Derek begins this week’s message by looking at faith and its place in receiving the gospel, making clear just what the gospel is. He then goes into the relationship between faith and works, revealing the danger of legalism but also the misunderstanding of what grace is. We have been made new creations through faith in order to do the good works God has prepared for us.

Derek finishes this week’s study by transitioning from the way of repentance to the walk of faith. He begins with a look at the nature of faith—what it is and where it originates. Faith speaks from our heart and our high priest, Jesus, adds power to it. Faith comes before seeing, but speaks out by confessing hope with determination.

Derek continues his message on a serious note: the fact that God hasn’t changed, and neither has the gospel message. Throughout the book of Acts repentance was stressed first; then came believing in Christ, and then baptism. When God initiates repentance in our lives, He is looking for a response from us.

In today’s session Derek stresses the importance that repentance has to be made before one can fully enter into faith in Christ and be saved. There can be no forgiveness without repentance. This was the message that began in Jerusalem and continues to all nations today.

Today we look at just what repentance means and what it looks like. Derek explains the Greek and Hebrew meanings, drawing them together into a picture that can be seen in the parable of the prodigal son. When this prodigal son, in his misery and broken state, came to himself, he was able to repent and return to his father’s house in humility.

Derek begins a look at the six foundational doctrines that will take you from the starting point of the Christian faith to its ultimate fulfillment in eternity. We begin this study with repentance from dead works, which Derek notes is a decision we make, not an emotion we feel. Dead works are anything we do that is not done in faith to God.

Derek finishes the teaching from this week by going through the effects God’s Word can have on your life. God’s Word produces faith, it is the seed of the new birth, and it is spiritual nourishment. It produces illumination, provides physical healing, and makes possible victory over sin and Satan. It also provides cleansing and holiness, and is a spiritual mirror.

Today Derek continues teaching how God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness through the promises He has made in His Word. He then begins a look at the effects God’s Word can have in your life–what it will do for you as you feed on it.

Derek explains that the authority behind the Scripture is the Holy Spirit, who causes those truths to work in our lives bringing discernment, life, and power. The Word has the ability to separate the soulish from the spiritual, revealing the thoughts and intents of the heart of man.

Derek looks at how Jesus dealt with Satan when he questioned what God had said. It is the same ploy used on Eve and others throughout history. Jesus quoted directly from the Word of God; and He is our example for how we should deal with spiritual warfare in our lives.