Irrational Faith
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today I want to give you a short look at a passage in Hebrews chapter 11.
We are continuing in the chapter that is commonly known as the faith chapter of the Bible.
Today we will talk about verses 23-31.
In this section we will talk about a few instances of what I could only term as irrational faith.
I say irrational faith because there is no real logical sense to it.
It is not something that is reasonably understood.
The faith that the people in these verses had was something that everyone around them probably looked at as honestly maybe even dumb or stupid.
However, these people persisted in this irrational faith and saw the most amazing outcomes happen.
When they did this, they were able to be firsthand witnesses to some of the greatest things that have ever been recorded.
It’s encouraging to hear from many of these kids that went to camp a couple weeks ago.
Many of them have begun to experience the results of a type of faith that makes no sense to the outside world.
And believe me, because I too am an example, the results these kids will see are astounding.
This subject of irrational faith is something that I can speak to with some authority, but also with great conviction.
I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I am generally an intelligent person.
I am a person that can understand things and I LIKE for things to make sense.
Consequently, it can be hard for me when there is no logical reasoning for things.
However, I have seen God work in my life so many times and in so many ways that made no logical or rational sense, that there is NO WAY that I could NOT put my faith in God, even when it sometimes makes no sense.
Without much more introduction, I want to just jump right into Hebrews chapter 11 verses 23 through 31.
There will be seven points to my message today, I know that can sound like a lot, but we will go through it fairly quickly.
The seven points are going to be seven things that we can learn about our own faith.
Seven things that sometimes must take place for us to live out our faith.
Basically, seven different TYPES of saving faith.
Plus, I did the cool pastor thing and found a way to make them all start with the letter ‘D’, so if you want a catchy title you could call this the 7 D’s of irrational faith if you’re taking notes.
Defiant Faith
Defiant Faith
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
First is ‘Defiant Faith’
<Read Verse>
Imagine the fear that Moses’ parents had to have felt.
I promise you they felt like they were in a completely irrational and hopeless situation.
The king of the place where they lived had issued a death sentence for their son.
Not only just their son, but for every other male that was born to the Hebrew people.
They were left with an impossible choice,
To allow their son to be killed or to go directly against the kings command, which which could mean death for themselves, their son, and possibly even their family.
Obviously we know what their choice was.
Moses’s parents chose to go directly against the kings command and to do everything possible to save their child.
We can learn something about our own faith in this.
Sometimes our faith will lead us to make a hard choice and even disobey people that are in authority.
One question that this can bring up is how we balance disobedience against authority with other places in the Bible that tell us to indeed be obedient to authority.
The quick and simple answer to this is that we are always to obey the authority placed above us to the extent that it matches up with the desires and requirements of the God of the universe.
When the command of people in authority goes against what God tells us to do, we are always to follow God.
What we learn from these verses is that sometimes it is necessary to disobey earthly authority in order to live out the faith that God commands us to have.
And sometimes when we do this, it makes no sense.
Sometimes when we do this, it is at great risk to ourselves.
For some, in many countries across the Earth, it means time in prison or a death sentence even in modern society.
We aren’t at that point in this country but rest assured that it can happen.
Regardless, we are always supposed to follow the command of God above all else even when it means danger to ourselves and even when it may make no sense.
Because of his parents DEFIANT FAITH, Moses lived to be one of the greatest leaders in all of history, and to be the tool used by God to save his chosen people.
Disgraceful Faith
Disgraceful Faith
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
Next is DISGRACEFUL FAITH
<Read Verse>
Here is one that makes no sense at all, especially to people in our society today.
You may at first think “how on earth can faith be disgraceful”?
I want you to consider the definition of disgraceful
It is “shockingly unacceptable”.
This faith is disgraceful by the worlds standards.
The same Moses that we just spoke about lived with and was actually saved by pharaoh‘s daughter.
He was adopted into her family.
This, of course, meant that he had access to all of the luxurious living that the kings family would’ve had access to.
