Contending for Faith: Understanding, Doubt, and Truth
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the importance of understanding and contending for our faith. I highlighted the issue of false teachers who twist the gospel for their own reasons and agendas, causing confusion among believers. This is not a new phenomenon, it has been happening since the time of Jude and continues to this day. I emphasized the importance of not just knowing what we believe, but understanding why we believe it. I pointed out that many young adults leave the church when they leave their parents' home because they don't understand why they believe what they've been told to believe.
I also addressed the issue of doubt and the importance of asking questions about our faith. I encouraged listeners to not be afraid of asking questions and seeking answers. I stressed that the church should be a safe place for people to explore their doubts and questions. I also discussed the importance of being rooted in the Word of God and not allowing false teachings to influence our beliefs. I used the acronym CAMP to explain how we can be sure about a book that was written so long ago and why we don't have to check our brains at the door when it comes to the authenticity of God's word.
Key takeaways:
- It's crucial to not only know what we believe but understand why we believe it. This understanding helps to root our faith and keep us upright when our faith is challenged. #!!03:40!!#
- The world is at war with the Word of God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we need to stand up for what we believe in and not let the enemy steal what he's trying to steal. #!!08:50!!#
- An hour on Sunday alone is not enough to feed our starving souls. We need to be in the Word on a regular basis to renew our minds and be able to reject false teachings quickly. #!!33:24!!#
- The church should be a safe place for people to explore their doubts and questions about faith. We should be open to having conversations and learning from each other. #!!35:16!!#
- We should be open to all people, regardless of their current beliefs or lifestyle. Everyone is seeking truth, and if our hearts and arms aren't open to them, how will they ever hear the real truth? #!!35:57!!#
Study Guide
Main Points from the Sermon:
1. The world is at war with the Word of God, and this conflict is not just from unbelievers but also from those within the church who preach that parts of the Bible are no longer useful or in error. This has led to confusion among believers and a decline in the belief in the Bible as the authentic, authoritative Word of God. [49:34]
2. The Bible is unique in its consistency, with perfect unity from cover to cover. Despite being written by 40 different authors over 1500 years, on three different continents, in three different languages, and covering hundreds of controversial subjects, the Bible speaks in perfect unity from cover to cover. [11:57]
3. There has never been an archaeological finding that has disproved the Bible. In fact, many archaeological findings have confirmed historical statements in the Bible. [16:18]
4. The Bible's antiquity has been preserved over the years, and its authenticity can be verified in the same way as any other ancient document. If we disregard the Bible as authentic, we would have to disregard every other ancient text that has ever been written as truth. [17:15]
Bible Passages for Group Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Jude 1:1-25
Discussion Guide:
Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 say about the inspiration and usefulness of Scripture?
2. In the book of Jude, how does Jude describe the false teachers who were causing confusion among the believers?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the consistency of the Bible, despite its diverse authors and contexts, support its divine inspiration?
2. How does archaeological evidence support the historical accuracy of the Bible?
3. What does the preservation of the Bible's antiquity tell us about its authenticity?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply the principle of contending for the faith in our own lives, especially in a world that is increasingly skeptical of the Bible?
2. How can we use the evidence of the Bible's consistency, archaeological support, and preserved antiquity to strengthen our own faith and to share our faith with others?
3. How can we guard against false teachings that twist the gospel or undermine the authority of the Bible?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Understanding Your Faith
Understanding your faith is not just about knowing what you believe, but why you believe it. It's about digging deeper into the scriptures, asking questions, and seeking answers. It's about wrestling with doubts and uncertainties, and coming out on the other side with a faith that is stronger and more resilient.
James 1:5-6 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
Reflection: Reflect on your faith journey. Can you identify a time when you questioned your beliefs? How did you seek understanding and how did it strengthen your faith?
Day 2: The Necessity of Regular Engagement with the Word of God
Engaging with the Word of God on a regular basis is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It's not enough to just hear the Word on Sundays; we need to meditate on it, study it, and apply it to our lives every day.
Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Reflection: How often do you engage with the Word of God outside of church services? What steps can you take to incorporate regular Bible study into your daily routine?
Day 3: The Power of Knowing and Living Your Beliefs
Knowing what you believe and living out those beliefs in your daily life is a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel. It's not enough to just know the truth; we must also live it out in our actions and decisions.
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: Can you identify a belief that you hold strongly and understand deeply? How does this belief influence your daily actions and decisions?
Day 4: The Authenticity of God's Word
The Word of God is authentic and true. It stands up to scrutiny and contradicts the false teachings of the world. As believers, we must be discerning and test everything against the truth of the scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Reflection: Have you ever encountered teachings that contradict the Bible? How did you respond and what did you learn about the authenticity of God's Word?
Day 5: The Church's Role in Welcoming Seekers
The church is called to be a welcoming place for those who are seeking truth. We are to be a light in the darkness, a place of refuge and hope for those who are lost and searching.
Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: Think about your church community. How does it welcome and engage with seekers? What steps could your church take to become more welcoming to those who are seeking truth?
Quotes
1. "Because an hour on Sunday alone is not enough to feed your starving soul. Just like an hour or one meal a week, which stars my body physically, an hour on Sunday morning alone is not going to feed you spiritually. It's not going to renew the mind." - 33:24
2. "It's for the people of God to know this so well, to be rooted so well and what they believe and why they believe it, that there is nothing the opposition can throw us to get us off focus of our purpose and our mission that God has planted in our hearts for all of eternity." - 34:15
3. "You understand in every generation there's a segment of people that the church has tried to forget about an outcast to say, there's no hope for them and it's always the younger generation. They manifest themselves in different ways." - 35:57
4. "The evidence of the Bible's historicity is so strong that if you were to apply it to the federal rules of evidence, it would stand up under any court of law as reliable." - 27:49
5. "One of the realities in the world we live in is that the world is at war with the word of God. And if you truly are a follower of Jesus Christ, this is the foundation of our life as it sits in our homes today." - 07:58
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