Faith: Assurance, Conviction, and Witness in God
Summary
The sermon series "Distinctives for Disciples" focuses on the biblical understanding of faith. The pastor describes faith as a complex term that can have different meanings depending on the context and the person using it. He introduces the topic of faith as described in Hebrews chapter 11, emphasizing that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. The pastor suggests that this verse is not a definition of faith, but a description of it. He highlights three key aspects of biblical faith: assurance, connection to biblical hope, and the importance of a strong foundation.
The pastor uses the analogy of a collapsing culvert due to a slight deviation in roadwork to illustrate how even a small deviation from God's design can lead to a great erosion of truth and ultimately result in collapse. He emphasizes that biblical faith is sturdy because it is founded on the truth of God's word, and the church must also be anchored in this truth. The pastor then highlights the conviction and assurance that biblical faith brings, explaining that biblical faith is an evidence-based belief in the things of God, providing a strong foundation for believers.
The pastor shares a personal story from their high school days, where the music chosen for the layup line before basketball games would fire them up. Similarly, for Christians, the mixtape of their life should consist of the promises of God. The pastor mentions various promises such as God completing the good work in us, never leaving or forsaking us, and being conquerors through Christ's love. He encourages the congregation to have faith in God and surrender their needs and desires to Him, trusting that He can do it regardless of how it may manifest.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of faith in times of grief and difficulty, encouraging the congregation to have faith in God's plan and promises. He describes this faith as evidence-based, even though heaven and its blessings may not be seen yet. This sturdy faith is what helps the pastor and the congregation endure the difficulties of the present. The pastor then explains that biblical faith provides assurance, conviction, and witness. The writer of Hebrews speaks of how faith was displayed in the lives of the saints of old, who were commended and rewarded by God for their faith.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of faith as a witness for God. He compares faith to a t-shirt, a billboard, and the clothing that one wears, highlighting that it is through our faith that we are known and commended by God. The pastor suggests that if there was an addendum to Hebrews chapter 11, individuals like Johnny Erics and Tata would be included. These examples serve as witnesses and testimonies of faith in God.
Key Takeaways:
- Biblical faith is not just a blind belief, but it is the assurance of biblical hope. It is sturdy and will not collapse or fail. This assurance is foundational and can be anchored upon ([12:45]).
- Biblical faith is an evidence-based belief in the things of God, providing a strong foundation for believers. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen ([24:33]).
- The promises of God should be the mixtape of a Christian's life. Believers should have faith in God and surrender their needs and desires to Him, trusting that He can do it regardless of how it may manifest ([36:12]).
- Biblical faith provides assurance, conviction, and witness. It is evidence-based, even though heaven and its blessings may not be seen yet. This sturdy faith is what helps believers endure the difficulties of the present ([48:20]).
- Faith is a witness for God. It is through our faith that we are known and commended by God. Individuals like Johnny Erics and Tata, who have dedicated their lives to serving others and glorifying God, serve as witnesses and testimonies of faith in God ([59:33]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1-3: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."
2. Romans 1:8: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world."
3. Romans 8:37-39: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 11:1-3 tell us about the nature of faith?
2. In Romans 1:8, what is the impact of faith on the world?
3. How does Romans 8:37-39 describe the relationship between faith and the love of God?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, as described in Hebrews 11:1-3, relate to our understanding of faith?
2. What does it mean for faith to be proclaimed in all the world, as mentioned in Romans 1:8?
3. How does the promise in Romans 8:37-39 of being more than conquerors through Christ's love relate to our faith?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your faith provided assurance in a situation where the outcome was uncertain. How did that experience shape your understanding of faith?
2. How can you proclaim your faith to others in your daily life, as suggested in Romans 1:8?
3. Considering Romans 8:37-39, what is one way you can demonstrate your faith in God's love when facing challenges this week?
4. Think of a promise from God that you can add to your 'mixtape' to strengthen your faith. How can you remind yourself of this promise daily?
5. Can you identify a person in your life who exemplifies faith, like Johnny Erics and Tata? How can their example inspire you to live out your faith more boldly?
