A Working Faith

I took a second listen to Pete's sermon from this Sunday on "Real Faith." There are many ways I'm reminded that I am not in control of my life right now. When I don't feel I'm in control, I am tempted to fear instead of faith, which leads to unbelief expressed in sinful attitudes and works as opposed to the good works of righteousness. This sermon was a gentle and firm call to continue in the fight for faith and good works by the grace of God and not my own willpower.
I want to grow in looking for opportunities and situations for my faith to be expressed, and not cower in fear that my faith will be tested. In reality, I don't have to look for these opportunities, because I'm living in the middle of them right now and am grateful I can see how the Lord guided me into desiring them and now in living them out. I pray that God will grow my faith and strengthen me so that I may not "grow weary in doing good" (Gal 6:9) but be refreshed in the knowledge that "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence," (2 Peter 1:3)

I took notes, well actually more like transcribed sections of, the sermon below.

James 2: 14-26

We cannot use the work of God in us as a reason not to work. Eph 2:8-10- “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” …We don’t gain our salvation by these works, but b/c we have salvation in Jesus Christ we work.

2:14-17 James is primarily talking to believers [who are] going on about the faith that they have but not demonstrating the faith that they have.

The dichotomy isn’t whether you have faith or works; the true dichotomy is whether your faith is real or it’s not. Because if your faith is real, you will have works. And if your faith is not real you will not have works.

How is your faith working today? Is it working?
Real faith is a working faith.

Vs 20-24

Real faith anticipates. It looks for the time of expression. Do you look for the time for your faith to be expressed and completed? You know when that is, right? When Jesus returns and you see him, your faith becomes sight and it’s complete. Until then, there are many small completions of our faith. And you know what they are? They’re the work that we do, because faith anticipates. It looks forward to the time of expression. It looks for the opportunity.

[my note: Do I look forward to opportunities for my faith to be tested and proven genuine? Though it may be hard work, how sweet it is to be tested and found firm in Christ! With faith, I can say to the Lord, “bring it on, I am ready to do your will.” ]

Faith looks like saying, “God give me an opportunity to demonstrate, to work.”

This is where the completion of your faith happens. It’s looking for an opportunity to be employed, to go to work, to be active, for a time of expression. It’s looking forward to that. Are you looking forward to that? Or are you avoiding it? “ohh, I hope it doesn’t come to me. Is it gonna come to me?” Well, it’s gonna come to you! So employ your faith….Are you ready to lay down your life for Jesus? Would you even welcome that opportunity to employ faith in Jesus Christ to the point of your death? If you are, I think you’ll be ready to take every opportunity the Lord gives us.  That’s what we need to be working towards, to employ our faith to that level. Don’t you want to be a friend of God? Who would you rather be called a friend of?

Vs. 25

[Rahab’s] faith went to work. Just like mine and yours must go to work. And it should give us great hope that no matter who we are, no matter where we are today dear friends – this is not a hopeless message, this isn’t a brow beating message that says “come on, get your act together people.” There is a caution in it, there is a correction in it, but it’s also meant to stir our faith and to say “listen, you’re looking at that sin, you’re looking at that situation, you’re saying ‘there’s no way!’ Well, have faith dear friend and go to work with it.” Put your faith to work. Believe. Trust.  Be steadfast. Keep walking. Take the next step. Don’t  give up. Be like Christ. Trust him. There will be grace there. Your hope in God will not be disappointed. It wasn’t for Abram. It wasn’t for Rahab. And it will not be for you and for me.

Vs. 26

Works in the name of Jesus are spiritual. A body that has a spirit is alive and effects everything around us.

Real faith is a working faith. Is your faith working? Let’s trust God to work in and through us. Let’s be Christians in this world...This is soul stirring, hopeful truth. Don’t you want to be a friend of God? Don’t you want to walk with God? This is how we can do it.

 
[Opportunity for the good work of loving others, especially when aware of the risk it requires, need not be met by fear but by anticipation for my faith to rise and stand firm whatever the cost. There is a sweet beauty in the expression of faith through works. Just as we can look to Abraham for an example of a working faith, so also I can look to his wife Sarah - 1 Peter 3:6 says: And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening." Pretty cool namesake to look up to, if I do say so myself.]

photo: old and new building (in reflection) on a walk
back from the mailbox at work, last week

Women by Design

I am very aware of my need for the grace of God to be a good helper and faith-filled like my name-sake. "And you are [Sarah's] children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening." (1 Peter 3:6) I so often fail in this.

