Sermon from June 20th

WHAT IS FAITH AND HOW TO GET IT?
Luke 7:1-10
Series on “The Gospel of Luke”

A Roman centurion (commander of 100 men) sent a message to Jesus that his servant was sick asking him to come and heal him.  Then he thinks better about it and says, “I’m not even worthy to have you come under my roof, just say the word and my servant will be healed.”  Jesus is amazed at the centurion’s faith and says, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith in Israel.”  What is faith and how can you get it?

•    Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11.

•    It is good to ask hard questions, and to be open, but faith is a gift that is given by God, Ephesians 2:8, 9.

•    To receive the gift of faith, regularly expose yourself to God’s Word (the Bible) and God’s people (the church).

•    One mark of real faith is a sense of unworthiness before God and Jesus

•    Another mark of real faith is that it bleeds into everyday life (by becoming more loving toward others).

•    Start to doubt yourself and be open to Jesus, His Word, and way.

•    If your walk with God is dry it could be because you have been disobedient in a crucial part of your life.  Repent and come back to Jesus and his cleansing blood.

TABLE TALK:   Talk with a friend over a meal and discuss the meaning for your life.  What questions do you have about Christianity?  Are you seeking to get good answers?  Are you regularly getting into God’s Word and fellowshipping with God’s people?  What do you think of “doubting yourself” as much as you doubt the claims of Christianity?  If you are spiritually dry, could it be because you have been disobedient in an important area of your life>

Listen to the sermon online