Faith in the Midst

Matthew 14:1–12 KJV 1900

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

**Main help of the passage:** Faith in God’s revealed truth will ease the fear of the unknown.

**Hook:** Have you ever been afraid of the unknown? What’s going to happen during this job interview? Will my child pass their test? Will this person receive the help I know they need from me? And then there are the things we can’t control. Will the next president make life easier? Will this pastor wrap up before lunch? Or, most sobering of all, what’s out there after death? From everyday concerns to life’s greatest mysteries, we all wrestle with fear of the unknown. Today, let’s discover how faith can replace fear with trust in God’s plan.

**Key Movements In The Text**

A Troubled Heart in the Face of Truth

Herod reaches into his families/cultures speculation of the afterlife.

**Main Help**Without clear instruction on the spiritual, we tend to speculate or rationalize the supernatural. But living a life of speculation is exhausting and can lead to discouragement or despair. God has not created you to be a comfortless bearer of His image. Instead, He has given you clear evidence of His existence, His unfailing love, and His constant care and guidance. Will you embrace His truth and find rest in His promises?

**Application** We do not have to live in speculation when we believe God’s Word.

“Superstition misses the true purpose and balance of serving God. It often stems from misguided beliefs about what God desires, leading us to either avoid or practice certain actions out of fear or misplaced zeal, rather than genuine faith.”

**Illustration:** Relate Herod’s response to someone spooked by a Halloween decoration. *perfect spot for an instagram reel.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 KJV 1900

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

The longing for both power and sexual pleasure will only cause us to be skeptical about other’s motives and ultimately increase the pain and mental we experiences. Once you come under the Grace of Jesus you are empowered with Jesus’ victorious nature. You now are more than conquerors because of the victory Jesus provided for you on the cross, in the grave, and through His resurrection.

You can now become an unshakable Worker for God’s Kingdom.

Becoming an Unshakable Worker for God’s Kingdom

John the Baptist boldly reminded the acting governmental official that God is not pleased with adultery.

**Main Help** Like John the Baptist, our mental health does not depend on human acceptance but on our alignment with God’s truth. John found clarity in the inspired Word of God, allowing him to discern beyond the limitations of empty religious practices. Compassionately, he spoke the truth—even when others avoided confronting Herod’s destructive path—because John’s love for people was rooted in his love for what God loves. May we, too, find the courage to stand firm in truth and love, guided by God’s Word.

**Illustration**

How John came to confront Herod, Not necessarily as harsh as we might imagine.

**Application**

You do not have to be a person that is in everyones business, trying to correct every “fault” in society.

But if you are passionate for what and who God is passionate for then your everyday life and communication will rattle somebodies comfort.

Philippians 2:4 KJV 1900

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

When we stand on the truth with a sincere desire to help the person that is entrenched in their sin, you will find yourself in the middle of a storm. They are captured by a lie that the Devil wants to keep them in, at this time your light needs to shine, your life needs to be built upon the Rock, and when your faith is tested by the storms of the ones ensnared in this world, you will need to be an unshakable worker for the Kingdom of heaven. This happens when your eyes are fully fixed upon the Author of your faith and you have trained your mind to stand as a victorious ambassador of Jesus Christ by faith in His finished work on the cross.

It might be that the person you are striving to help never receives it, but there are others who will awaken to God’s Gospel.

A Disciples Awakening

**Main Help** John’s disciples were beside themselves when their amazing teacher fell at the hands of the tyrant. This loss ended up bringing them to the only one that provides comfort and healing.

**Illustration**

**Application** In this world we will face uncertainty, we do not know if we will get a paycheck next month. We do not know if we will enjoy good health tomorrow. We do not know if our families will enjoy the safety and security we have enjoyed. We do not know what tomorrow holds.

When the unimaginable happens people often seek things to relieve their pain.

Family

Routine: Get to work to get my mind off of it.

Nature

Pets

Art: writing poems

Physical activities

Entertainment/ Escapism

Community

Counseling

Now let’s see how God tells us to be victorious through these issues:

1 Peter 5:7 KJV 1900

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Psalm 55:22 KJV 1900

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Romans 12:15 KJV 1900

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Bring it to the Lord and to the children of God

James 5:16 KJV 1900

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Conclusion:

Today, there is comfort for those who are fearful of the unknown. Let go of superstition and place your faith in Jesus. God promises you a secure life with Him. Right now, confess that you need His forgiveness for your sins, and trust that Jesus’ suffering was the payment for your sin. His resurrection is your victory and proof of God’s acceptance. If you’ve made this decision today, let us celebrate with you—raise your hands in praise to God!

If life’s storms have shaken your world, claim the stability of Jesus Christ, the Rock and your strong tower! Join Faithway’s community groups to learn more about the power of God’s revealed Word, which works effectively in those who believe.

If God has placed on your heart the difficult task of lovingly helping someone entangled in sin, come to the altar today. Fix your heart on Jesus—the Author of your faith, the Anchor of your soul, and the Wisdom you seek. Pray for boldness, peace, and love as you step forward in faith to compassionately share His truth.

Our great and good Savior is here to meet every need. Let’s respond to Him together!

Benediction:

As we leave this gathering place, let’s remember to acknowledge our superstitions and bring them under captivity to Christ so we might be an Unwavering Witness for our God. As the Lord brings people and situations into our lives may we be compassionate about what and who God is passionate for. Let us daily saturate ourselves with God’s Revealed Word so our Faith will be evident in the Midst of a world that is crying out for Him.