Why Do I Believe in Jesus?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus, who is both the author and perfector of our faith. We are reminded that He started something in us, and it's not about giving credit to anyone else, but about acknowledging God's sovereignty and power in our lives. This teaching encourages us to trust in Jesus' ability to perfect what He has begun in us, even when others let us down.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This verse highlights that our salvation and faith are a work of God's hands, and He is the one who started something in us.
• Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This promise reassures us that God will complete what He has begun in us, and we can trust Him to perfect our faith.
• Romans 8:29-30 - "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." This passage explains how God's plan for us is rooted in His sovereignty and love, and He is working everything out for our good.
• Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." This verse emphasizes the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith.
• 1 Peter 1:5 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This passage encourages us to grow in our faith by adding virtues that are rooted in God's sovereignty and power.
• Jude 1:24 - "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy." This verse reminds us of God's promise to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless in His presence.

Key Takeaways

• We must fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith, acknowledging that He started something in us and is working everything out for our good. This means trusting in His sovereignty and power to complete what He has begun in us.
• We should not give credit to anyone else for our salvation or faith, but rather acknowledge God's work in our lives. This includes recognizing that people will let us down, but we can trust in Jesus' promise to keep us from stumbling.
• God's plan for us is rooted in His sovereignty and love, and He is working everything out for our good. We should be confident in this promise and trust in God's ability to perfect what He has begun in us.
• We must not look at the sin in our lives and give up, but rather claim Jesus' promise to keep us from stumbling. This means confessing our sins and removing them in the name of Jesus.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to reflect on your faith and how God has worked in your life. Fix your eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of your faith, and trust in His promise to keep you from stumbling. Make a conscious effort to add virtues to your faith, such as goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas of your life where you need to fix your eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of your faith?
• How can you apply the promise in Jude 1:24 to your life this week, trusting in God's ability to keep you from stumbling?
• Reflect on times when people have let you down or failed you. How can you use those experiences as opportunities to trust in Jesus' promise and fix your eyes on Him as the author and perfector of your faith?