Faith and Reason: A Heartfelt Journey to Christ

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound relationship between faith and reason, drawing from the scriptures, particularly Matthew 16:1-4. We began by acknowledging the need for spiritual receptivity and mental alertness, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding the balance between faith and reason. The Pharisees and Sadducees sought a sign from Jesus, revealing their reliance on evidence rather than faith. Jesus highlighted their ability to interpret the weather but not the spiritual signs of the times, pointing to their adulterous hearts as the root of their spiritual blindness.

We delved into the contrast between Hellenistic and Hebraic thinking, emphasizing that while logic and reason are valuable, they must be aligned with a heart open to God. Jesus used Aristotelian logic to demonstrate that the Pharisees' problem was not a lack of evidence but a heart issue. Their adulterous hearts prevented them from recognizing the Messiah standing before them. This teaches us that our rational faculties can be clouded by our desires and affections, leading us away from spiritual truth.

We also examined the nature of saving faith, which is not merely intellectual assent but a heartfelt reception of Christ as supremely valuable. Saving faith is characterized by receiving Christ for who He truly is—infinitely glorious and satisfying. This kind of faith requires a new birth, a transformation of the heart that enables us to see and treasure Christ above all else. It is not enough to accept Christ as a means to an end; we must cherish Him as the ultimate end.

Finally, we discussed the role of reason in the life of faith. While reason is indispensable in presenting and defending the gospel, it is not the decisive factor in awakening saving faith. The Holy Spirit must illuminate our hearts to see the glory of Christ in the gospel. This spiritual sight is the foundation of a reasonable and unshakeable faith, one that compels us to count everything as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith and Reason: Faith and reason must coexist, with reason serving faith. Our rational faculties are gifts from God, but they must be used in submission to His truth. When our hearts are aligned with God, our reason can lead us to deeper faith. [08:29]

- Adulterous Hearts: The Pharisees' inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah was due to their adulterous hearts. Our desires can cloud our judgment and prevent us from seeing spiritual truths. We must guard our hearts and seek purity to discern God's will. [11:45]

- Nature of Saving Faith: Saving faith is not just intellectual agreement but a heartfelt reception of Christ as supremely valuable. It requires a new birth, a transformation that enables us to treasure Christ above all else. This faith is a gift from God, not a work of our own. [35:21]

- Role of Reason: Reason is essential in presenting and defending the gospel, but it is not the decisive factor in awakening faith. The Holy Spirit must illuminate our hearts to see the glory of Christ. Our role is to faithfully proclaim the gospel and trust God to open hearts. [49:19]

- Spiritual Sight: The foundation of saving faith is a spiritual sight of the glory of Christ in the gospel. This sight is a gift from God, enabling us to see Christ as infinitely glorious and worthy of our devotion. It compels us to live for Him and count all else as loss. [52:05]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Prayer for Spiritual Receptivity
[01:42] - Introduction to Faith and Reason
[02:14] - Contemplating Reason
[03:23] - The Pharisees' Request for a Sign
[05:08] - Hebraic vs. Hellenistic Thinking
[06:26] - Jesus' Use of Logic
[09:00] - The Adulterous Heart
[12:46] - Paul's Perspective on Human Understanding
[14:59] - The Role of Reason in Faith
[21:23] - Exploring the Nature of Faith
[26:38] - What Saving Faith Receives
[35:21] - The Necessity of New Birth
[40:05] - The Relationship Between Reason and Faith
[43:16] - Spiritual Sight and the Glory of Christ
[49:19] - The Indispensable Role of Reason
[52:05] - The Reasonableness of Faith
[56:31] - Conclusion and Call to Faith
[59:41] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:1-4
- Ephesians 4:18
- 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 16:1-4, what did the Pharisees and Sadducees ask Jesus for, and how did He respond to their request? [02:14]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Pharisees' ability to interpret the weather but not the spiritual signs of the times? [08:10]

