The Price Of Ambivalence – The Reward Of Faithfulness
After doing 10 posts on faith, I thought I would share a recent lesson on faith I preached at James Avenue on November 14th. I do not always type the majority of my words but for this lesson I did so it is convenient for me to share it with the readers on elguy.
I realize this is a lot to read for a post and that some of you may not have time to read it this Monday morning but perhaps you will find time later. Also, I am aware there are those reading who were actually present for the lesson but maybe it can still be a blessing and reminder for us. I know I need it as every lesson I preach in some way or ways is for me. -Brian
The Price Of Ambivalence – The Reward Of Faithfulness
God has blessed us tremendously. JA has been faithful in so many ways in her 70+ year history.
In our lesson this morning…
Perhaps we can see PARALLELS between the Israelites Journey and our Journey at James Avenue. Their journey is one of positives/faith/obedience, but also of negatives/ambivalence/disobedience. While this is not true for all, some are always faithful to God.
2 Basic Questions As A Church Family
- WHAT IS THE CANAAN-LAND OPPORTUNITY THAT GOD IS PLACING BEFORE US?
- WHAT IS THE CANAANITE OPPOSITION THAT IS CAUSING US TO HESITATE?
Are we prayerful? Are we seeking God’s direction? IS GOD’S WILL IN THE EQUATION?
Or do we just think or assume it is?
WHAT (CANAAN-LAND) OPPORTUNITY / DOOR IS GOD OPENING?
CAN WE IDENTIFY ANY OBSTACLES WE NEED TO GET PAST TO GO THRU THE DOOR?
Read Numbers 13:25-33
The spies gave their opinions about the matter. Ten of the twelve were convinced that if they went in to take the land God had promised them that they would fail. They advised doing nothing in that regard, and to search for an alternate course of action. Caleb (and Joshua) insisted that the time to act was now. There ought not to be any reason to doubt. God was with them. A debate ensued as to whether their action of obedience could possibly be successful. Two men of faith stood against the other ten spies insisting that with God victory was assured, but only if they acted. Unfortunately, the majority of the people were swayed by the doubters.
Uncertainty, doubt and ambivalence lead to rebellion. Rebellion costs people God’s blessing.
Joshua…
Numbers 14:8 – “If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into the land.”
Numbers 14:9 – (1) Only – Do not rebel against the LORD
(2) And – Do not be afraid of the people “the LORD is with us”
They were afraid of failure. Fear influenced the ambivalence. Ambivalence became rebellion.
Rebellion cost them God’s favor.
Numbers 14:24 – “But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
Caleb was born a slave in Egypt. Name means “dog”. DOGGED DETERMINATION! DEVOTED...
Theocracy, not majority, ruled Caleb’s heart.
For the person of faith, obstacles are temporary because God is real.
For the disbeliever, obstacles are permanent because God is not real enough.
Existential Question: Is God real to me? (Do I believe, act and live as if he is alive?)
DO WE SEE GOD AS OUR ENEMY? FRIEND OR FOE? Does God care? Is God with and for me?
Later we read about Caleb and his words in Joshua 14…
Joshua 14:10-12 – “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
He actually wanted the most difficult task!
In a Wed. night class on discipleship about 4-5 months ago I asked: Do you want to be a part of a church that welcomes challenges?
Every church needs a Caleb (if not Calebs). Every church needs men and women full of faith!
Acts 6:5 – “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit…”
Acts 11:23-24 – “When he (Barnabbas) arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”
Do I migrate toward being the Crowd or being a Caleb? (Stephen / Barnabbas)
Is my life driven and led by sight or by faith?
Am I prone to fear or prone to courage?
Do I trust in the natural or in the supernatural?
Am I doubtful or prayerful?
Am I ambivalent or focused and faithful?
NOT ONLY CAN WE DO WHATEVER GOD WANTS US TO DO…
WE MUST DO WHATEVER GOD WANTS US TO DO.
WE MUST BOLDLY, LOVINGLY AND SACRIFICIALLY DECLARE GOD’S WORD TO THE WORLD AS AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. It is not an option! It is not negotiable!
So far… General Concepts for Application
Now… Specific Concepts
POINT #1
We need to remember that our sight is unreliable. We are often guilty of seeing what we want to see. We need to remember that we don't always see the whole picture. We don't know what God is doing through the circumstances around us. And if we wait to see before we experience anything or do anything based on what we do know, we will never see!
