43 Sermons Tagged "Faith"

Jesus used the object lesson of Moses and the bronze serpent to teach Nicodemus that faith is obedience to God. Three years later after Jesus' death on the cross, Nicodemus clung in faith to Jesus as his savior.

While hanging a cross beside Jesus, a dying criminal makes a true confession of faith. Jesus then promised and assured the criminal that he was going to Heaven when he died. It is through that confession and promise we get another glimpse of Jesus' full glory and deity.

When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, it was not for God's knowledge or benefit, but for Abraham's. While the tests and hardships we encounter may not be as intense as Abraham's, we know that God uses them for our good to strengthen our faith and demonstrate to us just how strong our faith is.

We know from scriptures that the sacrifices given in the times of the Old Testament did not live; the animals were killed either just before or during the sacrifice. So how can we offer our bodies and our lives as sacrifices to God and still remain alive?

When a Canaanite woman begged Jesus to help her (by removing the demon that was tormenting her daughter), it seems like Jesus ignored and insulted her. However, he was actually strengthening her faith and preparing her for future hardships through this encounter. Our faith enables us to cling to his promise and know that he isn't ignoring us; rather, he answers our pleas and cares for us according to what is best for us.

Paul's letter to the Corinthians shows us ironies in how people treat the Lord's Supper (a.k.a. Holy Communion).

You let your light shine by knowing your righteousness, which is Christ's righteousness that has been given to you. You show people they are unrighteous but have been offered free salvation from Jesus Christ. You know your good works and know you don't do them to save yourself but because you love God the Father and they bring glory to Him.

Counting the cost of your discipleship looks like using your Christian freedom to proclaim the good news to others, to glorify God by showing forgiveness, by paying the debt of others, and by being confident in God's grace.