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The Life of Faith
William MacDonald

William MacDonald (1917 - 2007). American Bible teacher, author, and preacher born in Leominster, Massachusetts. Raised in a Scottish Presbyterian family, he graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1940, served as a Marine officer in World War II, and worked as a banker before committing to ministry in 1947. Joining the Plymouth Brethren, he taught at Emmaus Bible School in Illinois, becoming president from 1959 to 1965. MacDonald authored over 80 books, including the bestselling Believer’s Bible Commentary (1995), translated into 17 languages, and True Discipleship. In 1964, he co-founded Discipleship Intern Training Program in California, mentoring young believers. Known for simple, Christ-centered teaching, he spoke at conferences across North America and Asia, advocating radical devotion over materialism. Married to Winnifred Foster in 1941, they had two sons. His radio program Guidelines for Living reached thousands, and his writings, widely online, emphasize New Testament church principles. MacDonald’s frugal lifestyle reflected his call to sacrificial faith.
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Sermon Summary
In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of faith in understanding the creation of the world. He explains that while the scientific community may ridicule the concept of faith, it is through faith that we truly understand the creation of the world. The speaker references Hebrews 11, which states that the worlds were framed by the word of God, indicating that matter is energy and was brought into existence through God's spoken word. He encourages listeners to trust in the word of God and not allow doubts about the Bible to stain their minds, as the men of this world cannot truly know or understand the things of faith.
Sermon Transcription
I want to say a word about this discipleship intern training program because it's a burden the Lord has laid on our hearts and you could pray with us in it. What we seek to do is gather together a group of young fellows. We pray them in. And we're looking for young fellows who are really highly motivated. Young fellows who aren't afraid of work. Young fellows who are willing to give themselves for the world. Who aspire. And we give them a nine month course. First of all. And then in the afternoon. And I guess this is in this direction. We like this glorious verse. And he went on. In the word of God. And complete. I believe it. That's faith. Faith. Faith. And that's what he promised. And faith in that sense is the most reasonable saying. Your field. You hear people say faith is thy word. And it deals in the realm of. And yet. As if it had already. But our salvation. More happy. But not more. And that's a wonderful thing. It is. I believe the promise. Now I say that faith. And then. We're going to see in this chapter today. In this chapter we're going to be reading. Okay. The only person that was there. When the Lord Jesus was hanging on the cross. And believe. That's interesting. We believe today. Because he did. Because he was there bearing. And then John tells us in his first epistle. Believe first. And then you'll know. And that's what the writer is saying. We understand. And never allow. Sustain your mind. We were singing today about the Bible stands. How true it is. Through the onslaught. No matter what means. Because we know today. Energy. Matter came into being. Matter is energy. You never need to worry. So much for creation. Strange. He didn't begin with Adam and Eve. You'd think Adam and Eve would come in next. Wouldn't you? I think I know the answer. God revealed himself. To Adam and Eve. God said here is the beginning of all the trees. You eat of it today. And Eve that day was faith. And all the sickness. And all the suffering came in. As a result of the sin. Of Adam and Eve. Eve said God. If you never trusted. Satan is saying put it up. He's sitting there. And you're shut. The writer of the Hebrews. Skip. Imagine Paul. Abel. Faith must be based upon. And Abel said. Then he went and he flew. And Cain said not me. You don't really have to understand all. And Cain said no. Abel offered unto him. And incidentally we just pause. And that's what Abel did. No merit involved. And then we come next to. And Enoch believed the Lord. And Enoch believed. He believed God. And he was. You know God said. If it happened to Enoch. It's really wonderful. Enoch. This is impossible. Faith is higher than common sense. The humble. The obedient heart. He really does. Two things here. First. The other thing is. He must believe. I might have told you. Five years ago. When I was here. God came to Noah. And God said. And Noah could have said. He went to work then. You know. Sometimes faith. Didn't bother Noah. Because God. And he never flagged. In his call. I don't know how you feel about it. But once again. He had no distrust. He believed. Faith. Mighty faith. It's really wonderful. You know. There's a man. You know. There's a section. I believe that whole. Same promise. What? It's really the only. In the next verses. It tells how. And Abraham had to wait. He had to wait. Twenty five. But I want to tell you something else. Numerous prophets. Giving glory. And. The promise to him of a new. Don't. Don't.
The Life of Faith
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William MacDonald (1917 - 2007). American Bible teacher, author, and preacher born in Leominster, Massachusetts. Raised in a Scottish Presbyterian family, he graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1940, served as a Marine officer in World War II, and worked as a banker before committing to ministry in 1947. Joining the Plymouth Brethren, he taught at Emmaus Bible School in Illinois, becoming president from 1959 to 1965. MacDonald authored over 80 books, including the bestselling Believer’s Bible Commentary (1995), translated into 17 languages, and True Discipleship. In 1964, he co-founded Discipleship Intern Training Program in California, mentoring young believers. Known for simple, Christ-centered teaching, he spoke at conferences across North America and Asia, advocating radical devotion over materialism. Married to Winnifred Foster in 1941, they had two sons. His radio program Guidelines for Living reached thousands, and his writings, widely online, emphasize New Testament church principles. MacDonald’s frugal lifestyle reflected his call to sacrificial faith.