Faith in Action: Beyond Materialism to Divine Purpose
Summary
In our journey through the series "Faith Works," we delve into the profound relationship between faith and action, as exemplified by Jesus and his disciples. Last week, we explored the Transfiguration, where Jesus, alongside Moses and Elijah, symbolized the unity of the law and the prophets with the new covenant. This week, we continue to examine how faith transcends the material and invites us into a deeper spiritual understanding.
Jesus' warning to his disciples about the "yeast of the Pharisees and Herod" serves as a metaphor for the pervasive influence of materialism and superficial understanding. The disciples, concerned about their lack of bread, missed the spiritual lesson Jesus was imparting. This incident highlights the necessity of moving beyond the material to grasp the spiritual truths that Jesus offers. Faith, in this context, is not just a belief but an active exercise that transforms our perception and interaction with the world.
The story of the healing of the boy with seizures further illustrates the power of faith. Jesus emphasizes that "all things are possible to those who believe," underscoring that faith is a dynamic force capable of altering reality. This belief is not passive; it requires us to actively engage with our faith, much like putting on a new set of glasses that reveal a world previously unseen.
The feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 are not just miracles of provision but lessons in divine abundance and purpose. Jesus uses these events to teach that faith, when combined with what we have, can lead to miraculous outcomes. The numbers in these stories—five, seven, twelve—carry symbolic meanings that point to completeness, testing, and chosenness, reinforcing the idea that faith is integral to understanding and participating in God's work.
Ultimately, faith is about seeing beyond the immediate and the material, recognizing God's hand in all things, and stepping out in trust to serve others. As a church and as individuals, we are called to break free from self-centeredness and embrace the mission of serving the world, trusting that God will provide and multiply our efforts.
Key Takeaways:
1. Transfiguration and Unity of Covenants: The Transfiguration of Jesus with Moses and Elijah symbolizes the unity of the law, the prophets, and the new covenant. This event foreshadows the fulfillment and elevation of the teachings of the law and prophets through Jesus, inviting us to live out these teachings in our daily lives. [01:40]
2. Beyond Materialism: Jesus' warning about the "yeast of the Pharisees and Herod" challenges us to move beyond material concerns and embrace a spiritual perspective. Faith invites us to see the world through a divine lens, transforming our understanding and approach to life's challenges. [04:28]
3. Active Faith: Faith is not merely a belief but an active force that can change reality. Jesus' statement that "all things are possible to those who believe" calls us to exercise our faith, trusting in God's power to work through us and bring about transformation. [06:16]
4. Miracles as Lessons: The feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 are not just acts of provision but lessons in divine abundance and purpose. These miracles teach us that when we combine our resources with faith, God can multiply our efforts to meet the needs of others. [14:50]
5. Church's Mission: The church's growth and vitality depend on its commitment to outreach and service. By stepping out in faith and focusing on the needs of the world, we align with God's blueprint for the church, trusting that He will provide and build His church through our efforts. [24:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:40] - Transfiguration and Unity of Covenants
- [04:28] - Beyond Materialism
- [06:16] - Active Faith
- [09:10] - Personal Story of Faith
- [10:14] - Faith as New Vision
- [14:50] - Miracles as Lessons
- [16:40] - Spiritual Insight and Understanding
- [18:08] - Feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000
- [19:37] - Symbolism of Numbers
- [20:21] - Testing and Faith
- [21:23] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
- [22:37] - Blueprint for the Church
- [24:02] - Church's Mission and Outreach
- [24:53] - Stepping Out in Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Faith Works
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 9:2-29 - The Transfiguration and the Healing of a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
2. Mark 8:14-21 - The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
3. John 6:1-14 - The Feeding of the 5,000
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus during the Transfiguration, and how did it relate to the unity of the law and the prophets? [01:40]
2. How did the disciples misunderstand Jesus' warning about the "yeast of the Pharisees and Herod," and what does this reveal about their focus? [04:28]
3. In the story of the healing of the boy with seizures, what does Jesus mean when he says, "all things are possible to those who believe"? [06:16]
4. What symbolic meanings do the numbers in the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 carry, and how do they relate to the lessons Jesus was teaching? [19:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Transfiguration event challenge believers to integrate the teachings of the law and the prophets with the new covenant in their daily lives? [01:40]
2. What are the dangers of focusing on material concerns, as illustrated by the disciples' reaction to Jesus' warning about the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod? [04:28]
3. How can believers actively engage their faith to transform their perception and interaction with the world, as suggested by Jesus' statement that "all things are possible to those who believe"? [06:16]
