Trustworthy God

Introduction

Pray.

Story about trusting trusting the Lord and miracles. (Personal story about my wavering faith in miracles)

Read:

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 2

8 Remember Jesus Christ, arisen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,

9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

11 It is a trustworthy statement:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

12 If we endure, awe will also reign with Him;

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Jesus Christ and the Gospel

What is the Gospel?

Is it worth everything?

Simple Answer: Yes

Salvation.

Spending eternal life with God.

Truth.

Reasons for why these reasons are reliable

Three Reasons:

Reliability of Scripture (Evidence)

Science (Evidence)

Changed Lives (Evidence)

Again, Everything we are going through is worth it

James 1:2–4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Romans 5:3–4 “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”

1 Peter 1:6–7 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

Hebrews 12:11 “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”

Example: In Apologetics, we discuss not always to convince the ones we are arguing with, but to convince those around us that are witnessing the discussion. What we do in Apologetics is not usually for the benefit of the one we are debating (although if they are saved, Glory to God!) but to help those listening to see how Christ is truly the John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The same with our lives. We are walking arguments against the world that announce, “If God can save a wretch like me, He can save you.” Our lives are the ultimate Apologetics.

God’s Faithfulness

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;”

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

Numbers 23:19 ““God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”