Faith: The Foundation of Our Salvation

2003010

Topic # 2059

Introduction:

A.    Hebrews 11:1-6

B.    Faith defined:

1.    Conviction of the truth of anything: belief.  In the NT: a conviction of belief respecting man’s relationship to God & divine things.

2.    Trust & holy fervor born of faith & joined with it – relating to the conviction that God exists and is the creator & ruler of all things.

3.    Belief that God will bestow eternal salvation through Jesus.

C.   Note that we are justified through faith – Rom. 5:1.

1.    2 Cor. 5:7 – it is by faith we walk.

2.    it is the motivation; source of energy for our spiritual journey! 

D.   But this faith isn’t blind – it is based upon proof! 

 

I.  Faith is our foundation!

A.  Heb. 11:1

1.    ASV; NASV – “assurance”

2.    KJV:  “substance”

3.    word means:  “that which has foundation; firm; that which has actual existence, a substance; real being.

4.    the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing; steadfastness of mind; firmness, courage, resolution, confidence, firm trust, assurance.

B.    2 Pet. 1:5-10 – we are to add things to our faith.

1.    It is evident we must do something in order to go home to heaven. 

a)  spiritual lives are to be characterized by activity!  Action!  Vigor!

2.    Rom. 10:17 – where does faith come from?

3.    Lk. 6:47-49 – we build our faith from God’s word – building on the rock!

C.   Faith is what produces action!

1.    Abraham – Js. 2:21-22; Heb. 11:17-19

2.    New converts at Pentecost received the word then obeyed – Acts 2:41

3.    Faith is what produces our prayer life – Js. 1:5-8

4.    Faith is what produces boldness & confidence – Eph. 3:11-12

5.    Eph. 6:16 – it is called a shield – allowing us to be bold in battle!

a)  we fight spiritual battles daily!

 

II.  Faith is the foundation of things we hope for.

A.    We trust God to keep His promises!  That’s faith!

1.    Titus 1:2 – God does not lie.

2.    What do we hope (trust) for?

B.    Acts 24:14-15 – resurrection.  There is more to things than just this life!

C.   1 Thess. 5:8 – salvation

D.   These hopes are found only through Jesus!  Jhn. 14:6

E.    These are hopes we have not seen but we DO have the evidence to have faith in these things.  HOW?

 

III.  Faith is based on the evidence of things we have not seen.

A.    2 Cor. 4:18.

B.    Our proof “evidence” is based upon God’s word.

1.    Remember, our faith is not blind.  It is based upon something that proves that which we have not seen with our eyes EXISTS!

C.   We have a 66-book witness account.

1.    Bible written by 40 different writers – all guided by the HS – 2 Pet. 1:20-21

2.    All scripture is inspired – 2 Tim. 2:16-17

3.    Paul said things He & others wrote were not according to man’s wisdom:  1 Cor. 2:1-13.  emp: 2:5-8; 11-13

D.   It was God’s intention to provide all that we need to know – to obey – to be saved!  He has done that!

1.    There are some things we do not have the answers to.

2.    Farther Along We’ll Understand it…

3.    There are still “secret things.”  Deut. 29:29

4.    See also John 20:30-31; 21:24-25

5.    Within the NT we have several witnesses to the physical existence of Christ & the works He did – including His resurrection!

6.    Acts 2:32; 3:13-15; 10:38-39; 1 Cor. 15:1-8

 

IV.  How can WE KNOW that God exists & the Bible is a credible source?

A.    Prophecies:

1.    Micah 5:2 – fulfilled 737 years later – Mt. 2:1

2.    Isa. 53:3-12 – fulfilled 718 years later – Mt. 20:28; 27:13-14; 27:35

3.    Psa. 69:21 – fulfilled – Mt. 27:34

4.    Psa. 22:18 – fulfilled – Mt. 27:35

5.    Isa. 9:1-2 – fulfilled 715 years later – Mt. 4:12-23

6.    Isa. 2:2-3 – fulfilled – Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38, 47

B.    Science:

1.    Job 38:16 – springs in the sea.  Geological survey proved this in 1976.

2.    2 Sam. 22:16 – channels in the sea.  Proven today by scientific methods.

3.    Gen. 17:12 – circumcision on the 8th day.  In 1935 Prof. H. Dam realized that blood clot abilities is best on the 8th day after birth.

C.   Astronomy:

1.    Isa. 40:22 – earth is round.  Proven in 1492 by Columbus.  Isaiah knew it via inspiration of God in 700 BC.

D.   What does all of this prove?

1.    Isa. 55:8-9 – God is in control.  He is aware of all things.

2.    Gen. 1:1 – Who created us?

3.    Heb. 11:3

 

Conclusion:

A.    1 Thess. 5:21 – prove all things; hold fast to what is good.

1.    Through Bible foreknowledge; prophecies; & witness accounts we can know the Bible is true & that our faith is based upon evidence.

B.    If it is not truth it will not stand!

1.    Acts 5:29-42

2.    Many skeptics have not been able to provide anything that has blemished our source of evidence.  Why?

3.    It is the inspired word of God!

C.   Do you believe?  Yes?  Great!

1.    Now….do something about it!

2.    Js. 2:19

3.    Let your faith lead you to obedience!

D.   Will you allow your faith to keep you following God?

E.    I N V I T A T I O N