When Faith is Not Enough

Intro

Text - 1 Thessalonians 3.6-10

1 Thessalonians 3:6–10 NKJV

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Title - When Faith is Not Enough

Key Questions

What was lacking in their faith?

What prompted Paul to say that their faith was lacking?

Background

When the gospel was preached in Thessalonica, they were persecuted by the nonbelievers

When he was forced to leave the city, he sent Timothy to know the situation -

1 Thes 3.1-5 “1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”

So, Paul expressed his joy and concern for the Thessalonian believers

he was comforted by Timothy’s news - that the saints remember him, desires to him again, and are standing firm in the faith

he was thankful to God for the joy of knowing and bringing these people to God

he prays day and night to see them again so that may complete what is lacking in their faith

Key words

faith - has 2 primary meaning

personal faith - conviction or belief in God

body of beliefs - the doctrines and teachings concerning God and Christ and all other Biblical ideas

complete - (v) to supply, to equip, to mend (repair)

lacking - could mean either -

deficient, or

insufficient

Main Subject

Faith may be sufficient at the moment of conversion, but it may not be enough if we want to reach the finish line. We need other things besides faith.

A believer is in critical condition when his/her faith is either -

insufficient - not having enough power, capacity or competence

deficient - lacking in necessary quality or element

When is faith “insufficient”?

James’ discourse on faith

James 2:14–17 NKJV

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James’ arguments

‘faith’ here means - conviction, belief in God

Faith cannot save without works

Faith does profit without works

Faith is dead without works - “dead faith”

James 2:18–24 NKJV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

James’ key points

Faith is only evident when there is action

“demonic faith” has fear but no work

Abraham was “justified” by works

justified - means vindicated

note - James’

Works is proof that faith is alive and genuine - “dynamic faith”

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Faith without works is DEAD FAITH - INSUFFICIENT!

Faith with fear but without works is DEMONIC FAITH - INSUFFICIENT!

SUFFICIENT FAITH is Faith coupled with action - this is LIVING FAITH, HOLY FAITH, DYNAMIC/ACTIVE FAITH

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS CANNOT SAVE -

because God’s word demand belief and action

faith - believe on the Lord and you will be saved

action - repent and be baptized everyone of you

Abraham’s faith was coupled with action -

in Gen 15 Abraham believed and was declared righteous

in Gen 22 - Abraham was vindicated - 42 years later! - to be a man for feared and obeyed God

FAITH WITHOUT OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD CANNOT SAVE YOU IN TIME OF TROUBLE!

When is faith “deficient”?

Peter’s discourse on faith

God, by His divine power, has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness

God’s calling provided us with exceedingly great and precious promises, by which we are made partakers of the divine nature and has escaped corruption in the world

Because of these things…

2 Peter 1:5–7 NKJV

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Peter’s admonitions

be a diligent Christian

diligent - eager, excited for something

add to your faith!

use your diligence to build up your faith!

2 Peter 1:8–9 NKJV

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Peter’s arguments

if these things abound in you - you will be a fruitful believer!

If you “lack” these things - you will be shortsighted, maybe even blind, and has forgotten that you have been saved!

WHAT’S THE POINT?

YOU FAITH IS DEFICIENT IF - all you have is faith and does not have other Christian values in your life!

you are not showing excellence (virtue) in your Christian service

you are not increasing in your knowledge of God and His word

you are not manifesting self-control in your flesh

you are not showing perseverance in your trials

you are not growing in your devotion to God

you are not growing in your love for your fellow brother/sister in Christ

youare not growing in love to God and His word

FAITH DEFICIENCY RESULTS IN -

BECOMING UNFRUITFUL IN CHRISTIAN LIFE

SHORTSIGHTED VIEW OF LIFE

BLINDED TO THE THINGS OF GOD

FORGETFULNESS OF THE WORKS OF GOD

Conclusion

God’s solutions

…to Insufficient faith

Trust God’s word and obey… (like Abraham)

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Receive your trials with joy and patience

James 1:5 NKJV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Learn from your trials (ask God for wisdom)

James 1:12 NKJV

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

God will reward the complete faith - with the crown of life

… to Deficient faith

1 Thessalonians 3:9–10 NKJV

9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

The deficiency in their faith can only be completed by the coming of Paul!

it his ministry that will complete their deficiency

Paul’s teaching them of the whole counsel of God

Ephesians 4:11–13 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

God gave the church these 5 ascension gifts to complete what is deficient in their faith, so that -

they will be fit for the work of ministry

they will be edified in the body of Christ

they will attain unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God

they will attain the stature of the fulness of Christ

they will mature, and not remain children

SONG - He is Able;