“One Lord one faith one baptism.” Eph.4:5. “Till we all come to the unity of the faith.” Eph. 4:13 “By grace are you saved through faith”.. Eph. 2:8

THE FAITH. {refers to the great truths revealed through Jesus Christ. }

1. This faith you believe , is it yours?

Is it yours or your parents? Or is it what the church where you attend believes?
[ In a book shop window this sign was seen “Second-hand Theology for sale”] What we need today is a first edition. Personal belief in the Word of God.
Have you made the truth of God and the Lord Jesus Christ personally yours? Or is a second-hand version.

Our son Paul said when he was in his teens “I believed God’s word because I had been taught it but now I believe it because I have found it to be true and the Lord Jesus to be a wonderful Saviour.”

2. The faith you believe is it working?

a. A real faith will meet your personal needs as a sinner.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” [M't:7:24-27]
Build on the rock a real foundation.

b. A real faith will give you something to share.
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” [2 Tim.1:12]
The world is in a desperate state morally and spiritually.
People need help A word of testimony: A scripture verse:
A smile: a kindly word: A helping hand.

3. The faith you believe is it basic?

Is it an OPINION or CONVICTION?
You say what is the difference?
An opinion is something that YOU HOLD!
A conviction is something that HOLDS YOU!
a. A basic faith consists of beliefs that really matter.
Beliefs basic to life and eternity.God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Trinity, The Bible, Sin, Salvation, The Church
Destiny and Victory over satan.
b. A basic faith is personal.
Witnessing, stewardship, fellowship.
c. A basic faith is one worth dying for!
Remember Stephen, Paul, Peter Jim Elliott, and even recently Brother Pollard.

4. The faith that you believe is it Christ centred?

The place to begin is with Jesus Christand His death and resurrection.
The earliest known confession is “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD” This is where to begin. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”.
[Rom.10.9]

Are we saved? Yes then the test of real faith is spiritual maturity. Are we Christ like?