This Week's Message

Summary: Many people say that they "believe" in Jesus, but that belief often makes little impact on their life. The Bible makes it clear that there is a faith that saves and that there is also a faith that is not saving - a faith that may acknowledge facts, but doesn't know the Savior. Today we are going to look at the faith that saves.

Key Scripture

John 4:39-42 [NIVO]:

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." ⁴⁰So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  ⁴¹And because of his words many more became believers.  ⁴²They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."  

You Need a Witness

• John 4:39 - Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 
• John 1:45 - Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 
• Romans 10:13-14 - Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

You Need Interest

• John 4:40 - So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  
• John 1:45-47 - Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip. 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching . . .  

You Need to be with Jesus

• John 4:41-42 - And because of his words many more became believers. 42They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves
• Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Listen, Hear, and Engage

• John 4:42 - They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." 
• Romans 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
• Luke 8:18 - Therefore consider carefully how you listen.
• Hebrews 4:2 - For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
• James 2:19 - You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder.
• John 6:64-66 – et there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.  ⁶⁵He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."  ⁶⁶From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.