“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son…” Rom. 1:1-2
Language, in particular the English language, is evolving because words lose their meaning and new ways are needed to communicate the original meaning of words. Here’s a goofy example: “Hey man, you’re really bad!”
Meaning 100 years ago: Someone was abruptly addressing an older male person and telling him in no uncertain terms that he was depraved.
Meaning today: Someone is addressing any age and any gender and saying in affect “you have some tremendous things about you that I really like.”
So when we read in Scriptures about the “gospel” and look up the definition, we find that the word means “good news”. This can be a rather mundane definition but if we go to the intent of the words when they were defined, the gospel means “incredibly, the best news that any human being could ever hear”. This is the gospel, good news on steroids, mind-blowing, astounding, good news!
This good news is prophesied in the Old Testament, it’s about Jesus, the Son of God. It’s about His death, burial, resurrection, present risen life and coming glory. It’s about the free gift of eternal life and being set free from slavery to sin. It’s a message that is to be shared with non-Christians and …yes, a message to be taught to Christians. It’s a message that applies to every human on earth and when we share this message with others we are in essence serving God. This is much of the message in Romans 1:1-15.
Give it some thought!
[Note: I will be using the NIV Bible as the source of Bible references throughout the study of Romans.]
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Romans - Background #3
It becomes apparent in reading Romans that the Roman church was predominantly Gentile with a Jewish presence. In Romans 1:13 Paul states that he had “…planned many times to come to you…in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.”
How did this church which sprang up on its own come to be predominantly Gentile? The Roman historian Suetonius reported that during the reign of Claudius, ”Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus (i.e. Christ), he expelled them from Rome.” This refers to the Edict of Claudius, dated 49 AD, in which all Jews were expelled from Rome (Acts 18:1-2). Apparently, the conflict in Rome among Jews concerning whether Jesus was the Christ (i.e. Messiah) was so severe, that Claudius dealt with it by booting them out. Gentiles (known as God-fearing Gentiles) who met weekly with the Jews, remained in Rome in a church that had been gutted of Jewish believers. Some of these Gentiles likely believed that Jesus was the Messiah and comprised the church in Rome. The edict remained in effect until Nero canceled it 5 years later in 54 AD. During this time, the church in Rome grew in numbers without a Jew present.
What were the Jews in Rome in such bitter argument about?
First of all it was about the Messiah-ship of Jesus. The Messiah was to come as a King and reign over a kingdom in an earthly sense. Jesus came as a servant and was executed between 2 criminals. Jesus did not fit the Messiah template. However, for anyone probing the Jewish Scriptures it was obvious that besides a Kingly Messiah (Is 9:6-7) there was ample description of a suffering Messiah (Is 53). The Jews were bitterly divided over this issue.
Secondly, the Jews were always special to God. They were God’s chosen people. It was extremely troubling to many of the Jews that Messiah Jesus was being embraced by Gentiles and the Gentiles were remaining Gentiles. They were not being circumcised and made to be Jewish converts who observed the law. This whole concept diminished the specialness of being a Jew. It required a paradigm shift in the Jewish mind of incredible proportions. Now, Gentiles were flocking to the Jewish circles to learn more about the Jewish Messiah, they had embraced. What confusion must have reigned!
This background helps one to understand the imaginary Jewish disputants and their questions that arise throughout the book of Romans. Paul can hear their voices as he writes and feels compelled to answer.
How did this church which sprang up on its own come to be predominantly Gentile? The Roman historian Suetonius reported that during the reign of Claudius, ”Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus (i.e. Christ), he expelled them from Rome.” This refers to the Edict of Claudius, dated 49 AD, in which all Jews were expelled from Rome (Acts 18:1-2). Apparently, the conflict in Rome among Jews concerning whether Jesus was the Christ (i.e. Messiah) was so severe, that Claudius dealt with it by booting them out. Gentiles (known as God-fearing Gentiles) who met weekly with the Jews, remained in Rome in a church that had been gutted of Jewish believers. Some of these Gentiles likely believed that Jesus was the Messiah and comprised the church in Rome. The edict remained in effect until Nero canceled it 5 years later in 54 AD. During this time, the church in Rome grew in numbers without a Jew present.
What were the Jews in Rome in such bitter argument about?
First of all it was about the Messiah-ship of Jesus. The Messiah was to come as a King and reign over a kingdom in an earthly sense. Jesus came as a servant and was executed between 2 criminals. Jesus did not fit the Messiah template. However, for anyone probing the Jewish Scriptures it was obvious that besides a Kingly Messiah (Is 9:6-7) there was ample description of a suffering Messiah (Is 53). The Jews were bitterly divided over this issue.
Secondly, the Jews were always special to God. They were God’s chosen people. It was extremely troubling to many of the Jews that Messiah Jesus was being embraced by Gentiles and the Gentiles were remaining Gentiles. They were not being circumcised and made to be Jewish converts who observed the law. This whole concept diminished the specialness of being a Jew. It required a paradigm shift in the Jewish mind of incredible proportions. Now, Gentiles were flocking to the Jewish circles to learn more about the Jewish Messiah, they had embraced. What confusion must have reigned!
This background helps one to understand the imaginary Jewish disputants and their questions that arise throughout the book of Romans. Paul can hear their voices as he writes and feels compelled to answer.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Romans - Background #2
How was a Jewish presence established in Rome and how was a church birthed in this town so distant from Jerusalem?
The Jewish presence in Rome possibly stems from a victory party led by Pompey the Great. In 61 BC, Pompey the Great brought Jewish captives to Rome as slaves to celebrate the conquest of Judea. Many of the freed descendents of these slaves scattered throughout the Roman Empire and likely some remained in Rome. These descendants were known as Freedmen. A reference to the Synagogue of the Freedmen is found in Acts 6:9.
One clue as to how the church may have started is in Acts 2. It says that when the miracle of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost (30 AD), there were visitors there from Rome who were among the spectators (Acts 2:10). Peter stood up and preached to the Pentecostal spectators that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and that everyone must repent and be baptized. About 3,000 people responded to this message and it is likely that some of the Roman visitors were among the respondents. When they returned to Rome, they told the Jews about what they had seen. From this, the church in Rome was likely born.
Two events, one in 61 BC and another in 30 AD were likely very significant in the eventual writing of Romans. One event must have seemed like the darkest moment in Jewish history for those living at the time. Yanked out of their homeland and paraded through the streets of Rome as slaves. It doesn’t get much worse than that. However, what man meant for calamity, God meant for good. The stage was set for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of a church in the capital of a pagan Empire. Eventually, during the reign of Constantine 300 years later, the Empire was declared to be a Christian empire.
