Faith, Righteousness, and the Journey of Belief
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of having hope in the future and trusting in God's plan of salvation. The pastor acknowledges that none of us were present during significant biblical events such as the creation, the flood, the crucifixion, or the resurrection, but we have the words and promises of God that give us assurance in things we cannot see. The pastor then highlights the book of Hebrews, suggesting that the writer would delve into the details of faith, such as how faith is received through the Holy Spirit, the gospel, baptism, and the Lord's supper. However, instead of discussing these aspects, the writer of Hebrews focuses on the heroes of faith in the Bible, with Abram (later named Abraham) being the one given the most attention. The pastor explains how Abram demonstrated great faith by following God's command to go to a land he did not know, even at the age of 99 when having children seemed impossible. Despite this, Abram believed God's promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God. The congregation is asked if they intend to faithfully live their lives according to the teachings of God's word, regularly hearing and receiving it. They are also encouraged to remain true to the Triune God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - for the duration of their lives. The pastor affirms their commitment by stating, "I do and I will be faithful in asking God to help."
The pastor then delves into the definition of faith, explaining that it involves confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see. However, the pastor also acknowledges that faith is not always easy to maintain, and there are times when we may have a weak faith. Using the example of Abraham, who is considered a hero of faith, the pastor highlights how even Abraham had moments of weak faith, such as when he lied about his wife to protect himself. The pastor relates this to our own lives, acknowledging that there are times when we worry, struggle to trust God's plans, and find it difficult to love and forgive others.
The pastor then discusses the concept of righteousness and its significance in understanding God's love and acceptance. The pastor explains that righteousness refers to the essential perfection of God and how it is credited to believers. Drawing an analogy to a job application, the pastor highlights that just as a resume showcases one's past experiences and accomplishments, believers are credited with God's righteousness as their resume. The pastor emphasizes that this counters the false belief prevalent in Martin Luther's time that God only loves those with a good resume, such as church workers or those who give more money to the church.
The sermon concludes with the pastor reflecting on the significance of Reformation weekend, which also coincides with confirmation weekend. The pastor highlights the importance of young people taking ownership of their faith and moving beyond relying on their parents' beliefs. The pastor recalls the experience of the congregation members who made vows in the past, either during their own confirmation or as adults, committing to live faithfully and remain true to God. The pastor acknowledges that while there may have been times when these promises were not kept, being present in the church and walking through its doors demonstrates faith and trust in God's promises.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not just about believing in what we cannot see, but also about trusting in God's promises and plans for our lives. This is exemplified by Abraham, who demonstrated great faith by following God's command to go to a land he did not know, even when it seemed impossible. [49:33]
- Remaining faithful to God involves not just believing in His word, but also living our lives according to His teachings. This includes remaining true to the Triune God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - for the duration of our lives. [51:45]
- Even heroes of faith, like Abraham, had moments of weak faith. This serves as a reminder that it's normal to struggle with faith at times, and that these struggles do not mean we have lost our faith altogether. [53:12]
- Righteousness is the essential perfection of God that is credited to believers. This counters the false belief that God only loves those with a good resume, such as church workers or those who give more money to the church. Instead, our status before God is solely based on what Christ has done for us. [55:30]
- The importance of young people taking ownership of their faith and moving beyond relying on their parents' beliefs is highlighted. This is a reminder for all believers to recommit themselves to the faith they know and to embrace the certainty of things hoped for but not yet seen. [57:45]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
2. Genesis 15:6: "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."
3. Romans 3:23-24: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 11:1 say about the nature of faith?
2. In Genesis 15:6, what action of Abram's is credited to him as righteousness?
3. According to Romans 3:23-24, what is the condition of all people and how are they justified?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the faith described in Hebrews 11:1 relate to the actions of Abram in Genesis 15:6?
2. What does it mean for Abram's belief to be credited to him as righteousness?
3. How does the redemption through Christ Jesus in Romans 3:23-24 relate to the concept of righteousness mentioned in Genesis 15:6?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation where you had to rely on faith in something you could not see, similar to Abram's faith in God's promise? How did you respond?
