Faith: The Foundation of Our Worldview and Action
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor encouraging the congregation to delve into the biblical understanding of faith, comparing it to a junk closet that often contains a mix of misunderstood and misapplied spiritual concepts. The pastor emphasizes that faith shapes our worldview, informing our understanding of the universe, from the created order to the moral order of God. He asserts that faith comes first, and science and technology merely affirm what faith has already revealed.
The pastor then discusses the role of biblical faith in the lives of believers, describing it as having assurance, conviction, and giving witness. He uses the example of the saints of old, whose stories of faith serve as a witness to modern-day believers on how to live their lives by faith. The pastor also shares a personal example of his daughter's birthday celebration, highlighting how his faith in God's supernatural ability to provide is evident even in things that cannot be visibly seen.
The pastor further emphasizes the importance of having confidence in the truth of God's word, drawing a parallel between a physical collapse in a road construction project and the spiritual consequences of deviating from the truth of God's word. He warns that when we begin to doubt or question the truth of God's word, it can lead to a loss of trust in all aspects of our lives that are founded on it.
The pastor concludes the sermon by reflecting on the concept of faith and the heroes of faith in modern times. He mentions Johnny Ericson Tata, a woman who became paraplegic at the age of 19 due to a diving accident, and Charles and Carol Loper, members of their church, who have dedicated themselves to transforming the nation of Uganda through the power of the Gospel. The pastor commends their decision to use their resources and influence for the greater good, emphasizing the impact that faith can have in transforming lives and communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is not just a vague spiritual concept but a fundamental aspect of our worldview that informs our understanding of the universe. It comes before science and technology, which only affirm what faith has already revealed. ([12:45])
- Biblical faith is characterized by assurance, conviction, and giving witness. The stories of faith from the saints of old serve as a witness to modern-day believers on how to live their lives by faith. ([22:30])
- Deviating from the truth of God's word can lead to spiritual consequences. When we begin to doubt or question the truth of God's word, it can lead to a loss of trust in all aspects of our lives that are founded on it. ([35:15])
- Faith can have a transformative impact on lives and communities. The examples of Johnny Ericson Tata and Charles and Carol Loper demonstrate how faith can inspire individuals to use their resources and influence for the greater good. ([48:50])
- Biblical faith is not just an intellectual ascent to a belief but involves taking action and putting that knowledge into practice. It requires not only understanding but also active trust and reliance on God's truth. ([57:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Hebrews 11:1-3: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:7: "For we live by faith, not by sight."
3. Ephesians 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Hebrews 11:1-3 tell us about the nature of faith and its role in our understanding of the universe?
2. How does 2 Corinthians 5:7 contrast living by faith versus living by sight?
3. In Ephesians 2:8, what is the relationship between grace, faith, and salvation?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance and conviction described in Hebrews 11:1-3 relate to our everyday experiences and challenges?
2. What does it mean to live by faith and not by sight as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:7? How does this principle apply to our understanding of the world around us?
3. How does the concept of salvation through faith, as described in Ephesians 2:8, influence our understanding of God's grace and gift?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation where you had to rely on faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1-3, to understand a situation that was not visible or tangible? How did that experience shape your understanding of faith?
2. In the coming week, identify a situation where you can choose to live by faith and not by sight, as instructed in 2 Corinthians 5:7. What might be the challenges and how can you prepare for them?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace and salvation through faith, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:8. How did that experience impact your relationship with God and others? How can you share this experience with someone who might be struggling with their faith?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as the Foundation of Our Worldview
Faith is not a vague spiritual concept but a fundamental aspect of our worldview. It informs our understanding of the universe, from the created order to the moral order of God. Faith comes before science and technology, which only affirm what faith has already revealed. [12:45]
Hebrews 11:3 - "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of the universe. How does your faith shape this understanding and how does it influence your daily life?
Day 2: The Witness of Biblical Faith
Biblical faith is characterized by assurance, conviction, and giving witness. The stories of faith from the saints of old serve as a witness to modern-day believers on how to live their lives by faith. [22:30]
Hebrews 12:1 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Reflection: Think of a saint from the Bible whose faith story inspires you. How can you emulate their faith in your life today?
Day 3: The Consequences of Doubting God's Word
Deviating from the truth of God's word can lead to spiritual consequences. When we begin to doubt or question the truth of God's word, it can lead to a loss of trust in all aspects of our lives that are founded on it. [35:15]
2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Reflection: Is there a part of God's word that you have been doubting or questioning recently? How can you seek clarity and reaffirm your trust in God's word?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Faith
Faith can have a transformative impact on lives and communities. The examples of Johnny Ericson Tata and Charles and Carol Loper demonstrate how faith can inspire individuals to use their resources and influence for the greater good. [48:50]
James 2:18 - "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
Reflection: How can your faith inspire you to use your resources and influence for the greater good in your community?
Day 5: Putting Faith into Action
Biblical faith is not just an intellectual ascent to a belief but involves taking action and putting that knowledge into practice. It requires not only understanding but also active trust and reliance on God's truth. [57:20]
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: What is one way you can put your faith into action today? How can you demonstrate your trust and reliance on God's truth through your actions?
Quotes
"Faith is an interesting albeit often misunderstood misapplied word for us to study. It's one that is necessary for us to biblically understand because Faith serves often as the catchall phrase if you will for spiritually minded individuals." #!!01:33!!#
"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... it's faith that informs our worldview everything from the created order of God to the moral order of God." #!!26:00!!#
"Science and technology and understanding... explain a great many things to us but guess what faith comes first and those things affirm what faith first explained... that sonogram doesn't cause me to have a faith in God and a value for the life that he has entrusted to that family, my faith was formed because God's word is true and science is affirming what the scriptures have made crystal clear." #!!27:17!!#
"Biblical faith has Assurance, biblical faith has conviction, and biblical Faith gives witness immediately after he describes Faith." #!!20:02!!#
"Faith is their witness, in fact, that's exactly how the writer describes them when giving the charge to the modern-day Hebrews to the modern-day Believers on how we are to live our lives by faith." #!!21:21!!#
"The moment that we begin to deviate on the confidence in the truth of God's word is the moment that we begin to lose confidence in anything of Our Lives that is founded and built upon that." #!!11:19!!#
"This is what happens when we deviate from the truth and the confidence and the sturdy faith in God's word. It starts as this slight deviation and then it erodes from there ultimately leading to a full collapse." #!!12:33!!#
"I think someone like Johnny Ericson #!!22:05!!# Tata would be added to the amendment of Hebrews chapter 11 because here is a woman who was tragically injured in a diving accident at the age of 19 and rendered paraplegic for the rest of her life... she is reaching them with the good news of the Gospel letting them see that you matter in the kingdom of God she's a hero to me."
"I think about people in our church like Charles and Carol Loper good friends of mine who have experienced incredible success in business and the Twilight of their career decided when they should have enjoyed the fruits of their labor for so many years after all of that hard work and blessing that they would dedicate themselves to transforming by the power #!!23:23!!# of the Gospel the nation of Uganda one life at a time... they are seeing lives change that cannot be."
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