Belief
gtcotr/ws080603
New King James Version
Key Scripture: John 6:28-29
28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them. “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He sent.”
Faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior is both the means and end of the Gospel.
We work the works of God when we believe in Jesus.
Others believe in Jesus when we work the works of God.
The reason we work the works of God is belief in Jesus.
The resource to work the works of God is our belief in Jesus.
The result of working the works of God is belief in Jesus.
I. Three Questions
A. Why Do We Believe
B. What Do We Believe
C. What Can We Do
1. For Ourselves
2. For Others
II. Why Do We Believe
A. Remember
1. It all begins and ends with Jesus
2. Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “Who Is and Who Was and Who Is To Come, The Almighty.”
3. Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith …
B. Jesus Is The Only Way
1. Acts 4:10-12 Let it be known to you all … the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth … there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved.
2. v.12 nor is there salvation in any other
Everyone believes something, but:
C. Why Do We Believe In Jesus
1. No man can come to God except by Jesus
2. John 6:44a No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him
note: this is not that mere standing and observing His presence like many have done and all will do, but rather that coming to Christ which is by conversion.
That coming to Christ which is The result of being drawn by the powerful internal influence, distinct from and superior to doctrine and experience.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone … Many will say … I never knew you, depart from me you who practice lawlessness.
This drawing brings the individual to a belief decision and provides the basis for a spiritual commitment to come to Christ.
All who come by this grace are saved, not by their works, but by His grace alone, through the faith God has lent to them.
Ephesians 2:8-9 By grace; through faith; not works
Romans 12:3 God gives to all that measure of faith
D. Some believe more because they continue more
1. John 8:31 If you continue in My Word …
2. Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing the Word
Question: Why Do We Believe?
Answer: Because We Choose to To Acknowledge & Submit To The Working Of God In Our Life
Note: It is an awesome privilege to be chosen by God and given the grace and faith to come to Christ.
God must have a purpose for each one He draws.
If we are going to work the works of God which He has for us to work, we must believe in, and increase our faith in, Him.
Hebrews 11:6 But 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.
III. What Do We Believe
A. It Depends
1. What We Are Taught
2. How Much We Check Out For Ourselves
3. How We Measure Our Experiences
* Truth is not determined by a show of hands.
* Just because someone believes it, does not mean it is true!
B. John 16:13-14 The Spirit of Truth Will Guide Us
C. John 17:17 The Word Of God Is Truth
Note: Hopefully we will all believe the Word Of God, The Bible.
IV. What Can We Do?
A. For Ourselves
1. Increase Our Exposure To God’s Word
* Bible Reading
* Praise
* Prayer
* Conversation & Fellowship & Friends
2. Practice Living The Word
3. Examine & Correct Our Own Life
* Thought Life
* Conversation
* Actions
It will take about 6 weeks of consistent effort to correct and complete the adjustments to your life. Give it six months and you will be a different person altogether.
B. For Others
1. Know What You Believe About The Basics
2. Be A Person Who Expresses Your Belief In Jesus
3. Believe God For & With Other People
4. See Encounters As Divine Opportunities
5. Keep Growing In Christ