Never rule out the dark moments of life as wasted moments or meaningless moments. God has a reputation of turning dark moments on their head!
The Jewish presence in Rome possibly stems from a victory party led by Pompey the Great. In 61 BC, Pompey the Great brought Jewish captives to Rome as slaves to celebrate the conquest of Judea. Many of the freed descendents of these slaves scattered throughout the Roman Empire and likely some remained in Rome. These descendants were known as Freedmen. A reference to the Synagogue of the Freedmen is found in Acts 6:9.
One clue as to how the church may have started is in Acts 2. It says that when the miracle of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place at Pentecost (30 AD), there were visitors there from Rome who were among the spectators (Acts 2:10). Peter stood up and preached to the Pentecostal spectators that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and that everyone must repent and be baptized. About 3,000 people responded to this message and it is likely that some of the Roman visitors were among the respondents. When they returned to Rome, they told the Jews about what they had seen. From this, the church in Rome was likely born.
Two events, one in 61 BC and another in 30 AD were likely very significant in the eventual writing of Romans. One event must have seemed like the darkest moment in Jewish history for those living at the time. Yanked out of their homeland and paraded through the streets of Rome as slaves. It doesn’t get much worse than that. However, what man meant for calamity, God meant for good. The stage was set for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of a church in the capital of a pagan Empire. Eventually, during the reign of Constantine 300 years later, the Empire was declared to be a Christian empire.
Never rule out the dark moments of life as wasted moments or meaningless moments. God has a reputation of turning dark moments on their head!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Romans - Background #1
An understanding of some background of the Roman Empire, Rome and the Roman church is very useful to understanding the book of Romans. I’ll begin with the Roman Empire and Rome.
The traditional date for the founding of Rome was 753 BC. It was founded by a person named Romulus and consisted of a village of thatched-roof huts on the Palatine Hill. The Roman Republic formed around 509 BC and lasted until 31 BC. By 168 BC the Republic extended from northern Europe to the coasts of Africa and east to the Euphrates River. Toward the end of the Republic a series of strong generals transformed the government into a dictatorship. The Roman Empire was born out of the dictatorships and lasted from 31 BC until 565 AD.
Here is a brief rundown of emperors for the period of time of interest to us:
Octavian – 27 BC to 14 AD – Jesus was born ~5 BC
Tiberius – 14 to 37 AD – Jesus was crucified and resurrected in 30 AD. Saul was converted in35 AD. (Acts 9)
Caliqula – 37 to 41 AD – Cornelius, a Roman centurion (Gentile), receives the Holy Spirit in ~40 AD (Acts 10).
Claudius – 41 to 54 AD – The apostle James was the first apostle to be martryed in ~44 AD. (Acts 12:2)
Nero – 54 to 68 AD – Paul likely wrote the book of Romans in 57 AD.
Rome in the first century was known for its impressive buildings, aqueducts, baths, theaters and thoroughfares. Its most prominent features were the Capitoline Hill with temples to Jupiter and Juno, the Palatine Hill with imperial palaces. Both of these hills overlooked the Roman Forum which was considered the hub of the entire empire.
It was here in Rome that our heroes, Paul, Peter and many others were martyred for their message. Peter was crucified upside down in 64 AD and Paul was beheaded in the same town in 67 AD. Rome represents the darkness of the human race, the sophistication of the human race, the rejection of the gospel and a planting ground for the tiny seed of the kingdom of God. Consider these things as we work our way through the book.
The traditional date for the founding of Rome was 753 BC. It was founded by a person named Romulus and consisted of a village of thatched-roof huts on the Palatine Hill. The Roman Republic formed around 509 BC and lasted until 31 BC. By 168 BC the Republic extended from northern Europe to the coasts of Africa and east to the Euphrates River. Toward the end of the Republic a series of strong generals transformed the government into a dictatorship. The Roman Empire was born out of the dictatorships and lasted from 31 BC until 565 AD.
Here is a brief rundown of emperors for the period of time of interest to us:
Octavian – 27 BC to 14 AD – Jesus was born ~5 BC
Tiberius – 14 to 37 AD – Jesus was crucified and resurrected in 30 AD. Saul was converted in35 AD. (Acts 9)
Caliqula – 37 to 41 AD – Cornelius, a Roman centurion (Gentile), receives the Holy Spirit in ~40 AD (Acts 10).
Claudius – 41 to 54 AD – The apostle James was the first apostle to be martryed in ~44 AD. (Acts 12:2)
Nero – 54 to 68 AD – Paul likely wrote the book of Romans in 57 AD.
Rome in the first century was known for its impressive buildings, aqueducts, baths, theaters and thoroughfares. Its most prominent features were the Capitoline Hill with temples to Jupiter and Juno, the Palatine Hill with imperial palaces. Both of these hills overlooked the Roman Forum which was considered the hub of the entire empire.
It was here in Rome that our heroes, Paul, Peter and many others were martyred for their message. Peter was crucified upside down in 64 AD and Paul was beheaded in the same town in 67 AD. Rome represents the darkness of the human race, the sophistication of the human race, the rejection of the gospel and a planting ground for the tiny seed of the kingdom of God. Consider these things as we work our way through the book.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Romans - Introduction
In 386 A.D., Aurelius Augustine received Jesus Christ as his Savior after reading a passage from the Book of Romans. He went on to become one of the church’s most outstanding leaders and theologians.
A thousand years later, Martin Luther wrote, “Night and day I pondered Romans until I grasped the truth. I felt myself to be reborn. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven.”
The famous sixteenth-century Bible translator William Tyndale wrote of Romans: “It is the principle and most excellent part of the New Testament... No man can read it too oft, or study it too well; for the more it is studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is. . . the more it is searched, the preciouser things are found….”
Several centuries later (May 24, 1738 to be precise), a minister named John Wesley wrote this about his study in the Book of Romans: “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins….”
It has been said that Romans will delight the greatest logician and captivate the mind of the consummate genius, yet it will bring tears to the humblest soul and refreshment to the simplest mind.
(The above quotes were borrowed from http://goossengrapevine.blogspot.com/2007/01/significance-of-book-of-romans.html.)
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My first journey through the book of Romans was around the summer of 1975 when I led a group from Campus Crusade for Christ in a study of the book. I’m not sure the group that I led that summer would even remember it but 34 years later my life continues to be impacted by that study. In 2003 I led a group of men in my church in Alamogordo, NM in a 1-year study of the book. Once again, at least 1 person was impacted by that study….me!