3. How does Ephesians 4:18 describe the condition of those who are alienated from the life of God, and what is the root cause of this condition? [12:46]

4. In 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, what is the role of God in illuminating the hearts of unbelievers, and what must they see to believe? [43:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between an "adulterous heart" and the inability to recognize spiritual truths? [11:45]

2. What does the sermon suggest is the difference between intellectual assent and saving faith? How does this relate to the concept of a "new birth"? [35:21]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of reason in the life of faith, and why is it not the decisive factor in awakening saving faith? [42:45]

4. What does it mean to have a "spiritual sight" of the glory of Christ, and how is this sight foundational to saving faith? [52:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when your desires clouded your judgment. How can you guard your heart against such influences to better discern God's will? [11:45]

2. The sermon emphasizes the need for a heartfelt reception of Christ. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for Christ's infinite value in your daily life? [29:19]

3. Consider the role of reason in your faith journey. How can you use your rational faculties to deepen your understanding of the gospel while remaining open to the Holy Spirit's guidance? [42:45]

4. The sermon discusses the necessity of a new birth for saving faith. Have you experienced a transformation in your heart that enables you to treasure Christ above all else? If not, what steps can you take to seek this transformation? [35:21]

5. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's illumination in your life to gain a clearer vision of Christ's glory? What practices or habits might help you in this pursuit? [43:16]

6. The sermon calls for a balance between using our minds and relying on God's grace. How can you ensure that your intellectual pursuits in faith are accompanied by a humble dependence on God? [17:58]

7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to see Christ as supremely valuable. What practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus and prioritize Christ in that area? [29:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith and Reason in Harmony
Faith and reason are not opposing forces but complementary gifts from God. While reason helps us understand and articulate our beliefs, faith transcends mere logic, allowing us to trust in God's truth even when it surpasses human understanding. The Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 16:1-4 exemplify a reliance on evidence over faith, missing the spiritual signs of the times due to their hardened hearts. Jesus used logic to reveal that their issue was not a lack of evidence but a heart problem. Our rational faculties, when aligned with a heart open to God, can lead us to a deeper faith. It is crucial to maintain spiritual receptivity and mental alertness, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in balancing faith and reason. [08:29]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness,' and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you rely more on human reasoning than on faith? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding today?


Day 2: Guarding Against Adulterous Hearts
The Pharisees' inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah was rooted in their adulterous hearts, which clouded their judgment and prevented them from seeing spiritual truths. Our desires and affections can similarly obscure our spiritual vision, leading us away from God's will. It is essential to guard our hearts and seek purity, allowing us to discern God's truth and recognize His presence in our lives. By aligning our desires with God's will, we open ourselves to spiritual insights and a deeper relationship with Him. [11:45]

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: What desires or affections might be clouding your spiritual vision? How can you actively guard your heart and seek purity today?


Day 3: The Transformative Nature of Saving Faith
Saving faith is not merely intellectual agreement but a heartfelt reception of Christ as supremely valuable. It requires a new birth, a transformation of the heart that enables us to treasure Christ above all else. This faith is a gift from God, not a work of our own, and it compels us to see Christ as infinitely glorious and satisfying. It is not enough to accept Christ as a means to an end; we must cherish Him as the ultimate end. This transformation allows us to live a life that reflects the surpassing value of knowing Christ. [35:21]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How do you perceive Christ in your life? What steps can you take to deepen your appreciation of Him as the ultimate treasure?


Day 4: The Role of Reason in Faith
Reason plays an essential role in presenting and defending the gospel, but it is not the decisive factor in awakening saving faith. The Holy Spirit must illuminate our hearts to see the glory of Christ in the gospel. Our role is to faithfully proclaim the gospel and trust God to open hearts. While reason helps us articulate our beliefs, it is the spiritual sight given by the Holy Spirit that forms the foundation of a reasonable and unshakeable faith. This faith compels us to count everything as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ. [49:19]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your reasoning abilities to share the gospel with others? In what ways can you rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts?


