Faith Without and Faith Within
(Staying put when the furnace gets hot)
Colossians 2:6,7
Hebrews 11:1-6, Daniel 1-3, Exodus 13:17-14:29, John 1:45,46
Intro – The Scriptures teach that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Jesus says that faith as a mustard seed can move life’s mountains. Other brothers and sisters encourage and remind me to “keep the faith.”
The Scriptures teach that I’m saved by faith, kept by faith, a child of Abraham by faith, a joint heir with Christ by faith and that the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. The disciples asked Jesus, “Increase our faith.” John wrote that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
But as important as faith is (Scripturally) it is often not practiced by the average Christian to any great degree. The average Christian is much more apt to go by what he sees, feels, thinks, touches or observes rather than by what he does NOT see, feel, think, touch or observe, which in reality, is sight and not faith.
Hebrews 11:1-6
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.
Frankly, that’s one reason churches like ours, that make their focus a concerted attempt to reach irreligious, lost, and unchurched people, sometimes find the going very tough. The mistake that’s made is born from a good motive, that is to be accessible and understood by people of no faith.
In the most successful examples, such as Willow Creek in a suburb of Chicago, North Point in Atlanta, Saddleback Community Church near Los Angeles, and most of the other areas where this model is effective, the church makes the message plain without watering it down to any degree. Where possible the church affirms a style and form that people can be comfortable with long enough for God’s Spirit to bring faith to their hearts, while the church continues to model that faith.
But some churches who start out to reach seekers, wind up looking and acting so much like the people they’re trying to reach, and on top of that watering down the message in an effort to make faith more palatable, acceptable and presentable. In effect they are saying, “Look, we’re just like you – come join us!”
And they rarely scream back the answer, but the answer is, “If you’re just like me I don’t need you. I’ve got plenty to do – not looking for something to fill my time. Thanks, but no thanks.”
If we’re not people in whom God sees and rewards faith, we are salt without savor, lights covered by baskets, and we’ve lost our influence, effectiveness and power to speak Christ to the perishing.
THE DEFINITION OF FAITH: “FAITH IS TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD, DIRECTING ONE’S LIFE ACCORDINGLY, AND LEAVING THE RESULTS UP TO GOD.”
Now I want to admit, and be quick to acknowledge, that there are so-called Bible teachers who abuse the very concept of faith.
Faith doesn’t (and nothing can) force God’s hand. Faith is far more about trusting His heart than it is about forcing His hand. That doesn’t mean we don’t ask Him to alter circumstances at times, believing with all I am that He’s going to, but a real man or woman of faith just keeps serving, loving and trusting when His answer is “yes,” the same as when it is “no.”
In class students will often ask, “Is this going to be on the test?” For a Christian, having, keeping, building faith is on nearly every meaningful test you’ll ever face.
Repeatedly, over and over in Christ’s ministry He would say, “The Kingdom of God is like”. . . and then head into a story that illustrated His point.
He did it so much; the Scriptures say of the Lord Jesus that He spoke nothing except by way of a parable.
Often He would tell two or three parables that seemed to illustrate the same basic points; just to be certain that everyone around really understood what he was teaching.
I think He also did it so everyone would listen to what He was teaching. He still wants us to. He wants our attention, especially about faith.
So I’m going to share at least three quick stories today. Not all parables are true. They don’t have to be true to be truly illustrative. But the stories I’ve been led to share today happen to also be 100% true.
1. Daniel 1 – 3 Primarily 3:1 – 3:30
Notice three quick things about this parable:
A. Identify your idols; and resolutely decide to stop bowing to them.
B. Recognize the furnace as God’s will and His way to try you and bring you forth as gold.
C. Don’t miss the fact that standing in faith doesn’t appear to be rational, level-headed or wise.
2. Exodus 13:17-14:29
First; let’s take a look at some similarities.
If you’ve looked at the program you will notice I’ve titled this message, “Faith Without and Faith Within.” What does that mean?
It speaks to the fact that “iron sharpens iron.” Put simply, I’ve noticed through the years, that great acts of faith happen more often in community with the body of Christ than they do among individuals on the frontiers of personal ministry.
In other words it’s easier for me to join my faith to yours, and you to mine in a group of like-minded, faith-desiring people. Often-times that atmosphere is conducive to great faith.
That’s what I’m calling “Faith Within,” or corporate faith, because it speaks to a faith we exercise collectively – together as the body of Christ.
The Israelites had each other to stand with, under God’s leadership in a man called Moses.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had each other. We might not even have a story like this had any one of them been asked to stand alone – with just the invisible God.
