2. Is Your Faith Really Your Own? John 20:24-29

3. I. Spending Time With Special Witnesses

4. A. “Witnessing” Today Subjective “feelings,” smooth talkers, and supernatural beings Gal.1:6-9 Subjective “feelings,” smooth talkers, and supernatural beings Gal.1:6-9 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” Matt.7 - One’s “feelings” will not override the words of the special witnesses Matt.7:21-23

5. A. “Witnessing” Today Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not believing Old Testament witnesses Jn.5:39 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for not believing Old Testament witnesses Jn.5:39 - How could they miss the clear prophesy concerning the Messiah? Psa.22:1-17 B. God’s Word Contains The Witnesses - Peter testified he was an eyewitness of God’s approval of Jesus Christ 2 Pet.1:16 - “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” Jn.20:30-31

6. II. Testing Our Beliefs Often

7. A. Some Feel Guilt Questioning Their Faith Some question God’s words reflecting a doubting of His nature Lk.1:18-20 Some question God’s words reflecting a doubting of His nature Lk.1:18-20 - Jesus said those who want to “do His will” will know if the teaching is from God Jn.7:17 - Zacharias, a priest, should have known who God is! Psa.139:1-24 - “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand” Jer.18:6 - We must examine all human teaching!

8. A. Some Feel Guilt Questioning Their Faith Question every religious teacher Rom.16 Question every religious teacher Rom.16 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. B. Everyone Must Examine His Beliefs 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Rom.16

9. A. Some Feel Guilt Questioning Their Faith John urges the same examination I Jn.4:1 John urges the same examination I Jn.4:1 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I Jn.4 B. Everyone Must Examine His Beliefs - Saul of Tarsus experienced the worst kind of deception, self-deception Acts 26:9-10 - Always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you I Pet.3:15

10. III. Observing Our Faith In The Storm

11. A. Storms Reveal Faith’s Genuineness After saving Peter Jesus replied, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt.14:31 After saving Peter Jesus replied, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt.14:31 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4 - After suffering persecution Paul wrote “we also believe and therefore speak” 2 Cor.4:13 - These disciples had made faith their own and Jesus sustained them! 2 Tim.4:7-8

12. A. Storms Reveal Faith’s Genuineness Jesus will sustain us through life’s trials Jesus will sustain us through life’s trials - Personal disappointments or tragedies can cause us to despair and quit 2 Tim.4:16-17 - God promises He will help the faithful through every temptation I Cor.10:13 B. Our Faith Will See Us To Heaven - Sin will destroy our faith if we allow it to: Israel Heb.3:16-19 Israel Heb.3:16-19 Peter Gal.2:11-14 Peter Gal.2:11-14

13. IV. Walking With God In Calm Times

14. A. Patriarchs Walked With God Everyday Times were calm because faithful people trusted in God in any situation Heb.11:13-16 Times were calm because faithful people trusted in God in any situation Heb.11:13-16 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb.11 - They “walked with God” through great trials and in normal “everyday” living - God was with them every step of the way!

15. A. Patriarchs Walked With God Everyday Jesus strengthens this idea Matt.11:28-30 Jesus strengthens this idea Matt.11:28-30 28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Explain what “My yoke is easy and My burden is light means?” Rom.8:18 B. We too Can Walk With God To Heaven 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

16. Timothy’s Faith Was His Own 5 When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also 2 Tim.1 15 And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you to wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim.3 Give your heart completely to God!