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A Time For
Faith in a Day of Disbelief
We live in troubling times. We are surrounded by sin and a disdain
for what is right. Disbelief in God is growing each and every day. The theory
of evolution is widely accepted and taught as fact. Atheism is prevalent. Agnosticism
is popular. Even more common than those two is the life lived as if there is no
God. John is correct when he states in 1 John 5:19, “We know that we are of
God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” Even in this
world of darkness, as bad and evil as it may seem, there is a glimmer of hope.
My intention is not to paint a picture so bleak concerning the world, but to
show the power of Biblical faith in the hearts of Christians. It is indeed a
time for faith in a day of disbelief.
Preliminary considerations concerning faith: “Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”
(Hebrews 11:1). You can not speak of faith without discussing this passage. It
defines it as the substance or realization of things hoped for. The ASV says:
“assurance of things hoped for.” Faith makes our hope real…gives eternity in heaven
substance in our hearts. It assures us of things to come. It is the conviction
of things not seen. It might not be evidence we can hold in our hands. Rather,
it is a strong conviction that gives confidence in and passion for God.
“But without faith it is impossible to please
Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder
of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We learn much from this
verse. Faith is necessary to please the God of Heaven. Those who please God
possess this faith. God does not place this faith within mankind as some in the
religious world believe. If this was true, it would mean that God displeases
Himself by withholding faith from certain individuals. Also, those who come to
God must believe more than in his existence. They must believe that he is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God” (Romans
Faith is enlightening: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Faith answers our questions. Through the Word
of God we gain knowledge. We have faith in what the word tells us. As
Christians, we have answers to all of life’s most difficult questions. 1) Why
am I here? Ecclesiastes
Faith Acknowledges Our Inferiority: At first glance, this may not seem to be
too enlightening. Generally, when we think of enlightenment, we think of
empowering and enabling. But it’s good to acknowledge our inferiority in
relation to the God of Heaven. In fact,
through faith we do empower and enable ourselves by acknowledging our
inferiority. This takes place with the
proper faith. The Bible uses the illustration of a father and a child to help
us understand faith. Fathers (and those of us who have good fathers) should be
able to understand this comparison. “For you are all sons of God through faith
in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)
Faith empowers us with knowledge by answering
our questions, but it also enlightens us by giving substance to things we can’t
fully understand. What man can understand God completely? Who can fathom
eternity? Who can grasp the power of Christ’s miracles? We must understand all of this through faith
– the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith doesn’t demand that we have answers,
but it does demand that we have trust. It seems that it would be almost impossible
to have that trust without first realizing and acknowledging our inferiority to
the most high and holy God.
So, faith is enlightening because through it
great light is shed on the questions that plague the hearts of all mankind.
Faith is empowering: This strength we
as Christians receive through faith is one great thing that separates and
distinguishes us from the rest of the world. The world longs for this strength,
but in effect is grasping at straws…looking for it in the wrong places. Faith is empowering because it calms our fears. The Bible illustrates this point beautifully
in the records of an Old Testament prophet and a New Testament servant.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den: In Daniel chapter 6, notice some
things with me. 1) Daniel was faithful to God (vs.4). He prayed and devoted
time to God each day (vs. 10). When he knew it had become illegal to pray…he
prayed anyway. Surely Daniel had some fear, but his fears were calmed when he
considered the power of the Living God! He was confident “because he believed
in his God” (vs 23).
Stephen the beloved martyr: I would imagine that Stephen had some fear in his heart. But his
faith in God allowed him to face his accusers and preach to them the
unadulterated Word of God, even when he surely knew it would anger them to
violence. Then, as he was being martyred, he gazed into heaven, called on God,
and asked the Lord to forgive them. What faith! (Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60).
We can have that same faith – a faith that
calms the fears of life! “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And
this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 5:4). Do you have this faith?
Faith is enticing: “You are the light
of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in
heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Faith is enticing to the world when our lights are
shining the way they ought to be. We noticed at the outset of this lesson that
the whole world lies in darkness. The only glimmer of hope rests in the lights displayed in the lives of Christians. We must have a great faith, which will shine
brightly in the darkness. The world is looking for all the blessings we
experience each and every day, the peace, the trust, the hope, and the joy.
Only Christ offers this. In the Bible we
find two basic reactions to the word of God. 1) Some were angered by the
preaching of the Bible. 2) Some were attracted to it.
Your life is no different. Some are almost
angered and look at your life as a Christian with contempt and disdain. Many
ridicule your faith. On the other hand,
some are interested, curious, maybe even jealous of the joy and peace you have.
Our faith is enticing. The power of the
Lord is enticing. Faith is enticing to the world when our brethren are standing
in the word. “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that
whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you
stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Lack of unity within the Lord’s church is one of
the greatest hindrances to the spread of the gospel today. We must unite in the
word of God. We cannot overlook differences in doctrine; instead we must unite
on what the Bible teaches.
We truly do need great Faith in this Day of
Disbelief. We’ve notice that Faith is enlightening, empowering, and enticing. I
would be amiss if we didn’t spend some time discussing the fact that faith is
necessary for our salvation. Jesus said, “believe that
I am he, or you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24). One commentator said it
like this: “Faith is necessary to our salvation (Mark 16:16), not because there
is any merit in it, but simply because it is the sinner's taking the place
assigned him by God, his falling in with what God is doing. Notice faith
involves action (James 2). Faith doesn’t make us deserving of praise, instead
it acknowledges our need for God’s power. Faith is a choice and it must be
united with obedience in repentance (Acts
- - -
- Adapted from Brian Wakefield
Youth Minister –
“Humble
yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
News
& Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Jimmy
Allen, Deane
Autrey, Comer Blackmon, Mae Beverly, Nell Cates, Neomia Collins, Billy
Wayne Conway, Roy Goodwin, Judy Green, Montine Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Linda
Holley, Mary Lawrence, Abby Lee, Shaunnie McGough, Emily McCreary
(daughter-in-law of Becky McCreary), Fay Maddox (mother of Wanda Santo), Reba
Miller (mother of Pam Till), Jo Ann Moorer, Curtis Newton, Mary Powell, Bobby Ray
(father of Michael Ray), Linda Sexton, Thelma Sheffield, Don Shirley, Austin
Shows, Gene Skipper, Vickie Starkie, Richard Watts,
Donald Williams, Elizabeth and Price Williams and Mary Williams. Crowne
Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gladys Childs, Kathy
Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou
Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris
Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.
2. Welcome: Sandra Roberson has
placed her membership with the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Her address is
3. Sympathy
Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to the family of Frankie Friend.
4. Please
Pray For: The following people are serving in
5. Birthdays: Celebrating
a birthday this week is: April 14th Donna Hoffman.
6. Write To Amanda:
Please send an encouraging note to Amanda at: Amanda Bagents, c/o Bradford
Health Services,
7. Charles Box in
8. Thanks: Thank you to everyone that
helped to make the Prom Alternative a great success. You helped to provide the
young people with a wholesome and memorable experience.
9. Backwoods Christian Camp Walk-A-Thon: Eleven young people from
10. Thank
You:
11. Put These Dates On
Your Calendar: (a) June
22nd-26th –
12.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
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