My prayer is that this book that has altered world history would impact you… expand your view of God…set you free!
A thousand years later, Martin Luther wrote, “Night and day I pondered Romans until I grasped the truth. I felt myself to be reborn. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven.”
The famous sixteenth-century Bible translator William Tyndale wrote of Romans: “It is the principle and most excellent part of the New Testament... No man can read it too oft, or study it too well; for the more it is studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is. . . the more it is searched, the preciouser things are found….”
Several centuries later (May 24, 1738 to be precise), a minister named John Wesley wrote this about his study in the Book of Romans: “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins….”
It has been said that Romans will delight the greatest logician and captivate the mind of the consummate genius, yet it will bring tears to the humblest soul and refreshment to the simplest mind.
(The above quotes were borrowed from http://goossengrapevine.blogspot.com/2007/01/significance-of-book-of-romans.html.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My first journey through the book of Romans was around the summer of 1975 when I led a group from Campus Crusade for Christ in a study of the book. I’m not sure the group that I led that summer would even remember it but 34 years later my life continues to be impacted by that study. In 2003 I led a group of men in my church in Alamogordo, NM in a 1-year study of the book. Once again, at least 1 person was impacted by that study….me!
My prayer is that this book that has altered world history would impact you… expand your view of God…set you free!
Monday, January 4, 2010
GFT #11d - Final Thoughts - Believe Today
"According to your faith will it be done to you" Matt. 9:29
I thought I had written my last devotional on faith but something happened this morning that prompts me to add one more.
In fact, this devotional was born out of a misunderstanding with my wife. Let me explain. We built a house 5 years ago in a rural community in New Mexico. I was never real happy with the master bathroom shower because it never put out hot water only warm water. All I could figure was that the plumbing was flawed and I would be paying lots of money to get it fixed. Today, I finally decided to have a plumber come out and look at it. The moment I described the problem and showed him the shower knob, he laughed and said I was going to be shocked how simple the solution was. He ran out to his truck to get an allen wrench and a short time later it was putting out a nice full stream of hot water. It was so easy that he said he wasn’t going to charge for the fix.
My wife suggested that the long time it had taken me to get this problem fixed would be a good faith email. I had no clue what she was talking about. She explained that we had hot water available to that shower for 5 years but we weren’t experiencing it. She said all it took was asking the right person and in a matter of minutes he helped us to realize what had always been available to us. She said that God’s word promises us many things and we simply don’t act on it. We don’t believe it.
Matthew 6 – Jesus promises daily provision
James 5 – states what a sick person should do for healing
Luke 6 – promises God will give back generously to the one who gives
Take it from me…don’t wait 5 years to act on these precious promises. Thanks for allowing me to share with you from the wonderful word of God.
Selah,
Randy
I thought I had written my last devotional on faith but something happened this morning that prompts me to add one more.
In fact, this devotional was born out of a misunderstanding with my wife. Let me explain. We built a house 5 years ago in a rural community in New Mexico. I was never real happy with the master bathroom shower because it never put out hot water only warm water. All I could figure was that the plumbing was flawed and I would be paying lots of money to get it fixed. Today, I finally decided to have a plumber come out and look at it. The moment I described the problem and showed him the shower knob, he laughed and said I was going to be shocked how simple the solution was. He ran out to his truck to get an allen wrench and a short time later it was putting out a nice full stream of hot water. It was so easy that he said he wasn’t going to charge for the fix.
My wife suggested that the long time it had taken me to get this problem fixed would be a good faith email. I had no clue what she was talking about. She explained that we had hot water available to that shower for 5 years but we weren’t experiencing it. She said all it took was asking the right person and in a matter of minutes he helped us to realize what had always been available to us. She said that God’s word promises us many things and we simply don’t act on it. We don’t believe it.
Matthew 6 – Jesus promises daily provision
James 5 – states what a sick person should do for healing
Luke 6 – promises God will give back generously to the one who gives
Take it from me…don’t wait 5 years to act on these precious promises. Thanks for allowing me to share with you from the wonderful word of God.
Selah,
Randy
GFT #11c - Final Thoughts - The Object of Our Faith
“They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mk 4:41 “The men were amazed and asked ‘What kind of man is this?’” Mt 8:27a
I read the passages above and my impulse is to be shocked but not in the same way as the disciples. My shock is that these disciples could daily shadow Jesus and still be asking the questions “Who is this?” and “What kind of man is this?”. How does this relate to faith? Faith is only meaningful when Jesus is the object of it. Jesus…how well do you know Him…how well do you understand who He is…do you believe what He says?
Several weeks ago, I was driving home for the weekend. I drive a very rural part of the state of New Mexico on my weekend commute. Out in the sticks, I pulled off the road. There was a clear night sky and no moon. As many times as I’ve beheld the magnificence of the heavens, that night I was shocked. This One who I speak to so frequently, who I love dearly, astounded me with His creation. My first thought was “Do I even know who I’m talking to?” This One who I am intimate with overwhelms me…shocks and startles me.
Let me take my thoughts one step farther. Jesus was always so “taken back” at the littleness of people’s faith. It made no sense to Him. The incomprehensible Father was comprehended by His Son. The concept of “moving mountains” is an understatement by Jesus but startles us to numbness. Take a moment to consider God…then you will see “faith in God makes sense.” Moving mountains and casting them into the sea is available to the one who has faith the size of a mustard seed.
Selah,
Randy
I read the passages above and my impulse is to be shocked but not in the same way as the disciples. My shock is that these disciples could daily shadow Jesus and still be asking the questions “Who is this?” and “What kind of man is this?”. How does this relate to faith? Faith is only meaningful when Jesus is the object of it. Jesus…how well do you know Him…how well do you understand who He is…do you believe what He says?
Several weeks ago, I was driving home for the weekend. I drive a very rural part of the state of New Mexico on my weekend commute. Out in the sticks, I pulled off the road. There was a clear night sky and no moon. As many times as I’ve beheld the magnificence of the heavens, that night I was shocked. This One who I speak to so frequently, who I love dearly, astounded me with His creation. My first thought was “Do I even know who I’m talking to?” This One who I am intimate with overwhelms me…shocks and startles me.
Let me take my thoughts one step farther. Jesus was always so “taken back” at the littleness of people’s faith. It made no sense to Him. The incomprehensible Father was comprehended by His Son. The concept of “moving mountains” is an understatement by Jesus but startles us to numbness. Take a moment to consider God…then you will see “faith in God makes sense.” Moving mountains and casting them into the sea is available to the one who has faith the size of a mustard seed.
