Decide Faith as Non-Negotiable
Notes
Transcript
Transition from Harry
For those of you who may not know me, my name is Shawn and I am thankful to open the Word with you all tonight.
Tonight we are talking about deciding that faith is non negotiable, what Faith is and why we can have it and how to take the first step.
Sound Fair? Good
If I just left it there, I would have about 150 + different versions of what you all thought I meant. it is because we throw the word Faith around A LOT as Christians.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
1 Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Can we just say for a moment that this is unclear, can we just name that, exhale, some people may be wrestling with Faith and that is okay, it is why we are a community so we can journey together as brothers and sisters
So let’s get some clarity together
In Greek the word is Pistis
overall it is used over 500 times in the NT as a Noun or Verb.
The most basic meaning and concept of the word is Trust.
SO APPARENTLY TRUST IS IMPORTANT AND JESUS AND BIBLICAL AUTHORS WANT US TO GET THAT
In the example of of Heb11.1 the pistis is the reason why we trust,
Because of the pistis (noun) we can have confidence and assurance.
Let me give you an example:
If you have worked with a person for over 5 minutes you will realise people don’t really change…so then when we see people fully turn their lives around because of Jesus…it is a miracle.
That miracle is a Pistis. It is the reason we can trust.
Let me give you another:
The person of Jesus. The whole life, death and resurrection of Jesus serves as a Pistis, the reason we can trust in what we hope for, God did it for Him, He will do it for us.
Now, Pistis as a verb, an action word is mostly translated in your Bible as believe.
Remember Trust or another way to say it is Believe in.
Imagine a high mountain pass and there is a rope bridge connecting the two , it is one thing to say that you believe that bridge will hold true, it is another thing all together to get on that bridge and start walking.
To take action on that trust.
That is what we are called to do. Is to take action based on the trust in Jesus.
The book of James says it in the negative sense. He has that Faith without works is dead.
Your trust means nothing if you don’t step on to the bridge.
Your faith means nothing if you do not action what Jesus said.
It is harsh, but it makes sense. If I say I believe in and trust Ps. Josh, but then I do not action any of the advice he gives me…do I really trust him?
Is Jesus trustworthy? How can I know?
Well, for starters, you have everyone here with you, who each one of them can tell you a personal story of how Jesus showed up in their lives.
I could tell you how Jesus saved me from a life that was destined to go no where fast, a life headed towards jail, drug addiction or both.
Cam and Betty could tell you how God made a way for them to have a wonderful baby Girl when there was no way.
Ps. Josh and Laura could tell you how Jesus was trustworthy when He showed Laura visions of multitudes of people gathering in this very building, long before it ever came to pass.
I could tell you that I have seen God heal numerous people just this last week that can only be explained by divine action.
We have a whole collection of books dedicated to showing us why Jesus is trustworthy.
Jesus is the most trustworthy King that ever was or ever will be.
The question is then,
this year, will you trust Him enough to put him on the throne of your life and action what He says.
Will you get on the bridge?
See we all have thrones in our lives, these are the things that dictate our actions they control us, if we are honest these are the things we actually trust.
See somewhere along the line we all dethroned God and placed something else there.
It could be lifestyle,
it could be money,
it could be relationships,
it could be status and reputation
it could be a job,
it could be anxiety
it could be fear
it could be anger
none of these things deserve your trust, none of them are worthy of the throne of your life.
Only Jesus is that trustworthy!
Only Jesus is
powerful enough,
good enough,
loving enough
faithful enough
to guide you to life and life abundantly, now in this life and the one to come.
See this isn’t just for those of you who haven’t made a commitment to Jesus yet, but to all of us. We are called daily, to do a throne check, everyday making sure that Jesus is reigning in the throne of our Minds, our Hearts, our Words, our Actions and when He isn’t we are just called to repent.
It is not guilt or shame based remember there is no condemnation in Christ, almost everything in life is trying to crown itself lord and sit on the throne of your life, we must not allow it,
every day we must hold a coronation and crown Jesus the Lord of our lives, Every day
Will you my brothers and sisters decide today to make faith, trusting Jesus a non-negotiable in your life?
Transition to Ps. Josh