At times in life we need to stop or at least pause. Maybe life has become too hurried, busy or stressful. Maybe we have over-committed or made things more complicated than they have to be. Maybe it is the virus, the snowstorm, or balancing work and home. It just becomes too much. This can also apply to our spiritual lives. Perhaps we have gotten distracted, apathetic, too rigid, or overzealous. Perhaps we trying to be super-spiritual and at some point our faith stopped being a blessing and turned into a burden.
We need to get back to the basics. That is what we are going to do for the next four Sundays. Today we are starting a new sermon series focusing on the “Basics of the Christian Life.” In the weeks ahead we will focus on these four themes, “Believe, Belong, Abide, and Bear Fruit.“
Today we will begin by focusing on the role of belief in our Christians lives.
In Acts 16 the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas are unjustly beaten and thrown into a Philippi prison. The story continues in verse 25, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” The story then tells how the jailer saw the damage, and thinking that the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But the apostle Paul cried out “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here. And the jailer called for lights and rushed in and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul responded with these words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Belief is the doorway to salvation.
In John 6:47 Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.” With Nicodemus in John 3:16; Jesus says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Throughout scripture we see this same truth. Whether the biblical writer uses the word belief or faith we can see that we are saved by trusting in Jesus Christ.
Belief is what brings us into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the doorway. It is by grace through faith that we are saved. Without belief no one will enter into the kingdom of God.
With this in mind it puts away all other definitions. Attending church regularly does not make a person a Christian. Giving money to the church or to people in need does not make a person a Christian. Being from a family or country that calls themselves Christian does not make a person a Christian. Praying, fasting and reading one’s Bible does not make a person a Christian. Being baptized does not make a person a Christian. Saying a prayer or even volunteering at church does not make a person a Christian. All of these things are good and should flow out of the Christian life, but even trying to be a good person does not make one a Christian. We all have sinned against God in many ways and this sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). We are all deserving of death and condemnation (Romans 3:23; 6:23). The only way a person could earn salvation is if they had not committed one sin in their entire life, and none of us have done that. The only way one can become a Christian is by fully trusting in Jesus Christ. As one turns from their sin and believes in God their sins are forgiven and they are made right with God.
Some might ask, why is it saving faith and not saving love or saving obedience or saving forgiveness. If salvation was through any of these it would have been earned, but there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, did everything that was needed for us to be reconciled to God. We are saved by simply believing. God stirs in our hearts, draws us to Himself, reveals the truth of the gospel, grants us faith and as we believe we are saved.
A saving faith or belief is more than just believing historical information. It is more than just believing that Napoleon lived or that World War II was a real event. It is putting your full trust in Jesus Christ for today and for eternity.
Let´s think of it this way. In the 1800s there was man named Charles Blondin. He was a renowned French tightrope walker. He had performed in circuses and many other amazing venues, but finally he set his mind on crossing the Niagara Falls, on the border of Canada and the United States. Niagara Falls is 320 meters wide and over 50 meters tall. That means he was planning to walk on a tightrope over a water fall where he would be over 15 stories above the raging water and he would need to walk a distance that would be longer than 3 futbol fields; without a safety net. About 25,000 people arrived by trains and boats to watch Blondin attempt this amazing feat.
They tell how he walked halfway across and let down a rope to a boat down below. He then pulled up a bottle of wine, drank and then continued on his way. After making it all the way across he walked back across to the American side. Each time Blondin crossed he made it more difficult. Each time the crowds got louder, cheering him on. One time he carried an old camera on his back, stopped, set it up, took and picture and then continued. Another time he was on stilts, another time blindfolded, another time pushing a wheelbarrel, another time he stood on a chair that was balanced on one leg on the rope. Each time the crowd cheered louder and louder. When the crowd was at a frenzy he called out to them. How many believed that he could carry someone across on his back? The crowd went crazy, cheering louder than ever. Then Blondin asked the question, “Who will volunteer to get on my back?!” and the response was. . . utter silence. With their voices they could “believe” the idea, but with their lives they were not willing to act out their belief. In the end, Blondin´s manager, Harry Colcord did volunteer and Blondin did carry him across. When directed towards Christ this is the kind of belief that saves.
It is a belief that puts one´s entire life into the hands of Jesus Christ. Forsaking all and making Jesus Christ our first love, only hope and our greatest treasure.
This type of saving belief always starts with God. Scripture shows us time and again that we cannot believe on our own. Without the Spirit’s leading, man will always view the gospel as foolishness. It is only through revelation that we come to believe.
Matthew 16:15-17 is an important verse as we seek to understand how one comes to salvation in Jesus Christ. At one point Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.“
This is God-given faith, saving faith, personal faith. Not just believing that mankind has sinned, but that I have sinned. Not just admitting that Christ has paid for sin, but Christ has paid for my sin. Not just believing that Christ is Lord, but submitting to Christ as my Lord. Not just knowing that one can be saved by believing in Jesus, but actually believing in Jesus and being saved.
