Faith, Righteousness, and Trust in God's Timing
Summary
The sermon begins with a historical context of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation, highlighting the Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences and the subsequent spark of the Protestant Reformation by Luther's ninety-five theses and translation of the Bible into German. The pastor emphasizes that righteousness with God is not earned but received through faith in Jesus Christ. He then addresses the different perspectives on faith within the congregation, acknowledging the existence of both legalistic and prosperity gospel mindsets.
The pastor introduces the uncomfortable truth of biblical faith, drawing from the book of Habakkuk. He highlights the complaints of Habakkuk about the upcoming judgment of the Babylonians against Judah and Jerusalem, questioning why the wicked Babylonians would be used as a tool of judgment. The pastor emphasizes that biblical faith is found in the written word of God, as demonstrated by the Lord's response to Habakkuk to write down the vision and make it plain on tablets.
The pastor then focuses on the importance of faith in the Christian life, comparing faith to the rudder of a ship. He challenges those who may think that faith requires no action, reminding them that true faith is demonstrated through works. The pastor concludes by encouraging the congregation to respond obediently to the Lord and to seek correction, encouragement, and a mission through the Word of God.
The pastor also discusses the significance of the Lord's Supper and the invitation to worship God. He emphasizes that the cup represents the new covenant in Christ's blood and encourages the congregation to partake in the communion as a way to remember Jesus' death and resurrection. The pastor expresses gratitude for the cleansing power of Christ's blood and acknowledges that it is only through Him that they are able to approach God in worship.
Finally, the pastor emphasizes the importance of patience and trust in God's timing, referencing the prophet Habakkuk, who was instructed to write down a vision that would be fulfilled at an appointed time. He encourages the congregation to have faith in the Lord's promises, reminding them that He is not slow but will be right on time.
Key Takeaways:
- The righteousness with God is not earned but received through faith in Jesus Christ. This contrasts with the arrogance and greed of the Babylonians mentioned in the passage. It is a reminder that our works do not make us right with God, but rather it is through faith in the simple gospel message that our lives begin and continue. [12:45]
- Biblical faith is found in the written word of God. The Lord's response to Habakkuk, instructing him to write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, emphasizes the importance of the written word as the foundation of faith and understanding God's will. [24:30]
- True faith is demonstrated through works. Those who may think that faith requires no action are reminded that faith without works is dead. This is a call to respond obediently to the Lord and to seek correction, encouragement, and a mission through the Word of God. [36:15]
- The Lord's Supper represents the New Covenant that Jesus brought through his death on the cross. The cup symbolizes the new covenant in Christ's blood, and partaking in the communion is a way to remember Jesus' death and resurrection. It is a reminder of the cleansing power of Christ's blood and that it is only through Him that we are able to approach God in worship. [48:20]
- Patience and trust in God's timing are crucial in the Christian life. The prophet Habakkuk was instructed to write down a vision that would be fulfilled at an appointed time. This serves as a reminder that God's slowness is meant for repentance, as He desires none to perish but for all to reach repentance. [59:10]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 11:27-34
2. Romans 15:4
3. Habakkuk 2:2-3
Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-34, what does it mean to eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner?
2. What does Romans 15:4 suggest about the purpose of the Scriptures?
3. What is the vision that Habakkuk is instructed to write down in Habakkuk 2:2-3?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of self-examination before partaking in the Lord's Supper, as described in 1 Corinthians 11:27-34, relate to the concept of righteousness through faith?
2. In Romans 15:4, how does the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide relate to the idea of biblical faith being found in the written word of God?
3. What might the vision that Habakkuk is instructed to write down in Habakkuk 2:2-3 symbolize in terms of God's timing and His promises?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the last time you partook in the Lord's Supper. Did you examine yourself before partaking? How can you ensure to do this the next time?
2. Can you identify a recent situation where you relied on your own understanding rather than the written word of God? How can you apply the teachings of Romans 15:4 to this situation?
3. Think of a promise from God that you are waiting for. How can you demonstrate patience and trust in God's timing, as Habakkuk did, while you wait?
4. Reflect on your faith. Is it demonstrated through your works? Identify one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate your faith.
5. Can you think of a person or a group of people you interact with regularly where it’s difficult to love your neighbor as yourself? How can you show them love this week?