Selah,
Randy
GFT #11b - Final Thoughts - Acquiring Faith
“Have faith in God…” Mk 11:22
So how do you acquire great faith? Some verses indicate that faith comes from God and other verses make it sound like it is our responsibility. Jesus is the “author and perfecter of faith”. One of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in I Cor 12 is faith. Yet “faith comes from hearing the message.” Jesus tells the disciples “Have faith in God”. Jesus groans when people have little faith as if it is within their grasp to have greater faith. One could make the mistake of taking one side of these dual truths at the exclusion of the other and end up being in error.
My guess is that someone like the centurion was rather matter of fact in his observations and resulting thoughts. He heard that Jesus was healing the sick and casting out demons and without a great amount of intellect involved concluded that Jesus was someone of enormous authority. He was so convinced of this that he would not even have Jesus come to his house or according to one of the gospel accounts speak directly with Jesus. His respect for Jesus was enormous. It wasn’t built on a lot of experience just some simple thinking and some conclusions about who Jesus was. In the background of all of this simple thinking, the Holy Spirit was at work in the Centurion’s life and enabling him to believe.
My intuition tells me that having faith…great faith…is much simpler than we would like to make it. We tend to complicate it because of the lack of it in our lives and we somehow need to address the dichotomy between the multitude of Scriptures that speak of the mighty things that can be done through faith and our human experience which is often void of the reality of “mighty things” promised. Like the disciples, we probably need to go to Jesus in a private moment and ask “Why couldn’t we cast out the demon?” Jesus answer will likely be the same “Because you have little faith.”
These are not guilt words designed to motivate you to pursue great faith….rather, these are powerful truths containing incredible potential that should energize you to pursue great faith.
So how do you acquire great faith? Some verses indicate that faith comes from God and other verses make it sound like it is our responsibility. Jesus is the “author and perfecter of faith”. One of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in I Cor 12 is faith. Yet “faith comes from hearing the message.” Jesus tells the disciples “Have faith in God”. Jesus groans when people have little faith as if it is within their grasp to have greater faith. One could make the mistake of taking one side of these dual truths at the exclusion of the other and end up being in error.
My guess is that someone like the centurion was rather matter of fact in his observations and resulting thoughts. He heard that Jesus was healing the sick and casting out demons and without a great amount of intellect involved concluded that Jesus was someone of enormous authority. He was so convinced of this that he would not even have Jesus come to his house or according to one of the gospel accounts speak directly with Jesus. His respect for Jesus was enormous. It wasn’t built on a lot of experience just some simple thinking and some conclusions about who Jesus was. In the background of all of this simple thinking, the Holy Spirit was at work in the Centurion’s life and enabling him to believe.
My intuition tells me that having faith…great faith…is much simpler than we would like to make it. We tend to complicate it because of the lack of it in our lives and we somehow need to address the dichotomy between the multitude of Scriptures that speak of the mighty things that can be done through faith and our human experience which is often void of the reality of “mighty things” promised. Like the disciples, we probably need to go to Jesus in a private moment and ask “Why couldn’t we cast out the demon?” Jesus answer will likely be the same “Because you have little faith.”
These are not guilt words designed to motivate you to pursue great faith….rather, these are powerful truths containing incredible potential that should energize you to pursue great faith.
GFT #11a - Final Thoughts - Faith and Love
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Gal. 5:6
My study of the passages of Scripture in which Jesus comments on people’s faith has left me with a lot of unanswered questions and a few summary thoughts. I won’t burden you with my unanswered questions but I will share with you some thoughts and conclusions.
The only 2 people in the gospels that Jesus said had great faith had several things in common. One thing they had in common was that they were both Gentiles. Another thing they had in common is that they were not part of Jesus’ inner circle and finally, their great faith was demonstrated to the benefit of someone other than their selves. The centurion exercised his faith on behalf of his sick servant and the Canaanite lady exercised her faith on behalf of her demon possessed son. There is no indication whatsoever that the centurion’s servant and the woman’s son had faith for their own healing.
This is what faith is all about…loving God and loving others. Paul said “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” He said in another place that if you have faith that can move mountains but do not have love, you are nothing. In our deep inward yearning to live a life of significance, we certainly don’t want it said of us “you are nothing.”
Moving mountains, uprooting trees are only meaningful when done in the context of love. If you’re going to move a mountain, move a mountain that will lift someone else’s burdens that will change someone else’s destiny, which will restore someone else’s marriage, which will relieve someone else’s financial hardship, that will deliver from bondage someone in slavery.
My study of the passages of Scripture in which Jesus comments on people’s faith has left me with a lot of unanswered questions and a few summary thoughts. I won’t burden you with my unanswered questions but I will share with you some thoughts and conclusions.
The only 2 people in the gospels that Jesus said had great faith had several things in common. One thing they had in common was that they were both Gentiles. Another thing they had in common is that they were not part of Jesus’ inner circle and finally, their great faith was demonstrated to the benefit of someone other than their selves. The centurion exercised his faith on behalf of his sick servant and the Canaanite lady exercised her faith on behalf of her demon possessed son. There is no indication whatsoever that the centurion’s servant and the woman’s son had faith for their own healing.
This is what faith is all about…loving God and loving others. Paul said “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” He said in another place that if you have faith that can move mountains but do not have love, you are nothing. In our deep inward yearning to live a life of significance, we certainly don’t want it said of us “you are nothing.”
Moving mountains, uprooting trees are only meaningful when done in the context of love. If you’re going to move a mountain, move a mountain that will lift someone else’s burdens that will change someone else’s destiny, which will restore someone else’s marriage, which will relieve someone else’s financial hardship, that will deliver from bondage someone in slavery.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
GFT #10 - Witnesses and Faith
"…he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.” Mk 16:14
Unbelief has more than one way to raise its ugly head. Here in this passage, the unbelief of the 11 remaining disciples manifested itself by refusing to believe credible witnesses of a spectacular miracle…i.e. the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We have historical accounts of witnesses in the Scriptures to the supernatural hand of God. And if we talk among ourselves as believers, we will find among us witnesses to God’s miracles.
One of the purposes of a witness to a miracle is to bolster the faith of those to whom they testify. The writer of the book of Hebrews devotes a whole chapter (ch.11) to witnesses. These are witnesses to the fact that faith in God works. Its called the “Faith Hall of Fame”. After sharing some of their stories, the writer says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Even Jesus is a witness to the fact that faith in the Father works. With eyes of faith, he could see what lay on the other side of the shame and horror of the cross. He could see the joy that awaited him to take his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. These eyes of faith got him through the incomprensible horrors of the cross. Let the example of Jesus and the multitude of witnesses, past and present, bolster your faith in God. Faith in God works!
