Faith

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope

April 11, 2009

Larry R Evans 

Introductory Reflection 

Last week we began our study of key words in the Bible with a major pillar of the Christian teaching called “love.”  We learned that the source of love is God and that the four different words for love used in the New Testament are all anchored in God’s supreme love for us.  This love by God is not built on the premise that something must be returned.  God’s love is not fickle.  God’s love is steadfast and because of this quality of love, at least in part, faith has a solid foundation.  As we will learn from our study this week, we should not confuse “belief” with “faith”.  Faith goes beyond knowledge.  It encompasses one’s entire self  and yields a confident and obedient trust.       When Joshua was instructed to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant into the heart of the flood-swollen Jordan River with the expectation that the waters would be stopped, he entered into the “process” of faith.  Joshua knew God.  On this basis, his faith-obedience led him to do that which made no sense to unbelieving onlookers.  Joshua’s faith yielded trust and his trust aided others in reinforcing their own faith.  The priests stepped into the river and the waters stood still.  With the symbol of God’s promise resting on the shoulders of the priests (the ark of the covenant), the river bed became dry and “all Israel passed by.”  (Joshua 3).  This lesson is rich in principles for individual faith as well as for all who have a personal influence in a world craving for spiritual leadership. 

Reflective Quiz 

1.       Faith is an emotional response to objective evidence found in God’s Word.  [Heb. 11:1-3, 8]  False but Emotion Is Often a Result 

Let’s take a look a the only definition actually spelled out in the Bible – Hebrews 11:1.  However, let’s get the context by reading Heb. 10:32 to 11:3 and I’ll quote it from the Message paraphrase. 

Heb 10:32  Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times!

Heb 10:33  Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse--some days it was you, other days your friends.

Heb 10:34  If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back.

Heb 10:35  So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing!

Heb 10:36  But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.

Heb 10:37  It won't be long now, he's on the way; he'll show up most any minute.

Heb 10:38  But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy.

Heb 10:39  But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.

Heb 11:1  The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see.

Heb 11:2  The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

Heb 11:3  By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. 

Faith and emotion and reason are all related.  One of the classic statements of Ellen White on this subject is found in Steps to Christ, p. 105: 

     “God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.” 

2.       To reach our full potential we must have faith.  [Eph 2:4-8]  True 

Our potential is stated in Gen. 1:26, 27 

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."27 So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him;male and female he created them. (NIV)

 

I’m not sure we have fully grasped all  that God has in mind for us but being created in God’s image really puts aside most limitations we place upon ourselves and others.  No doubt sin has clouded some of this but that’s where Eph 2:8-10 helps breaks through much of the fog: 

Eph 2:8-10

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV) 

Faith helps us see differently, feel differently and do differently.  Faith links us back to our original design. 

Faith is more than an intellectual conclusion.  It impacts our total being!  Consider the implications to what James says, James 2:18-19 

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 what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. (NIV) 

Faith does not ignore reasoning but it does not stop there.  Despite the fact that there is room for doubt faith reaches out to make more of us than what our minds can conceive! 

3.       Miracles lead to faith.  [Rev. 13:13,14; Jn 20:27-28] Not Necessarily. Answer is True and False  

I have a question for you:  “Does it take more faith to believe with or without miracles.” 

John 20:26-31 

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 

28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 

29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.(NIV) 

There is a danger when building faith on miracles. 

Rev 13:13-14

13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. (NIV)

Note the following: 

   “Some declare their unbelief in the work that the Lord has given me to do because, as they say, "Mrs. E. G. White works no miracles." But those who look for miracles as a sign of divine guidance are in grave danger of deception. It is stated in the Word that the enemy will work through his agents who have departed from the faith, and they will seemingly work miracles, even to the bringing down of fire out of heaven in the sight of men. By means of "lying wonders" Satan would deceive, if possible, the very elect.”  Ellen White in vol 2, Selected Messages, p. 53-54. 

   “The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God's servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.”  Ibid, p. 54  

4.       Faith precedes “mountains” being moved.  [Matt. 21:-18-22; 1 Cor. 13:2; Joshua 3]  True and False. 

I have another question for you:  Does faith precede “mountains” being moved or does faith develop because “mountains” are moved? (Does faith move mountains or is faith strengthened when mountains are moved?) 

Matt 21:18-22

18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. 

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 

21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  (NIV) 

When Jesus caused the fig tree to wither did He do it from a faith experience? 

The story of Joshua leading the nation of Israel across the Jordan River is a powerful example of faith at work.  The instruction given was acted on in faith and it produced faith for generations to follow: 

Josh 3:11-13

 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD-the Lord of all the earth-set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."  (NIV) 

Is it possible for our faith to grow? 

2 Thess 1:3-4

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.(2 Thess 1:3,4) 

5.       Doctrines limit faith.  [Eph. 2:8; 1 Tim. 4:16; Titus 2:1; 1 Pet 1:8] True and False 

1 Tim 4:15-16

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (NIV) 

It is clear that doctrines are important but what do we mean by doctrine?   Doctrines help us better understand Jesus and what He has done for us.  They provide a structured account of beliefs.  Sound doctrine is essential, but doctrine and theology that remain lifeless can save no one!  

What is it that changes one’s perspective of life? Doctrines or teachings about Christ obviously are important but they become effective when we apply  the teachings to our own personal experience and live them.  The motivation, however, is internal. 

Titus 3:3-8

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (NIV) 

Concluding Reflections

 Faith is a deep-rooted assurance that affects the entire person.  It impacts ones reasoning as well as our emotions.  Biblical faith is the means by which we reach out and grab hold of the promises of God we can’t see yet we know are there. 

Philip Yancey tells of the following experience in his book, Soul Survivor, p. 295. 

            “While living in Peru, [Henri] Nouwen received news from Holland that his sister-in-law had given birth to a daughter with Down’s syndrome.  He wrote the family these words, unaware that in a few years they would seem a prophetic insight: 

Laura is going to be important for all of us in the family.  We have never had a “weak” person among us.  We all are hardworking, ambitious, and successful people who seldom have had to experience powerlessness.  Now Laura enters and tells us a totally new dependency.  Laura, who always will be a child, will teach us the way of Christ as no one will ever be able to do.” 

Faith is like that.  We sometimes make it too complicated.   The best teacher of faith is not always the trained theologian . . . unless, of course, life has taught him the simple lessons of trusting.  The supposed curses of life are often the very blessings a growing faith needs.