This meant that Moses would be able to live the life of a prince.
In today’s society living that type of life is many times valued over everything else.
We see husbands and wives working tremendous amounts of hours to make enough money to have all of the luxuries that the “American dream” says that we should have.
We see men and women putting their jobs, their status, and their influence and power far above anything else like their God, their family, and their church.
Moses chose something different.
Moses saw this choice and by human standards it was completely irrational and disgraceful to choose what he did.
However, Moses’ faith was in something much higher than human luxuries and power.
Moses chose to put his belief and his actions behind the living God, which led him to life that was totally different than he would’ve had in the kings household.
Moses’ eyes were lifted up to the future, and not the here and now.
Moses eyes were on the eternal not the immediate.
Moses knew that he had to take action that would cause him great strife and great poverty, but that would end with the greatest riches of all.
What we can learn about our faith from these verses is that sometimes we must make a choice between the things of this world and the things of eternity.
To some, prioritizing God over these other things will seem DISGRACEFUL.
In our country, there is no end to the opportunity to have more money, more vacations, a bigger house, a nicer car, or just more things and activities.
Almost anyone that will go and work and prioritize money can have these things.
Additionally, we are told time and time again by everyone that we meet that these are the things that matter.
It’s on TV, it is in music, it’s in movies, it’s on the radio, it’s everywhere we turn.
What God wants is for us to prioritize the eternal over the luxuries of today.
Our faith demands that we get our priorities straight.
What we learn from Moses here is that when our priorities are correct, there is a very real possibility that we must choose a life that the world would call“poor” and maybe even DISGRACEFUL.
What we know from the words of the Bible however, is that God promises to take care of our every need.
Many times we will not have our every want, but our every need will be met.
What we have to look forward to is an eternity in paradise and a hope for something much greater than this world can offer.
Sometimes our DISGRACEFUL FAITH means choosing God over material things, our desires, and all the nice things that we many times want.
Disregarding Faith
Disregarding Faith
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
Next, we are called to a DISREGARDING FAITH
<Read Verses>
In this verse, we see the same Moses who, after being saved by his parents who were in an impossible situation, after refusing to live the life of luxury that he could have, choosing to leave the land of Egypt altogether.
Very quickly, the thing that we can learn about our faith from this is that sometimes though it may seem irrational, we have to pick up and leave the things that are pulling us away from God.
We have to DISREGARD some of the things that have meant everything to us in the past.
This may mean creating separation between friends.
This may mean creating separation between family
This may mean walking away from a job that demands more time and attention than we should be giving it.
This may mean less hunting, fishing, or other hobbies.
This may mean getting out of some kids sports that are consuming your lives.
This may mean completely re-prioritizing our lives.
What we know, however, is that when we do this, as long as our eyes are on God and doing his will, we will always be in the right and we will always be taken care of.
I promise you that what you will find is that life is so much better when you prioritize God over the things of this world and begin to create separation between yourself and the things of this world that pull you away from God.
Make no mistake.
It will be hard to begin that journey away from things that everyone around you values.
It will be hard to maintain that seperation.
The things that are culturally popular that everyone around us values are like a black hole.
Even after you have escaped to a better place they never stop trying to suck you back in.
In this, we find one of the biggest roles of the church.
To walk alongside of fellow believers and give strength to resist the things of the world.
To pull people away from that black hole of improper priorities.
Do not neglect this time that we spend together
It strengthens us
It encourages us
It is a promise from God himself that he will lead you and he will be beside you every step of the way in your journey to DISREGARD the people, places, and things that pull you away from Him.
Delivering Faith
Delivering Faith
By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
Next we see a DELIVERING FAITH in verse 28.
<Read Verse>
In this verse, I want to point out something about our faith that may not be the direction you would immediately go.
And for a moment, I’m going to address only the parents in the room
But if you are not a parent and you think you will be one someday then pay attention as well.
