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Introduction

In today’s world more and more challenges are being made to our faith; from fellow employees, ungodly friends, or from those in the academic community. I do not believe that blind faith is the answer; we need to have an informed faith, a faith that is based on strong evidence. I believe that such evidence exists. What is needed for a believer to have a victorious faith in today’s world? It must stand up to several tests:

I. The academic test

A. The academic community prides itself on “scientific inquiry” Observe the end result, then posit a theory as to how it happened, then seek to prove that theory.

B. There is nothing wrong with that process if it is applied in every case.

C. Unfortunately, when it comes to God, many in the academic community scrap the “scientific inquiry” methodology.

D. EXAMPLE: Evolution vs. Creationism

E. Science offers evolution as the answer to all that exists, but:

1. The theory of evolution has never been proven.

2. There is not one missing link, but many

3. Richard DeBakey’s findings disprove evolution

4. Disagrees with the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

5. Nothing known to man is evolving into something better

6. Regardless: Who started the process?

F. Biblical Creationism however:

1. Answers the question of who started the ball rolling

2. Answers who, what, when, how, and why

3. Is it unscientific? Consider that Science has never proven anything that contradicts Scripture!

G. Who stands to lose the most? The atheistic scientist or the Christian believer?

II. The test of living

A. The problem most unbelievers have with Christianity is Christians who don’t live up to Christian standards.

B. The world has a right to expect Christians to be different

C. If you neglect your bills, talk vile, or sleep with your boyfriend, don’t expect them to respect your faith

D. I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Know ye not…temple…glorify God…body”

E. God’s not looking for people to die for Him, but live for Him

F. Don’t mistake God’s grace as a stamp of approval on your sinful conduct; God loved David, but David paid for his sin

III. The test of dying

A. Hebrews 9:27 “It is appointed unto man once to die…”

B. The younger one is the more unlikely this probability, BUT..

C. My daughter-in-law was only 32, in perfect health, BUT…

D. Would you rather face death with an unproved scientific theory or with a profound faith in a loving, forgiving God?

E. Consider the testimony of dying unbelievers vs. the testimony of dying saints of God.

IV. Application

A. So, how does your faith stack up today? Will it stand the test?

B. Call for the unsaved, unsure, backslidden

C. Call for a fresh commitment of students