Unbelief has more than one way to raise its ugly head. Here in this passage, the unbelief of the 11 remaining disciples manifested itself by refusing to believe credible witnesses of a spectacular miracle…i.e. the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We have historical accounts of witnesses in the Scriptures to the supernatural hand of God. And if we talk among ourselves as believers, we will find among us witnesses to God’s miracles.
One of the purposes of a witness to a miracle is to bolster the faith of those to whom they testify. The writer of the book of Hebrews devotes a whole chapter (ch.11) to witnesses. These are witnesses to the fact that faith in God works. Its called the “Faith Hall of Fame”. After sharing some of their stories, the writer says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Even Jesus is a witness to the fact that faith in the Father works. With eyes of faith, he could see what lay on the other side of the shame and horror of the cross. He could see the joy that awaited him to take his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. These eyes of faith got him through the incomprensible horrors of the cross. Let the example of Jesus and the multitude of witnesses, past and present, bolster your faith in God. Faith in God works!
GFT #9 - Faith Versus the Norm of Human Experience
“Jesus…went to his hometown…he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.” “And he was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mk 6:1-2; 6
“And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Mt 13:58
The people of Nazareth’s lack of faith had its roots in the “norm of human experience.” They recognized Jesus’ wisdom and that he even did miracles. But the “norm of human experience” was … if you live in a small “hole-in-the-wall” town where everyone knows each other and watches each others kids grow up, none of the kids you watch grow up will be the long awaited Messiah. The lack of faith was easy because it most closely fit the “norm of human experience.”
Faith marches to the beat of a different drummer. Sometimes the drum beat is consistent with the “norm of human experience” and other times it is not. The “norm of human experience” for Joshua, was to defeat heavily fortified cities like Jericho with military might. But faith in this instance dictated that they march around the city for 6 days, blow trumpets and shout. This was God’s instructions.
The “norm of human experience” is if you are diagnosed with cancer and the doctor says you have a short time to live, you resign yourself to the fact that you will die very soon. James wrote “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Do you lack faith? It doesn’t have to stay that way. James, in the passage quoted above, was the brother of Jesus. He likely was among the unbelieving of Nazareth. There must have been a change. Now, he writes about healing the sick through the prayer offered in faith.
“And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Mt 13:58
The people of Nazareth’s lack of faith had its roots in the “norm of human experience.” They recognized Jesus’ wisdom and that he even did miracles. But the “norm of human experience” was … if you live in a small “hole-in-the-wall” town where everyone knows each other and watches each others kids grow up, none of the kids you watch grow up will be the long awaited Messiah. The lack of faith was easy because it most closely fit the “norm of human experience.”
Faith marches to the beat of a different drummer. Sometimes the drum beat is consistent with the “norm of human experience” and other times it is not. The “norm of human experience” for Joshua, was to defeat heavily fortified cities like Jericho with military might. But faith in this instance dictated that they march around the city for 6 days, blow trumpets and shout. This was God’s instructions.
The “norm of human experience” is if you are diagnosed with cancer and the doctor says you have a short time to live, you resign yourself to the fact that you will die very soon. James wrote “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Do you lack faith? It doesn’t have to stay that way. James, in the passage quoted above, was the brother of Jesus. He likely was among the unbelieving of Nazareth. There must have been a change. Now, he writes about healing the sick through the prayer offered in faith.
GFT #8d - Entree 4 Faith Removes Impossibilities
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.".” Matt. 17:20
This is the final faith food entrée from this passage in Matthew 17. Honestly, I’ve pondered this and similar passages of Scripture for many years. A question that comes up in my ponderings is “If this verse is true, if having mustard seed faith is in the realm of possibilities for any Christian, why aren’t we all a little more zealous in the pursuit of it?”
What mountainous impossibilities lie before you?
Is it the repentance of a wayward son or daughter or family member who has made it perfectly clear for decades that they want nothing to do with Jesus? Is it the healing of a terminally ill loved one who’s doctor is absolutely convinced will not live another week? Or is it relief from a financial crisis? Could it be the restoration of a broken marriage? What about national repentance and revival?
Are any of these mountains immovable?
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much;
None can ever ask too much. - John Newton, 1779
Selah.
This is the final faith food entrée from this passage in Matthew 17. Honestly, I’ve pondered this and similar passages of Scripture for many years. A question that comes up in my ponderings is “If this verse is true, if having mustard seed faith is in the realm of possibilities for any Christian, why aren’t we all a little more zealous in the pursuit of it?”
What mountainous impossibilities lie before you?
Is it the repentance of a wayward son or daughter or family member who has made it perfectly clear for decades that they want nothing to do with Jesus? Is it the healing of a terminally ill loved one who’s doctor is absolutely convinced will not live another week? Or is it relief from a financial crisis? Could it be the restoration of a broken marriage? What about national repentance and revival?
Are any of these mountains immovable?
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much;
None can ever ask too much. - John Newton, 1779
Selah.
GFT #8c - Entree 3 Faith Makes Sense
“O unbelieving and perverse generation…” Matt. 17:17
An unsuccessful exorcism leads to a groan by Jesus about unbelief. But He surprises me when He goes on to link perversion with unbelief. What are they doing here that is perverted?
Perverse means to distort, misinterpret or corrupt. We were designed for faith in God. This is as natural to being human as the sun and moon are natural to the sky. Unfortunately, the fall of man distorted our design. In Jesus mind, it is perverse to doubt or not believe. It is normal and reasonable to have faith in God.
This frustration of Jesus regarding our unbelief resonates with me in terms of my goat. We purchased a goat for the purpose of having a calming influence on our horse. But we also purchased it to have an unusual pet. The person we bought it from assured us that it was very people friendly and was raised by children. Well, we later found out this goat is terrified of us. This goat has no greater friend on this earth than my wife and I. We feed it, water it, if it is in bad health we take it to the vet. We’ve never beaten it or raised a hand to it. We even gave it its best friend, the horse. Nevertheless, we can’t get near it. It is terrified of us. That doesn’t make sense to me. Hmmm, maybe when I don’t trust God, when I have “little faith”, it is frustrating in a sense to Him because it just doesn’t make sense.
An unsuccessful exorcism leads to a groan by Jesus about unbelief. But He surprises me when He goes on to link perversion with unbelief. What are they doing here that is perverted?
