Alpha | Session 4 | How Can I Have Faith?

‘Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

A Christian is a Christ-ian: someone who follows and puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

How that happens varies enormously. For some there is a definite moment; for others it is a more gradual process.

• When you receive Christ, you become a child of God (John 1:12)
• God wants you to be sure of your faith

‘I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life’ (1 JOHN 5:13)

Faith is not a blind leap, but a step based on evidence.

1. THE WORD OF GOD

We must not only trust our feelings, which can be changeable and may even be deceptive at times, but instead rely on God’s promises.

• ‘… faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God.’ (Romans 10:17)
• ‘I will come in’ (Revelation 3:20)
• ‘I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20)
• ‘I give them eternal life’ (John 10:28)

2. THE WORK OF JESUS

You come exactly as you are. It’s not about what you do or what you can achieve; it’s about what has been done for you by Jesus on the cross.

• Free gift of God(Romans6:23)
• It’s free but not cheap: it cost Jesus his life
• We receive it through repentance (turning away from sin) and faith (trust)

3. THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When someone becomes a Christian, God comes to live inside them by his Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9).

• He transforms us from within
  • Our characters (Galatians 5:22–23) – Our relationships
• He brings a deep personal conviction that we are God’s children
  • Faith to knowledge (Romans 8:15–16)

Here is a very simple prayer that you can pray to open the door of you heart to Jesus Christ and invite him to come into your life by his Spirit:

Lord Jesus Christ,
I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for
me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive
that gift. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Amen.