Faith is made up of knowing, agreeing and applying. Imagine a person who is visiting an airport for the very first time. They sit and stare out the window astonished that a metal vehicle that big could actually get off the ground. They then watch another plane take off, and another and another, until they are thoroughly convinced that planes can fly. At the same time, they are also seeing other planes that are landing safely. This idea of planes flying seems to really work. Then they notice that people, real human beings, are actually getting in these huge metal flying vehicles. Not just a pilot, but a whole line of people are waiting for and then entering these planes. He observes this even longer, watching planes take off and then others landing safely, until he is thoroughly convinced that people are safe flying on planes. He now understands the idea and agrees that it works. Now comes the application. The man goes to the checkout counter and buys a plane ticket. He then goes to the gate, boards the plane, puts on his seatbelt in his window seat and is overcome by fear and awe as the plane speeds down the runway, lifts off and leaves the earth behind. He understands, agrees, and then applies.
Biblical faith has the same components. One watches evidence of the love of Jesus Christ at work in the lives of others around her. Through God’s Word she then begins to learn about who Jesus is and what He has done. The Holy Spirit then comes and convicts her of sin and convinces her of the truth of scripture’s claims that mankind can be saved through Jesus Christ. She then personally applies the truths of salvation through Jesus to her life by putting her faith in Him.
This is belief, knowing, agreeing and applying who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Once one believes in Jesus Christ, the work of God takes over in one’s life and it cannot be revoked. Those who are believers are given the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Their minds are renewed (Ephesians 4:23). The Holy Spirit now guides the believer into all truth.
In Christ they are saved. They are bought by His blood. They are forgiven of all sin (Colossians 2:13). They are declared righteous before God (Romans 4; 5:1). They are redeemed and ransomed (1 Peter 1:18-19). They are justified by faith (Romans 5:1). They are promised eternal life (John 3:16). They are adopted as God’s children (Galatians 3:26-4:7). They are a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). They are born again (John 3:3).
They are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 8:1-4). They are sealed by His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). They are given a new nature (Colossians 3:10). They are in Christ and He is in them. They are renewed in the spirit of their minds, and created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).
The Spirit of God dwells in them (1 Corinthians 3:16). They have been given direct, unlimited access to God (Hebrews 4:16). Their inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). And they have been granted repentance, a turning of their hearts away from sin and towards Christ.
All of that happens when one believes in Jesus Christ, but that is just the beginning.
Belief is not only the doorway of salvation it is the pathway that carries us through every day of the Christian life. Faith brings grace at the point of salvation and at every other point of the Christian life that follows. As we read in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” As Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The entire Christian life is dependent on our belief of God, His promises and His character. Because of that, our greatest victories come because of our belief and our largest failings in the Christian life flow out of our unbelief.
Noah believed, built the ark and his family was saved. Abraham believed and it was counted to Him as righteousness. Moses believed and the children of Israel walked across on dry ground. Joshua believed and the walls of Jericho fell down. Esther believed and the Jews were spared. Elijah believed and fire fell from heaven. Peter believed and 3000 people were saved in one day. The church believed and prayed and an angel set Peter free from prison.
We should also remember that Cain did not believe and jealously killed his brother. King Saul did not believe and his kingdom was stripped from his hands. Samson did not believe and he lost his strength and his sight. King Nebuchadnezzar did not believe so God took his sanity and ate grass in the wilderness like a wild animal until he humbled himself and believed. King David did not believe and committed adultery and murder. Israel did not believe and their entire kingdom was lost. Peter did not believe and he denied Christ.
If you are a believer in Christ then that is permanent. That is now your identity. That is who you are. At the same time, practically speaking, even as believers we will spend our lives living between belief and unbelief as did David and Peter and many others did. They struggled at times and so will we.
So where are you today in the area of belief? In what areas of our lives do we desperately need to step from unbelief to belief. How many of our struggles with pride, lust, or greed, in the end can be traced back to an issue of unbelief. At times we sin because we don’t believe that God’s commands are best. We don’t believe that God will keep His promises. We don’t believe in God’s character. We don’t believe that we are weak and dependent on God. We don’t believe that He will provide. We don’t believe that we are fully forgiven. We don´t believe that it is best for us if we forgive others. We don’t believe that He loves us unconditionally. We don´t believe that it is better to give than receive. Are we trying to meet our own needs because we don’t believe God will meet them for us? As you read this maybe God has brought something to mind where you need to not just believe in Him, but believe Him. There are so many truths in scripture that God has blessed us with. May we be a people who believe and receive the blessings that God intends for us.
