Faith Is (and Isn’t)

Staying grounded through difficult seasons has a lot to do with where we place our faith
Faith can determine our direction, stability, and even become a matter of life and death
Times like these can reveal to us where our faith is placed

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.” – C.S. Lewis

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

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.

One of the most important and misunderstood elements by both unbelievers and believers
Simple yet complex
What faith is… and also isn’t

1. The Leap of Faith

The most common conception of faith

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Doubting Thomas

John 20:24-31 (NIV)

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

There is a step beyond that which we know for certain
Can we be 100% certain about anything?
Faith ISN’T a blind leap without evidence

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. forevermore.

God-given evidence

“Faith without evidence is not faith, it is delusion.”

Some evidence requires personal experience

“Faith is placing your trust in that which you have good reason to think is true.” – William Lane Craig

2. The Practice of Faith

Faith isn’t just in your head
Practices that teach us

James 2:14-17 (NIV)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Practicing together
Faith ISN’T outward practices without inner life
Superstition and Hypocrisy
Believe and do – both/and

3. The Walk of Faith

It’s more than mental and practical – it’s relational
Walking it out
Placing your trust in God
Holding onto Him
Getting in the car
Why do I still feel anxious?
Faith needs to get from your head to your heart

James 1:5-7 (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

The basis is relational
Faith ISN’T a just feeling or the absence of doubt

“Faith, in the sense in which I am here using the word, is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” – C.S. Lewis

Faith in the face of doubt, not the absence of doubt

Faith that does not doubt is dead faith

Mark 9:24 (NIV)

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Action Step: Faith in Action

Ultimately faith depends on where and in whom you place your trust
O ye of little faith
The Grace of God to meet us where we’re at