I believe that God has an incredible adventure waiting for
our church that has everything to do with seeing souls saved, people growing,
and a coalition of disciples taking the gospel to the ends of the earth (Know
Christ, Grow in Christ, and Show Christ to others). I know I’m called to this
adventure, and wonder if anyone else feels the same way.
But how do we intend to do this?
At the very beginning of this year, after much prayer and
careful consideration on behalf of both myself and the advisory council at
Crystal Spring Baptist Church, we put together a five year plan in order to see
this mission fulfilled. Let me remind you of what we hoped to accomplish in year one.
Discipleship:
We hope to begin 4-5 small groups that actively disciple church members in
intimate environments.
Children/Youth:
Conduct a Children’s Church on Sunday Mornings
Missions: We
intend to minister to Hospital staff in and around Carilion as well as reach
out to the Medical School.
Services: Keep
as is
Property: We
plan on building new bathroom facilities and begin updating the 2nd
and 3rd floor of the education building.
Personnel:
Senior Pastor, Advisory Council, 4-5 Deacons.
Average Attendance:
100 people.
All of these goals, under the direction of the Holy Spirit
and by the grace of God work together in order to see souls saved and disciples
know Christ, Grow in Christ, and Show Christ to others. Sound like a tall
order? Seem impossible to you? If you were a betting person, would you put your
money on this place, trusting that God would come through, exceeding even these
ideas? Or are you smirking even now saying quietly to yourself, “Get real Jeff!”
In our first installment in this new series “Maximize” we
are going to talk about maximizing our faith from Romans 4:18-24. In this
passage we are going to learn how to believe God for great things in our own
lives and in our church by looking at three teachings that Paul gives on the
topic of faith. By the end of our study this morning, not only will you learn
why going all in for God’s plan is a safe bet, but you will also be challenged
to do something in response. Are you ready?
I. TEACHING #1: FAITH
BELIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE-4:18-21
The beginning of this passage calls to mind a very important
account from Genesis 12ff. Abraham, an old man with no descendants, was called
on by God to move from his hometown to a distant land in order to father a new
nation! From this new people would come the Savior of the world and the source
of blessings for all mankind. Sounded great! However, everything about
Abraham’s age and his wife’s barren condition pointed to the contrary.
Faith believes the impossible. At the very beginning of this
passage, Paul reminds the reader that when all of the evidence pointed to the
contrary, Abraham believed God’s promise. From a human standpoint, there was no
hope that Abraham would live up to his name (“father of many nations.”) However, from Abraham’s perspective, he had
hope (“in hope against hope”)—that is the confident expectation that God would
make good on His promises.
Not only did Abraham have faith that believed the
impossible, He had the determination to be steadfast in his conviction in spite
of the difficulty that surrounded him. Abraham was fully aware that his own
body was as good as dead (“utterly worn out”). After all, at the time this
promise was made, he was about 100 years old! Not the right age to begin
establishing a nation. Not to mention, his wife Sarah had advanced well beyond
her child-birthing years without every giving birth. Form the world’s
standpoint there was not the slightest possibility that she would bear a child
and give Abraham the nation he was promised! However, Abraham’s faith was
unwavering. In full knowledge of these obstacles, Abraham’s faith remained
strong. But why?
Faith in the impossible is only unreasonable within a
restricted worldview that denies God the right to intervene. However, for those
who believe in a universe with God, His intervention is highly rational. In
fact, those with a biblical perspective like Abraham expect God to intervene on
behalf of those He has created. Therefore, faith moves past human potentiality.
It acknowledges the existence of one who is not bound by the limitations of
this world. With regards to this passage, Mounce concludes, “Where God is present
there is nothing that lies outside the realm of possibility.”
Churches today are in desperate need of those who will
insist that God is able to do anything that is in keeping with His nature and
in harmony with His program of redemption. What promises has God given us? What
does God’s nature suggest? We have the promise that as we are about His
business, God’s presence goes with us (Matt. 28:19-20). The Bible also says
that all things are possible with God (Matt. 19:26). Therefore, let our faith
not be shaken!
In a world bent against the truth, in a community that grows
more disinterested in church each and every day, in a nation that grows more
oppressive of Christianity with every piece of legislation, it may seem nearly
impossible to grow a church and see lives changed. We may waiver in our faith
and believe our goals to be too grand or irrational. However, this is not the
faith we read about here. If you don’t believe God can accomplish great things
in this church, change lives in these walls, and more than surpass all of our
expectations in spite of all that might be working against us both from within
and from without, your God is too small. Why do you waiver in your faith and
yet claim to worship the Almighty? God loves to make the barren give birth,
cause things to grow in the desert, and yields life from the dead. We have every reason to believe He can
accomplish great things here.
