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The Faith Factor Series
Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 25, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: Thus far, we have already gone over so many aspects of faith and it’s dynamics. But what have we said about faith’s beginning? I am going to use a lot of scripture in this message, to make the needed points . . .so be ready . . .
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The Faith Factor
Part 7 : Faith Unto Salvation
This message was put on my heart, as I was driving my way through East Alabama.
Thus far, we have already gone over so many aspects of faith and it’s dynamics. But what have we said about faith’s beginning? I am going to use a lot of scripture in this message, to make the needed points . . .so be ready . . . .
What have we said about that faith that starts within us, that directs us down the roads and paths of life? The faith that allows JESUS to guide us . . . how do we get to that point?
Well . . . let’s start with the scripture written in Ephesians 2: 8 & 9:
"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
To start out, let me tell you the ONLY way, you can acquire the faith that has JESUS guiding you, is YOU MUST HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!
There are many of you that have already learned about the steps to salvation, so for you, I can say maybe this is a refresher course for you. For those of you that wonder about your relationship with JESUS . . . please take heed to what I am going to say next . . .
THE VERY FIRST THING you must do in order to get a relationship with JESUS CHRIST, is that you must acknowledge and know you are a sinner.
Romans 3:23:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
There has been only ONE man that walked this earth and knew no sin . . . his name was JESUS CHRIST . . . there has never been, and there never will be, another man to live this kind of life . . .
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
2nd Corinthians 5:21
Sin is a part of our lives because we are all human. Any man that says he has no sin, is a liar and a deceiver . . . not only to those around him, but also to himself!
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
1st John 1:8
THE SECOND THING you must note is the fact that you need deliverance from your sin, and know that JESUS is the only one that can deliver you from it . . .
"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
1st Thessalonians 1: 9 & 10
THE THIRD THING you need do is confess with your mouth and acknowledge that JESUS is LORD, as you call upon HIS grace to save you . . .
9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10: 9 - 13
If you indeed have had questions about your salvation, and just now made a true commitment to JESUS, before you go any further with this message, please let me know . . . .
Okay . . . now that we have the facts of true salvation understood . . . let’s move into a deeper realm where our text is concerned.
Take a close look at the very first words of our main text . . .
"For by grace are ye saved through faith;"
If there is one thing so many of us get hung up on, and we just really don’t take the time to understand it fully . . . it would be GOD’S grace towards us.
I would be inclined to believe this is because grace is a term we all know is biblical . . . we know it’s good . . . but how good? This is where so many us have a lack of knowledge . . . so I am going to hopefully change that for you.