The Problem of Faith

Part of In Transit

April 16, 2018

Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Philippians 2:12 NIV
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Mark 9:35 NIV
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

John 12:25 NIV
25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 6:44 NIV
44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

John 7:17 NIV
17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

“Everything is under God’s control, yet man has free will.” —Rabbinic Proverb

“Making sense of everything is not an obligation or even a possibility. Acceptance of a mystery is an act not of resignation but humility” —David Wolpe

Genesis 12:1–3 NIV
1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

THE CALLING

THE UPGRADE

Ephesians 3:16–17 NIV
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

John 14:23 NIV
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

Romans 8:11 NIV
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

1 Corinthians 13:9–12 NIV
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

THE COVENANT

Hebrews 11:10 NIV
10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Galatians 3:16 NIV
16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 NIV
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.