What Does Faith Look Like? Great mistake to view baptism as an end within itself When one trusts in god to give their life to him, that is a great first step

There Is A Newness & Zeal That Needs To Be Directed Towards “That Form Of Doctrine To Which You Were Delivered” Romans 6:4,17 “you obeyed from the heart” Your baptism likened to a “before” & “after” picture in which you are just starting! God will mold you like a potter – Isaiah 64:8

“Making Faith Your Own?” Events of life shock us into awaking to our spiritual needs Do no want to be caught in spiritual stagnation where you are going through the motions- 2 Peter 1:9

A Genuine Faith Changes The Heart Fight to keep our hearts open to God – John 15:4-7 A genuine faith has “energy” to fight the pull of the world – 1 John 5:4,5 Satan seeks to dilute that “energy” by planting “weeds” – Matthew 13:22

Every Day We Need To Be Aware Of God’s Presence & Power Make every day a day of prayer & praise: Filled with thanksgiving – Philippians 3:1; 4:4-7 A Genuine faith loves truth: Involves reason & discernment – Romans 12:1,2 What is truth like? “Is propositional, coherent, logical, rational, syllogistic, & reasonable.” Immature Christian vulnerable – Ephesians 4:14,15

Satan Strongly Seeks To Avoid Reason With An Open Heart & Open Bible Luke 8:12 “lest they should believe and be saved” Truth will bring you into the light – John 18:20 Worldly religion hides beliefs in darkness- Luke 20:4-7 Beware of someone pulling you into a private study and not tell anyone – 2 Peter 2:1

Truth Will Make You Boldly Test All Things! 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “test all things” Light comes as an opportunity- it can be lost! – John 12:35,36

Genuine Faith Must Fight Bitterness & Pride Some make “changes” that are not of God – Philippians 3:15-19 You can change because of relationships & not upon tested truth! Is your pursuit of faith bringing you closer to brethren? 1 Peter 1:22,23

Pride Looks Down On Brethren 1 John 2:9-11,16 Pride & Bitterness partners – Luke 18:9 Pride will blind the mind to understand God’s word – Isaiah 29:14-16 Pride rejoices in the faults of others!

Genuine Faith Will Grow Out Of Pain & Sacrifice Easier to eliminate conflict by compromising with the world- Hebrews 11:32-38 So doing will destroy your faith – Genesis 25:33,34 How many of us have changed our attendance patterns? Why?

Pain With Faith Can Draw Us To A Much Stronger Faith Romans 5:3-5 “tribulation produces perseverance” God will allow you to face your worst fears – Genesis 32:9-11 Jacob had many carnal things burned out of him be God allowing him to face his greatest fear

You Have Genuine Brethren Who Want To Share That Pain With You Hebrews 2:11-13 “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Let the light you follow come from God! – Isaiah 2:5,6; 50:10,11 “Let him trust in the name of the Lord, And rely upon his God.”