Yes, fellowship is important. Yes, we need to have dinners and fund-raisers for the needy. Yes, we need each other, but, we must not forget the real reason we assemble. We must never forget that the church is a place of worship and a place where we learn about our Savior and hear the Word so that faith can be built up in us. 

As ministers we must remember that we are to preach the Word. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are to build faith within the church. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Earlier in the same chapter in verse 14 it says, “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” 

In Luke 18:8 Jesus asked this question. He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” When Jesus returns, He will not be looking for ice-cream and bingo cards. He will be looking for faith.

Once a man asked me, “How will Jesus be able to tell if faith is here?” Well, the answer may surprise you, but never the less it’s quite simple.

The world we live in is the created world. It had a beginning and it will have an end. The spirit realm, however, existed before the creation of the earth. It exists now. And it will exist throughout all eternity. 

According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is a substance. A substance has size and shape and can be seen. For example, when the four men brought their sick friend to Jesus, they had to let their sick friend down through the roof because of the crowd. The Bible says in Mark 2:5 that Jesus looked at them and saw their faith. In the spirit realm, faith can be seen.

When Jesus returns, He will be looking for faith. Do you have faith? Well, if you don’t, it would be a good idea to get some. But, where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”