Talk 1: What is Faith?
Intro: How would you describe being a Christian?
Discussion Question:
What do you mean when you say you believe in Jesus?
Definition of Faith:
Knowledge (What I know )
John 4:42; 6:69; 16:30; Rom 6:9; 1 John 3:2; 4:16
Conviction (What I believe)
Rom 4:21; 10:9; Heb 10:22; 11:1
Trust (Whether I’ll come to you )
Gen 15:6; Luke 7:1–10; John 1:12; 6:35
Without ‘trust’ it is not saving faith
James 2:19
So…biblical faith is not a feeling nor a suspension of reason
So…you can know for sure if you believe
Synonyms for faith:
Reliance
Is 50:10
Taking refuge
Ps 118:8–9
Hope in
1 Pet 1:21
Connection to repentance
Mark 1:14-15; Acts 11:21, 1 Thes 1:9-10
The true and reliable Word of God
Faith as a response to someone’s word
Matt 21:32; 24:23; John 4:39-42, 50
Faith in the gospel word of God
John 2:22, Acts 4:4; 14:1; 1 Cor 15:2,11;
Word of God is true and reliable
Luke 1:1–4; John 19:35, 1 Thes 2:13; 1 John 1:1–4
The utterly trustworthy God
Word of God leads you to Jesus
John 17:20; Rom 10:14; Eph 1:13
Faith in Jesus
Acts 11:17; Rom 3:26; Col 1:4; 2 Tim 1:12; 1 Pet 1:21
Ps 62 “trust in him at all times”
The Works of Jesus and his resurrection!
2 Cor 1:20; John 10:25; 20:30-31; 1 Cor 15:14;
So…God has a track record we can look back on!
So…question not will I accept some teaching but will I trust the goodness and grace of God?
Jesus as the Founder and perfector our of faith
Heb 12:2
‘The’ Life of Faith
Luke 4:1–13; Mark 14:36; 1 Pet 2:23
Jesus lived out his faith in Prayer
Luke 3:21, 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 9:28, 11:1, 22:32, 22:41
The Desperate Cry of the one who trusts God
Ps 5:1–3; 6:1–5; 25:1–5; 31:14–24; 62:8; 69:1–3; 130:1–8
Will Jesus find faith on earth?
Luke 18:1–8
"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul."
" 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."
(Ps 25:1-5)