Actually, in all reality, all of you in some way can influence the kids in our church so why don’t you all pay attention.
What I want us to see is that in life it is absolutely possible that we will need to make some irrational decisions for God in order to save our children.
In order to DELIVER them from evil and the world.
What I mean is this.
We will have to take some actions that the world does not understand for the sake of our children.
We will need to do things that are maybe downright uncomfortable for the sake for children.
We need to pray with and for our children.
Our children need to see us praying.
Our children need to hear us talking about the word of God, and not just on Sundays.
Our children need to know that we value church and being an active part of a community of believers more than we value the opportunity to go do something for ourselves.
Our children need to see us reading the word of God and prioritizing the time we spend in the word of God over everything else.
Our children need to see us doing the irrational things that the world does not understand because these are the things that will save them from the spiritual death that the world would impose upon them.
Our faith demands that we as parents be the supreme example of Christ to our children.
And make no mistake about it.
The world will not understand this just like I am sure no one in Egypt understood what the crazy Hebrews were doing by painting their door posts with blood.
It seems completely irrational and it could not have made any sense to the Egyptians.
Even the Israelites, who had heard from God themselves, probably did not really understand.
They chose to follow the direction of God for the sake of their children, even when no one maybe understood.
As a side note, before this point is done.
Fathers in the audience.
This is completely on you, first and foremost.
You are to be the spiritual leader of your household.
You are to prioritize the right things.
You are to lead your wife and children in the journey to follow the things that God values.
And yes, spoiler alert, that may mean leading in spite of pushback.
But you are called to lead nonetheless.
There are also single moms here today
And while this is not the model that God desired, this is the reality of the world we live in.
Single moms, keep stepping up and leading your kids!
And lastly…Mom’s that are the only believers.
If you are sole spiritual leader in your family, then by all means lead.
If you are a single mom, then by all means lead.
If you are a father then you MUST LEAD
God’s desire is to have a husband and a wife and for the husband to spiritually lead his family
This does not always happen in the world we live in today.
It is more the exception than the rule.
No matter the circumstances you find yourself in, prioritize God and do the things that your faith demands to make sure your children have salvation.
This is a saving faith that will DELIVER your children.
Daring Faith
Daring Faith
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
Next, there is DARING FAITH
<Read Verse>
In this verse what we see about our faith is the importance of boldness, or being daring.
I saw a meme just this last week and it was about the Red Sea and said something to the effect of…
When the Israelites needed to get to the other side of the Sea, God did not remove the sea.
He just made a way through.
Sometimes God doesn’t remove the challenge, He simply provides a way through.
The lesson is that sometimes our faith demands us to walk right up to the biggest challenge that is between us and where God is leading us.
We are supposed to walk up and stare it in the face.
We are supposed to walk right up to it and trust that God will make a way through.
He may not remove it all together, but he will by all means lead us through.
At this point the Israelites felt fear, make no mistake about it.
There was even doubt and apprehension.
These people likely had no idea how God was going to move in this situation.
However, what Moses had faith in was that God would ultimately provide.
And God did so in a miraculous way.
Not only did God provide a way through the obstacle, he also annihilated the threat that was chasing his people and trying to do them harm.
Kind of two birds with one stone situation.
The takeaway for us is that even in times when it seems irrational our faith must be DARING and we must always believe that God will make way through.
Determined
Determined
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
Next is a DETERMINED FAITH
<Read Verse>
The keyword for this verse is DETERMINED or, although it doesn’t start with a “d”, perseverance.
Many times in our life we are called to have a faith that is determined to irrationally persevere.
Roberts definition for being determined or persevering would be to keep pressing on even when it makes no sense.
This is what the people of Israel did at Jericho.
They were met with a city that had gigantic walls and there was no logical way they would ever be able to take that city.
There is no logical way they would ever be able to even get their army INTO the city much less capture the city.
And what did God have them do?
Well, God told them to walk around the city for seven days.
For the people that had to do that it must have seemed very irrational.
