The sermon titled "Seven Blessings of Faith" by Don Bell explores the doctrine of faith through the lens of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28. Bell articulates several key blessings derived from her encounter with Christ, emphasizing the notion that faith is a divine gift bestowed upon the unlikeliest of individuals, such as Gentiles. He supports his claims with Scripture, notably referencing Romans 10:13-17, which highlights that faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ, and Psalm 51 to illustrate the pursuit of mercy. Bell asserts that these blessings of faith not only affirm God's grace in salvation but also underscore the importance of seeking mercy and the transformative nature of faith, encouraging believers to rely on Christ’s righteousness and His precious blood for their salvation.
Key Quotes
“Faith is what a blessed, blessed gift God gives to people when He gives them faith.”
“The only righteousness that God approves of, the only righteousness God gives a man is the righteousness of his son.”
“Faith always seeks what only God can give. Mercy. Mercy.”
“Faith always honors the Lord Jesus by believing. And the Lord Jesus honors faith by giving.”
Faith is a precious gift from God that is fundamental for salvation and righteousness.
The Bible emphasizes that faith is crucial for Christians as it connects us to the righteousness of Christ. In Romans 10:17, we learn that faith comes by hearing, and this means that the more we understand and hear about Christ, the more our faith grows. Faith is not merely a passive belief; it actively seeks mercy from God, as seen in the example of the Canaanite woman. She cried out for mercy, showcasing how true faith recognizes our need for God’s grace and mercy, which is an essential aspect of salvation.
Romans 10:17, Matthew 15:22
Scripture teaches that faith is given by God, not earned or produced by our own efforts.
The Bible clearly teaches that faith is a gift from God, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9, which explains that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. This refutes any notion that individuals can muster faith on their own. Instead, as the sermon indicates, faith is something bestowed upon the believer, making it a divine gift that originates from God's electing love. This understanding is reflected in how the Canaanite woman displayed her faith, which was revealed and cultivated by her encounter with Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 15:21-28
The righteousness of Christ is the only righteousness that God accepts for salvation.
Christ's righteousness is crucial for Christians as it is the only righteousness that is acceptable before God. In the sermon, it is highlighted that human attempts at righteousness are insufficient and that true righteousness comes solely from Christ. Romans 10:4 states that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. This reinforces the idea that God provided His Son as the perfect sacrifice, whose righteousness covers the believer completely. Acknowledging this righteousness fosters humility, as Christians recognize their inability to achieve salvation on their own merits.
Romans 10:4, Matthew 15:22
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