Day 5: Spiritual Sight and the Glory of Christ
The foundation of saving faith is a spiritual sight of the glory of Christ in the gospel. This sight is a gift from God, enabling us to see Christ as infinitely glorious and worthy of our devotion. It compels us to live for Him and count all else as loss. This spiritual sight transforms our understanding and priorities, leading us to a life centered on Christ. By seeking this spiritual sight, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound understanding of His will for our lives. [52:05]

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to seek a clearer spiritual sight of Christ's glory? How might this change your daily life and priorities?

Quotes

"Father what we need now is several things. We need strength because it is late, and we've sat a long time, and bodies are sleepy. So I pray that you would come and give us wakefulness and alertness. More than that, and based on that we need your Holy Spirit to come and to give us spiritual receptivity and mental quickness of mind." [00:00:15]

"Matthew 16:1-4 'Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.' In other words they wanted some evidence that would help them be persuaded that He was true. 'He answered them, when it is evening you say "it will be fair weather for the sky is red."' And in the morning, 'it will be stormy today for the sky is red and threatening.'" [00:02:35]

"Jesus says to the Pharisees, 'a sign, you want a sign from me? You say” verse two "when it is evening it will be fair weather for the sky is red."' Now what does that mean? It means that they are Hebraic people using Aristotelian logic. This is a syllogism. Premise one: red skies in the evening portend fair weather. Premise two: this evening the sky is red. Conclusion: the weather will be fair." [00:06:03]

"You know how to use your mind and you can not use them to discern what is staring you in the face? When He says 'can not - you can not interpret the signs of the times,' he doesn't mean they don't have the sensory data. They don't have eyeballs. They don't have functioning brains. That was the whole point of the story. You can do this." [00:07:55]

"An evil and adulterous generation seeks for another sign, more signs, and exorbitant signs. 'But no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.' But what does that mean? How does being adulterous cause your brain to malfunction in relation to spiritual reality? That's what he is saying here." [00:09:00]

"Human irrationality is rooted in human hardness of heart. That is hardness against God. And so we have a reason and it is disordered when it comes to its use at the most important points in life. Paul said it numerous ways. II Corinthians 3:14 'The mind is hardened.' I Timothy 6:5 'The mind is depraved.'" [00:13:13]

"Faith is peculiarly a receiving grace which none other is. Were we said to be justified by repentance or by love, or by any other grace, it would convey to us the idea of something good in us being the consideration on which the blessing was bestowed. But justification by faith conveys no such idea." [00:25:19]

"The kind of faith that gets you to heaven is the kind that requires a new birth, and embracing Jesus as your supreme treasure requires the new birth; or as Paul said a new creation. Or as Ephesians two said being made alive from the dead. Therefore, conclusion about the nature of faith: saving faith is a receiving of Christ." [00:35:21]

"Saving faith says 'I receive you as my savior. I receive you as my Lord. I receive you as my supreme treasure in life.' What's the basis of that reception so that it can be called sufficient and reasonable? The answer is that the basis of receiving Christ as infinitely glorious is a sight of the glory of Christ in the gospel." [00:41:16]

"Human reason does not alone provide that sight, though it must be used to present the gospel, to defend the gospel, to argue for the gospel to explain the gospel, to proclaim the gospel, to illustrate the gospel. But the sight of the glory of Christ in the gospel, the reason does not effect." [00:42:01]

"II Corinthians 4:4 'The God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing.' Now watch these words carefully. This is why they don't believe. They are unbelievers. Why are they unbelievers? They don't see. 'It keeps them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.'" [00:43:19]

"God doesn’t want you to go into the world thinking, 'Its 80% likely that Jesus is God. Is 80% pretty good? That's worth banking your life on.' So I'm going to close by reading a quote from Edwards to show you what drove him, my dad, me, I hope you. Here's what Edwards wrote: Apologetics for the illiterate 18th century American Indian." [00:55:18]

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Transcript
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