In your life today what doubts remain? Is it about your future, your finances, your health, your children, or your future mate? There will be many doubts and many fears in this life. They can be used for good if we allow them to usher us into a deeper dependence on Jesus Christ. Will we surrender our doubts to God and begin to move towards Him one step at a time? As we believe God and obey it will open new doors of faith to us that were never accessible before. In this we will gain a fuller understanding of who He is and a new perspective of the situations around us.
So how do we get more faith? We don’t get it, God gives it. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith. Rom 12:3 says " ... God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Rom 10:17 says " ... faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ." Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that faith is a gift of God that we can take no credit for.” So. . .
Pray for faith like the disciples did in Luke 17:5.
Read the Bible and familiarize yourself with Christ’s character and His ways, especially the Gospels.
Remember the past ways God has worked in your life and the life of others. (journal, biographies, share God stories.)
Begin to take small steps of faith trusting that God will meet you there. Here are a few examples. Pray. Set your anxieties before God in prayer like it tells us to in Philippians 4:6-7. Pray to God for wisdom (James 1:5). Believe God, that it is more blessed to give than receive, and be ready to give to those in need. Believe that it is best to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12) and leave your house each morning with this mindset. Ask God to give you a heart of forgiveness towards someone who has wronged you. Believe that God has forgiven you fully through Christ and walk in freedom. Ask God to give you the faith to make right anything in your life that may be hindering you from intimacy with Christ in this moment.
For some of you here today this “life of faith” is not yet an option for you. This is because you have never trusted in Jesus Christ. You have trusted so many other things but never in Jesus. Today would you be willing to finally believe in Jesus and receive Him as your personal Lord and savior?
Growing in our faith is a struggle for all sincere believers. Not that we don’t believe, but situations come that challenge our faith and call us out to a greater belief and understanding of who God is. In Luke 7:18-23 we see John the Baptist facing a similar situation. We know that John had been sent from God to prepare the way for the coming of Christ (John 1:6-8). John had baptized Jesus and seen the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Jesus. It was John who proclaimed about Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
In Luke 7:19 John sent two of his disciples to Jesus asking these words, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Above all people, John should have been the one who believed in Christ the most, and yet he doubted.
When we look at the context of these verses we realize that John was in prison and had likely already been there for a year. John knew that he had been called to preach to His people to prepare the way for the Messiah. John was likely frustrated, and it was difficult to see a Savior anywhere in his situation. Didn’t Jesus care? Wasn’t Jesus strong enough to do something about it? Hadn´t Jesus come to set things right?
How could John, the one preparing the way for Jesus, be asking this question of doubt? Probably the same way that we do when our Christian life is not working out the way we think it should. Does that mean He is not our Savior? No, it just means we need to take the time to draw near to Him and learn what kind of Savior He truly is. Then we begin to believe more fully His ways and the purposes He has for our lives.
For me one of the most powerful points of this story is that Jesus did not rebuke John for his struggle with unbelief. He knew what John was having to endure. He also knew that deep down at the heart level, John was a believer. Jesus did not seek to break John’s spirit or shame him into belief. He merely sought to restore him and lend him faith.
After John’s disciples left to return to John, Jesus turned to the crowd and began speaking to them about John.
“This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.”” (Luke 7:27-28)
Do you hear what Jesus is saying about John, the one who is struggling with his belief? The one who sounds like he is about to start looking for another Messiah? The one whose belief is barely hanging on by a thread? Jesus isn’t speaking in low tones trying to avoid any embarrassment. Jesus is not speaking negatively about John under His breath, indignant with John’s lack of faith. Jesus is proclaiming to the crowd that John is greater than all others who have ever been born. Greater than all the prophets. Greater than Abraham, David, Moses, Noah, Esther, Elijah, Isaiah and all the rest of God’s mighty men and women. His temporary unbelief has not disqualified John or any of us from the family of God and the service of our King. In some ways our doubt is merely sign of an authentic faith. We all struggle with unbelief at times, in different ways, but if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, be encouraged you are His and nothing and no one can ever take you out of His hand (John 10:28). God has and will grant the faith necessary for His children to be made more like Christ.
Belief is the doorway to salvation and the pathway of the Christian life. It strengthens our prayers and guides us into holiness. May we each get back to the basics. Believe, obey and experience the nearness of God.
Discussion Questions:
1) What in this lesson did you find most interesting?
2) Why do you think some people find it difficult to believe in Jesus?
3) As a group answer this question, “What must a person do to be saved?”
4) Would you say that you are a believer in Jesus Christ or still in the process of becoming a believer? Why do you answer in this way?
5) What teachings of the Bible do you at times have a hard time obeying and believing?
6) What steps can you take to grow in the area of belief?
7) What do you think God wants you to remember from this lesson?
8) How can we pray for you?
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