Alpha Session 4: How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?

When someone becomes a Christian, he comes a brand new person inside.  He is not the same anymore.  A new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 

What does it mean to be a Christian?

     Is it just being a nice person?  Is it being born in a Christian home?  Is it going to church?

     Being a Christian means having a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

     Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  John 1:12

    I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.  1  John 5:13

    Also see:  Ephesians 3:12

What has God done so I can be sure of my faith?

1.  The promises of God.  B-I-B-L-E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)

      Faith comes from listening to this Good News--- the Good News about Christ.  Romans 10:17

      The good news is that our faith is based on facts not on feelings.  (Feelings are not reliable).

A.  Jesus promises to come into our lives.

      "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."  Revelation 3:20

B.  Jesus promises to be with us always.

      "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20

C.  Jesus promises to give His followers eternal life.
      I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;  no one can snatch them out of My hand.  John 10:28

      No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.  1 Corinthians 2:9

       Take Away Point #1

       Salvation is not a feeling, but a faith in God!  The more you trust God, the more you find He is faithful. 

2.  The finished work of Jesus.

      For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23

       See also:  Luke 23:40  John 19:30

 A.  God loves us and died to prove it!

       For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal ife.  John 3:16

B.  Jesus took our sins upon Himself.

     See:  Romans 3:23

     Take Away Point #2

      Whenever anything begings to disintegrate your life with Jesus, turn to Him at once and ask Him to establish rest. 

      When I am weak, Christ makes me strong.  2 Corinthians 12;10

3.  The promise/presence of the Holy Spirit.

A.  The Holy Spirit transforms us from within,

      The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:  sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

     Take Away Point #3

      Bad company does not make good character.  1 Corinthians 15:33

      But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23

B.  The Holy Spirit brings a deep, personal conviction that we are God's children.

      For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Romans 8:15-16

    When you doubt your faith, call on the Holy Spirit. 

     Take Away Point #4

     Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up!

How do we respond to this gift?

A.  By faith.

      This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  Romans 3:22

B.  By trust.

      Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6