Introduction

Welcome, brothers and sisters, to this beautiful gathering where we seek to immerse ourselves in the divine wisdom of our Heavenly Father. We are here, standing on the shoulders of saints and scholars who have walked the path before us, guided by the same beacon of faith that lights our way today.

As we gather, let's reflect on the words of the great Christian theologian, J.I. Packer. He once wrote, "Knowing God is a matter of personal dealing... Knowing about Him is a necessary precondition of trusting in Him, but the width of our knowledge about Him is no gauge of our knowledge of Him." So let us not just know about God, but truly know Him, trust Him, and experience His transformative power in our lives.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the first epistle of John, specifically 1 John 3:1-7. Let's read:

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

What a profound message of love, identity, and transformation! We are called children of God, a title that carries with it the promise of becoming like Christ.

This brings us to our three main points for today: Belief as the Beginning, Becoming through Belief, and Beholding our Becoming.

But before we proceed, let us bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege to gather and study Your Word. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide us, to illuminate our understanding, and to apply Your truth in our lives. Help us not just to know about You, but to truly know You. May Your Word penetrate our hearts, transforming us into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. It's in His name we pray, Amen.

Belief as the Beginning

The act of believing is where it all starts. It's like the first step on a long hike. You can't reach the peak without that initial movement. In the same way, our spiritual walk begins with belief. It's the first step towards understanding God's love for us and accepting our identity as His children.

Belief is more than just accepting facts or agreeing with a statement. It's a deep, personal conviction that influences our thoughts, actions, and attitudes. When we believe in God, we're not just acknowledging His existence. We're putting our trust in Him, relying on His promises, and committing to follow His ways.

This belief isn't just a passive acceptance. It's an active, ongoing commitment. It's like a seed planted in good soil. With time, care, and nourishment, it grows into a strong, fruitful tree. Similarly, our belief in God, when nurtured with prayer, study, and fellowship, grows into a strong, vibrant faith.

Belief is also transformative. It changes us from the inside out. When we believe in God, we start to see ourselves and the world around us differently. We see ourselves as God's beloved children, and we see others as our brothers and sisters. We see the world not just as a physical realm, but also as a spiritual battlefield where we're called to shine God's light.

Belief is also a response to God's love. We believe because God first loved us. His love is so great, so overwhelming, that it compels us to believe. It's like the sun rising in the morning. Its light is so bright, so powerful, that it dispels the darkness and brings life to everything it touches. Similarly, God's love illuminates our hearts, dispels our doubts, and brings life to our faith.

Belief is also a gift from God. It's not something we can achieve on our own. It's a grace that God freely gives to those who seek Him. It's like a key given to a prisoner. The prisoner didn't earn the key. He didn't find it or make it. It was given to him. And with that key, he can unlock the door of his cell and step into freedom. Similarly, belief is the key that God gives us to unlock the door of spiritual bondage and step into the freedom of His love.

Belief is also a journey. It's not a destination, but a path. It's a process of growing, learning, and maturing in our faith. It's like a river that starts as a small stream in the mountains. As it flows downhill, it grows wider and deeper. It picks up speed and power. It carves valleys, shapes landscapes, and nourishes life. Similarly, our belief starts as a small conviction in our hearts. As we nurture it with prayer, study, and fellowship, it grows into a powerful faith that shapes our lives and nourishes our souls.

Belief is also a relationship. It's not a contract or a transaction. It's a personal, intimate connection with God. It's like a friendship that grows over time. The more you spend time with a friend, the more you get to know them. The more you get to know them, the more you trust them. The more you trust them, the deeper your friendship becomes. Similarly, the more we believe in God, the more we get to know Him. The more we get to know Him, the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him, the deeper our relationship with Him becomes.