Tonight’s topic:Tonight’s topic:

PC 4:PC 4: What has faith got to do What has faith got to do with my life?with my life?

1. The faith of a Christian

2. Living out our faith as a Christian.

Faith is…Faith is…

ConfidenceConfidence or or trusttrust in a person or thing. in a person or thing.

Strong or unshakeable Strong or unshakeable beliefbelief in in something, something, even without proof or even without proof or evidence.evidence.

Faith in everyday life

Do you think…

She had faith that the police would not shoot or arrest her - based simply on her experience with them??

More likely,

Her faith is her belief, trust,and confidence in the “divine”…

a faith that gives her the strength of conviction, and the grace to think of others besides herself.

1. THE FAITH OF A CHRISTIAN1. THE FAITH OF A CHRISTIAN

This faith is about our relationship with God, in Christ;

A faith that is both knowing and trusting

• knowing God through Jesus Christ, • trusting in his actions and promises • loving and obeying as he did.

This faith is…This faith is…

1.1. A gift of God, to man whom He created A gift of God, to man whom He created

• God the Creator;God the Creator;• He created us out of love – in his likeness and He created us out of love – in his likeness and

imageimage • He wants us to be united with Him.He wants us to be united with Him.

“ “God desires and wants all men to be saved and come to the God desires and wants all men to be saved and come to the

knowledge of the truth”knowledge of the truth” (St Paul in 1Tim2:4)(St Paul in 1Tim2:4)

This faith is…This faith is…

2. the supernatural power that is absolutely necessary if we are to attain salvation.

Salvation – a release from the imperfect and sinful state of human life, to a life of heavenly bliss and union with God;

This faith requires…This faith requires…

3. the free will and clear understanding of a 3. the free will and clear understanding of a person when he person when he acceptsaccepts the divine the divine invitation. invitation.

Faith is not just an intellectual affirmation of truths; Faith is not just an intellectual affirmation of truths; it is a it is a responseresponse to God who has made Himself to God who has made Himself known to us and called us into the light. known to us and called us into the light.

Not “blind faith” – faith invites understanding - Not “blind faith” – faith invites understanding - room for reason and rationality.room for reason and rationality.

4. absolutely certain, because Jesus 4. absolutely certain, because Jesus Christ guarantees it.Christ guarantees it.

Faith is not wishful thinking - it is not a leap in Faith is not wishful thinking - it is not a leap in the dark. It is certain and firm.the dark. It is certain and firm. “ “Faith is the substance of things hoped for the Faith is the substance of things hoped for the

evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 : 1evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 : 1

We cannot pick and choose – all from the We cannot pick and choose – all from the same Source - God.same Source - God.

This faith is…This faith is…

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended into hell;on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

This faith is not just “content”, it is also a disposition…

2. LIVING OUT OUR FAITH 2. LIVING OUT OUR FAITH AS A CHRISTIAN…AS A CHRISTIAN…

Personal

Institutional Communal

The three dimensions to the faith of a Catholic Christian

FAITH

Personal

1. This faith is built on a personal relationship between me and God

• Prayers – personal and communal.• Word of God – Bible, teachings of the

Church.

FAITHCommunal

2. Faith is completely useless unless it leads to active love.

•My family, BEC, Parish Community;• The “least “ in our society• Others

To come together to worship and serve God;

FAITH

Institutional

•The Church is founded by Jesus Christ, and Jesus is the Head;.•The Church carries on His mission;•The Holy Spirit is in our midst;•It is a “teaching” Church;

•We are called to “be Church”.

Personal

Institutional Communal

All three dimensions- equally important and co-dependent;

- cannot so enjoy personal relationship with God that we neglect our family and community;

- cannot claim to be a “Church” , or “Christian” when we ignore those who make us uncomfortable - the oppressed, the handicapped, the" irritable”;

- cannot spend so much time doing social work that we neglect going to Church or our personal prayers.

Personal

Institutional Communal

My faith must comprise of all three, in a beautiful balance that enriches my life and makes a difference in my little corner of the world.

Faith, even now, gives us a foretaste of the joys of heaven.

So, has faith anything to do with my life?So, has faith anything to do with my life?

Answer: Yes….Answer: Yes….

It affects how I liveIt affects how I liveIt concerns my salvationIt concerns my salvation