Embracing Faith: The Power of Belief in God

 

Summary

In the presence of the Almighty, we are humbled and reminded of our place in the grand design of creation. As we journey through the season of Lent, we are called to reflect on the core beliefs that anchor our faith, guided by the Apostles Creed—a timeless testament to the convictions of our forebearers in Christ. This Creed, though not Scripture itself, serves as a beacon, illuminating the teachings of the Bible and the faith held by the apostles.

We begin with the fundamental declaration, "I believe in God," a statement that transcends mere intellectual assent and reaches into the depths of our hearts. This belief is not a passive notion but an active trust that shapes our identity and binds us to the truths we hold dear. It is a belief that life is not a product of randomness, that evil is not sovereign, and that our existence is not bound to the futility of survival. In declaring our belief in God, we affirm that we are part of a narrative much grander than ourselves, one that is rooted in hope and wonder.

The narrative of Job serves as a powerful reminder of our limited understanding and God's infinite wisdom. Job's story, filled with suffering and questioning, ultimately leads to a profound encounter with God, where he is reminded of his place in the universe. Through God's questions, Job recognizes his limitations and responds with silence and humility, acknowledging God's sovereignty and holiness.

This God, the Father Almighty, is not a distant or impersonal force but a loving parent who delights in us as His children. The parable of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates this divine love—a father who runs to embrace his wayward child, offering forgiveness and acceptance without reservation. This image of God challenges any negative experiences we may have had with earthly fathers, offering us a glimpse of perfect, unconditional love.

As we profess our faith, we do so not in isolation but as part of a global and historical community of believers. Our individual voices join in a chorus that spans centuries, declaring the truths of the Christian faith. This communal aspect of belief is vital, for it reminds us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves—a faith that has withstood the test of time and continues to offer hope to all people.

In this season of reflection, let us hold fast to the convictions that define us, drawing near to the God who is both powerful and personal, transcendent and imminent, almighty and loving. Let us find comfort in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows our needs, sees us, and is pleased to give us the kingdom. And let us remember that no matter our past, we can always return to the Father, who awaits us with open arms.

Key Takeaways:

- The Apostles Creed serves as a spiritual compass, guiding us through the foundational beliefs of our faith. It connects us to the apostles' convictions and to the broader Christian community, reminding us that our faith is not a solitary journey but one we share with believers across time and space. [03:08]

- The story of Job teaches us about the majesty and mystery of God's sovereignty. It confronts our human tendency to question the divine order and invites us to trust in God's wisdom, even when we do not understand His ways. This trust is not born out of ignorance but out of reverence for the One who created and sustains all things. [15:48]

- The parable of the prodigal son reveals the heart of the Father, full of grace and eager to forgive. It is a vivid portrayal of God's love for us, a love that is not based on our merit but on His character. This parable encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He receives us as we are. [19:09]

- Declaring "I believe in God" is an act of defiance against a world that often values empirical evidence over faith. It is a declaration that there is more to existence than what can be measured or observed, and it is a source of hope that lifts us above the chaos of the world. [09:33]

- Our belief in God as Father reshapes our understanding of divine love. It challenges any distorted views we may have from our earthly experiences and offers us a relationship with God that is intimate and nurturing. This belief in God as our loving Father is a source of comfort and strength, especially in times of need. [11:43]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
2. Psalm 103:13 (NIV) - "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."
3. Job 38:4-7 (NIV) - "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 10:9-10, what are the two actions required for salvation? How do these actions relate to both the heart and the mouth?
2. In Psalm 103:13, how is God's compassion described? What analogy is used to help us understand this aspect of God's character?
3. Reflecting on Job 38:4-7, what is the significance of God's questions to Job? How do these questions highlight God's sovereignty and wisdom? [15:48]
4. How does the parable of the prodigal son illustrate the nature of God's love and forgiveness? [19:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to believe in God "with your heart" as described in Romans 10:9-10? How does this differ from merely intellectual belief? [05:33]
2. How does the story of Job challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty and our own limitations? What can we learn from Job's response to God? [16:25]
3. In what ways does the parable of the prodigal son challenge our perceptions of God's willingness to forgive and accept us? How does this parable reshape our understanding of divine love? [19:09]
4. How does the Apostles Creed serve as a communal declaration of faith? Why is it important to profess our beliefs together as a community? [06:47]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you declared your belief in God. How did this declaration impact your sense of identity and purpose? [09:33]
2. Job's story reminds us of our limited understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom. How can you cultivate a posture of humility and trust in God's plan, especially during difficult times? [15:48]
3. The parable of the prodigal son shows a father who eagerly forgives and accepts his wayward child. How can you approach God with confidence, knowing that He receives you as you are? [19:09]
4. The sermon mentioned that our belief in God as Father reshapes our understanding of divine love. How has your relationship with your earthly father influenced your view of God? How can you embrace the image of God as a loving and compassionate Father? [11:43]
5. The Apostles Creed connects us to a global and historical community of believers. How can you actively participate in this community and support others in their faith journey? [06:47]
6. In what ways can you declare "I believe in God" as an act of defiance against a world that often values empirical evidence over faith? How can this declaration bring hope to your daily life? [09:33]
7. How can you find comfort in the knowledge that God, as your Heavenly Father, knows your needs and is pleased to give you the kingdom? What specific steps can you take to trust in God's provision and care? [12:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed is not just a recitation of beliefs but a compass that orients the heart towards the foundational truths of Christianity. It connects believers to the convictions of the apostles and to the broader Christian community, reminding them that their faith is not a solitary journey but one shared with believers across time and space. This creed serves as a spiritual anchor, providing a sense of unity and continuity with the past, and a shared language of faith for the present. It is a declaration that, despite the diversity of expressions and experiences within Christianity, there is a core set of beliefs that binds the community together in a common narrative of salvation and hope.

