1 / 7

THE NATURE OF FAITH

THE NATURE OF FAITH. “FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT” (2 Cor. 5:7) “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees” (Rom. 8:24). The Problem of Believing. We want to walk by sight. It’s only human.

hasana
Download Presentation

THE NATURE OF FAITH

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. THE NATURE OF FAITH “FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT” (2 Cor. 5:7) “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees” (Rom. 8:24).

  2. The Problem of Believing • We want to walk by sight. It’s only human. • The human mind can’t believe what seems impossible. Heb. 11:1-6 • God never asks us to believe “blindly”. He presents “proofs” to make faith reasonable. • These proofs are of a wide variety, and extend over long periods of time. • Evidence is cumulative. • Satan attacks. We must be “set for the defense of the gospel.”

  3. Must God prove everything? • Imagine a friend who had always been truthful with you about everything. • Never lied or exaggerated, either in a positive or negative fashion. • Open about honors and embarrassments in in personal life. • Then, one day, he says, “I saw something yesterday that startled me. A UFO (or a ghost). • Again, no exaggeration (a flying saucer). Just “something”. • Would you believe him or her? • Remember, if it is “proven” it isn’t faith? • Witnesses in court? Do you “believe” them. They’re strangers, but…

  4. Evidence 1 – The Bible • Historical truthfulness. Daniel and Belshazzar. • Geographical truthfulness – How easily we discount things that aren’t part of “our” knowledge. Troy. • Every city is where the Bible says it is. Up is up. Down is down. Rivers and mountains. • Consistency of teaching. Wrong is wrong, right is right. Thru old and new testaments. • Preservation of text – Dead Sea Scrolls.

  5. Prophecy • Isa. 40-50 • Egypt – Ezek. 29:14-15; 30:6-7; 32:15; 30:12-13 • Daniel – 4 kingdoms; plus One. • Jewish people – Lev. 26:33-44; Deut. 28:25 • Babylon – Isa. 13:19; Jer. 51:26, 37

  6. Morality Ex. 20: commandments 5-10. Jesus and the “greatest commandments” – Matt 22:36-40. The “golden” rule – Matt. 7:12. We chafe at some of the commandments of God, trying to be “politically correct”. But we find the laxness of men abhorrent, usually. And applaud the good sense of God. God champions compassion (care of the poor), a good work ethic (Proverbs and Eccl.) Private property – Acts 4 and 5.

  7. The “Impossible” • Miracles are “unnatural”. No, just “supernatural”. • Resurrection – look how it changed the apostles, and the world. • Silly men need a “God” to comfort them. • All men need God, some just don’t realize it till too late. • Don’t let it be too late for you. • Examine your “faith”. Either in disbelieving, or in believing.

More Related