4. In what ways do the miracles of feeding the 5,000 and 4,000 illustrate the concept of divine abundance and purpose, and how can this understanding impact a believer's approach to service and provision? [14:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you focused more on material concerns than spiritual insights. How can you shift your perspective to see the world through a divine lens? [04:28]
2. Consider a situation in your life where you need to exercise active faith. What steps can you take to trust in God's power to bring about transformation? [06:16]
3. How can you apply the lesson of divine abundance from the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 in your own life, especially when faced with limited resources? [14:50]
4. In what ways can you contribute to your church's mission of outreach and service, trusting that God will provide and multiply your efforts? [24:02]
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel called to step out in faith. What practical actions can you take this week to move beyond self-centeredness and serve others? [24:53]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper spiritual understanding in your daily life, similar to putting on a new set of glasses that reveal a world previously unseen? [10:14]
7. Reflect on the symbolic meanings of numbers in the Bible. How can understanding these symbols enhance your interpretation of scripture and your faith journey? [19:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity of Covenants in Christ
The Transfiguration of Jesus, witnessed by His disciples, is a profound moment that symbolizes the unity of the law, the prophets, and the new covenant. This event, where Jesus stands with Moses and Elijah, signifies the fulfillment and elevation of the teachings of the law and prophets through Jesus. It invites believers to live out these teachings in their daily lives, recognizing that Jesus is the culmination of God's promises. The Transfiguration is not just a historical event but a call to embrace the fullness of God's revelation in Christ and to allow it to transform our lives. [01:40]
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. For he finds fault with them when he says: 'Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.'" (Hebrews 8:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively live out the teachings of the law and prophets in your daily life, recognizing their fulfillment in Jesus?
Day 2: Spiritual Perspective Over Materialism
Jesus' warning about the "yeast of the Pharisees and Herod" serves as a metaphor for the pervasive influence of materialism and superficial understanding. The disciples' concern about their lack of bread highlights their struggle to grasp the spiritual lesson Jesus was imparting. This incident challenges believers to move beyond material concerns and embrace a spiritual perspective. Faith invites us to see the world through a divine lens, transforming our understanding and approach to life's challenges. By focusing on the spiritual, we can transcend the limitations of the material world and align ourselves with God's purposes. [04:28]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from material concerns to a spiritual perspective in your daily decisions and interactions?
Day 3: Faith as a Dynamic Force
Faith is not merely a belief but an active force that can change reality. Jesus' statement that "all things are possible to those who believe" calls believers to exercise their faith, trusting in God's power to work through them and bring about transformation. This belief is not passive; it requires active engagement, much like putting on a new set of glasses that reveal a world previously unseen. Faith, in this context, is a dynamic force capable of altering reality and inviting believers to participate in God's transformative work in the world. [06:16]
"And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," it will happen.'" (Matthew 21:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to actively exercise your faith, trusting in God's power to bring about change?
Day 4: Lessons in Divine Abundance
The feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 are not just acts of provision but lessons in divine abundance and purpose. These miracles teach that when believers combine their resources with faith, God can multiply their efforts to meet the needs of others. The numbers in these stories—five, seven, twelve—carry symbolic meanings that point to completeness, testing, and chosenness, reinforcing the idea that faith is integral to understanding and participating in God's work. By trusting in God's provision, believers can step out in faith to serve others, knowing that God will provide and multiply their efforts. [14:50]
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you combine your resources with faith to serve others, trusting in God's provision and abundance?
Day 5: The Church's Mission of Service
The church's growth and vitality depend on its commitment to outreach and service. By stepping out in faith and focusing on the needs of the world, believers align with God's blueprint for the church, trusting that He will provide and build His church through their efforts. Faith calls the church to break free from self-centeredness and embrace the mission of serving the world. This mission is not just about meeting physical needs but also about sharing the love and truth of Christ with others, trusting that God will multiply their efforts and bring about transformation. [24:02]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to participate in the church's mission of service, trusting that God will use your efforts to build His kingdom?
