Walking With Christ

Walking with Christ-What kind of faith do you have?

Good Morning-thank congregation

I need to ask everyone an import question. How many of you have had at least one cup of coffee this morning?

Ladies I’m going to let you in on an important secret which most pastors won’t tell you, the Bible tells us it’s the man’s job to make the coffee. If you don’t believe me just listen to this story.

Joke:

A husband and wife were preparing to have breakfast when the wife asked, "why do I always have to make the coffee?"

The husband answered, "because you’re the wife; that’s your job."

The wife replied, "well, the Bible doesn’t say it’s the women’s job to make the coffee; it’s the man’s!"

Taken aback by this, the husband demanded to see where in the Bible it states that he should be the one to make the coffee. "Well here it is," the wife replied, "Hebrews!!"

So in light of this information we are going to look at the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 11:1

I want to talk today about faith, not only what it is but what kind of faith do you have.

So what is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 tells us “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:6 says “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.”

Pray

The dictionary tells us the definition of faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing.

Now I know that every one of you have faith. How do I know this?

Because every one of you have put your confidence and trust in the pews you are sitting in.

Now we know we have faith in something, and I am going to assume that most of you have faith in God since you are sitting here today.

The dictionary also tells us that faith is a belief that is not based on proof.

So if faith is a belief, where do we get our beliefs?

If you would think of these shoes as your faith. Not smelly, but the style.

Shoe illustration

House shoes-they are comfy, you can relax in them, maybe fall asleep.

Beliefs-too comfy, to relaxed-just a routine, been doing it for years, same pew.

High heels-Vey stylish, but not very comfortable, probably hard to walk, although I wouldn’t know.

Beliefs-to tight, uncomfortable-can’t truly worship, holier than thou.

Sunday shoes-wear only on Sundays, nice, but not what you might want for every day wear.

Beliefs-only act like a Christian at church, on Sundays or around certain people.

Parent’s shoes-my daughter Zoey loves to get into my closet and wear my shoes around the house.

Beliefs-not our own, our parents faith, can’t wear our parents shoes and we can’t use their faith, we must own our own.

Bare feet-Maybe not the most comfortable, but we can’t hide anything, if you have foot fungus, can’t hide it, need to cut your toenails, good luck hiding that.

Beliefs-True, authentic, not hiding anything!

We must have our own faith, our own beliefs, we can’t depend on someone else’s beliefs.

James 2:14-20 says “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”

What James is telling us is that we can say we have faith, but if we don’t have the deeds, another words if we don’t act out our Christian lives then what good is it?

Do act out your faith, your beliefs?

Are your beliefs like these house shoes? Maybe your to comfy, to relaxed in your Christian walk, do you get upset when someone sets in your pew, instead we should be happy they are here.

Maybe your more like these high heels. To uncomfortable in your faith, it’s hard to walk the walk.

Maybe your more like these Sunday shoes. You only act out your faith at church or around your Christian friends. But at work or at home, or maybe in your private life things aren’t so Christian.