God does not expect us to believe blindly

• Jesus feeds 5,000 with loaves and fishes.
• Jesus heals the man let down through the roof.
• Can you communicate your faith to others?

The importance of compassion

• Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34 – Jesus had compassion on the crowd.
• Mark 1:40-41 – Jesus had compassion on the leper.
• Matthew 20:32-34 – Jesus heals the blind men.
• Luke 7:11-15
• John 11
• Matthew 23:37
• If I’m going to be like Jesus, I must develop compassion, even when I am tired or frustrated.

Bring your faith

• Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25 – We must know that Jesus hears and cares.

Let it be done for you according to your faith

• Matthew 8:5-13 – Jesus heals the centurion’s servant.
• Matthew 9:27-31 – Jesus heals the blind men.
• James 1:5-8 – Ask without doubting.
• What can God not do through me because I don’t trust Him?
• Mark 9:23-24 – “I belief! Help my unbelief!”

Don’t let others deter your faith

• Luke 18:35-43
• Mark 5:21-43

Hatred is powerfully toxic

• Luke 22:47-54 – No one was turned from their hatred, even by seeing Jesus miraculously heal a man.
• James 3:13-18 – Warning against bitterness and selfish ambition.
• Matthew 5:43-48
• Romans 12:14-21 – Overcome evil with good.

Introduction

• What does it mean to be a man of faith?
• Faith is not an abstract concept – faith is an action.

What is faith?

• What does faith mean to you?
  • Belief
  • Confidence
  • Acceptance
  • Trust
  • Obedience
  • Conviction
  • Submission
  • Certainty
  • Action
  • Loyalty
  • Hope
  • Perseverance
• Hebrews 11:1-3
  • Substance – essential nature
  • Evidence – an outward sign; indication
  • Understanding – to grasp the meaning of
    • What is spiritual understanding?
      • We are familiar with and have knowledge of the priorities of God.
      • We have deeply thought about what God wants, what He loves.
      • We acknowledge how God has been active in our own lives.
      • We have immersed ourselves in His scriptures so that we grasp the deeper and subtler truths in them.
    • Our spiritual understanding translates to practical things as well.
      • We are able to discern good from evil, even when they are not apparent.
      • We learn how to build others up, to put others first, and to treat them as we would have them treat us.
      • This is faith maturing and as time goes by, as we mature, our faith grows deeper.
      • We can develop and strengthen our Faith.

Matthew 26

• There are three groups of people that stand out in this chapter:
  • Jewish leaders – showed great hatred
  • Apostles – notice how Jesus dealt with them despite their problems
  • Women – These are the ones who Jesus elevated for their actions.
• Matthew 26:2 – See Matthew 16:21-23.
• Matthew 26:3-5 – The Jews actively conspired to kill Jesus. Compare Matthew 27:18; Acts 2:36.
• Matthew 26:7-13 – This was a wildly expensive ointment (see parallel passage John 12:3-8) – possibly equivalent to a year’s wages.

Introduction

• Mark 9:33-37
• Mark 10:13-16
• Psalms 78:1-4

Worship

… should always come from the heart.

• Psalms 95:1-11 – We should worship joyfully because of who God is and what He has done.
• Matthew 15:8

… involves participation.

• Encourage your children to pay attention and participate in whatever way they can in the worship service.

… is not time to play.

• John 4:23-24
• Sometimes with little ones, you’re just trying to survive, but don’t just give up and don’t let bad habits form.

Praying

• Kids are often great at praying!
• Matthew 6:5-13
• Acts 12:12
• I Peter 3:12

Preaching

• Deuteronomy 31:10-13 – The Israelites were to listen to God’s word, including the kids.
• Joshua 8:33-35 – The entire law was read to everyone, including the children.
• Ezekiel 33:31

Singing

• Colossians 3:16
• This is something kids can do!

Giving

• I Corinthians 16:1

Lord’s Supper

• I Corinthians 11:23-26
• Matthew 26:29
• This is a memorial that also helps us teach our children.

Conclusion

• Make sure the main focus is on God, not people.

I’m saved! Now what?

• Exodus 3:12; 4:22-23 – God wanted Israel to serve Him.
• Ephesians 2:10 – We are created for good works.
• Titus 2:14
• I Peter 2:9
• Romans 11:22-24

Ephesians 4: “lay aside the old self … put on the new self”

• Ephesians 4:22-32 – instructions for the new self
• I Peter 1:15-16

Romans 6: “walk in newness of life … our old self was crucified with Him”

• Romans 6:4-7, 11-13 – We should be instruments of righteousness.

Colossians 3: “laid aside the old self … put on the new self”

• Colossians 3:1-11 – God is showing us how to think about this. We are a new person!
• Galatians 2:20 – Our old self should be dead.
• Galatians 3:26-28 – Paul went from being a Hebrew of the Hebrews to saying there is neither Jew nor Greek. This is the new Paul.

Change your identity.

• Ephesians 5:8-10; 4:23
• Romans 6:2, 11 – Think of yourself as dead to sin.
• Colossians 3:2

Beware of who/ what is influencing you.

• Ephesians 4:17
• Proverbs 13:20
• II Chronicles 24:1-2, 17-18 – Jehoiada was a good influence on Joash while he was alive.