This Week's Message

Summary: Many people say that they "believe" in Jesus, but that belief often makes little impact on their life. The Bible makes it clear that there is a faith that saves and that there is also a faith that is not saving - a faith that may acknowledge facts, but doesn't know the Savior. Today we are going to look at the faith that saves.

Key Scripture

John 4:39-42 [NIVO]:

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  ⁴¹And because of his words many more became believers.  ⁴²They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."  

Non-Saving Faith

• James 2:19 – You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder.
• John 6:64-66 – Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. ⁶⁵He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has enabled him.“ ⁶⁶From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.
• Matthew 7:21-23 - Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  ²²Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'  ²³Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Elements of Saving Faith

• John 1:45 - Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
• John 1:45-47 - Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."  ⁴⁶"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.  ⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching . . .
• John 4:39 – ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days.  
• Romans 10:13-14 - Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  ¹⁴How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  ¹⁵And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
• Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.