James 2:14-26
Two farmers got down on their knees to pray. One lived on the east of the village and the other on the west. The farmer living in the east of the village longed so much for it to rain — it hadn’t rained for months! The crops were perishing and the livestock was famished. He prayed, “O God, I believe with all my heart that you are going to send rain on Monday!!” News travelled fast of this farmer’s praying efforts and it reached the ears of the farmer living on the other side of the village. Ordinarily, he would have been the first to join his fellow farmer in prayer for he longed to see rain also; only on this occasion there was a problem. Monday he had planned a great celebration, “...by all means let it rain on Tuesday or Wednesday or Friday — any day except for Monday or the planned celebration will be a washout!” Thus he got down on his knees and prayed, “O God, I believe with all my heart that you won’t send rain on Monday!!” Allow me please if I may, to ask a question; which farmer had his prayer answered? If I were to ask that question in the vast majority of Christian circles, do you know what answer I would get? The farmer with the most faith! Now on the surface, this might well seem to be a good and proper answer, but it’s only half the picture, and if left incomplete, it is an unbiblical answer!
In this sermon, we look at the Biblical nature of true faith.
Psalm 46:1-3
They tell me, that Christianity is for weaklings; men with no courage or backbone. “Christianity is for those who need a crutch, but as for me and my house, we’ll stand in our own strength!” There are two things that I want to address in the comments I just made. On both counts, you find the remarks to be erroneous — flawed on every hand. In addressing the first point, “Christianity is for weaklings; men with no courage nor backbone”. A precursory glance through the history of the first 300 years of Christianity will serve to amend such talk in an instant. Far from being a religion of comfortability, those early believers were systematically persecuted, first by their countrymen and later by the Romans. Bound by conviction, endued with power from on high; thousands upon thousands of courageous men, women and children embraced martyrdom, counting not their lives dear unto themselves that they might finish their course with joy!!
This sermon is a word of encouragement for those enduring persecution and affliction. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah” (Ps. 46:1-3).
Exodus 40:33-38
If I were to ask you to tell me what the single greatest glory was attending the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness, I wonder what answer you would give? Would it be the miraculous wonders — fresh manna by morning; the rock which was clave in two? Would it be the glory of the gold which adorned the holy furniture in the tent of the congregation? Would it be the precious stones that decorated Aaron’s breastplate or the two that rested upon his shoulders? I’ve no doubt that each of these glories were wonders to behold, yet the glory that I have in mind exceeds the splendour of each of these as heaven exceeds the glory of the earth!! You say, Brother, tell me, what is in your opinion, the single greatest glory that for 40 years attended the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness? Without question, it was the pillar of cloud that led them by day and the pillar of fire that led them by night! Brothers and Sisters, the single greatest glory that attended the children of Israel in their wandering journeyings was the very presence of God in their midst, leading them in the way that they should go!
Tell me, in this dispensation of grace has anything changed? Doth not He that led His people then, still lead His people now? Ah, the visible column of cloud and fire might no longer be visible but does that mean that He no longer leads His people? He leads, the question is, will His people obey?
Philippians 3:12-15
As each of you begins this New Year, I wonder this morning how much of 2023 you’ve allowed to stick? How much of last year has come across as unwanted baggage into this year? Do you know that for many a soul, their future has been mapped already for them by events that lie in the past? The child who all their life was told, you’ll amount to nothing finds that those wretched words follow them into adulthood!! The infant that falls from a tree and breaks a leg, in their later years rediscovers that old injury as it returns to bite with vengeance!! I’m no skeptic, but the facts on this one speak for themselves!! To a large extent tomorrow’s future is shaped by yesterday's past; this year by the years preceding it, Brethren, if we’re not careful, we can become victims of past failings, prisoners of yesterday’s woes — serving a sentence that we’ve allowed to be imposed upon us when the text of this Holy Book states that Christ came to set us free!
This sermon is a call to leave the past behind and to reach forward to those things that lie before!
Jeremiah 5:31
Many today are happy to live in an echo chamber where the only narrative they ever encounter is the one they want to hear. You all know what an echo chamber is, don’t you? Have you ever shouted from inside a cave? What do you hear back? More of the same!! That’s an echo chamber, and Brethren, if we’re not careful we can find ourselves living in one!!
This sermon is an earnest call for Christians to walk in truth and reality with God. As I begin a New Year, the desire of my heart more than ever is that I might deal honestly with the One who deals honestly with me!! Lord, if my heart’s not right, I want to know!!! If my heart’s motivations are jaded, Lord reprove me! If I’m veering off track, show me O Lord!!!