FROM THE PULPIT: FAITH COMES BY HEARING GOD'S WORD

I recall two events in baseball history, in which one just knew what the final outcome would be after hearing these events. Ken Boyer of St. Louis hit a grand slam to beat the Yankees in game 4 of the 1964 World Series. Somehow, you just knew the Yankees were in trouble and the Cardinals would win it all -- and they did. Then, in 1985, it seemed to be a year of destiny for the Kansas City Royals. Through the season and the playoffs, whenever they desparately needed a big hit or a pitching star, they got it. But they were down in the 6th game of the World Series as well. But when Jorge Orta was safe on a questionable call, somehow one just knew KC would win the Series -- and they did.

Faith is like that. When we hear what Godhas done for us, we get excited."God made him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God." A Corinthians 5:21) We are saved from our sins, from death and hell by thesuf * fering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ,an and faith in him. When we hear this good news,we believe his promises, for us, We want to know more, we experience joy, peacel and hopeWe want to serve God, and give our lives to him. Somehow we just know everything will turn out well!

Faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."(Romans 10:17) How can we believe God with out reading,-hearing, coming to know God's Word? We can't. Yet it is the only true source of joy. In my baseball examples, one item was good news, one bad, if you're a Cardinal fand(Personally, I'm a KC fan, having grown up near there!) But God's Word is always good news!

God's Word is the source of real life. "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deuteronomy,8:3) Jesus said,"My words are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

How we long for good news! So why not be diligent in turning to the source of God's good news, our Bibles? "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe."(Romans 1:16)