Daniel did it. He got thrown in the lion’s den. He’s a rare and wonderful example. So is Abraham. Those kinds of people demonstrate that we can stand alone, and that in fact we’re never actually alone. Here’s what we can say with certainty: God knows what we need, how we’re wired and what to provide so we’ll learn to walk in faith.
The faith of the Israelites under Moses and the faith of the three Hebrew children are what I’m referring to as “faith within” stories. They’re about groups of people – with human frailties and inconsistencies – who may lose heart at times, but overall they want to be people who know, love, serve, worship and believe the living God.
But let’s also look at one story where the faith was “without.” By which I don’t mean that it didn’t exist. I mean it was in the marketplace – along the way – on life’s ordinary journey.
Because God wills to develop both kinds of faith in me. . . . and in you.
A. Faith and fear cannot co-exist, but what ends as faith very often starts in fear.
Probably every single time.
Think about it. You don’t need faith if what you’ve been called to do isn’t scary, out of the box and extraordinary.
There’s no faith required for “business as usual” Christianity.
God is teaching our church faith in the very midst of what looks, for some of you, like a crisis. One reason we are experiencing such a wonderful spirit, such life-changing testimonies and such phenomenal worship is because God is leading us on a journey that requires faith.
So, just because you don’t “feel” full of faith at the onset, or even in the middle of your trial, that doesn’t mean you can’t choose to walk in faith.
B. Corporate faith trusts that a leader is hearing from God – and then follows that leadership.
C. You can benefit (for a while) from the faith of others while you’re building your own faith.
i.e. Who do you think had the easiest time believing God – those at the front or the back of the group? For some people, in various phases and seasons of their walk with Christ, faith often boils down to following the patterns set by others who are following Him. Think about it. If you’re part of the group exiting Egypt with Moses at some point in the mass of those exiting it’s easier to exit than to stay. Everyone and everything you know is ahead of you in a crowd moving toward the Red sea.
By the way, that’s one reason in a church environment, especially like ours with a plurality of leadership and decisions that are not dictated by any one man – we salute and follow corporate decisions in faith – even the ones we disagree with.
If this was another organization we would still take the votes – but if we lost the vote we’d be right to mount a campaign to turn it back towards the way we think.
BUT WE DON’T DO THAT IN CHURCH. WHY? Although men are his instruments, God is the Head of His church. In the multitude of counselors the goal is to discern His will – not to get our way. We’re not even supposed to want our way, except as it reflects His way.
Hard for Americans – ‘cause we desperately like (above all else) to get our way.
Now here’s Faith Without:
3. John 1:45,46
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
How is this about faith?
Well, this is the equivalent of inviting someone to Christ Community Church, and making an urgent, pleading and personal appeal that they actually attend. Come now!
That must take a great deal of faith, because if it didn’t we’d be out of room by now. We’ve had nearly 40 of our people commit publicly to doing just that, among other things, as part of recruitment for Mission Beaumont. I completely understand being intimidated and nervous about issuing the invitation, and as a matter of fact Philip was not well received either.
Look at verse 46 – Nazareth!
Imagine every excuse you’ve heard for someone not coming when you invite them – they’re all represented by this response.
1. We’ll wait until your circumstances are more favorable.
2. I’ve heard bad things about that group over there.
3. So and so goes there and they’re a hypocrite.
4. Can anything good be on 11th street?
COME AND SEE!!
Phillip’s answer is the same response we must have. Whatever we hear, other than, “Of course I’ll come. When does it start?” calls for a “Come and see” response.
CLOSE
We live in a culture of distrust. Approval ratings for almost every institution are at all-time lows. But trusting congress is different from trusting God. Sometimes, maybe even usually, when congress doesn’t do what you want it’s because they’re wrong. But God never is. Step out and trust Him today.
If you know Jesus, you’ve trusted Him with your eternity. . . it’s now – today – tomorrow - that seems so difficult.
For faith to grow is not a project, but a process.
1. SPEAK FAITH - Start by speaking faith, and not lending an ear to those who do not.
Speak OUT LOUD – SPEAK TRUTH – SPEAK WHAT’S POSITIVE – SPEAK SCRIPTURE
2. EXERCISE FAITH - Exercise your faith, like a muscle, by using it – trusting Him enough to do something you’re afraid of, that you know pleases Him. GIVE – SPEAK – LOVE – STRETCH – ENCOURAGE – BLESS.
3. PERSIST IN FAITH - Fall down and get back up, over and over again.
Remember great faith is simply trusting God whether He does what you want or not – because He’s God and you’re not.
