Sermon Cloud

Belief connects us to God's provision of salvation. 

1. Man has a need, because of sin.  Romans 3:23; 6:23

2. God's provision for our need is found in Christ.  The provision has been made, but we must avail ourselves of that provision

3. We must believe, and are held accountable for not believing. 

John 3:16, 36;  5:24;  Acts 16:31;  John 8:24; 3:18  Belief attaches us to what Christ has done for us.

Belief always has an object.

1. It's not just "belief" in something that saves you.

2. We need to believe in the biblical Jesus.  John 20:31

3. Belief in any one or any thing other than the biblical Christ, will not save you, nor will it produce the joy we are talking about.

Belief is by its nature always personal.

1. No one else can believe for you.  Not your parents, not your church.

Belief is more than an agreement with the facts.   James 2:19

1. Belief is an action or movement of our will wherby we trust and rely upon what we know to be true. Belief transfers our dependence from "whatever" to Christ.

2. The belief the Bible talks about involves a repentace.  Acts 20:21;  26:20

This repentance is a change of mind, where I no longer believe something else will save me, but I trust only in Jesus.   In believing, I no longer trust my good works, my intellect, or anything or anyone else.  I repent of those things.

3. Since believing is a movement of my will, it is always accompanied by an expression of that belief.

Romans 10:13  I call upon Christ.

This belief is not just a feeling that I believe, it is a definite action.