Quotes
"The reason is that Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets. And up until that time, the Hebraic scriptures were really a combination of the law and the prophets. So when Jesus came with the new covenant and they're all getting together here, getting along well, it was really a foreshadowing and a proclamation that everything Jesus was doing, even though it was new, it was not there to do anything to refute the law and the prophets. In fact, when he first came on the scene and began to preach, he said, I am not here to say anything contrary to what you've already been taught. I am here to take everything that you have been taught and take it to a whole new level." [00:01:40]
"And Jesus is trying to get us to move beyond the material into the spiritual and then from the spiritual re-approach the material. And that is the whole essence of faith. You see, in the incident that we talked about last week, when Jesus heals this boy who was given to seizures, would be thrown into fire, would be thrown into wire. Into water, was deaf and dumb." [00:04:47]
"And he didn't put any qualifiers on that. He didn't say healing is possible. He didn't say your financial situations can be corrected. He didn't say wars can be stopped. He said, all things are possible. to those who believe. And since I, like you, believe that the words of Jesus are true, that means that our faith, other than our very salvation, is the greatest commodity we have as human beings. Our faith is what can move the material." [00:05:40]
"The great thing about having faith in God, the great thing about having the faith of Christ, the great thing about being Christians and being Christ-like in this world, that means people who bring peace, and people who bring healing, and people who bring understanding, and people who bring unity, and people who are able to transform personal lives, and families, and communities, and the world to be agents of God in this world." [00:06:16]
"faith is something you have it's like a spiritual commodity if you were but belief is something you do it's a application of it and so it's one thing to have faith but it's another thing to exercise faith and so what Jesus is saying he says everything is possible if you are able to exercise this faith that I'm talking about in your life you can change everything now I've told you all I used to play sports and I guess you just believe me because you think I'm a nice guy because I certainly don't look like it amen I know it all right but you know even though eventually I did get good when I was young I was terrible I was the worst my brother was great he was a born athlete he used to rub it in the man all the time you know he could just he could dunk over me run over me catch over me everything I was I was terrible but the worst thing I was at was was at catching a football I was terrible like you know you guys watched Charlie Brown with the mitt and they throw the baseball that hit him right in a bit and drop to the ground that was me okay couldn't catch a thing" [00:07:20]
"a whole new way and after that I still dropped the ball but I was at least able to practice and learn and get better I did get better eventually all right but you know faith is like putting on a new set of glasses it's like seeing the world in a whole new way it's when you think you know everything but really all you know is what you're able to see at that point in time and so since that's your everything your description of everything is much limited you just don't know it you've heard the saying you know that person doesn't know what they don't know right okay and so what is faith I would suggest to you that faith is enlarging your sphere of awareness the detail and the understanding of what you know and what you're able to see at that point in time understanding of it understanding that there are clouds of angels on your behalf working for you understanding that God not only knows your situation in detail but he also knows a potential pitfall or pothole and is able" [00:10:14]
"So what Jesus is saying here is, you guys are talking about bread. I didn't do the miracle just to feed people's stomachs. I did the miracle to tell you something. Did you hear it? I did the miracle to show you something. Did you see it? And I think so often we get so caught up in the material that all we think about is, did I get what I wanted now to feed my particular appetite, whatever that might be. You know, whatever, I needed a spouse. Did I get that spouse? I prayed, I needed food. Did I get that food? I needed a new car. I needed a new house. I needed a job. Did I get, oh, I got it, great. But we forget that everything that God does has purpose and has message and has meaning. And he's asking us whether we're seeing that or not, whether we're seeing God in the midst of God's work." [00:15:04]
"And here, right after, after that incident, as the scripture was well read, after that incident, he heals a man who was blind. And it's like they still don't get it. I'm healing the man who's blind because I want to reinforce in you the necessity for you to open your spiritual eyes." [00:16:49]
"the feeding of the 5 ,000. It's interesting, by the way, that he mentions both, because sometimes you might read the scripture and wonder if maybe one of the disciples made a mistake. I mean, he certainly couldn't feed thousands of people twice, right? So maybe he just, you know, maybe he only fed the 5 ,000 and somebody else got it wrong and called it 4 ,000, right? You know, when I used to read that as a kid, I kind of wondered that. But no, guess what? He did both. Both. He fed the five and the four. And then here he says, don't you remember what happened when I fed the five? Don't you remember what happened with the four? What happened? They answered, and they still didn't get it. So guess what?" [00:17:27]
"Five loaves, two fish. There is a bit of foreshadowing here because he makes a Eucharism, why we call it the Eucharist, and he breaks the bread. It's the, it is a giving of thanks. It's a foreshadowing. He takes bread and he breaks the bread and he gives thanks. And then after he does this Eucharistic act, he combines this broken bread with these two fish, feeds the people, and has 12 basketfuls left over." [00:18:08]
"And that means that we have to connect with Christ to serve the world. And when we serve the world in our connection with Christ in faith, then he builds the church. But I found that every church is different. Every church has its own personality, has its own character. It's like an individual. It's like a person has its own character." [00:23:24]
"the resource and that whatever limitations you perceive they are only perceptions and if we listen to the message of Jesus here that the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod is materialism that a little bit can go through the whole dough the material is important but it's not what we put our faith in we put our faith in God and God gives us the resource if we take what we have we break ourselves of our carnality and our self-centeredness become focused on the needs of those around us God will bring it in he'll build the church through faith if we step out in faith amen" [00:27:36]
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