Devotional
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Day 1: Embracing Righteousness through Faith
Righteousness with God is not a reward for our deeds but a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth stands in stark contrast to the arrogance and greed of the Babylonians mentioned in the book of Habakkuk. It serves as a reminder that our works do not make us right with God, but rather it is through faith in the simple gospel message that our lives begin and continue. [12:45]
Romans 3:22 - "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of righteousness. How does the idea of receiving righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ challenge or affirm your current beliefs?
Day 2: Grounding Faith in the Word of God
Biblical faith is rooted in the written word of God. The Lord's response to Habakkuk, instructing him to write down the vision and make it plain on tablets, underscores the importance of the written word as the foundation of faith and understanding God's will. [24:30]
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
Reflection: How often do you engage with the Bible? Consider setting aside a specific time each day this week to read and reflect on Scripture.
Day 3: Demonstrating Faith through Works
True faith is not passive but active, demonstrated through works. Those who may think that faith requires no action are reminded that faith without works is dead. This is a call to respond obediently to the Lord and to seek correction, encouragement, and a mission through the Word of God. [36:15]
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate your faith through action today? Consider how you can serve others or contribute to your community.
Day 4: Remembering Christ through Communion
The Lord's Supper is a significant act of worship that represents the New Covenant that Jesus brought through his death on the cross. The cup symbolizes the new covenant in Christ's blood, and partaking in the communion is a way to remember Jesus' death and resurrection. It is a reminder of the cleansing power of Christ's blood and that it is only through Him that we are able to approach God in worship. [48:20]
Luke 22:20 - "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Reflection: As you partake in communion, what does the act symbolize for you personally? Reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and what it means for your relationship with God.
Day 5: Trusting in God's Timing
Patience and trust in God's timing are crucial in the Christian life. The prophet Habakkuk was instructed to write down a vision that would be fulfilled at an appointed time. This serves as a reminder that God's slowness is meant for repentance, as He desires none to perish but for all to reach repentance. [59:10]
2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust in God's timing? Pray for patience and trust as you wait on His perfect timing.
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Quotes
"The Lord is not slow to answer. He's always right on time. It will happen. Those promises in the word of God are true. You may not know what they are because you do not read the word. But if you will read the word you will see those promises that are true."
"When you read the Bible there is a response that you are to have, it is a call to action. Biblical faith faith without works is dead. If you say you believe in Jesus and you have faith in Jesus and your life does not show it, the brother of Jesus James says your faith is dead. It is not real."
"The first is that biblical faith is found in the written word. For to understand faith, it is an agreement about what God says about himself and then a desire to have a relationship and pursue him."
"But this one little verse kept ringing in his ears. The righteous shall live by faith. And he got up off of those steps brushed his knees off and returned furious. Wrote the ninety five thesis nailed it to the church at Wittenberg and then he began to translate the Bible into the common German language so that the people did not need to hear it from someone like me but could read it for themselves. Thus sparked the Protestant Reformation."
"If our faith and our understanding of the Lord is based upon how we feel, we're destined for disaster. If we think that if we follow the Lord, and that will mean that we never experience difficulty or hardship, that's not what the Bible says."
"That through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. So we should have instruction and hope when we read the Word and when we see what God has done in the past is how the Lord will move and work in the future."
"The delay of God's working is for repentance for people... When is the Lord coming back? He is not being slow. He is going to be right on time. And faith in the Lord doesn't say it might happen but faith in the Lord is a sure hope of God will work and it will happen. He will not delay."
"Romans 1-16 and 17. And there is, I am not ashamed of the gospel of God because it is there for all those who believe, for the Jew and to the Greek, that a man is made right with God not by their works but by their faith in Jesus Christ who lived the life required by them, who died and on the third day was risen."
"If you have come into faith in Christ by believing the good news of Jesus, you don't somehow get to believe your actions. Rather, your life begins by faith in the simple gospel message and it continues the same way."
"The New Covenant that Jesus brings in with his death on the cross, dying in our place, shedding his blood as the acceptable sacrifice before the Lord, ushers in and brings in a New Covenant. When the law is not written on external tablets of stone, but rather is now written on a new heart."
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