Category: Faith

Our faith needs to permeate every aspect of our lives.  Our homes, our schooling, our jobs, our interactions socially.  We should emanate the reflected light of our Lord!

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God chose to save the world through the gospel, the truth concerning the advent, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father reigning on His throne.  When we hear that gospel, our actions or lack thereof will determine whether we are saved . What must we do?

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Note:  PPTX presentation and verses supplied by Emberly Cox, age 9.

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The Hebrew writer ends this chapter with a “cause and effect” argument using his reference to the rebellion of the Jews as as they left the land of Egypt. He calls it again a rebellion (cf. 15), and asks, “who, having heard rebelled?” (16). It was in fact the entire generation that was guilty of rebellion, despite God’s assurance of protection and victory.

That was the cause, “having heard” they “rebelled.” The effect followed. They angered God and it led to the refusal of God to grant to that generation the rest of Canaan. An entire generation was sentenced to a fruitless wandering until all died in the wilderness. God swore punishment to those who did not obey Him. But, when the explanation is given, verse 19 states, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

True biblical faith is described in scripture as faith that leads to obedience. “By faith Abraham obeyed…” (11:8). If someone professed faith in God or His Son, but is not willing to obey, it is not the faith that God prescribes. It is empty and its impact is God’s judgment!

An examination of Paul’s wonderful sermon preaching on Mars Hill in Acts 17.

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The Noble Bereans (Acts 17:11) are examined to determine why their approach in examining Paul’s preaching was commended by God.  May be we noble like the Bereans!

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Paul’s great teaching on man’s redemption is encapsulated in these few verses. They are plain, though often misunderstood by the biases and twisted theologies of men.  What is affirmed?:

We have been saved by the grace of God. This is God’s love expressed by a freely given gift of salvation. The sin of man brought death upon him, and only God’s mercy can lift that burden.  His justice demanded a sacrifice and God supplied His Son.  This is a fact to which we all give assent.

Salvation is not universal.  It is granted only to those who exhibit faith in Jesus. He is the sole Messiah.  He is God’s chosen, we must not look to another.

With these two truths in hand, we know that we can’t earn our salvation. No one can boast about his standing with God because it comes despite, not because of what we have done.

God has created us to obey.  To do His good works, works that God has determined beforehand we “should walk in them” (10).

A Discussion of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, recorded in Acts 8.

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The question Paul asks here regards God’s supply or provision of  miraculous gifts to Christians.  Also under consideration were the miracles themselves (as we know confirming the word, and culminating with the resurrection of Christ Himself) cf. Hebrews 2:3-4).

Did God do this under the law of Moses? Or under the New Covenant of Christ? It was by the “hearing of faith” in Jesus Christ, which included salvation both to the Jews and to the Gentiles.

The conclusion is one that Paul argued continually in many places. It is interesting here he uses the miracles that had occurred and continued in the time of the Galatian Christians to make his point. “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (9).

His question to the Galatians is one we must ask ourselves. Why were they returning to the law of Moses, when salvation was through faith in Christ? And, why do so many do the same today!

A discussion of Lydia’s conversion to Christ, and her acts of hospitality, recorded in Acts 16:11-15.

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A Discussion of Hebrews 11 & 12 as we look to these Old Testament characters whose faith teaches us important lessons!

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In his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul spoke of the failure of Israel to repent at the appearance of the Christ. Even so, under that New Covenant, God promised salvation to a remnant. Paul wrote, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).

Later in the chapter, Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles. The salvation of the Gentiles was a primary concern of Paul. It was a component of his mission, given by the Lord at his conversion. The preacher Ananias was sent to Paul by the Lord, who told Ananias, “Go, for her is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Continue reading “The Grafted Branches” →

Hebrews 3:7-19 has some very important thoughts regarding Our call to be faithful to God.  The reason for our call, the consequence of unfaithfulness, and instructions on how to be faithful to Him.

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God made a covenant with Abraham, noted first in Genesis 12. This covenant included the promise of a great nation, and a land in which they would dwell. This land — Canaan — was given as an inheritance to the Israelite nation. Under that Old Covenant, the Jews were Abraham’s seed and heirs. “So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Joshua 21:43-45).  In fact, the very word is used to describe this gift. “These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan” (14:1).

Things have changed with Christ. No longer is the physical Jew the heir of God’s promises. As Paul explained in his epistle to the Romans, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). Continue reading “The Value of Heirship” →

A discussion of what God requires of man as a part of His covenant with man to be their God.  In other words, man’s obligations in God’s scheme of Redemption.

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The foolishness of the Galatians can be seen in their willingness to turn away from the fundamental principle of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Because of false teachers, the Galatians had turned away from the truth Paul had proclaimed to them, and had begun to depend upon their standing upon the law of Moses to justify themselves before God.

Paul argues against this throughout his epistle to the Galatians, but here he is simply stating his incredulity regarding such a backward move. He states, “Are you so foolish?” (3). Paul had taught them their standing with God was dependent upon their faith in Christ. They had started off so well. But their conversion, (which causes conflict and suffering with an ungodly world), seemed to be in vain because they were now rejecting what they once accepted.

The law of Moses can’t and never could bring the perfection that comes in Christ. This can only come through faith in Him.