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Your Amazing Faith, Part 2

Published August 30, 2016 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: Paul, storm at sea, Your Amazing Faith

Faith is an amazing gift from God. How amazing is faith? It’s so amazing only Christians have it. Non-Christians don’t have faith. Like so many other things of God, the world has a version of faith, but it’s a pale imitation of what Christians have been given. The world has positive thinking, but only the Christian possesses faith. That’s what we learn from Romans 10:17 –

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17 | NIV84)

It’s unfortunate that the average Christian doesn’t grasp the profundity of this idea. He glibly takes his faith for granted; utterly clueless of its value or it’s power. Your faith comes from hearing the Gospel. Never underestimate the power of the Word of God, nor the power of the faith it implants in your heart. So the basis of our faith is not what we think or what we feel or what we wish; the basis of our faith is the Gospel.

If the basis of faith is the Word, then what is the object of our faith? Paul gives us the answer in Acts 27:25 –

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. (Acts 27:25 | NIV84)

Let’s take a look at why Paul said that, and let’s begin by considering this, one of the most exciting chapters in all the New Testament.

Context

The last two chapters of Acts are exciting and make for fun reading. They are full of nautical terms, which is significant given that the author of Acts, Dr Luke, was a landlubber! Notwithstanding, his account of Paul’s journey to Rome is considered to be masterpiece because it sheds some light on how sea voyages were made in those days. James Smith, a Scotsman who is considered to be the father of yachting, is often associated with these chapters. His lifelong devotion to and studies of geology and conchology are considered legendary, but it was his love of yachting that led to his writing a book detailing Paul’s seafaring adventures. In 1844 he retraced this voyage as Luke recorded it, and Smith concluded:

Luke, by his accurate use of nautical terms, gives great precision to his language, and expresses by a single word what would otherwise require several.

His estimation of Luke’s record testifies to the integrity and authenticity of the Biblical record.

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. (Acts 27:1-2 | NIV84)

Three times in those two verses we read the word “we,” which includes Paul, Luke, and a fellow by the name of Aristarchus. The last time we read “we” in the books of Acts is back in chapter 21 when Paul and his friends finally arrived in Rome. That was about two years before the incidents in chapter 27. What was Dr Luke doing for those two years while Paul was held as a prisoner in Caesarea? Remember the other document the good Doctor wrote – the Gospel of Luke? It was here in Rome and the surrounding areas that he did his research for it.

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled a among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus… (Luke 1:2, 3 NIV | 84)

Luke was nothing if not thorough! But why was he allowed to travel with Paul the prisoner? For that matter, why was Aristarchus there? Paul was a special case; he wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill prisoner, and he was treated with slightly more consideration than were other prisoners. In all probability, Luke was Paul’s personal physician and Aristarchus was one of Paul’s best friends.

But what got Paul in such hot water that he was being transported to Rome a prisoner? Back in chapter 25, we read that Paul had been hauled before Agrippa and Festus to face charges brought against him by some troublesome Jews –

A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.” (Acts 25:13 – 15 NIV | 84)

Paul faced both Agrippa and Festus and he shared his conversion experience with the king. This was Paul’s habit. If you read the whole book of Acts, you’ll read Paul’s testimony several times. The fact is, if an unbeliever stood still long enough, Paul would share it with him! Agrippa’s response to Paul’s evangelistic efforts and Paul’s response is a classic exchange –

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:28, 29 NIV | 84)

Everybody agreed that Paul was not guilty of any crime, but he was determined to get to Rome at all costs. In a mark of his frustration with Paul and the Jews in general, Agrippa remarked –

“This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:32 NIV | 84)

Agrippa stands as a most tragic character. He had no desire to persecute Paul. Meyer Lenski, one of the great New Testament scholars, notes ;

Agrippa had felt Paul’s touch upon his heart, and from this strange and unexpected power he “left the room.” It was his hour of grace, and when he “left the room,” he left salvation behind him.

Sad for Agrippa. He was presented with a the chance of a lifetime: the chance to have his sins forgiven and a home in heaven guaranteed. And he walked away from it. He’s not alone, unfortunately. Countless others have done what he did.

Bound for Rome

Nobody onboard that ship was thrilled to be there this time of year. A sea voyage such as this one was not looked forward to by the ancients, but it was particularly perilous this time of year. Paul left the area in late August and didn’t arrive in Rome until March! It was a miracle that he got there at all, having not only lost all his belongings, but also his ship!

The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. (Acts 27:3 NIV | 84)

But it wasn’t all bad, at least at first. As a Roman citizen, Paul was treated with respect and “presumed innocent,” at least until he faced Caesar. He was allowed to visit some friends, but time was passing and the weather was changing fast. Paul wasn’t sailor, but he was no dummy – he knew they were in trouble.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” (Acts 27:9, 10 NIV | 84)

Just like Agrippa, nobody on the ship would heed Paul’s warning, so instead of finding safe harbor, they pressed on.