It had to be monotonous.
I’m sure by day three or four (or midway through the first day for me) it was very tiring.
Yet they woke every morning and did what God commanded, even when they were not seeing immediate results.
What happened, obviously, was nothing short of a miracle.
On the seventh day, the walls crashed down around them, and the Israelites entered and conquered the city.
What we must learn to do is persevere in our faith, be DETERMINED in our faith, even when it makes no sense even when we see nothing happening in the timeline that we desire.
Discarding Faith
Discarding Faith
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Lastly we must have a DISCARDING faith
<Read verse>
This is another that seems very odd, faith is inclusive right?
In the words of John Madden…Not so fast my friend
In these last verses, we see that our faith can lead us to switch sides.
One encouraging thing from this is that it seems it is never too late to make the right decision.
Rahab had spent her life in this city with members of her people, members of her family.
However, when God showed up, she recognized his power and made the decision to forsake everything she had known and help God’s people.
She did this to save herself and her family!
In our lives, we can go years or even decades, following the things of this world.
However, when God shows up, we must be willing to recognize him for who he is and follow him.
When God shows up, it is time to make the decision to prioritize him above all else
Above everything we’ve ever known
Above the things and the people that make us comfortable and welcome God into our lives.
Doing that we can receive the salvation that God has for us.
We know that at some point, Christ is coming back
At some point we are going to die
We don’t know which one is coming first but we do know that there will be a reckoning at that time.
We don’t know when either one of these will happen
But we do know that following Christ is the only thing that can provide us salvation from the judgement that will inevitably come.
If you are here today and you do not know Christ as your personal Savior and you listened to some of this and you have thought…
“You know a whole lot does not make sense but I know that I need to change something.”
If that is you then this is what you need to change.
Faith that saves demands that at some point in our life, we switch sides.
Faith that saves demands that we follow the living God and prioritize him above all else.
How do you do that?
It’s a great question, I’m glad you asked
The only thing you have to do is give your life to Christ
Submit your life to God
All of the things that we talked about here lead to the life that Christ would have us live
God demands that our priorities are straight
That we put our faith in him
That we are bold in our faith
That we do anything necessary to follow closely after God wherever it is that he leads.
If you put your faith in Christ, if you believe that he is who he says he is and did what he said he did and commit your life to doing the things he says to do then you will be saved.
This is the irrational faith that we are talking about.
It makes no sense that doing this would save you from a worldly perspective.
However, from a heavenly perspective, from an eternal perspective, this is the only thing that can save us.
So my encouragement today is that if you have been on the fence
Or maybe you haven’t been on the fence
Maybe you have outright rejected God
Now is the time to come to him even though it may make no sense.
Many times the God of the universe does not make sense and that’s a good thing.
It’s like I’ve told you many times.
I am glad that my God is sometimes not able to be understood by me.
That means that he is much greater and much higher than I am.
We find that in Isaiah chapter 55.
I don’t want to follow a God that I can understand all the time
That means that he’s the same as me.
I want my God to be so much higher than me that my small brain cannot fathom what he is doing yet at the end of the day, I lay all my cares in his arms and follow him and expect and know that he will take care of me.
If that is what you’re looking for in life, if you are tired of trying to do it on your own and figuring out time and time again that it is impossible.
I have great news for you.
Christ is the answer.
You need to submit your life to Christ and give your life to Christ.
When you do, troubles may still exist, but there will always be a way through.
Problems will still be very real, but there will always be a solution and you will live a better life from now until the day you die and that will be only the beginning
You will live for eternity with a God that will take care of every need, wipe away every tear and fix every problem for you.
That can be yours today.
If that is what you would like please come up to the altar.
We will have someone from our church come and pray with you and show you how to ask Christ into your life to be your Lord and Savior.
Here in a few moments, you will get the chance to see several of these kids that went to camp showing you that they have made that decision.
That can be you as well.
I will pray and then the altars will be open.