I’m in a series called “TRENDING” where we are answering questions that people from our faith community posed about God, life, and the issues facing us today.
A LINK to the VIDEO message is here: http://vimeo.com/channels/forestpointe/100965557
Believing 
“My business is not to prove to any other man that there is a God, but to find Him myself.” George McDonald
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-18 (NLT)
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey His commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 1 John 5:1-5 (NLT)
1. What is Salvation? Deliverance, Redemption, & Healing through Jesus Christ.
“Salvation comes BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH in Christ PLUS NOTHING.”
2.What is the difference between Catholic belief and the way we believe?
The Five Solas of The Protestant Reformation are:
o Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
o Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
o Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.
o Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.
o Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”): We live for the glory of God alone.
Essential Differences. Catholics believe…
o Extra-Biblical writings and tradition as much as Scripture
o Follow the authority of the Pope as The infallible “Vicar” of Christ
o Believe that salvation comes through the church membership and the sacraments (Salvation by works)
o In praying to the saints, venerating Mary, and trusting that communion becomes the blood and body of Christ when we take it (transubstatiation)
3. What does it mean to believe? Believing means I trust that…
o God is who He says He is
o God can do what He says He can do
o I am who God says I am
o I can do what all things through Christ
o God’s word is alive and active in me.
o Source Beth Moore, Believing God
4. What if my child made a profession of faith and now has turned from the faith?
o What God has given in salvation cannot be taken away.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. John 10:28-29 (NLT)
o When God begins His work in us, He finishes it.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
5. What if I sometimes doubt my belief in God?
Ask God to let you reach out and touch Him in some tangible way. He will reveal Himself to you.
13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NLT)
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 20:26-29 (NLT)
The Essential Question: Do You believe? Settle that question today.