The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. (Acts 27:15 NIV | 84)

In other words, their fate quite literally was “hanging on the wind.” If that isn’t a metaphor for life, nothing is. So many people honestly think that they are in control of their lives; that they shape their destiny; that they can plan their lives around a desired outcome. It’s not like that, though. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good to be careful and live prudently. But it’s downright foolish to think for a moment we control our lives. Other times it may seem as though outside forces are doing that; that we are at the whim of our employers or our government or our health. But that’s not accurate either. It’s God who is control of our lives, and it’s not a passive control. But at the same time, you and I as believers in God shouldn’t allow ourselves to be “driven along” by the winds of this world. The world should never, ever direct the course of a Christian! Paul knew back in verse 10 that trouble was coming, and it was.

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20 | NIV84)

All hope was lost. They had reached the point of no return – the absolute end of their resources. And that’s when Paul said this:

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:23-24 | NIV84)

Those verses grab your attention. Most people are hooked at “an angel of the God whose I am…stood beside me,” but what is most astounding, to me at least, is that God had a plan for Paul’s life (to stand trial before Caesar – not a great plan from the human perspective!), and therefore Paul’s life would be preserved. Not only that, because of the importance of Paul’s life, the lives of all those associated with Paul would also be preserved! Never underestimate the importance of a single Christian life! A single Christian life can change the course of history.

That word from the God sustained Paul through this storm. It didn’t matter how bad the storm was or how terrified the sailors were, Paul knew things would be fine because he knew what God’s Word was and his faith was in God and His Word. Paul’s faith was completely objective, and that Object was God. That’s why he could make this declaration –

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. (Acts 27:25 | NIV84)

His faith wasn’t in the sailors’ skill or the boat’s sturdy construction. This wasn’t positive thinking speaking. Paul’s attitude was the logical outcome of his faith in God and God’s Word. There’s nothing like the worst circumstances of life to bring out the best aspects of faith.

Paul lived an exciting life, and this incident highlights a couple of things. First, God’s will for those who serve Him can never be stymied, not by nature or man. Second, God’s people are able to hear the voice of God in the midst of terrible storms. Maybe nobody else, but God’s people can hear God’s voice, and His voice brings personal assurance and strength.

Your Amazing Faith, Part 1

Published August 26, 2016 Uncategorized 1 Comment
Tags: Faith, saving faith, Your Amazing Faith

Faith, it is said, can move mountains. But can it really? Have you ever tried to move a mountain with your faith? Of course, we know that when Jesus spoke those words in Mathew 17:20, He wasn’t referring to real mountains. He was referring to metaphorical mountains. With faith the size of a mustard seed (that’s a tiny amount of faith), a believer is able to move mountains of – you name it – pain, illness, debt, emotional problems, marital problems. And yet, if you’re like me, and you have that little bit of faith, you also have mountains that never give way to it.

Was Jesus wrong when He said that faith can move mountains? We know that can’t be true because Jesus is the Son of God and that fact precludes His being wrong or telling a fib. So He must mean something else. But what? Studying faith is like trying to dribble a football (that is, an American football). Just when you think you can, you find out you can’t. Just when you think you get a handle on what faith is all about, you discover you don’t. And it’s back to the drawing board you go.

Over the next few weeks, I’d like to explore Biblical faith. What it is, and what it can add to your life. And this will be an important study because of this single verse:

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. (Hebrews 11:6 | NIV84)

If you’re a believer, then you probably want to please God. You need faith to do that, therefore you need to know just what Biblical faith is.

In Romans, Paul wrote about faith, and in his opinion faith isn’t something normally present in a person. It’s not native to a human being.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17 | NIV84)

The word “consequently,” or “therefore” in the KJV, links verse 17 to something preceding it.

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”. (Romans 10:16-17a | NIV84)

So Paul was quoting from the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 53:1, when he referred to faith resulting from hearing a certain message. What message? What is the message both Paul and the Old Testament prophet thought was so powerful that it literally brings faith into the hearts of those who just hear it?

Let’s take a look at the context of Romans 10 and we’ll discover the basis of our faith.

Two kinds of people

Here in Romans, Paul has in mind two kinds of people: the zealous Jewish moralist and the believing Gentile. The key to understanding the quandary of faith is understanding what Paul wrote in chapter 9 –

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. (Romans 9:30-32a | NIV84)

In other words, there were zealous, well-meaning Jews who had spent a lifetime pursuing holiness and righteousness before God yet accomplishing nothing of eternal value because they were using the law to obtain that which can only be obtained by simple faith. But on the other hand, there were Gentiles, who had never heard of the law or tried to obey it, yet they had obtained righteousness because they had faith.

How is this possible? How is it possible to be righteous through faith and not through good works? It’s because – as Paul had argued in the first eight chapters of Romans – all men are sinners and simply cannot approach God on the basis of good works.

Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” (Romans 9:32 | NIV84)

So these zealous, misinformed Jews thought they could become holy, righteous people simply by obeying a list of do’s and don’ts. This, Paul maintains, is impossible. Only through faith can a person become righteous in God’s sight. The sad but sincere Jew Paul had in mind, was so busy minding the law that he literally tripped over Jesus, whom Paul refers to as a “stumbling stone,” as he again quoted from Isaiah –

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”. (Romans 9:33 | NIV84)

That’s actually God speaking through the prophet. God set a “stone” in Zion – in Israel – that caused Jews to stumble and fall down. Jesus, our Savior, became “like a stumbling stone or block” in that Jews who were busy minding the letter of the law missed Him completely or tripped over Him as one would trip over an inconveniently placed stone on a path. Because they were so focused on themselves in relation to the law, they couldn’t see Jesus and they couldn’t hear His message.

That’s the big problem with this legalistic approach to righteousness, by the way. Because man is a sinner, he doesn’t judge himself correctly nor does he see his own moral and spiritual shortcomings. He judges himself against other people, and supposes himself to be all right or as good or better than others. The odds are that a person who thinks this way will become proud and self-seeking, which is the root of all sin. People like this, and the church today is full of them, overlook or trip over God’s way of righteousness, which comes a gift given in grace: faith in Jesus Christ. It’s an ironic tragedy: these people so zealous for God were rejected by Him over their misplaced zeal. Yes, these moral legalists were and are sincere, but sincerely wrong. Here’s the rub: Sincerity is worthwhile only if you’re right. There are a lot of very sincere people who are wrong in their approach to God. They foolishly think they can earn their way through the pearly gates by doing good things or simply by going to church and believing the right stuff. These activities are good and are part of the Christian life, but salvation doesn’t come that way. A lot of churches, for example, make their young people pass a test before making them members of the church. That’s all well and good but that doesn’t make you a Christian.

The law versus faith boils down to a message

The whole point of this discussion is boiled down in these verses –

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. (Romans 10:1-3a | NIV84)

So, where does the knowledge come from? You and I know this knowledge as the Gospel. Paul does too. But remember to whom he’s writing: Jews. That’s why he quotes so freely from the Old Testament. All through Romans 10 Paul quotes from the likes of Moses, Isaiah, Joel; all men held in high esteem by Jews. Paul uses what these men wrote and sums up his argument this way –

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13a | NIV84)

That last bit is a quote from Joel 2 and what Paul said here, though obvious to us, must have been a stunning declaration to the Jews of his day: God doesn’t distinguish between people when it comes to salvation. Jew or Gentile doesn’t matter because all people without Christ are lost and in need of saving. In our time and corner of the world today, we might say something like this: Whether you are a good person or a sketchy criminal type, you both need to be saved. God doesn’t prefer the good person over the bad. Both are sinners and God is the only one who can save them both.

The problem Paul sees is two-fold. First, how do we get this word out to people? And, second, who’s going to take it? Paul addresses this problem, and again he uses the words of Isaiah –

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15a | NIV84)

We’re getting close to discovering what “the message” is that produces faith one’s heart. There’s a lot going on in these two verses in the form of questions:

How can a person call on someone to be saved if they don’t believe in him in the first place? That’s a good question and points to the fact of the necessity of salvation. The “belief” here is not a mental exercise. A lot of people believe in Jesus Christ – that is, they believe He existed and so on. But that’s not what we might call “saving faith.” How can a sinner call out for salvation if he has no confidence or belief in the one to whom he is calling? If a sinner is to call out for salvation, then, he must have faith planted in him. Why? Because that faith isn’t there naturally; human beings aren’t born with “saving” faith in them.

The second question indicates the necessity of a sinner learning about Jesus Christ, the only one who can save. If a person hasn’t heard of Jesus Christ – or more specifically what Jesus Christ did for him the Cross – then he can’t be saved. Remember what Peter said in his famous Pentecostal sermon –

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 | NIV84)

What’s really interesting about Paul’s quote from Isaiah in Romans 10:15 is the context of Isaiah 52. The prophet has in mind the exiles in Babylon. Not all, but many of the exiles living in Babylon were faithfully waiting for the Lord to come to their rescue. Here’s the Word of the Lord to them as Isaiah proclaimed it –

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “At first my people went down to Egypt to live;lately, Assyria has oppressed them. “And now what do I have here?” declares the Lord. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,”declares the Lord.“And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed. Therefore my people will know my name;therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it.Yes, it is I.” (Isaiah 52:4 | NIV84)

Tempted to give up and give in, these exiles stuck in Babylon longed to be set free. The exclamation, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news,” is what these sad and sorrowful exiles exclaimed when saw the messengers coming with the news and they heard that “good news” that their exile was over and that they could go home.

Such are the “beautiful” feet of Paul and the countless preachers and missionaries down through time who were called by God and went out to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the spiritual exiles longing to be set free. Our Lord put it this way –

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6 | NIV84)

In this first study of faith, we learn the powerful lesson that without Christ nobody can be saved; that it is faith in Him and His work that results in our salvation. But nobody can gin up the faith to believe in Him unless He puts it there first. The faith to believe comes from the message of the Gospel – the Word of God. And the Gospel came first through Jesus Christ and then through the innumerable men and women whom He called to take it to those who need to hear it.

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