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Mike McInnis

Whom Say Ye That I Am? #9

Mike McInnis • September, 6 2013 • Audio
19 Articles 1,627 Sermons
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Mike McInnis
Mike McInnis • September, 6 2013
19 articles 1,627 sermons
What does the Bible say about true faith?

True faith is revealed and granted by God, not a product of human effort.

The Bible teaches that true faith comes from a divine revelation, as highlighted in Matthew 16:17, where Jesus tells Peter that his understanding of Christ as the Son of God was revealed by the Father in heaven. This underscores the belief that faith is not generated by human will or reasoning but is a gift from God, which aligns with Ephesians 2:8, stating that we are saved by grace through faith, and that faith itself is not of ourselves. Without this divine initiation, one cannot attain a genuine understanding of faith's nature or operation in believers. Thus, true faith fundamentally rests on God's sovereign grace.

Matthew 16:17, Ephesians 2:8

How do we know that salvation is a gift from God?

Scripture clearly asserts that salvation is a product of God's mercy, not human effort.

The doctrine of salvation as a gift from God is rooted in passages such as Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. This reinforces the idea that no amount of human effort can earn salvation; rather, it is a manifestation of God's grace alone. Additionally, Titus 3:5 supports this by stating that it is not by works of righteousness that we are saved, but according to His mercy. This concept forms a cornerstone of Reformed theology, which holds that believers are spiritually dead and incapable of initiating faith, thus requiring a sovereign work of God for spiritual awakening and salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

Why is faith important for Christians?

Faith is essential for pleasing God and receiving salvation.

Faith is vitally important for Christians as it is the means through which they please God and participate in the covenant of grace. Hebrews 11:6 articulates that without faith, it is impossible to please God, indicating that faith is the fundamental attitude required in our relationship with Him. Furthermore, Romans 1:17 states that the just shall live by faith, which signifies that faith is not only the beginning of the Christian life but also its sustaining force. It is by faith that believers embrace and trust in God's promises, ultimately leading to their salvation and sanctification under God's grace.

Hebrews 11:6, Romans 1:17

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

100%
Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zions 4. There came a time during the
Lord's ministry upon the earth when the popularity of His message
began to fade, and many of His followers forsook Him because
His message was a bit too radical for them. The Lord asked His
twelve disciples, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter gave
a classic answer, which is the very embodiment of true faith,
when he said, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of
eternal life, and we believe and are sure that Thou art that
Christ, the Son of the living God. Upon another occasion, as
he taught in Caesarea Philippi, he asked them this question,
Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? They answered, Some
say that Thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, and others Jeremiah,
or one of the prophets. Then he asked them a much more
probing question, But whom say ye? that I am." Once again, Simon
Peter replied with the only answer true faith knows, Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God. The Lord did not ask these
questions in order to gain information which he was not already aware
of, since he knows the end from the beginning. Rather, he posed
these questions for the benefit of his disciples, so that he
might demonstrate the principle upon which the very foundation
of his kingdom rests. For therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written, the just
shall live by faith. Just as we read in the book of
Hebrews, but without faith it is impossible to please Him.
The Lord clearly told Peter that his knowledge of and faith in
the living Christ did not arise out of his own power or ability
of reason. When he said, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto
thee, but my Father which is in heaven. This is exactly what
Paul said to the Ephesians. For by grace are ye saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Apart
from a clear understanding of the source of true faith, it
is impossible that men should ever have a right understanding
of the basis and nature of faith in the children of God, or the
operation of faith in them, as the Spirit of God manifests the
Lord's Kingdom here in the earth. In this hyper-religious age in
which we live, there is much talk of faith, but most of it
centers on trying to stir men up to believe, as if they possess
the ability and power to do so, rather than a clear and unwavering
message that declares true faith to be the result of the operation
of the Holy Ghost. according to the sovereign grace
of God, who has determined to manifest His saving grace, and
the fruits of His redemptive work in the sons of God, whom
He has loved from before the foundation of the world. The
religious hucksters and physicians of no value can pass land and
sea to make converts, and continually make merchandise of men by scratching
their itching ears and persuading them that they can make a deal
with God by exercising faith. Yet such a message merely reinforces
the error that all men inherit by nature. The truth is that
true faith is not the product of men, but rather the gift of
God, which is bestowed upon beggars whose eyes the Lord has opened
to see themselves without hope, apart from the mercy of God.
Poverty-stricken sinners rejoice at the Lord's command. Ho, every
one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. And he that hath
no money, come ye, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk
without money. and without price. Thou hast
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them unto babes. The Lord Jesus said, I came not
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. For it is not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing
of the Holy Ghost. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast Email us at ForThePoor at WinStream.net. That's ForThePoor at W-I-N-D-S-T-R-E-A-N
dot net.
Mike McInnis
About Mike McInnis
Mike McInnis is an elder at Grace Chapel in O'Brien Florida. He is also editor of the Grace Gazette.
Broadcaster:
Grace Chapel
Theology:
#Christology #Faith #Faith Alone
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