PARADOX THE UPSIDE DOWN TRUTH OF FAITH

PARADOX THE UPSIDE DOWN TRUTH OF FAITH

PARADOX

Week 4 Seeing the Unseen to Truly See

Outline Seeing the Unseen to Truly See I. RECONFIGURING 3 REALITIES (regarding seeing the unseen to truly see) Hebrews 11:1-6 II. RECOMMENDING 3 REMEDIES (for seeing the unseen to truly see) 1 Cor. 2:6-16

I. Reconfiguring 3 Realities

Hebrews 11:1-6 Seeing the Unseen to Truly See I. Reconfiguring 3 Realities 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: He could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

I. Reconfiguring 3 Realities Hebrews 6 Seeing the Unseen to Truly See 1. Concreteness (of the unseen) Vs. 3 2. Confidence (about the unseen) Vs. 1 3. Commendation (for seeing the unseen) Vs. 2,4,6 4. Currency (of the unseen) Vs. 3,4,5

1. Concreteness (of the unseen world) vs. 3

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

2. Confidence (about the unseen) vs. 1

2. Confidence (about the unseen world) vs. 1. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

3. Commendation (for seeing the unseen) vs. 2,4,6 This is what the ancients were commended for.

4. Currency (of the unseen) vs. 3,4,5

II. Recommending 3 Remedies 3S

1. Scripture 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

2. Spirit (of God) 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 9 However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him- 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

3. Supplication Mark 9:14-29 21 Jesus asked the boy s father, How long has he been like this? From childhood, he answered. 22 It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. 23 If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes. 24 Immediately the boy s father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

PARADOX THE UPSIDE DOWN TRUTH OF FAITH Seeing the Unseen to Truly See

1 Peter 1:8-9 Seeing the Unseen to Truly See Conclusion 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic* (universal) and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen. *the true Christian church of all times and all places