June 5 2016 Living What You Believe

The Apostle's Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

• Wasn't written by the apostles
• Is not Scripture
• Was used to distinguish orthodoxy from heresy

FOUR QUESTIONS OF BELIEF

1. ASK: WHAT DO I BELIEVE?

"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups." — 2 Corinthians 13:5

2. ASK: ON WHAT ARE MY BELIEFS BASED ?

"An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth; fools feed on fast-food fads and fancies." - Proverbs 15:14

"Truth stands the test of time; lies are here today, gone tomorrow." - Proverbs 12:19

3. ASK: DOES MY BEHAVIOR MATCH MY BELIEFS?

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. - James 2:17

4. ASK: HOW WILL I LIVE OUT WHAT I BELIEVE ?

"Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13

"Fool! When will you ever learn that 'believing' is useless without doing what God wants you to? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith." - James 2:20

My Beliefs Determine:

• MY BEHAVIOR

(James 4:17; Psalm 119:59)_

• MY SIGNIFICANCE

(Genesis 1:27; John 10:10; John 8:31-32; Mark 6:34)

• MY ETERNITY

(John 5:24; John 3:16-17)

"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

August 12 2012 How To Have Real Christian Faith

How To Have Real Christian Faith

Vs. 17 - Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead.

Who is right, James or Paul? They both are.

Paul (Gal. 2:16)    &   James (James 2:24)
Problem    Legalism                     Laxity
Works       Jewish Laws               Christian Lifestlye
Focus        Root of Salvation       Fruit of Salvation
(internal/unseen)        (external/seen)
Purpose    How to Know             How to show
I’m a Christian            I’m a Christian


Ephesians 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, for a life of good works which God has already prepared for us to do.

What Is Real Faith?
1. Real faith is not just something you say.
Vs. 14 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

2. Real faith is not just something you feel.
Vs. 15-16 - Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
1 John 3:17 - If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Vs. 17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.

3.  Real faith is not just something you think.
Vs. 18 - But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without your deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

4.  Real faith is not just something you believe.
Vs. 19 - You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.

5.  Real faith is something you do.

Illustrations: Two Very Different People

• Abraham (Vs. 20-24)

• Rahab (Vs. 25)

II Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves.