Step Off the Precipice: Overcoming the Sin of Unbelief with Living Faith
Notes
Transcript
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
I. Introduction: Standing on the Precipice
I. Introduction: Standing on the Precipice
A. Engaging the Congregation
A. Engaging the Congregation
1. Illustration: Standing at the edge of a cliff, hesitant to step onto an unseen bridge due to worry and doubt, reflecting faithlessness.
1. Illustration: Standing at the edge of a cliff, hesitant to step onto an unseen bridge due to worry and doubt, reflecting faithlessness.
2. Theme: Faithlessness, worry, and unbelief are sins because they reject God’s trustworthiness.
2. Theme: Faithlessness, worry, and unbelief are sins because they reject God’s trustworthiness.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
B. Setting the Stage
B. Setting the Stage
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
1. Definition of unbelief:
1. Definition of unbelief:
a. Lack of belief or faith, especially in religious matters.
a. Lack of belief or faith, especially in religious matters.
b. The withholding of belief; doubt; incredulity; skepticism.
b. The withholding of belief; doubt; incredulity; skepticism.
c. Disbelief; especially, disbelief of divine revelation, or in a divine providence or scheme of redemption.
c. Disbelief; especially, disbelief of divine revelation, or in a divine providence or scheme of redemption.
2. In the original it could have been translated “refusing to believe”.
2. In the original it could have been translated “refusing to believe”.
II. The Sin of Unbelief: A Defiled Heart and Broken Trust
II. The Sin of Unbelief: A Defiled Heart and Broken Trust
A. Unbelief Defiles and Separates
A. Unbelief Defiles and Separates
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
1. Unbelief corrupts the mind and conscience, leading to hypocritical actions.
1. Unbelief corrupts the mind and conscience, leading to hypocritical actions.
a. Example based on the context of this scripture in Titus: False teachers in Crete denied God through disobedience.
a. Example based on the context of this scripture in Titus: False teachers in Crete denied God through disobedience.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
2. Acting in doubt, driven by worry, is sinful because it lacks trust.
2. Acting in doubt, driven by worry, is sinful because it lacks trust.
a. Example: Manipulating situations out of anxiety reflects unbelief.
a. Example: Manipulating situations out of anxiety reflects unbelief.
B. Consequences of Unbelief
B. Consequences of Unbelief
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
1. The Israelites’ distrust kept them from God’s rest.
1. The Israelites’ distrust kept them from God’s rest.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
2. Unbelief led to Israel’s rejection; faith secures our standing.
2. Unbelief led to Israel’s rejection; faith secures our standing.
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
3. Unbelief is an “evil heart” that defiles actions and separates us from God’s promises.
3. Unbelief is an “evil heart” that defiles actions and separates us from God’s promises.
a. Ask: Where are you doubting God?
a. Ask: Where are you doubting God?
III. The Necessity of Faith: Pleasing God and Walking Forward
III. The Necessity of Faith: Pleasing God and Walking Forward
A. Faith as Essential
A. Faith as Essential
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
1. Faith trusts God’s existence and goodness, pleasing Him.
1. Faith trusts God’s existence and goodness, pleasing Him.
a. Unbelief displeases God by questioning His character.
a. Unbelief displeases God by questioning His character.
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
1. Faith trusts God’s promises over visible circumstances.
1. Faith trusts God’s promises over visible circumstances.
a. Example: Praying instead of panicking in a crisis.
a. Example: Praying instead of panicking in a crisis.
B. Moving Forward in Faith
B. Moving Forward in Faith
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
1. Abraham’s faith in leaving his homeland shows trust overcoming uncertainty.
1. Abraham’s faith in leaving his homeland shows trust overcoming uncertainty.
2. Application: Faith moves us off the precipice. Ask: Are you walking by sight (control) or by faith (trust)?
2. Application: Faith moves us off the precipice. Ask: Are you walking by sight (control) or by faith (trust)?
IV. Showing Our Faith: Living It Out
IV. Showing Our Faith: Living It Out
A. Faith Proved by Works
A. Faith Proved by Works
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
1. True faith is visible through actions, not just belief.
1. True faith is visible through actions, not just belief.
a. Example: Rahab’s faith shown by hiding spies (James 2:25).
a. Example: Rahab’s faith shown by hiding spies (James 2:25).
2. Connection to Titus 1:16: False teachers’ lack of works exposed unbelief; our works prove faith.
2. Connection to Titus 1:16: False teachers’ lack of works exposed unbelief; our works prove faith.
B. Practical Faith in Action
B. Practical Faith in Action
1. Examples:
1. Examples:
a. Show faith by giving generously instead of worrying about finances.
a. Show faith by giving generously instead of worrying about finances.
b. Show faith by forgiving others, trusting God’s grace.
b. Show faith by forgiving others, trusting God’s grace.
c. Show faith by serving joyfully, despite future uncertainties.
c. Show faith by serving joyfully, despite future uncertainties.
2. Application: Faith counters unbelief through action.
2. Application: Faith counters unbelief through action.
3. Challenge: What’s one faith-driven step you can take this week?
3. Challenge: What’s one faith-driven step you can take this week?
V. Conclusion: Stepping Off the Precipice
V. Conclusion: Stepping Off the Precipice
A. Recap and Call to Action
A. Recap and Call to Action
1. Unbelief defiles (Titus 1:15–16, Romans 14:23) and separates (Hebrews 3:19, Romans 11:20).
1. Unbelief defiles (Titus 1:15–16, Romans 14:23) and separates (Hebrews 3:19, Romans 11:20).
2. Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), enables progress (2 Corinthians 5:7), and is shown through works (James 2:17).
2. Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), enables progress (2 Corinthians 5:7), and is shown through works (James 2:17).
3. Don’t stay on the precipice of faithlessness. Step forward by trusting God’s promises, like stepping onto the unseen bridge.
3. Don’t stay on the precipice of faithlessness. Step forward by trusting God’s promises, like stepping onto the unseen bridge.
B. The CAMP Approach: Your Path to Living Faith
B. The CAMP Approach: Your Path to Living Faith
1. Illustration: You’ve stepped off the precipice onto God’s bridge. Now, set up camp on the solid ground of faith with CAMP.
1. Illustration: You’ve stepped off the precipice onto God’s bridge. Now, set up camp on the solid ground of faith with CAMP.
a. Confess: Admit unbelief to God.
a. Confess: Admit unbelief to God.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
b. Act: Show faith through one action this week.
b. Act: Show faith through one action this week.
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
c. Meditate: Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:7 or Hebrews 11:6 to anchor your trust.
c. Meditate: Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:7 or Hebrews 11:6 to anchor your trust.
d. Pray: Ask for faith.
d. Pray: Ask for faith.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
2. CAMP is a lifestyle of trust. God’s promises are the bridge, and Christ’s faith equips us.
2. CAMP is a lifestyle of trust. God’s promises are the bridge, and Christ’s faith equips us.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
