Faith Facts
• Ex. of Indiana Jones; faith is never a blind leap, it is always an obedient step based upon facts
• Hebrews 11:1,“the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen”; the commitment goes beyond the revelation but the revelation is the foundation
John 14:1-14
14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
• What are the facts on which we can base our faith? (Faith for salvation; Faith for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil; Faith for overcoming depression and discouragement; Faith for the decision we need to make; Faith for stepping out doing something bold for God; Faith for the struggle we are going through; Faith we need for today; etc.)
• Look to the facts for a foundation of your faith
• When you’re not sure what to believe, believe in the facts!
1. Believe in God
14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God
• We believe that God exists
• We believe that He is the God of the Bible
• We believe that He is the God and Father of the Lord Jesus
• We believe that He possesses all the attributes ascribed to Him in the Bible
• We believe that He is real, hears and answers prayer, loves us and is omnipotent over all the circumstances of our lives
• There must be a fight against naturalism (denying the existence of God)
• There must be a fight against small godism (there is a god but he doesn’t care; there is a god but he has no power)
2. Believe in Jesus
…believe also in me…
• We believe that Jesus is the Son of God
• We believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life
• We believe that Jesus is personally committed to us
• We believe that Jesus is our mediator, Savior and Lord
• Our faith is not just intellectual or doctrinal it is personal because we trust in Jesus as the One who connects us with God
3. Believe in the works of Jesus
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves
• Jesus says that His works validate His claims and His works provide a basis for further faith
• The miracles over diseases (prompted by compassion)
• The miracles over the demonic
• The miracles over nature
• The miracles over death
• The miracles of provision
• These works are to influence our worldview of faith
• Ask, “Is the resolution of my challenge any more difficult than the miracles that Jesus has already demonstrated He can do?”
• Google search the miracles of Jesus, look them up, read them and pray, “Lord you did…do this for me, show me this work in my life, do for me what you have already done”
4. Believe in the words and promises of Jesus
…I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also…6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”… The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
• Jesus is speaking words from the Father and making promises that He expects the disciples to take at face value and act upon
• Our faith is based upon who Jesus is and what Jesus says
• We trust in the words of Jesus and we claim the promises of Jesus
• Our faith must be thoroughly massaged with the word of God
• When we meditate on Jesus Words and we claim Jesus’ promises we are not acting in presumption but we are walking in the truth
• Faith is not making something true that isn’t true, it is having our eyes opened to what God says is true
• Prayerfully read and reflect on the Words and promises of Jesus; allow God to speak to you from His Word confirming your faith and/or redirecting your faith
Conclusion
Our faith doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it is based upon believing in God, believing in Jesus, believing in the works of Jesus and believing in the words and promises of Jesus