Perverse means to distort, misinterpret or corrupt. We were designed for faith in God. This is as natural to being human as the sun and moon are natural to the sky. Unfortunately, the fall of man distorted our design. In Jesus mind, it is perverse to doubt or not believe. It is normal and reasonable to have faith in God.
This frustration of Jesus regarding our unbelief resonates with me in terms of my goat. We purchased a goat for the purpose of having a calming influence on our horse. But we also purchased it to have an unusual pet. The person we bought it from assured us that it was very people friendly and was raised by children. Well, we later found out this goat is terrified of us. This goat has no greater friend on this earth than my wife and I. We feed it, water it, if it is in bad health we take it to the vet. We’ve never beaten it or raised a hand to it. We even gave it its best friend, the horse. Nevertheless, we can’t get near it. It is terrified of us. That doesn’t make sense to me. Hmmm, maybe when I don’t trust God, when I have “little faith”, it is frustrating in a sense to Him because it just doesn’t make sense.
GFT #8b - Faith Pleases God
Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Matt. 17:17
The second entrée in our passage is the lesson that without faith it is impossible to please God. How is this lesson learned in this passage? By learning from the converse of what was said.
We often hear sermons about Jesus words in regards to his love, compassion, mercy etc. How many sermons have we heard in which the text is “how long shall I put up with you?” The unbelief that resulted in the disciple’s ineffectiveness prompted these words. Another way to think about this is if you choose to live a life of “little faith”, Jesus has to “put up with you.” Please remember that He will never send you away. He will never leave you or forsake you. But He may have to put up with you.
Hebrews 11:6, one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible, says “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” “Faith” in this verse goes beyond the faith by which we are saved as noted by the numerous examples following this verse. Faith, God-pleasing faith, is necessary to quench the flaming arrows of Satan, heal the sick, pray powerfully and effectively, and to overcome impossible barriers, whatever they may be.
Lord, we do not want to put You in the position of having to put up with us. We ask You, the author and perfecter of our faith, to give us the faith that pleases You. Thank You! Amen
The second entrée in our passage is the lesson that without faith it is impossible to please God. How is this lesson learned in this passage? By learning from the converse of what was said.
We often hear sermons about Jesus words in regards to his love, compassion, mercy etc. How many sermons have we heard in which the text is “how long shall I put up with you?” The unbelief that resulted in the disciple’s ineffectiveness prompted these words. Another way to think about this is if you choose to live a life of “little faith”, Jesus has to “put up with you.” Please remember that He will never send you away. He will never leave you or forsake you. But He may have to put up with you.
Hebrews 11:6, one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible, says “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” “Faith” in this verse goes beyond the faith by which we are saved as noted by the numerous examples following this verse. Faith, God-pleasing faith, is necessary to quench the flaming arrows of Satan, heal the sick, pray powerfully and effectively, and to overcome impossible barriers, whatever they may be.
Lord, we do not want to put You in the position of having to put up with us. We ask You, the author and perfecter of our faith, to give us the faith that pleases You. Thank You! Amen
GFT #8a - Entree 1 Diagnosing Little Faith
“I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” Matt. 17:16
Nine disciples somewhere on the ground beneath the mount of transfiguration were busy trying to exorcise a demon. They probably commanded the demon to leave with a voice of authority as they had done on previous occasions (Lk 9:1, 6). A crowd had gathered and the nine disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law according to the parallel passage in Mark 9.
After Jesus removes the demon, the disciples come to Jesus in a private moment and asked “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” This was likely the question being debated with the teachers of the law. Sounds like they were arguing without really knowing the answer to the issue being debated. Without an elaborate discourse, Jesus nails the problem precisely…”because you have so little faith.”
Isn’t it interesting that the disciples didn’t see the problem that was in their hearts? Jesus had to point out something about them that they couldn’t recognize in their selves. Maybe there is a subtle kind of unbelief that resides in our heart that is difficult for us to recognize in ourselves.
The point here is not to become more introspective or guilt-laden….there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! The point here is to become wiser and more discerning about our own hearts and the disabling power of unbelief.
Nine disciples somewhere on the ground beneath the mount of transfiguration were busy trying to exorcise a demon. They probably commanded the demon to leave with a voice of authority as they had done on previous occasions (Lk 9:1, 6). A crowd had gathered and the nine disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law according to the parallel passage in Mark 9.
After Jesus removes the demon, the disciples come to Jesus in a private moment and asked “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” This was likely the question being debated with the teachers of the law. Sounds like they were arguing without really knowing the answer to the issue being debated. Without an elaborate discourse, Jesus nails the problem precisely…”because you have so little faith.”
Isn’t it interesting that the disciples didn’t see the problem that was in their hearts? Jesus had to point out something about them that they couldn’t recognize in their selves. Maybe there is a subtle kind of unbelief that resides in our heart that is difficult for us to recognize in ourselves.
The point here is not to become more introspective or guilt-laden….there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! The point here is to become wiser and more discerning about our own hearts and the disabling power of unbelief.
GFT #8 - Combination Plate Faith Lessons
“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Matt. 17:17
Jesus and three of his disciples were coming down from a literal mountaintop experience. They had just seen and experienced the transfiguration of Jesus into His glory. A crowd awaits them as they return and a man pleads with Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son. The nine disciples had tried to exorcise the demon and were unsuccessful. Jesus seems to me to be irritated at this news and goes so far as to say “How long shall I put up with you?” He casts out the demon and later in a private moment, the disciples ask Him why they couldn’t drive the demon out. He responds that they were unsuccessful because they had “so little faith”. He further stated that if their faith was the size of a mustard seed, they could command a mountain to move and it would. With mustard seed faith, nothing is impossible.
This story is loaded with faith food…kind of like a Mexican combination plate. For those of you who live in Montana and Canada, a Mexican combination plate has a sampling of a variety of Mexican entrees all on one plate :) Here’s a few of the faith food entrees in this passage.
1. Sometimes we have difficulty seeing the unbelief that resides in our selves. The reason for the powerlessness of the disciples was the unbelief in them. It took Jesus to point out this out.
2. Faith pleases God. Unbelief irritates Him. “And without faith it is impossible to please God…”
3. Faith is a reasonable thing to have. Jesus would not have groaned “O unbelieving and perverse generation…” if faith was an unreasonable thing to expect of the dad, the disciples and even the crowd.
4. With the tiniest of faith, “nothing will be impossible for you.” Are we too steeped in unbelief to ponder this truth? It’s easy to pray in terms of probabilities. Tiny faith prays in terms of impossibilities.
