We Have Considered 7 Strategies

2. We Have Considered 7 Strategies • Vision & Victories • Personal example • An optimistic faith • Endurance • Body language • Humility • Controlling conflict • Lighten up

3. What do these have in common? Matthew 8:5-10- healing of the Centurion’s servant? Mark 5:24-34- healing of the woman with the issue of blood? Mark 7:24-30- healing of the Syrophoenician’s daughter FAITH DEMONSTRATED

4. 10 Strategies for Christian Influence/Leadership How to increase flavor and shine brighter, #9, A Demonstrated Faith

5. “Faith Alone” has led Millions to Problems • Methodists, in their Discipline, also say, "Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort. • Luther's Catechism teaches, "We are justified and saved by faith alone, without works... • In their Book of Common Prayer, the Episcopalians teach, "Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine

6. “Faith Alone” has led Millions to Problems • The Hiscox Standard Baptist Manual says, "We believe the Scriptures teach that the great gospel blessing which secures to such as believe in Him is justification; … that it is bestowed... solely through faith • Baptist debaters are denied the ability to know when the apostle Paul was saved

7. John 12:42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; Fear

8. Luke 13:23, 25-27 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” …When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ They think “close” is close enough

9. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. It’s easy to say, “Lord, Lord” and disobey

10. James 2:17-18 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. Demonstrated in works! Faith needs to be demonstrated!

11. James 2:20-22 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; Demonstrated in working! Faith needs to be demonstrated!

12. James 2:24, 26 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone… 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. “NOT BY” is not to be ignored! Faith needs to be demonstrated!

13. For faith to be • Useful • Living • And perfect, i.e. influential it must be demonstrated.

14. Matthew 14:28-29 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

15. Risk takers make things happen For faith to be • Useful • Living • And perfect, i.e. influential it must be demonstrated. Faith demonstrated is risky, scary, taking a chance

16. How Can We “Get out of the boat”? • Speak up first • Introduce Jesus into conversation • Run the checkbook down • Do something different • Take a stand with… dates, fiance, employers, coaches, friends • Invest in kingdom work evangelism, benevolence, & edification • Obey the gospel !