Growing in Faith by Trusting God's Word
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INTRODUCTION
What comes to mind when you think of the word Faith?
First and foremost it should be trust.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Thesis Statement: As believers, we can grow in our faith by consistently trusting in the truth and power of God's Word
Thesis Statement: As believers, we can grow in our faith by consistently trusting in the truth and power of God's Word
Objectives
Why We Should Trust God
Why We Should Trust God’s Word
1. Why We Should Trust God
1. Why We Should Trust God
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
Why Doesn’t God Show Himself?
Why Doesn’t God Show Himself?
Why doesn’t God just appear to each generation of humanity on Earth to prove His existence?
Wouldn’t this settle the question once and for all?
He appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses
God does not expressly state in the Bible why He has not appeared to man in this fashion
But He has given us enough about Himself and His Creation to know some things
Look at the work of Jesus on earth, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, freeing the demon-possessed.
Jesus died and rose from the dead
Judas as an example of unbelief
Acknowledging God’s Existence does not automatically translate into loving Him or submitting to His will
Acknowledging God’s Existence does not automatically translate into loving Him or submitting to His will
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
God has made known His existence by his creation
2. Why We should Trust God’s Word
2. Why We should Trust God’s Word
Why should you trust the Bible? Some say:
I was just raised that way
I tried it and it worked for me - this a logical fallacy
You should believe the Bible because it’s a reliable collection of historical documents; written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report to us supernatural events that took place in fulfilment of specific prophesies; and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
You should believe the Bible because it’s a reliable collection of historical documents; written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report to us supernatural events that took place in fulfilment of specific prophesies; and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
A reliable collection of historical documents.
A reliable collection of historical documents.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
They did not follow myths, fairy tales, folk lore, legends, folktales, and things made up.
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses.
Written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
The validity of an event is not how long ago it took place
The validity lies in how long ago was it recorded in relation to the event
The New Testament has over 6,000 manuscripts or portions of manuscripts.
Julius Caesar’s Gaelic Wars - 10 manuscripts (900 yrs after the original)
Aristotle’s Poetics - less than 5 manuscripts (1,400 years after the original)
Writing of Herodotus (Father of History) - less than 10 manuscripts
Writings of Homer (author of the Iliad and the Odyssey) - less than 10 manuscripts
The Bible was translated into Syriac, Coptic and Latin and they all corroborate
They report to us supernatural events that took place in fulfilment of specific prophesies
They report to us supernatural events that took place in fulfilment of specific prophesies
For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me;
Claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
Claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Bible written in 3 languages: Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic
Written on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe
40 Authors, most of whom never met one another
Wrote over a period of 1,500 years a tells one singularly woven story
You don’t use the Scientific method on historical events.
The Scientific method must be Observable, measurable and repeatable.
We have to use a more Evidentiary
Eyewitness
do the eyewitness tell the same story
CONCLUSION
For many people it really isn’t that the Bible contradicts itself - It contradicts their life.
Give God the glory. Trust His Word and you will grow in your walk and faith with Him.