Jesus and three of his disciples were coming down from a literal mountaintop experience. They had just seen and experienced the transfiguration of Jesus into His glory. A crowd awaits them as they return and a man pleads with Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son. The nine disciples had tried to exorcise the demon and were unsuccessful. Jesus seems to me to be irritated at this news and goes so far as to say “How long shall I put up with you?” He casts out the demon and later in a private moment, the disciples ask Him why they couldn’t drive the demon out. He responds that they were unsuccessful because they had “so little faith”. He further stated that if their faith was the size of a mustard seed, they could command a mountain to move and it would. With mustard seed faith, nothing is impossible.
This story is loaded with faith food…kind of like a Mexican combination plate. For those of you who live in Montana and Canada, a Mexican combination plate has a sampling of a variety of Mexican entrees all on one plate :) Here’s a few of the faith food entrees in this passage.
1. Sometimes we have difficulty seeing the unbelief that resides in our selves. The reason for the powerlessness of the disciples was the unbelief in them. It took Jesus to point out this out.
2. Faith pleases God. Unbelief irritates Him. “And without faith it is impossible to please God…”
3. Faith is a reasonable thing to have. Jesus would not have groaned “O unbelieving and perverse generation…” if faith was an unreasonable thing to expect of the dad, the disciples and even the crowd.
4. With the tiniest of faith, “nothing will be impossible for you.” Are we too steeped in unbelief to ponder this truth? It’s easy to pray in terms of probabilities. Tiny faith prays in terms of impossibilities.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
GFT #7 - Bolstering Faith with Past Miracles
“You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Matt. 16:8
Abbott and Costello “Who’s on first” moments are even in the Scriptures. Jesus is teaching on one thing, the disciples think He’s commenting on another thing, and Jesus uses their misunderstanding to teach them on the misunderstood thing before returning to his original theme.
They’ve just crossed the Sea of Galilee and Jesus says “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” What Jesus was saying was to be careful not to swallow all the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. What the disciples heard was “Why did you forget to bring the bread?” The disciples let everything go in one ear and out the other with the exception of one word….yeast. The disciples reasoned, since Jesus mentioned yeast, He’s talking to us about what anyone in this predicament would talk about…the stupid mistake of forgetting to bring the bread. Bread’s the focus because everyone’s got to eat and there’s nothing to eat.
Jesus, seeing the preoccupation among the disciples with their blunder regarding bread, is once again bewildered not by their total misunderstanding of His teaching, but by their “little faith”. He then proceeds to remind them of how He fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and even had left-overs. He reminds them of how he fed 4,000 people with 7 loaves and even had left-overs. Based on these 2 miracles, the preoccupation with bread should have been the last thing on their minds. Their faith should have been bolstered by these events so that Jesus’ words would have been about anything but how they were going to get by without any bread.
Inventory the miracles in the Scriptures, the miracles of your time on this earth. Write them down. Meditate on them in light of what worries you, the apparent lack of a basic need, a personal mistake of significant proportions. Bolster your faith with these things as Jesus bolstered the disciple’s faith with the reminder of 2 miracles.
Abbott and Costello “Who’s on first” moments are even in the Scriptures. Jesus is teaching on one thing, the disciples think He’s commenting on another thing, and Jesus uses their misunderstanding to teach them on the misunderstood thing before returning to his original theme.
They’ve just crossed the Sea of Galilee and Jesus says “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” What Jesus was saying was to be careful not to swallow all the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. What the disciples heard was “Why did you forget to bring the bread?” The disciples let everything go in one ear and out the other with the exception of one word….yeast. The disciples reasoned, since Jesus mentioned yeast, He’s talking to us about what anyone in this predicament would talk about…the stupid mistake of forgetting to bring the bread. Bread’s the focus because everyone’s got to eat and there’s nothing to eat.
Jesus, seeing the preoccupation among the disciples with their blunder regarding bread, is once again bewildered not by their total misunderstanding of His teaching, but by their “little faith”. He then proceeds to remind them of how He fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and even had left-overs. He reminds them of how he fed 4,000 people with 7 loaves and even had left-overs. Based on these 2 miracles, the preoccupation with bread should have been the last thing on their minds. Their faith should have been bolstered by these events so that Jesus’ words would have been about anything but how they were going to get by without any bread.
Inventory the miracles in the Scriptures, the miracles of your time on this earth. Write them down. Meditate on them in light of what worries you, the apparent lack of a basic need, a personal mistake of significant proportions. Bolster your faith with these things as Jesus bolstered the disciple’s faith with the reminder of 2 miracles.
GFT #6 Obstacles and Faith
“Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Mt 15:28
The size of faith is manifest by the size of the obstacles to that faith. David’s faith in God was great because Goliath was big…it would have been a different story if Goliath had been a 100 lb midget. In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman’s faith crashes through a sequence of obstacles resulting in a compliment that Jesus gave to only one other person. The compliment was “you have great faith!”
The Canaanite woman had faith in Jesus that He could heal her daughter. The Bible says she came “crying out” and it says “Jesus did not answer a word.” Have your prayers and pleadings to God met silence? Did that end the pursuit of God’s intervention? Not for this lady.
As if Jesus silence was not a sufficient obstacle to send her away, the disciples urge Jesus to send her away because “she keeps crying out after us.” The second obstacle to her faith was when those close to Jesus sought to send her away without the miracle she needed. Has someone close to Jesus discouraged you from faith for some outrageous miracle?
Jesus finally broke the silence and gave the lady His mission statement and it didn’t include Canaanites. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Undaunted by her lack of qualification for Jesus mission, she knelt before Jesus and once again cried out “Lord, help me!”
The fourth obstacle is a word from Jesus that could have been perceived as insulting. Jesus says “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” Would her faith evaporate with this statement? No…in great faith, she presses in and says “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their Master’s table.”
After the fourth obstacle, her great faith moves Jesus to work a miracle. Great faith crashes through monumental obstacles.
The size of faith is manifest by the size of the obstacles to that faith. David’s faith in God was great because Goliath was big…it would have been a different story if Goliath had been a 100 lb midget. In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman’s faith crashes through a sequence of obstacles resulting in a compliment that Jesus gave to only one other person. The compliment was “you have great faith!”
The Canaanite woman had faith in Jesus that He could heal her daughter. The Bible says she came “crying out” and it says “Jesus did not answer a word.” Have your prayers and pleadings to God met silence? Did that end the pursuit of God’s intervention? Not for this lady.
As if Jesus silence was not a sufficient obstacle to send her away, the disciples urge Jesus to send her away because “she keeps crying out after us.” The second obstacle to her faith was when those close to Jesus sought to send her away without the miracle she needed. Has someone close to Jesus discouraged you from faith for some outrageous miracle?
