Title: Where are You going with your faith?
1 John 5:4b “…This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
Introduction:
Where are You going with your faith?
Have you ever asked yourself that question? Have you ever stopped and wondered just what direction your spiritual life is going, or what direction your faith is aimed?
I’m not talking about questioning the veracity or the genuineness of your saving faith. No, you’ve got the God-given faith and have turned it over to Jesus, and Jesus has granted you the gift of salvation based on that faith. But my question is what are you doing with it now? What have you been doing with it since that glorious day when you first turned it back over to Him? Where are you going with your faith?
Here are some scriptures about faith. In these verses, you can see where these early believers in Jesus went with their faith. You can also see for what reason or reasons they took this direction. Judge for yourself whether or not they were selfless or selfish actions.
Matthew 8
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." 7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." 8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ’Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ’Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ’Do this,’ and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Matthew 9
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." 22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
Luke 17
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
Each one of us that have placed our God-given gift of faith in the Son of God, have been given a direction to follow. I want you to listen to a paragraph that I read recently…
I regard Christianity neither as an inclusive divine revelation nor as an historical phenomenon, but as a teaching which-gives us the meaning of life. I was led to Christianity neither by theological nor historical investigations but by this-that when I was fifty years old, having asked myself and all the learned men around me what I am and what is the meaning of my life, and received the answer that I am a fortuitous concatenation of atoms and that life has no meaning but is itself an evil, I fell into despair and wanted to put an end to my life; but remembered that formerly in childhood when I believed, life had a meaning for me, and that for the great mass of men about me who believe and are not corrupted by riches life has a meaning; and I doubted the validity of the reply given me by the learned men of my circle and I tried to understand the reply Christianity gives to those who live a real life. And I began to seek Christianity in the Christian teaching that guides such men’s lives. I began to study the Christianity which I saw applied in life and to compare that applied Christianity with its source.
Can I ask the question again, what direction are you taking with your faith? Are you still at the same point in spiritual development that you were when you first put your faith in Christ?
Has your life become so complicated with maintaining webpages, blogs, email and letter correspondence, albums, pictures, TV dramas or the latest in the series of books, the latest movie in a series, or whether or not you’ve entertained this or that person, or whether or not you’ve subscribed to the latest Bible study by the top author, or WHATEVER else may take you away from just good Bible reading?
There are so many distractions in this world today, that there are distractions that distract from distractions. People say, “Oh, I wasn’t able to watch my TV program last night because a movie was playing that I hadn’t seen, but I couldn’t go because my friend asked me to go to dinner with him, but on the way, I stopped off at a big sale that was going on at the department store, but I didn’t have any money, so I went to the machine to get some money, but my card wouldn’t work so I just went home and went to sleep.”
Has something like that ever happened to you? It sounds like your faith might be a contraindication of your current spiritual growth.
First point…
The Contraindications of Faith
Where are YOU going with your faith?
One of the reasons that we don’t let our faith take us anywhere is that we have contraindications. Now, a contraindication is usually medical advice against the use of a normal prescription, remedy or procedure that would be used in a certain case. For example, if you had the flu and were in need of an anti-biotic but you were allergic to penicillin, you would be advised not to use the drug and instead be prescribed something else.
That seems to be the way of faith in many Christians. We’ve got the apprehension and hesitation disease, but instead of taking the medicine of faith, we believe it to be a contraindication of our spiritual growth. We believe it to be of either no use, or maybe even a negative impact to our spiritual growth.
In the beginning, we first followed the prescription and took the seed of faith and harvested the crop of salvation, but now we’ve got an apprehension and hesitation disorder. It seems that our present faith is a contraindication to spiritual growth, a negative impact on our spiritual life and growth in the Lord.
Quite simply, we believe that our faith is a meager, inadequate, paltry, and miserable faith and should never be compared with that of a Bible teacher, or Sunday school teacher, or missionary, or even a prayer group leader. We tell ourselves that compared to others we could never measure up and we’re afraid of failure. We advise ourselves against the use of this inadequate faith, because we believe that it would be detrimental to our spiritual growth.