Ultimately I need more than Sarah's example.  I need my Savior's, and the power of his life, death, and resurrection in my life.

Some notes from Pete's Women by Design message on Saturday:

• Jesus was full of grace and truth, not just truth without grace. 
• Ask for a gentle and quiet spirit so you can be a helper. 
• Men don't always recognize the help you are trying to bring. 
• Helping doesn't come through striving, but the Lord gives us grace to help even when we see they are going the wrong way.
• It is in cross-carrying and suffering that glorifies God best. 

"they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. ... but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:1-4)

Being precious in my Father sight, oh what a secure thing to know the intimate care and pleasure of my Lord!

Strength for the Weary

I could not go this life without God's word and without his church. My Father has given these to me, and sent his Spirit to be my comforter and strength. I cannot face one moment on my own, but God does not require that I do that.

This morning I read Psalm 77.

I said, "Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart."

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

"Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"

Then I said, "I will appeal to this,

to the years of the right hand of the Most High."

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

You with your arm redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalm 77:6-15

I need to join the Psalmist in speaking truth to my heart, and pray I will not be lead by emotion but that emotion would follow behind the truth of God's word. "On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Sunday Pete spoke on Ruth 4:1-8 (here). I have a determined and sacrificial Redeemer.
And I have a loving daddy, who held my hand and wrapped his arm around me for the entirety of the sermon on Father's day.

And what was the first song we sang during worship yesterday?

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our Hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

(c) Chris Tomlin

God's providential kindness and specific care sustain me. In weakness and sadness, how I need to cling to his promises: moment by moment. His mercy is new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

He chose me. I can know that he loves and wants me, because he chose me, dying to get me and keep me forever.

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. - Psalm 42:11

How Good It Is

Music has a wonderful way of assisting truth's penetratration into your heart. This is the song that has been reoccuring for me in the past several days.

O God of Love (How Good It Is)

by Stuart Townend

O God of love, I come to you again, knowing I'll find mercy

I can't explain all the things I see, but I'll trust in You

In every moment You are there, watching over You hear my prayer

You go before me, You're behind me, nothing's hidden from You

How good it is, to be loved by You. How good it is.

How good it is, to be loved by You. How good it is.

O God of strength, Your hand is on my life, bringing peace to me

You know my frame. You know how I am made. You planned all my days

Hand of mercy hand of love, giving power to overcome

If all beneath me falls away, I know that You are God

Who can stand against us?

In my weakness You are strong

Your word is everlasting

I will praise You faithful One

How good it is, to be loved by You. How good it is

How good it is, to be loved by You. How good it is



This is not only true with music, but also with the preaching of God's word. Pete's sermon yesterday was especially beneficial to my soul (Faith & Sight). God persistently pursues me, undeserving as I am. May my faith continue to grow and may I see and worship God for who he is. He is more powerful than all else, (sin, circumstance, suffering, or anything) and more good and loving than I can imagine. The truth of who He is does not change, and most certainly is not dependant on my feelings.

How wonderful to hide in the shadow of the Almighty's wing. And all the glory goes to Christ, for without the cross I could not hide there.

Take Another Look

Today's message at church was on John 12:20-37 and was called "Take Another Look." I typed out some of the notes that stood out to me, and I'm putting some of them up here.

1. Seeing Jesus will cost everything in this life
2. Unbelief sees what it wants to see

So these came to Phillip... and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." ... And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (parts of John 12:21-26).

You can see Jesus Christ glorified, but it will cost you your life. When you see him crucified, it will make you hate this life. It's costly, but it's well worth it. What have we given up for Christ that will not be given to us many times over?

Christ is strong, and that is what makes his death amazing. See his suffering and death as his glorification.

Do we have the vision of Christ crucified and see it as glorious?

One clear look at the glorified Christ and this life should be ruined for us. Our hopes and dreams are not here.

Where are you struggling and discouraged? Here is the answer for you - take another clear look at Christ crucified and glorified.

I was encouraged and reminded that following Christ is following him in his death but also seeing his glory. It's not only about dying, but it's about dying so that I might gain abundant life in Christ.

Only Jesus! Only Jesus!

Give us Jesus, we cry

Only Jesus! Only Jesus!

The Pearl of greatest price

(c) 2005 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

Only Jesus