Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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There is much that we must believe in
order to be in fellowship with the God
who made us, our Creator.
God has never been satisfied with man
simply accepting that He exists
– Gen 3:1-5
– Satan attacked the premise that God is
good
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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34th Psalm
– Vs 8, 10, 15, 17-22
– The argument David is making here is not
that God exists, but that God is good, and
that we must trust His goodness.
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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The overwhelming majority of man’s
problems stem not from a lack of belief in
the existence of God, but instead from
either ignorance of who God is, or a lack of
confidence in God’s goodness. Often both.
– Atheism is a fairly recent development, and
despite how loud atheists tend to be, fairly rare
thing.
– Currently about 2.5% of U.S. population (rising)
– 75% Believe in God, but few actually trust Him
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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Many are more likely to trust the word of
men over the word of God. “I see what God
says, but……”
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This makes more sense
That makes me unhappy
It’s just too hard
I don’t like what it means for someone I love
What my preacher says is easier
I believe in God, but I really don’t trust Him.
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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Those who pursue a “god” who yields
to all of their preferences are not
seeking our Creator. They are seeking
themselves.
– Rom 10:1-3
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Belief that can save us is a belief that
submits to the righteousness of God.
Obedient belief. Active belief.
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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Heb 11:6
– God is
– God rewards the “diligent seeker”
– NT:1567 ekzeteo (ek-zay-teh'-o); from
NT:1537 and NT:2212; to search out,
investigate, crave, demand, worship:
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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Heb 11:6
– God is
– God rewards the “diligent seeker”
– NT:1567 ekzeteo (ek-zay-teh'-o); from NT:1537
and NT:2212; to search out, investigate, crave,
demand, worship:
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The obvious and essential result of such a
faith is action in response to all that we
learn as we seek and find what God reveals
of Himself and His will.
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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It is silly, and petty, and remarkably childish,
(spiritually immature) to suggest that our
God might be satisfied with a form of
“belief” that amounts to nothing more than
a willingness to admit the fact of God’s
existence or the sacrifice of His Son on the
cross.
Can that form of belief ever save us in any
situation where what we believe could save
us?
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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Belief that exists but is not strong
enough or substantive enough to
move us to action is absolutely devoid
of value.
This is exactly the point of James 2:
14-26
What we believe matters, but what
we do with what we believe matters
every bit as much.
Believe:
The Substance and Consequence of Christian Beliefs
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Back to Psalm 34
– God Is To Be Feared
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Vs 7, 9, 11-12, 16
– Those who do evil = those who do not fear God
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Rom 2:3-11
– These do not doubt, but despise God’s goodness
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Rom 11:19-23
– We must continue in His goodness (submitting,
trusting, obeying- throughout our lives)