We go around church and safely say to ourselves, we have belief in God, but not the faith that He will do anything with us. We’ve fallen victim to a mindset that we don’t have what it takes!
Listen to 1 John again:
1 John 5:4b “…This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
Hymn
Faith is the Victory
Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
Refrain
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
Refrain
On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
Refrain
To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.
Refrain
If that doesn’t appeal to those wondering about their faith, then nothing will. The song is based on that verse, 1 John 5:4. The apostle says, even our faith. That’s proof that yes, it is a meager, inadequate, paltry and miserable faith, but it’s my God-given meager, inadequate, paltry and miserable faith, and because it’s God-given, I should direct it toward Him and do what with it? ...STEP OUT!
Have you ever stepped on ground that seemed unsteady, but you really had to go on, just to get where you were going?
Just recently we took a trip up to the (northern part of South Korea) Hwacho’n area and then down to the Chuncho’n areas. We stopped at a nice restaurant where they had those outside gazebo kind of things. We had our steamed chicken in herbs beside a flowing stream. The flowing water, the setting, and the dragonflies buzzing over the corn across the stream, all added to the taste of this meal. Well, after we finished, the ladies decided they wanted to wade or walk in the stream. There was a very small sand bar, or bank, in the middle of the stream, while the rest was pebbles and rocks. One of the ladies cautiously stepped over to the sand bar. She didn’t put all of her weight in that first step, wary that she would sink in the sand. Then a little more weight, a little more weight, until she was standing on the small sand bar. Then, she took another step with the same apprehension, the same hesitation. She found out it was solid and able to support her, and she then began walking around without a care in the world about the sand bar. The apprehensive thoughts disappeared and she began to focus on what was around her. In faith she stepped out, and she realized and rejoiced that the ground was able to support her.
In a way, that’s faith, faith that the ground, or in church ministry, God will support you. That’s what we do in ministry. We step out. Sometimes that first step is hard, shaky, or uncertain, but we take it anyway because we trust and have faith in God. Do you trust Him? If you’re not trusting Him, you’ll never take that first step. Are you willing to step out? Are you willing to take that seed of faith and replant it?
The Cause of Faith
You say that you think you have a small bit of faith, but it’s not growing… Why is it not growing? Again, if faith is a contraindication to your spiritual growth, meaning if you think that your faith is either too small or meaningless, or if you think it’s not essential or detrimental to spiritual growth, then you first need to change that mindset, because faith is the foundation of your spiritual growth. Simply put, without faith there will be no spiritual growth, without faith there will be no spiritual life, and without faith there will be no satisfaction. You’ll be a stunted, miserable Christian going around with a sour look on your face, and the thought, “Why doesn’t God bless me like He blesses so and so…? You’ll develop a bitter attitude toward others, and eventually toward God.
It hinges on faith. But, what is the cause of faith?
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
The very act of reading and hearing the word is in itself a work of man, but the resulting faith that comes through the reading and hearing the Word is a work of the Spirit of God. It is very important that we understand this. You are prompted or moved by God to read or hear the Word. That digested word comforts your spirit, and the Spirit of God identifies with the Word to will and to act according to His good purpose.
Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Faith is not a work of man…It’s very important that we understand that. Faith is not something that comes from sitting down and contemplating… “I need more faith, I must have more faith, It’s detrimental to my spiritual life that I have more faith…”
Faith is not something that you yourself can generate. It is a manifestation of the Spirit bearing witness with your spirit based upon what just took place in your life. You read the Word, manifestation in your life. You hear the Word, manifestation in your life, You preach the Word, manifestation in your life, You sing the Word, manifestation in your life, You pass out the Word [tracting], manifestation in your life.
Again, many people are waiting on the sidelines for the manifestation, then they will believe. That’s not the way it works. You had the manifestation of the Spirit bearing witness with your spirit when you first put your belief in Jesus. Now, you need to read, study, and listen to the Word, then step further. What happens? A manifestation of the Spirit of God bearing witness with your spirit occurs. You’ll be filled with the Spirit. You’ll feel an almost overwhelming calmness, serenity, empowerment, assurance and acknowledgment of your service.
