PART 1 – The Christian Faith – What is meant by the Christian Faith? (10/12/08)

NOTE: The following message and the related Scriptures below, can be utilized along with: A Suggested Format for Home Worship

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” [Isaiah 55:1-2]

What is meant, by the Christian Faith?” What is meant by "Believing" and / or, being, "Saved?"

The Christian Scriptures itself, defines for us the Christian Faith. [1 Corinthians 15]

The Christian Faith is not about an introspective hope or some idealistic optimism, but it is a firmly held belief [by intellect and life practice – Acts 8:26-40 ; Matthew 7:13-29] about a special person prophesied [in history] hundreds of years before His birth, life, suffering, death, burial and resurrection. [Following, are a couple of divine prophetic Scriptures to illustrate -- Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53].

The Christian Faith is not about being perfect or attempting to attain a certain measure of human holiness, but it is about Creator God’s gift to humanity. [John 3:14-21 ; Ephesians 2:8-9]

So, what does, [being] “Saved,” mean?

In short, [being] “Saved,” denotes, being rescued from [sinful] self and from personal sin (s). Creator [Triune] God did not leave His creation without a clue. He provided for us a clear message in His Divine [revelation] book, called the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures – better known, as “The Bible.” [2 Timothy 3:14-17]

“Saved” from sin? Then, what is, “Sin?”

“Sin,” described, in the Bible, is the transgression of the [God’s] law. [1 John 3:4 ; Exodus 20:3-17]

Sin, is the reason our bodies will grow old [baring a sudden accident] and someday [certainly] die. [Genesis 3:1-19 ; Ezekiel 18:20a ; Psalm 90 – esp. Verses 3-10]

Because of sin, there is evil and there are evil people. [Genesis 6:5 ; Psalm 53 ; Ecclesiastes 7:20 ; Romans 3:23]

Sin, results in a corruption of global proportions. [Genesis 3 – esp. Verses, 16-19 ; Romans 8:19-22]

“Sin,” also, separates a sinful human being, from Creator God. [Isaiah 59 – esp. Verse, 2]

Because of the staining traits of sin, there will be no perfection [holiness] in the hereafter, [apart from heaven] for the sinning soul. The only perfection in the hereafter is “Heaven.” Heaven cannot exist with sin – only, holiness. Hence, sin, is the vile “instrument,” that damns a human soul, once a person’s life’s breath is expended from his [her] human body.

The “Antidote” for human sin

The Almighty mercifulness of a [perfect] Holy Creator [Triune] God, cries out for an “Antidote” [rescue] for human sin. [John 3:14-21 ; Romans 5:6-21 ; 1 John 4:9-10]

The divine revelatory Hebrew and Christian Scriptures relate not only about sin; its devastation and eternal damnation consequences [Matthew 25:31-46 – esp. Verses 41 & 46] but also sin’s “Antidote,” (Divine cure). [Isaiah 55:1-7 ; John 3:14-21] And that “Cure,” [rescue plan] is not found in anything global (earthly). Rather it is found in the Divine presence of a promised (Holy Messiah, Jesus Christ. [Genesis 3:15 ; Isaiah 53 ; Hebrews 9:11-15 ; Hebrews 10:1-14]

Note: Part 2 -- "How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place"

Also: The above message & related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: A Suggested Format for Home Worship

Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"

Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"

This Sunday’s Message Related Scriptures:

Old Testament [Christian] Scripture:

Psalm 22 – One of the many “Old Testament” Scriptures relating prophetic details about the Messiah Christ hundreds of years before His birth. Please note with the above prohetic Psalm, the specific fulfillment of Christ's suffering and crucifixion recorded in the New Testament Gospels.

Psalm 23 -- The Good Shepherd

Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak? -- Isaiah 53 -- A commentary by [Jewish] Victor Buksbazen
New Testament Christian Scripture:

Gospel of John, Chapter, 10 – Christ, the Good Shepherd
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The Christian Faith -- Parts 1-3:

1) What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2) How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3) What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]?
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Complete list: Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages
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Pastor Nathan Bickel – Bay City, Michigan

Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and / or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel