Download What is Faith?

What is Faith?
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“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11
• God is the uncaused Creator and designer of
space, time, and matter. His character is
known through an authentic written record
called the Bible in which he reveals his desire
to have fellowship with us, why we find
ourselves in a dilemma called sin, and how he
has overcome this barrier. A long historical
record of countless people having this
experience precedes us.
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From Reasons for God to Faith in God
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What is Faith is not…
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Faith is not Math
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Faith is not passive observation
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Faith is not a recipe
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Faith is not “I hope so”
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Faith is the means that takes us beyond the wall
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Faith is a mystery. It is both a gift and an act, it is passive and
active, it is partial and complete, it is obedience and
undeserved…it can only be described and even then in part. It
is akin to creation and omnipresence; God can fully
comprehend these, but we cannot
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Faith is not really about us
• “Faith is no more valid than the object in
which it is placed.” (H.S. Schaeffer)
• The Object: “Looking unto Jesus the author
and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12)
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• The Chinese symbol for faith xin also means
trust. The Chinese character for faith shows a
man ("man" radical at left) standing by his
words (at right).
• God to "stand by his words" = trust or faith
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Last day of Classes. Here is your Christianity 101--
Final Exam
• do you see the creator and his creation?
• do you see God’s character in his word?
• do you recognize the problem called sin in
yourself?
• Do you trust God’s Word to have the solution
for you?
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Questions?
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The Marks of Faith
• to realize that God is holy and righteous,
loving, good, and just. “The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)
• to be convinced I have sinned against God and
to realize that I cannot by anything I do or not
do become acceptable to God again “Cursed is
every one that continues not in all things
which are written in the book of the law to do
them.” (Galatians 3)
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The Marks of Faith--2-• To leave sin and to return to God. “I will arise and
go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and before you, and
am no more worthy to be called your son: make
me as one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15)
• to understand that Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
has given his life to save sinners such as I am and
to receive him by faith. “.. Jesus said to him,
Thomas, because you have seen me, you have
believed: blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed. (John 20).
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The Marks of Faith—3-• To begin to live holy, be charitable and to be a
witness for him who gave you faith. “If you
love me, keep my commandments.” “He that
says he abides in him ought himself also so to
walk even as he walked.” (I John 2:6)
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