Jesus finally broke the silence and gave the lady His mission statement and it didn’t include Canaanites. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Undaunted by her lack of qualification for Jesus mission, she knelt before Jesus and once again cried out “Lord, help me!”
The fourth obstacle is a word from Jesus that could have been perceived as insulting. Jesus says “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” Would her faith evaporate with this statement? No…in great faith, she presses in and says “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their Master’s table.”
After the fourth obstacle, her great faith moves Jesus to work a miracle. Great faith crashes through monumental obstacles.
Friday, January 1, 2010
GFT #5 - Staying in Faith
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out “Lord, save me!” Matt. 14:29
A popular yet controversial, television preacher frequently says “You’ve got to stay in faith.” Is there a Biblical basis for that statement? Keep reading.
The story begins with the disciples in a boat on a windy sea in the middle of the night. The adverse wind has them straining at the oars when the ghostly image of someone walking on the water completely shatters their nerves. Jesus announces that it is He and tells them not to be afraid. Peter says “Lord if that’s You, tell me to come”. Jesus says “come”…Peter steps overboard and begins walking. Step by step, he walks toward Jesus until he turns his attention to the wind. Seeing the wind, he’s filled with fear and begins to sink. Jesus pulls him out of the water and before walking him back to the boat, comments on his faith. “You of little faith …why did you doubt?”
With “little faith” Peter can do the spectacular and walk on water. But “little faith” is disposable faith. Peter’s initial faith disappeared like a vapor when he turned his attention to the wind and the craziness of walking on a lake in the middle of the night. I wonder how many miracles in our lifetime were being birthed yet were aborted when we pondered our circumstances and gave way to fear. Great faith sees Jesus, fixes its eyes on Jesus, locks on Him, and does not waiver.
A popular yet controversial, television preacher frequently says “You’ve got to stay in faith.” Is there a Biblical basis for that statement? Keep reading.
The story begins with the disciples in a boat on a windy sea in the middle of the night. The adverse wind has them straining at the oars when the ghostly image of someone walking on the water completely shatters their nerves. Jesus announces that it is He and tells them not to be afraid. Peter says “Lord if that’s You, tell me to come”. Jesus says “come”…Peter steps overboard and begins walking. Step by step, he walks toward Jesus until he turns his attention to the wind. Seeing the wind, he’s filled with fear and begins to sink. Jesus pulls him out of the water and before walking him back to the boat, comments on his faith. “You of little faith …why did you doubt?”
With “little faith” Peter can do the spectacular and walk on water. But “little faith” is disposable faith. Peter’s initial faith disappeared like a vapor when he turned his attention to the wind and the craziness of walking on a lake in the middle of the night. I wonder how many miracles in our lifetime were being birthed yet were aborted when we pondered our circumstances and gave way to fear. Great faith sees Jesus, fixes its eyes on Jesus, locks on Him, and does not waiver.
GFT #4 - Last Resort Faith
““…You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Mt 8:26
In Matthew 8, we go from a story of a centurion who astonishes Jesus with his great faith to a story of the disciples bewildering Jesus with their little faith. The disciples and Jesus are in a boat; a furious storm blows in, waves sweep over them and the seasoned fishermen among them are scared out of their wits along with the others not accustomed to the stormy seas. As a last resort, they awaken Jesus saying “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
What impresses Jesus upon awakening…the size of the storm or the size of their faith…the size of the waves or the size of their fear? The first thing out of His mouth was “…You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus did not say “You of no faith.” The disciples would not have awakened Jesus and said “Lord save us, we’re going to drown”, if they had no faith. When at their very wits end, with their solutions depleted and their strength exhausted, the tiny faith they had, moved them to Jesus to deliver them. Little faith is last resort faith.
“Last resort faith” is “all we can do now is pray” faith. “Last resort faith” is manifest after everything else we put our faith in takes us to a dead end. Do you see disaster coming in the distance? Have you been struggling with something but you’ve got more reserves to continue the struggle before it deteriorates to absolute disaster. Wake up Jesus now, and ask Him to exercise His authority over whatever the approaching disaster is bringing. Great faith is first resort faith.
In Matthew 8, we go from a story of a centurion who astonishes Jesus with his great faith to a story of the disciples bewildering Jesus with their little faith. The disciples and Jesus are in a boat; a furious storm blows in, waves sweep over them and the seasoned fishermen among them are scared out of their wits along with the others not accustomed to the stormy seas. As a last resort, they awaken Jesus saying “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
What impresses Jesus upon awakening…the size of the storm or the size of their faith…the size of the waves or the size of their fear? The first thing out of His mouth was “…You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus did not say “You of no faith.” The disciples would not have awakened Jesus and said “Lord save us, we’re going to drown”, if they had no faith. When at their very wits end, with their solutions depleted and their strength exhausted, the tiny faith they had, moved them to Jesus to deliver them. Little faith is last resort faith.
“Last resort faith” is “all we can do now is pray” faith. “Last resort faith” is manifest after everything else we put our faith in takes us to a dead end. Do you see disaster coming in the distance? Have you been struggling with something but you’ve got more reserves to continue the struggle before it deteriorates to absolute disaster. Wake up Jesus now, and ask Him to exercise His authority over whatever the approaching disaster is bringing. Great faith is first resort faith.
GFT #3 - Great Faith
“… I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” Mt 8:10
Only 2 people in the gospels are said by Jesus to have great faith. Neither were Jews. One was a soldier from an occupying army…a centurion who was in charge of 100 soldiers. His servant was “paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” He approached Jesus on his servant’s behalf and Jesus healed the servant from a distance.
How did this Gentile acquire such faith? Peter, Andrew, James and John had tagged along with Jesus for months by this time. I doubt the centurion had such intimate exposure to Jesus, yet his faith was greater than theirs. He must have learned about Jesus from stories passed on to him or from somewhat distant observations. I simply can’t answer this question without speculating.
I can tell you with certainty what his faith looked like. It was thoroughly characterized by an understanding of the concept of authority and the chain-of-command. It recognized Jesus place in the chain-of-command. It recognized the scope of Jesus authority, that it extended beyond people to include even their diseases. It recognized that His authority was not bound by proximity or restrained by distance. His faith was characterized by authentic, reverential respect…”Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.” It was characterized by selflessness, operating in love. It was publically demonstrable to the point that if he was wrong about Jesus, his reputation would suffer.
Measure your faith by these things. Don’t condemn yourself for your shortcoming…there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Let this motivate you to the quest for great faith.
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