STEPS: Believe

Probably the most striking statement of belief that we read in God’s word comes from the gospel of Mark. While Christ is talking to a man whose son has been demon-possessed from childhood, the man says, “If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:20-24) Christ tells him all things are possible to the one who believes. Then, as if speaking across the generations, the man replies, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

As followers of Christ, we understand and follow the steps of salvation; we hear, we believe, we repeat, we confess, and we are baptized. And still, under Satan’s attack and the turmoil of life, we find these same words flowing from our hearts; “Help my unbelief!” This Sunday (September 17th) we’ll be looking closing at that second step of salvation and how examine just how deeply do we believe. Take the next step on Sunday morning and join those of us who…’Believe.’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, September 17, 2017

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” – 524

There are a lot of things we don’t know. How long has this world been spinning, how did God create this world, why would God send His Son to redeem mankind? Lots of unknown questions, but as this song affirms, “I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!” Even with so many unanswered questions, when it comes to our relationship with our Creator and His Son…we believe.

“Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer” – 849

When we bow our heads (bend our hearts) and pray to our Father it is a blessed hour. And we pray because we believe He hears.” The last verse of this song is a great statement of faith, “At the blessed hour of prayer, trusting Him we believe that the blessing we’re needing we will surely receive…”

“Trust and Obey” – 915

Typically an ‘invitation song’, this spiritual song takes our trust (our belief) and reminds us to walk with the Lord. Just remember, He will abide with us as we do His good will. The question that must be answered is do you, will you, trust and obey?

“We Saw Thee Not” – 342

As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper, this hymn reminds us that even though we didn’t witness His birth, or see His vicious death on the cross or the empty tomb after His resurrection, we believe! By faith…we believe.

“Bethlehem…Galilee…Gethsemane” – 357

Christ was born in Bethlehem. Christ lived and walked alone the shores of Galilee. And Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane hours before his death. As referenced in the earlier song, we weren’t there, but we believe. It is for this reason we are propelled to take each step toward salvation.

“Ancient Words” – no book

“Ancient Words, ever true…changing you and changing me.” But is our heart changed when we hear and read God’s Word, or are we just ‘going through the motions?’ We WILL be changed when we fully believe and act on that belief that those ‘ancient words’…those ‘holy words’ are ever true!

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” – 679

Though typically not an invitation song we’ll begin this song with the chorus; “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!” To ‘prove’ something means that you will ‘establish it as truth.’ Do you believe to the point that over and over again you establish Jesus Christ as TRUTH? Remember what He said in John chapter 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

“I Believe in Jesus” – 356

We’ve talked about how we take the next step to believe in the message of salvation. Now, don’t just say or sing it, but live and practice it. Take that step as we close and affirm, “Yes, I believe in the One they called Jesus…and I believe that He’s the answer for me.”