II. TEACHING #2:
FAITH AIMS FOR GOD’S GLORY-4:20-21
Faith believes God’s promises against all hope and always
aims for God’s glory. As Paul begins to present this second teaching, he
reminds the reader of the nature of Abraham’s faith. A couple things are worth
remembering. First, Abraham’s faith was rooted in the promises of God as spoken
in His word. Second, Abraham’s faith did not waiver under the pressure and
difficulties involved in his situation. Third, instead of faltering, Abraham’s
faith actually grew stronger! Can the said be said of your faith in God for
your life and this church?
Faith like this does not exist for personal gain, success,
or the satisfaction of scribbled plans and man-made aspirations. It exists for
the glory of God.
Glory to God was the residual effect of Abraham’s faith as
well as the means through which he remained faithful. When God’s glory is our
ambition, faith becomes alive and begins to trust Him for everything.
Similarly, when faith is exercised, God’s glory is on display instead of man’s
power, will, or ability. However, having faith in God is not a big risk. It
wasn’t for Abraham and it need not be for us.
Verse 21 shares that Abraham was fully assured in what God
had said. In other words, He stood firmly on what God had promised Him (that
his seed would yield many nations).This describes Abraham’s complete confidence
in God’s ability and integrity. God has the power—no doubt about it. God does
what He promises. How could he not and still be God? Believing in the promises
of God is a safe bet and it always results in His glory. Faith is total
surrender to the ability and willingness of God to carry out his promises.
Similarly, we too can be assured that God is going to do
great things in this church because of His promises and His ability to carry
them out! However, every aspiration that this church has ever dreamed, every
goal it could ever hope to reach, every step it will take must have as its
destination the glory of God. Then and only then is it really faith. Then and
only then will God support. For as it says in Hebrews 14:6…”Without faith it is
impossible to please God.”
Do you want to be a part of a church that pleases God? Then
give Him glory by placing your unwavering faith in Him to do great things!
III. TEACHING #3:
FAITH RESULTS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS-4:22-24
Faith believes God’s promises against all hope, always aims
for God’s glory, and results in righteousness. Abraham was given God’s
righteousness because of his unwavering faith in him. Like all sinners, Abraham
had a deficit in the bank of righteousness because of his sin. This placed him
at odds with God and left him with no way to pay God back for all of the debt
he had accrued. However, because of his faith in God, Abraham was credited with
God’s righteousness, rendering him debt free and able to enjoy abundant life.
This program is not limited to Abraham. Instead, it is
available to all!
The greatest award of faith is the righteousness of God
bestowed on His people. In the same way God credited Abraham’s account, He is
able to credit the account of anyone who believes in Him who raised Jesus from
the dead!
Ephesians 2:8-9-“For by grace are you saved through
faith, and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works lest any
man should boast.”
Notice, faith from the individual is the key to the
righteousness of God. However, it is the faith of the church body placed in God’s
program of salvation that brings the opportunity of faith to the faithless.
Romans 10:14-17-“How then will they call on Him in
whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not
heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless
they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who
bring good news of good things!’…So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by
the word of Christ.”
Therefore, it is faith that propels salvation in an
individual and it is faith that propels the mission of the church. Faith is where
it all starts and where it all ends.
So What?
Faith believes the impossible, always aims for God’s glory,
and results in righteousness. How is your faith? Like Abraham, are you
convinced that God can do the impossible in your life and in this church’s
context, or is your faith shaken by what you see, hear, and perceive? With God,
there is no risk! Romans 8:31 says, in part, “if God is for us, who is against
us?” though this church’s plans are a tall order, God is taller still!
So what does this passage demand of us? These concepts
surrounding faith are great on the page, but what is it that I can take away
and apply to my life? The answer is found in James 2. “Faith without works is
dead.” The best way that you can demonstrate faith in God for the impossible to
be made possible in this place, the most accurate way to bring glory to God at
Crystal Spring Baptist Church, the way in which you can be used of Him to bring
His righteousness to the lost is to DO SOMETHING! It is that simple! In order
to maximize your faith, organize your own small group, invite a friend to
church, have a neighbor over for dinner, drag your family member to Sunday service,
pray like you never have before, phone a loved one, make a new connection, go
on a fast,… DO SOMETHING! As Abraham before us, be all in, throw everything on
the table, maximize your faith and watch God show off by doing far more than we
could ever have imagined. Let the adventure begin! I’m all in. Are you?
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