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INTRODUCTION
A. Story of troubled old grandmother
An old woman had, for years, been thoroughly overcome by all kinds of troubles and trials in life. Her family had done all they could for her, but nothing seemed to help. Finally, they gathered together one day and told her. "Grandma, we've done all we can for you. From now on you're just going to have to trust God." A look of fear and total dejection came over her face as she said, "Oh, dear. Has it come to that?" ----- It always comes to that!
B. Our world seems to not know what to do with God.
1. Should you believe in God or not?
2. Should you cover your bases and believe in God and in whatever seems to work, too?
3. If you believe in God, can you somehow cover it up so people won't think you're some kind of a fanatic?
C. Even in church circles, we've become unsure about what a faithful person is
D. Today I want to address some "faith basics" -- some fundamental truths about faith that can make all the difference in how we deal with God
I. WHY IS THE SUBJECT OF FAITH IMPORTANT?
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJ)
1. We cannot please God without faith (negative statement)
2. With faith, we can please God (positive statement)
3. Therefore, if we are concerned at all about pleasing God, faith is a primary or basic foundational element
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is writ
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