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What is Faith?

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“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11

• God is the uncaused Creator and designer of space, time, and matter. His character is known through an authentic written record called the Bible in which he reveals his desire to have fellowship with us, why we find ourselves in a dilemma called sin, and how he has overcome this barrier. A long historical record of countless people having this experience precedes us.

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From Reasons for God to Faith in God

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What is Faith is not…

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Faith is not Math

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Faith is not passive observation

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Faith is not a recipe

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Faith is not “I hope so”

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Faith is the means that takes us beyond the wall

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Faith is a mystery. It is both a gift and an act, it is passive and active, it is partial and complete, it is obedience and

undeserved…it can only be described and even then in part. It is akin to creation and omnipresence; God can fully

comprehend these, but we cannot

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• “Faith is no more valid than the object in which it is placed.” (H.S. Schaeffer)

• The Object: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12)

Faith is not really about us

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• The Chinese symbol for faith xin also means trust. The Chinese character for faith shows a man ("man" radical at left) standing by his words (at right).

• God to "stand by his words" = trust or faith

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Last day of Classes. Here is your Christianity 101--

Final Exam• do you see the creator and his creation?• do you see God’s character in his word?• do you recognize the problem called sin in

yourself?• Do you trust God’s Word to have the solution

for you?

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Questions?

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The Marks of Faith

• to realize that God is holy and righteous, loving, good, and just. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)

• to be convinced I have sinned against God and to realize that I cannot by anything I do or not do become acceptable to God again “Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3)

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The Marks of Faith--2--

• To leave sin and to return to God. “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15)

• to understand that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has given his life to save sinners such as I am and to receive him by faith. “.. Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20).

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The Marks of Faith—3--

• To begin to live holy, be charitable and to be a witness for him who gave you faith. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” “He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.” (I John 2:6)