We so often forget what salvation was based on.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--. 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
And, we often forget what our continued spiritual growth is based on.
Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
And, we often forget where our faith begins.
Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And, we forget that our faith can be dynamic, that it is ever-changing, going up or tragically, going backwards…or just staying where it’s at and never changing.
Matthew 17:20 “…………. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, …"
What’s the implication of the mustard seed? Does it simply mean we are to go through an entire Christian life with faith as small as a mustard seed? NO!
I kind of referred to this earlier. What are seeds generally used for? They are used for planting to get even more seeds, which are used for planting to get even more seeds, until you have a crop that is worthy of harvesting the plants that the seeds produce.
Now, don’t confuse this process with faith being a work of man. Let me give you an explanation.
You have the seed of faith planted within you, and you take that faith and put it in Jesus knowing that He will save you from your sins and reserve a place for you in heaven. We can call that, basic faith.
Then, so many times, so many people will simply sit on the side and tell themselves, I can’t do this or that, or this or that…I’m just going to wait and not do anything until the Spirit manifests Himself within me before I go further in any step of faith. I’m going to wait for some symbol or some sign, and then, if that sign appeals to me, then I’ll go forward.
We can’t wait for that to happen. We can’t wait for some symbol or some manifestation, because we’ve already had it. He saved you from your sins, didn’t He? Wasn’t that a sign of His manifestation?
If we are waiting for some sign or indication of faith, and not doing anything in the meantime, there is nothing with which the Spirit can bear witness with your spirit.
John 14:17 “…the Spirit of truth. …you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
When you harvest the crop that your basic seed of faith produced in salvation, and replant it, you are literally stepping out in service to God. The Spirit bears witness with your spirit, and you’ll feel a ‘rightness’ or righteousness in your spirit.
Subsequently, you harvest the crop produced in that exercise of faith and replant it. Can
The Commands of Faith
Where are you going with your faith?
There is a command to trust in God and in Jesus…
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
But there is also a command to have faith in Jesus…
Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 4:1-7
4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Summary:
The centurion that came to Jesus on behalf of his servant, received not only healing for the servant, but the Jesus extended His love to this man and that man found a place in Christian history and in the kingdom of God.
The hemorrhaging woman that had the faith to just touch the cloak of Jesus, not only was healed, but was exalted and found a place in the history of Christianity and is now at home with the one that healed her.
The leper that realized who it was that not only healed him, but was also the author and perfecter of his own faith stood out among the 10 and was praised by Jesus and is undoubtedly home with him at this very hour.
Your faith is dynamic and it requires reading the Word, studying the Word, listening to the Word, and experiencing the Word in order to grow through the work of the Spirit of God that dwells within you. The Spirit of God cannot bear witness with your Spirit unless there is an active connection with the Spirit and that connection is Jesus. Jesus is the Word and only by actively pursuing Him can we have life and that life be abundant.
In closing, I want us to sing a simple gospel song. I’ve got the music, and the man that you’ll be singing with is Aaron Neville.
I Saw The Light (Words and Music, Hank Williams Sr., 1948)
I wandered so aimless, My life filled with sin.
I wouldn’t let my Dear Savior in.
Then Jesus came like A stranger in the night
Praise the Lord -, I saw the light.
Chorus:
I saw the light, I saw the light,
No more darkness, No more night -,
Now I’m so happy, No sorrow in sight.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
Just like a blind man I wandered along.
Worries and fears I claimed for my own.
Then like the blind man That God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord - I saw the light.
Chorus: x2
I saw the light, I saw the light,
No more darkness, No more night -,
Now I’m so happy, No sorrow in sight.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
I was a fool to wander and stray.
Straight is the gate And narrow the way.
Now I have traded The wrong for the right;
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
Chorus:
I saw the light, I saw the light,
No more darkness, No more night -,
Now I’m so happy, No sorrow in sight.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
Can anyone tell me who wrote the words and music for that song? [Hank Williams Sr., Words and Music, 1948]
Prayer
Ephesians 3:
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
