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Learning to Apply Our Faith

Learning to Apply Our Faith. What is faith?. Abraham showed his faith in his willing to sacrifice his son Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace. Elijah - boldness he had in front of the priests of Baal

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Learning to Apply Our Faith

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  1. Learning to Apply Our Faith

  2. What is faith? Abraham showed his faith in his willing to sacrifice his son Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace. Elijah - boldness he had in front of the priests of Baal St. Paul the Hermit had faith that God would provide for him when he chose to live in the wilderness

  3. What is faith? What if Abraham refused to sacrifice Isaac? What if Daniel’s friends bowed to the idol? What if Elijah ran in fear? What if St. Paul the Hermit didn’t believe God would provide? Faith is defined by action

  4. What is faith? James 2:18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. To know how much faith we have, we need not look farther than what we do and what we think

  5. What is faith? Luke 9:57-62Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, "Follow Me." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.“ Did they have faith?

  6. What is faith? St. Peter denying the Lord out of fear. He believed that Christ was the Son of God, but denied Him out of fear. Later this same man was martyred for the sake of Christ. We can have faith in some areas, but not others – areas of weakness

  7. What is faith? Does going to Church mean we are Christians? Does having friends who are Christians mean we are Christians? Does having parents that are Christians mean we are Christians? Does preaching and teaching, and even performing miracles mean we are Christians?

  8. What is faith? Luke 13:23-27Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, "Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, "I do not know you, where you are from,' then you will begin to say, "We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' But He will say, "I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'

  9. What is faith? Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

  10. Case Study #1: Attachment Are we willing to suffer loss and humiliation for what we believe? Philippians 3:8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

  11. Case Study #1: Attachment How do we react when we lose something or can’t obtain something we want? Do we blame God when He allows us to lose things or people we love? Do we consider all things rubbish compared to Christ?

  12. Case Study #2: Worry Do we believe that God will take care of us? Philippians 4:6-7Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  13. Case Study #2: Worry When was the last time we worried? Do we ask God to strengthen us when we are tempted to worry? Do we thank God for the good things He gives us? Do we believe that God can give us peace despite how horrible our circumstances (Example: Daniel’s friends)

  14. Case Study #3: Purity Do we choose to meditate on pure things? Philippians 4:8-9Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

  15. Case Study #3: Purity What do we allow ourselves to see or listen to? Are they true, pure, lovely, and of good report?

  16. Case Study #4: Forgiveness Do we believe God forgives our sins? 1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  17. Case Study #4: Forgiveness Do we confess our sins? Do we feel guilty even after confessing?

  18. Case Study #5: Prayer Do we believe God hears and answers prayer? 1 John 5:14-15Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

  19. Case Study #5: Prayer Do we pray? Do we believe that God hears us when we pray? Do we believe that God answers prayer? Do we make decisions based on the fact that we God is directing us?

  20. Case Study #6: Guarding from Sin Do we believe God can keep us from sinning? Jude 1:24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

  21. Case Study #6: Guarding from Sin Do we call out to God for help in times of temptation? Do we trust that He is able to keep us from falling into the sin? Do we trust that He is sanctifying us? Do we believe that His sacrifice for us was sufficient?

  22. Case Study #7: Perseverance Do we believe perseverance yields to blessing? James 1:25But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

  23. Case Study #7: Perseverance Do we preserve in prayer? Do we sacrifice our personal time to attend Church services regularly? Do we read God’s Word regularly? Do we believe that this (more than any other activity) is the only way to be blessed?

  24. Case Study #8: All things work for good Do we believe God turns all things into good for us? Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

  25. Case Study #8: All things work for good Do we have bad attitudes or blame God when bad things happen to us? Do we trust that God has great things in store for us? Do we believe that God wants to bless us or that He is out to get us?

  26. Case Study #9: Rest in God Do we believe God can give us rest? Matthew 11:28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  27. Case Study #9: Rest in God Do we come to God to receive rest and comfort? Or do we try to find it in every other way?

  28. Case Study #10: Wrath of God Do we believe that God will punish sinners? Matthew 22:13-14Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

  29. Case Study #10: Wrath of God Do we believe that God is both merciful and just? Do we keep the wrath of God in mind when we are about to commit a sin? Or only His mercy? Do we feel that we owe God something, or that He owes us something?

  30. Conclusion Faith is work The Bible is not a book of facts, but a guidebook for life We should put more emphasis on practicing what we know, rather than learning more things

  31. Conclusion Three Russian monks lived in a faraway island. Nobody ever went there, but one day their bishop decided to make a pastoral visit. When he arrived he discovered that the monks didn’t even know the Lord’s Prayer. So he spent all his time and energy teaching them “Our Father” and then left, satisfied with his pastoral work. But when his ship had left the island and was back in the open sea, he suddenly noticed the three hermits walking on the water – in fact, they were running after the ship! When they reached it they cried, “Dear Father, we have forgotten the prayer you taught us.” The bishop, overwhelmed by what he was seeing and hearing, said, “But, dear brothers, how then do you pray?” They answered, “Well, we just say, ‘Dear God, there are three of us and there are three of you, have mercy on us!” The bishop, awestruck by their sanctity and simplicity, said, “Go back to your island and be at peace.”

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