“FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: Believing” - 9-26-21

 “FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: Believing” - 9-26-21

INTRODUCTION

Fundamentals of the Christian Life

Where do we begin

Hear, believe, repent, confess, baptism, and faithful living

Hearing and listening

I don’t remember not believing.  I do remember not trusting.

VIDEO - Cece Winans “Believe for It” (Official Lyric Video)

I.  BELIEVING

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A.  “Believe” defined

1.  Accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of.

“The superintendent believe Lancaster’s story.”

2.  Hold (something) as an opinion; think or suppose.

“I believe we’ve already met.”

B.  “Believe” in the Bible

1.  Relational - “trust”

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it? 

C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

2.  Propositional also

a.  Trusted truths

b.  Accurate information 

The content of belief is important: Jonathan Whitfield was preaching to coal miners in England. He asked one man, "What do you believe?" "Well, I believe the same as the church." "And what does the church believe?" "Well, they believe the same as me." Seeing he was getting nowhere, Whitfield said, "And what is it that you both believe?" "Well, I suppose the same thing.”

Jonathan Whitfield

II. BELIEVING GOD

"Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand." 

Augustine

A.  Trusting

1.  Trust is personal.

2.  Trust demands action.

3.  Trust requires risk.  

B.  Trusting God

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

‭‭ Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1.  Heart - passion

2.  Soul - spiritual self

3.  Mind - intellect

4.  Strength - physical body

III.  BELIEVING GOD TODAY

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

‭‭ 1 Peter‬ ‭1:8-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Beyond hypothetical

B.  Beyond “spirituality”

C.  Our very lives

People refuse to believe that which they don't want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, they told the populace of this, and all felt it was a hoax. They returned to Australia and found a pelt from this animal and took it back to England, but the people still felt it was a hoax. In spite of the evidence, they disbelieved because they didn't want to believe. 

cf. J. McDowell, Answers to tough questions, under "miracles"

CONCLUSION

Believing.  Believing God.  Believing God today.

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHALLENGE

Journaling is an effective tool for spiritual development.  Writing connects our minds, bodies, and spiritual lives.  My challenge to you during this series is to journal about the topic of Sunday’s  message on Monday through Friday of the next week.  This week I would like you to journal about Who you believe, When you first believed, What you believe, Why you still believe, and How you can demonstrate you believe.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.