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Explore the transformative journey of baptism leading to a genuine faith that overcomes challenges and cultivates spiritual growth.
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What Does Faith Look Like? Great mistake to view baptism as an end within itself When one trusts in god to give their life to him, that is a great first step
There Is A Newness & Zeal That Needs To Be Directed Towards “That Form Of Doctrine To Which You Were Delivered” • Romans 6:4,17 “you obeyed from the heart” • Your baptism likened to a “before” & “after” picture in which you are just starting! • God will mold you like a potter – Isaiah 64:8
“Making Faith Your Own?” • Events of life shock us into awaking to our spiritual needs • Do no want to be caught in spiritual stagnation where you are going through the motions- 2 Peter 1:9
A Genuine Faith Changes The Heart • Fight to keep our hearts open to God – John 15:4-7 • A genuine faith has “energy” to fight the pull of the world – 1 John 5:4,5 • Satan seeks to dilute that “energy” by planting “weeds” – Matthew 13:22
Every Day We Need To Be Aware Of God’s Presence & Power • Make every day a day of prayer & praise: • Filled with thanksgiving – Philippians 3:1; 4:4-7 • A Genuine faith loves truth: • Involves reason & discernment – Romans 12:1,2 • What is truth like? “Is propositional, coherent, logical, rational, syllogistic, & reasonable.” • Immature Christian vulnerable – Ephesians 4:14,15
Satan Strongly Seeks To Avoid Reason With An Open Heart & Open Bible • Luke 8:12 “lest they should believe and be saved” • Truth will bring you into the light – John 18:20 • Worldly religion hides beliefs in darkness- Luke 20:4-7 • Beware of someone pulling you into a private study and not tell anyone – 2 Peter 2:1
Truth Will Make You Boldly Test All Things! • 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “test all things” • Light comes as an opportunity- it can be lost! – John 12:35,36
Genuine Faith Must Fight Bitterness & Pride • Some make “changes” that are not of God – Philippians 3:15-19 • You can change because of relationships & not upon tested truth! • Is your pursuit of faith bringing you closer to brethren? 1 Peter 1:22,23
Pride Looks Down On Brethren • 1 John 2:9-11,16 • Pride & Bitterness partners – Luke 18:9 • Pride will blind the mind to understand God’s word – Isaiah 29:14-16 • Pride rejoices in the faults of others!
Genuine Faith Will Grow Out Of Pain & Sacrifice • Easier to eliminate conflict by compromising with the world- Hebrews 11:32-38 • So doing will destroy your faith – Genesis 25:33,34 • How many of us have changed our attendance patterns? Why?
Pain With Faith Can Draw Us To A Much Stronger Faith • Romans 5:3-5 “tribulation produces perseverance” • God will allow you to face your worst fears – Genesis 32:9-11 • Jacob had many carnal things burned out of him be God allowing him to face his greatest fear
You Have Genuine Brethren Who Want To Share That Pain With You • Hebrews 2:11-13 “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” • Let the light you follow come from God! – Isaiah 2:5,6; 50:10,11 “Let him trust in the name of the Lord, And rely upon his God.”