“Your Belief System” CERTAINTIES

The Point: When we’re certain of what we believe, there is security, stability, and hope.

I. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR BELIEF SYSTEM

SALVATION … BECOME A CHRIST FOLLOWER

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

SECURITY… YOU CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38,39

THE FALSEHOODS OF OUR BELIEF SYSTEM – LUKE 8:4-14 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:

“The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’” (10)

“A farmer went out to sow his seed “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.

Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

Still other seed fell on good soil Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Sower – The Witness or God The Seed – The Word of God The Soil – The Hearers

1. “Seed Along the Path” …SKEPTICISM

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” Luke 8:11,12

Those who hear, but are not ready to COMMIT…they are SKEPTICAL

2. “Rocky Ground”… EMOTIONALISM

Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. Luke 8:13

Enthusiasm that folded when called on to SACRIFICE… SUPERFICIAL COMMITMENT

CONNECT with OTHERS Build SPIRITUAL HABITS (3) Spiritual Gifts, Heart (Passion), Abilities, Personality, Experiences (4)Share my FAITH (5) Fulfill my PURPOSE

3. “Thorns…worries, riches, pleasures” = MATERIALISM

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they were choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. Luke 8:14

Anything that keeps God from becoming a PRIORITY.  

III. THE FIX TO OUR BELIEF SYSTEM

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:14

“Good Soil”…THE TRUTH A living and growing relationship to Jesus Christ that produces FRUIT

NOW WHAT?

1. On what kind of soil have you built your belief system? The Path   The Path The Rock The Thorns The Good

2. Which soil does your life style support?   Skepticism Emotionalism Materialism Truth

3. Are you CERTAIN that your. Belief System is 3. Are you CERTAIN that your Belief System is correct…are you a Christ Follower? Do you have fruit?  

Lord Jesus I need you. I believe that you died for my sin, I believe you went to the grave to for my sin, I believe you were raised from the dead. I receive you into my heart today. Help me to be the kind of person that shows I am a Christ Follower.