Message Notes

YAG 10th RETREAT 
SESSION # 2
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Time: 9.00am
Theme: “A Living Sacrifice”

B. A RATIONAL FAITH (REASONED-FAITH)
1. Different approaches

a) Ritualistic approach

b) Legalistic approach

c) Emotional approach

d) Reasoned-Faith approach

2. A reasoned approach           (Acts 17:2, 17 root word dialegomai)

a) Clear examples of the use of a reasoned-faith approach

i) Thessalonica- synagogue           Acts 17:2 (Jews)

ii) Athens- synagogue           Acts 17:17 (Jew and Gentile worshippers)

iii) In the Athenian market place           Acts 17:17 (implied)

iv) In Corinth- synagogue           Acts 18:4

v) In Ephesus- synagogue           Acts 18:19

vi) In Ephesus- the school of Tyrannus           Acts 19:9 (teaching of disciples)

b) Reason (legomai)

i) Discuss

ii) Debate

c) Related words (semantic field- the concept of “reasoning” prevails)

i) Preached the word of God           Acts 13:5 (kataggelo announce, proclaim)

ii) Preached           Acts 13:42, 46; 14:1 (Laleo)

iii) Exhortation           Acts 14:22 (parakaleo)

iv) Persuasion           Acts 18:4 (peitho- persuade by reason)

v) Testified           Acts 18:5 (diamarturomai- solemn declaration/oath)

vi) Teaching           Acts 18:11 (didasko- teach… contextually flavoured)

3. How may we cultivate “A reasoned Rational faith?”

a) Ponder Man’s problem of Sin

i) Judgment of Gentiles           Romans 1

ii) Judgment of Jews           Romans 2-3

b) Ponder the Doctrine of Justification

i) Justice of God           Romans 3:26

ii) Justified by God           Romans 3:26, 30

iii) Justified by grace           Romans 3:24

iv) Justified by faith           Romans 3:22,26

v) Justified through Christ           Romans 3:24

vi) Sins passed over           Romans 3:25

vii) “Therefore we conclude…”           Romans 3:27

c) Appreciation

i) Heart (Emotions)

ii) Mind (Reason)

d) Articulation

i) What God has done for me?

ii) How does my heart respond? (immediate)

iii) How should my mind respond? (consequential)

iv) How do I articulate my response? (considered)

e) Practice

i) What changes must take place?

ii) What plans would I need to make to effect changes permanently?

iii) How would I evaluate my spiritual state?

iv) How do I make further progress?

4. Making further progress in Faith

a) Study the Doctrine of Faith

b) Ponder the life of “Abraham our Father”           Romans 4:1, 16

i) Rich heritage

ii) Biblical heritage

c) Ponder Abraham’s Steps of Faith           Romans 4:12

i) Abraham believed God           Romans 4:3

ii) He had faith in the promises of God           Romans 4:13, 16

iii) He appreciated the grace of God through faith (not law)           Romans 4:14-16

iv) He exercised full faith in God’s promises

v) He believed in the Power of a Creator-God           Romans 4:17

vi) He fought all things contrary to his faith in God           Romans 4:18

vii) He exercised hope (unrealized faith in God’s promises)           Romans 4:18

viii) He determined not to be weak in faith           Romans 4:19

ix) He refused to waver at the promise of God           Romans 4:20a

x) He fought unbelief           Romans 4:20b

xi) He remained strong in his faith in God           Romans 4:20c

xii) He sought to glorify God with his faith           Romans 4:20d

xiii) He became fully convinced in his faith           Romans 4:21

d) An honest appraisal of our faith in God

i) How much knowledge is found in our faith?

ii) How well do we relate to God?

iii) How well do we struggle against our doubts and unbelief?

iv) How genuinely strong is our faith?

v) How much do we value our faith?

vi) What steps are we taking to cultivate our faith?

vii) How much of a reasoned-faith do we really possess?

e) Personal and practical Steps to be taken

i) Immediately

ii) Determine area that needs urgent attention

iii) Heart to respond

iv) Mind to be trained to respond!