How would we define Christian faith? What does genuine saving faith really look like? What would make us assured we had the right type of faith? In defining the faith of Christianity, we are given two specific objects which are to be the direction our faith takes; the Person of our God and the revelation of that God through His two means of revealing Himself; creation and His written Word. Faith involves a trust in the God prayed to and the action of praying to this trusted God. We will find the Lord repeatedly acknowledging that true faith in Him includes both trust in His Person and acts of obedience to His Word. In today’s scripture, we find Jesus telling us this truth. Let’s consider two applications from His words.
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
New Testament
Youth Director Jonathan Sole shares an important message about the transforming power of the Gospel. Taking his cue from Titus 2:11-14 Jonathan asserts that you cannot know Christ and NOT be changed. He goes on to outline three ways that the Gospel changes the believer: Positionally in salvation; Practically in conduct; and Permanently as purchased by Christ.
1 Peter 1:1 – To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, A. The Physical Exiles of Peter’s Letter 1 Peter 1:1, Acts 2:7-11 B. The Spiritual Exiles of Christ’s Kingdom 1. Our Identity as exiles, sojourners, strangers 1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13 a. New family status – Our relationship with God: Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians…
Today’s scripture provides the necessary elements for a church to be healthy (Acts 2:42). All of these must be active, alive, and safeguarded if we are to model God’s design for the church He reveals in His Word. There are four identified by Luke. First, there must be the commitment to sound Biblical teaching or doctrine. The next element in a healthy church is fellowship among God’s people. A third element in a healthy church is observance of the Lord’s table – “the breaking of bread.” The final element in a healthy church is a vibrant prayer ministry.
One could and likely should spend significant amount of time pondering the words of Jesus as He hung on the cross. There are seven things He said. The first one revealed His love for sinners. He looked out over the mocking crowd, His weeping mother, saddened disciples, and the curious bystanders and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). In today’s scripture, are the last words He would speak before dying, “It is finished.” Let’s consider two situations we must rely upon the finished work of our Lord Jesus on the cross for our daily walk with Him.
I believe all Christians share two commonalities when it comes to time. First, we complain there just isn’t enough of it. In the frantic pace of life, often self-imposed, we seem to have so much to do and so little time to do it. A second common trait in Christians, actually all humans, is we waste time. Now don’t be quick to defend yourself. We do it. A minute here, a minute there, soon turns into hours. We must fight against the foolish and unwise investment of our most precious resource – time – on things that won’t matter when it comes to that day of all days – our Day of Judgment before the Lord Jesus.