The Creed is a testament to the enduring power of these truths to inspire, guide, and comfort believers in their walk with God. It is a call to remember and reaffirm the essential doctrines that have been passed down through generations, and to find strength in the collective witness of the church universal. By professing the Creed, individuals join a chorus of voices that have declared these truths in the face of persecution, doubt, and the changing tides of culture. It is a bold statement of faith that transcends individual understanding and unites believers in a common purpose and destiny. [03:08]

Hebrews 11:39-40: "And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."

Reflection: How does reciting the Apostles' Creed deepen your sense of connection to the historical and global Christian community?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
The story of Job is a profound narrative that confronts the human tendency to question the divine order and invites believers to trust in God's wisdom, even when His ways are beyond understanding. This trust is not born out of ignorance but out of reverence for the One who created and sustains all things. Job's experience teaches that God's majesty and mystery are far greater than human comprehension, and that faith requires humility and surrender to God's sovereignty.

In the midst of suffering and confusion, the believer is called to recognize their limitations and to trust in the character of God, who is wise, just, and good. This trust is a declaration that God's purposes are ultimately for the good of those who love Him, even when the path is shrouded in darkness. It is an acknowledgment that God is at work in ways that may be unseen and unfathomable, but are always in alignment with His perfect will and love for His creation. [15:48]

Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to relinquish control and trust in God's sovereignty, even when you don't understand His plan?


Day 3: Encountering the Father's Love
The parable of the prodigal son is a vivid portrayal of God's love for His children, a love that is not based on merit but on His character. It reveals the heart of the Father, full of grace and eager to forgive. This parable encourages believers to approach God with confidence, knowing that He receives them as they are, with all their flaws and failures.

God's love is a transformative force that invites the wayward to return home and the lost to be found. It is a reminder that no matter how far one has strayed, the Father's arms are always open, ready to restore and celebrate the return of His child. This unconditional love challenges any distorted views of God that may arise from earthly experiences and offers a relationship with the divine that is intimate, nurturing, and healing. [19:09]

1 John 3:1: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

Reflection: How can you live today in the assurance of the Father's unconditional love, and how might this understanding of His love change the way you interact with others?


Day 4: Defying the World with Faith
Declaring "I believe in God" is an act of defiance against a world that often values empirical evidence over faith. It is a declaration that there is more to existence than what can be measured or observed, and it is a source of hope that lifts believers above the chaos of the world. This statement of faith is a powerful affirmation of a reality that transcends the physical and invites believers to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of God.

Belief in God is not a passive intellectual exercise but an active trust that shapes identity and binds one to the truths held dear. It is a commitment to a narrative much grander than oneself, rooted in hope and wonder, and a rejection of the notion that life is a product of randomness or that evil is sovereign. This belief is a source of strength and courage in the face of life's uncertainties and challenges. [09:33]

2 Corinthians 4:18: "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate your belief in the unseen realities of God's kingdom in your daily actions and choices?


Day 5: Finding Comfort in Divine Parenthood
Belief in God as Father reshapes the understanding of divine love, challenging distorted views from earthly experiences and offering a relationship with God that is intimate and nurturing. This belief in God as a loving Father is a source of comfort and strength, especially in times of need. It reassures believers that they are not alone, that their Heavenly Father knows their needs, sees them, and is pleased to give them the kingdom.

This paternal aspect of God's nature is not one of distance or impersonality but one of closeness and delight in His children. It is an image that brings peace to troubled hearts and offers a sense of belonging and acceptance that is unconditional. The love of the Father is a love that heals, restores, and empowers believers to live as His beloved children, confident in their identity and place in His grand design. [11:43]

Psalm 103:13: "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him."

Reflection: How does viewing God as a loving Father change your perception of your own worth and how might this influence the way you address your needs and the needs of others?

Quotes

1) "When I say I believe in God, I feel the Hope rise up within me because when I say that I'm really saying so many different things. I'm saying that life isn't random, evil isn't out of control, the end is not nothingness." [09:33] (Download | )

2) "This tender image of God as a good and loving father runs throughout the Old and New Testaments... As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." [11:43] (Download | )

3) "Job believed in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and Earth, and we stand with Job and with the Apostles Creed when we are humbled in the presence of the awesome Creator God." [16:25] (Download | )

4) "Sometimes I need to be reminded of God's power... God is all powerful, God has no limits, God is capable, God is Holy other. And sometimes I need to be reminded of God's love." [17:57] (Download | )

5) "This good almost unbelievable news is that as long as there's breath in us we can return home to the father and he will receive us with open arms. He waits for us, he Longs for us, he wants us to be with him." [19:52] (Download | )

6) "This father doesn't weary, this father doesn't Tire, this father doesn't Fade Away... there's no one better than this father and he will never leave or abandon you and no one can take you away from him." [21:15] (Download | )

7) "The Apostles Creed is called the Apostles Creed not because it was written by the apostles but because it reflects the faith held by the apostles." [03:08] (Download | )

8) "This faith that I profess is shared by people all around the world and has been passed down for many hundreds of years. I'm a part of something much larger." [06:47] (Download | )

9) "The Creed begins with these words 'I believe in God.' Now that may not seem like such a big deal... but to say 'I believe in God' is a big deal in a world that prefers to talk about our belief in science or our belief in Psychology." [08:55] (Download | )

10) "The Apostles Creed... is a tool to be used by the church... a summary of the teachings of the Bible." [03:08] (Download | )

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Transcript
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