Sermon in Song

Introduction

This evening we will be having another sermon in song.

Our theme song will be My Faith it is an Oaken Staff.

We will be looking at three ways this hymn presents our faith.

Faith as a Staff

Faith is more than a mere subjective reaction (Heb. 11:1).

It involves inhabiting now some piece of what we hope for (Heb. 1:3).

In philosophical and theological contexts, "hypostasis" often refers to the underlying reality or essence of something. It implies something that is foundational and substantial, providing a basis for other things.

Faith is what give a concreteness to our hopes.

This is the idea that you know something not merely that you hold it as some subjective personal belief.

It is not just some evidence but convicting evidence by which only one verdict can legitimately be drawn.

Christ will “convict” the world, not simply bring subjective evidence that is open to multiple plausible interpretations (Jn. 16:8).

We ought to “expose” darkness. Not just suggest an alternative viewpoint (Eph. 5:11-13).

Our faith has solid ground beneath it.

Sing “How Firm a Foundation”

This kind of faith is solid enough to lean on when nothing else is (Jn. 9:25, 33).

Our faith should not be something that waxes and wanes with our mood.

It should be the thing that stays put when our emotions do not.

Sing “O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink”

Faith as a Sword

Faith also equips us to go to war (Eph. 6:16-18).

While we want to have the quiet confidence of living quiet and peaceable lives, we also want to recognize that we are in the midst of war (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Too often we only equip ourselves to “stay out of it.” And there needs to be some of that. But there needs to be an understanding that each generation must take up the equipment of faith and continue the fight (2 Tim. 4:7).

Sing “The Army of Our Lord”

This involves clarity in how to use our swords (2 Tim. 2:15).

All to often, we fall back on generic and sometimes misleading platitudes that fail to speak the truth with clarity.

There needs to be a lot of Yes, but also (Matt. 4:6-7).

We ought to be ready to sing the truth of God to the world. Even the truth of our King the Conquerer with His foes lying crushed beneath His feet.

Sing “O Church, Arise”

Faith as a Guide

Faith amounts to following God wherever He leads (Prov. 3:5-6).

This is rooted in trusting Him no matter the cost (Lk. 9:23-24).

But also in recognizing that He leads us for our own good (Deut. 6:24).

Sing “He Leadeth Me”

We need a guide because we are pilgrims (1 Pet. 2:11-12).

This world will claim to provide a guide (Col. 2:8).

Sometime we fail to see how much we rely on instinct and worldly wisdom. We fail to see how much we are following the world and adding a patina of faith.

But our goal should be ever increasing conformity to our Savior and Guide.

Sing “Pilgrim Song”

Conclusion

All of this speaks to faith that is only ever a reflection of His great faithfulness.

Sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

Do you have an oaken staff that provides a strong and stable foundation?

Do you have a sword that you know how to use to combat the devil’s lies?

Have you taken God by the hand and yielded fully to His guidance?