2. What is one way you can demonstrate your faith in God's promises, like Abram, in your life this week?
3. Can you think of a time when you struggled with weak faith, similar to Abraham's moments of weak faith? How did you overcome it?
4. How does understanding that righteousness is credited to believers, not earned, change your perspective on your relationship with God?
5. Think of a young person in your life. How can you encourage them to take ownership of their faith and move beyond relying on their parents' beliefs?
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Promises
Abraham's faith in God's promises, even when they seemed impossible, is a powerful example of trust. He followed God's command to go to a land he did not know, demonstrating that faith is not just about believing in what we cannot see, but also about trusting in God's plans for our lives. [49:33]
Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you find it difficult to trust God's promises? How can you exercise faith like Abraham in this situation?
Day 2: Living Faithfully to God
Living faithfully to God involves not just believing in His word, but also living our lives according to His teachings. This includes remaining true to the Triune God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - for the duration of our lives. [51:45]
2 Timothy 2:13 - "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions. Are there areas where you struggle to live according to God's teachings? How can you seek His help to remain faithful in these areas?
Day 3: Embracing Weakness in Faith
Even heroes of faith, like Abraham, had moments of weak faith. This serves as a reminder that it's normal to struggle with faith at times, and that these struggles do not mean we have lost our faith altogether. [53:12]
2 Corinthians 12:10 - "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent moment of weak faith in your life? How can you use this experience to grow stronger in your faith?
Day 4: Understanding Righteousness
Righteousness is the essential perfection of God that is credited to believers. This counters the false belief that God only loves those with a good resume, such as church workers or those who give more money to the church. Instead, our status before God is solely based on what Christ has done for us. [55:30]
Romans 4:5 - "However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."
Reflection: How does understanding righteousness as God's gift, not a result of our works, change your perspective on your relationship with God?
Day 5: Taking Ownership of Faith
The importance of young people taking ownership of their faith and moving beyond relying on their parents' beliefs is highlighted. This is a reminder for all believers to recommit themselves to the faith they know and to embrace the certainty of things hoped for but not yet seen. [57:45]
Ephesians 4:14 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."
Reflection: How can you take more ownership of your faith today? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and commitment to God's word?
Quotes
"Our status before God has nothing to do with what we have done... our status before God has everything to do with what Christ has done." [47:35]
"When being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see, that's really hard to be certain of things I can't see, especially when it comes to my life and the future." [49:33]
"Do you intend Faithfully to live your life according to the entire teaching of God's word?" [56:08]
"One of the issues in Martin Luther's day is there was this myth and I think we kind of believe it too that God only loves good people... God loves you more than other people. That's not what the Bible says. It says God credits to you his righteousness, that's your resume." [45:41]
"Justified means God has declared me not guilty... now that Medal of Honor opens the doors for us... what's credited to us is Christ's righteousness. So what Christ has done for me, his life, that's my resume now." [46:54]
"We have the words and the promises that gives the Assurance of things that we can't see." [42:02]
"God doesn't say Abram did all of these things Abram went where I told him to go Abram trusted in all these different things no he says he believed him and God credited to him righteousness." [43:42]
"The writer of the Hebrews in Hebrews chap 11 talks about faith and if you get a chance um today and next day open up your Bibles when you're home and read the whole chapter it's the longest chapter in the book of Hebrews and he begins by saying this giving this description of Faith right faith is confidence in what we hope for and Assurance about what we do not see right two descriptors confidence in what we hope for so Faith looks to the Future and brings the Future Truth into our present reality." ([40:56])
"The faith that they now believe in isn't moms and Dad's Faith anymore because I really think that's an essential part of a Young Person's growing up that is they are being instructed in the faith and the truth of God's word that the day has to come when they say this isn't mommy and daddy's faith anymore this is my faith." [53:38]
"Essentially this is part of what you said that you're going to Faithfully right live your life that you're going to be faithful and regular in the hearing of God's word receiving the Lord's supper and in faith word and action remain true to the Triune God and if we're honest with ourselves over our lives there are times we did really well in keeping these promises and there are times when we haven't done so well in keeping these promises but regardless you're being here and you're seeing this and you're walking through these doors also means you have faith because you trust in the promise of God." [54:46]
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