Devotional
Day 1: Anchoring on the Assurance of Biblical Hope
The assurance of biblical hope is not a blind belief, but a sturdy faith that will not collapse or fail. This assurance is foundational and can be anchored upon, providing a strong and unwavering belief in the promises of God. [12:45]
Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your faith was tested. How did the assurance of biblical hope help you remain steadfast?
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Day 2: Building a Foundation on Evidence-Based Belief
Biblical faith is an evidence-based belief in the things of God, providing a strong foundation for believers. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. This faith is not just a belief, but a conviction that is deeply rooted in the promises of God. [24:33]
1 Peter 1:8-9 - "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Reflection: What evidence of God's work in your life can you point to that strengthens your faith? How can you use this evidence to build a stronger foundation for your faith?
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Day 3: Trusting God's Promises as the Mixtape of Life
The promises of God should be the mixtape of a Christian's life. Believers should have faith in God and surrender their needs and desires to Him, trusting that He can do it regardless of how it may manifest. This surrender is a testament to the believer's trust in God's promises. [36:12]
2 Peter 1:4 - "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today? How can you surrender your needs and desires to Him in trust of this promise?
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Day 4: Enduring Difficulties with Sturdy Faith
Biblical faith provides assurance, conviction, and witness. It is evidence-based, even though heaven and its blessings may not be seen yet. This sturdy faith is what helps believers endure the difficulties of the present, providing a firm foundation in times of trials. [48:20]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: What current difficulty are you facing? How can your faith in God's promises help you endure this trial?
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Day 5: Witnessing for God Through Faith
Faith is a witness for God. It is through our faith that we are known and commended by God. Individuals like Johnny Erics and Tata, who have dedicated their lives to serving others and glorifying God, serve as witnesses and testimonies of faith in God. [59:33]
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: How can you use your faith as a witness for God today? Who in your life could benefit from seeing your faith in action?
Quotes
1. "Your faith in God is your witness for God, it's the t-shirt, it's the billboard, it's the clothing that you wear. Your faith is what yields your commendation, your praise, your reward, and for and by what you will be known for is your faith." [47:18]
2. "I think there are individuals like Johnny Erics and Tata who would be found in the addendum to Hebrews chapter 11. This is a woman who was tragically injured in a diving accident at the age of 19 and was rendered quadriplegic as a result. She has dedicated every day from that moment of her injury until this one to trying to serve individuals with disabilities and special needs and hoping that they see that the kingdom of God is for them. That's a hero, that's a witness for faith." [48:06]
3. "What the culture is attempting to do and some denominations are following is this slight deviation but it is leading to a great erosion of Truth and ultimately things will collapse under the weight of it... the moment you decide that you want to redefine things that God designed is the moment that you are deviating and subjecting yourself to erosion that is going to result in collapse." [37:53]
4. "This biblical Faith believes with the strength and the certainty of evidence about what is not visibly seen... our faith in God is compelled like the evidence that would be required to prove something to be true... it is an evidence-based belief in the things of God that are not always visibly seen." [39:10]
5. "On this day of grief there is another day of great reunion and joy...even in the things that aren't heaven isn't yet seen but it's believed how by faith and this is a sturdy Faith...it's the only way in which we endure the difficulties in the here and the now believing God by faith for the one day." [44:45]
6. "Our faith is as sturdy as God's word is true... in all of human history, there is nothing that has had greater Divine engineering with the truth than God's word which is divinely preserved for you and I am this is divine engineering and you can stand your faith can rest it can be found." [35:53]
7. "Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen... it is not only a sturdy understanding or belief but it is an evidence-based understanding and belief" [41:21]
8. "Biblical faith is the intellectual ascent of believing God's word to be true and trusting in that knowledge by wholeheartedly relying upon that truth with your life." [29:18]
9. "Now Faith is the Assurance of things hoped for...the conviction of Things Not Seen." #!!31:15!!#
10. "Biblical faith is a confidence that you can count upon...it is something that you can anchor yourself upon...it is sturdy enough to be foundational for our lives." #!!32:45!!#
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