POINT #2
When our faith is lacking, problems seem bigger than they really are. At this point the ten spies are given to a bit of hyperbole (they are exaggerating). They compare themselves to grasshoppers tying to take on the proverbial giants who were the descendents of Anak. (Not that bad!!!) The more we focus on the problems the bigger they seem. But when we put our problems next to the greatness of our Lord, they get smaller.
*Any discussion of improvement or change… we can make simple things complex.
The people now have a choice: do they believe the majority report or the minority report? They respond probably the same way we would respond. They are swayed by the majority. After all it is ten to two. They conclude that any hope of entering the land God promised is hopeless. They have made this trip for nothing. The people despair. They speak these fateful words,
If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” (Numbers 14:2-4)
Have you ever been in that situation? Have you been tempted to trust the majority rather than the Lord? What about to trust yourself rather than the Lord? Or what is popular more than the Lord? Or what is convenient? Or what you’ve always done?
There is a problem with basing our confidence on the majority opinion. The majority could be wrong (as here).
POINT #3
We MUST be willing to stand against the majority if that is what it takes. EVERY TIME! Sometimes you and I will have to stand against the majority. And when those times come, it may not be pleasant. The crowd will be against us. It would be easier to cave in. But it will not be better. We must stand with the Lord.
Hebrews 10:38-39 – “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
3 Final Reflection Points > 1st 1 is negative, the final 2 are positive.
1. AMBIVALENCE WEAKENS & EVEN DESTROYS INDIVIDUALS AND CHURCHES.
***In our story, some repent and say will go… it was too late.
The question isn’t about JA in 2015 or 2020… rest of 2010-2011
2. THE FAITHFUL ARE REWARDED WITH GOD’S PROMISES AND FAVOR. (J & C)
And the faithful are blessings to others. We are blessed to be a blessing…
Covenant of Abraham? “Through your seed all nations of the earth will be blessed.”
3. THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW!!!!!
The time for ministry is now. The time for preaching/teaching/praying/serving/leadership is now! The time for loving and giving is now. The time for making a difference is now.
MARRY THE LESSON TO AN ACTION/VERB!
SO WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?
GO HOME AND ASK GOD – WHAT DOES THIS MESSAGE MEAN YOUR LIFE? JA?
AND CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL YOU HAVE CONVICTION > DO AS YOU ARE LEAD AND CONVINCED BY GOD’S SPIRIT AND WORD.
As we sing Light The Fire,
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO LIGHT OUR FIRE TO LIVE FAITHFULLY TO CHRIST!
Volume 4 Post/Email 10 – Faith(#10)
As "Thanksgiving" will be celebrated tomorrow in the U.S., I am reminded of Paul's counsel and encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We can waiver in faith and struggle to trust and obey this teaching when matters in life seem adverse. We can lack a grateful spirit and joyful attitude. We can disregard God's blessings and promises.
We have numerous blessings and reasons for which to live in constant gratitude. Such is God's will for us.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
-Brian
(Also, below are two of my favorite quotes on gratitude.)
“Gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day, and look back at the day. It defines us as people who value our relationship with God and those He’s placed around us.” – Nancy Leigh Demoss, Choosing Gratitude (Moody, 2009)
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”—W. T. Purkiser, 20th century Church of the Nazarene pastor
Volume 4 Post/Email 9 – Faith(#9)
In a discussion about Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, Acts 15:9-11 reads, "He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
An amazing thing occurs when we choose to have faith in Christ - our heart is purified and our soul saved by the grace of Jesus.
Nothing else - including good works, spiritual acts or religious yokes - purifies our hearts and saves our soul.
If we attempt to quantify spirituality the way most do, the Pharisees win every time.
A good reflection question: Identify a few religious habits in your life that are currently losing (or have lost) their meaning and significance in helping you encounter/experience God and have a positive impact/impression upon your life. (After identifying any such religious habits, determine the reason(s) and solution(s). Understand, too, that this may not have happened suddenly, and therefore, it could take some time and thought to arrive at the reason(s) and solution(s).)
Faith in the atoning blood and grace of Christ is what saves us. There are many expressions of faith and options for deepening our faith and walk with God as a result of our standing with God in Christ.
The goal of the Christian should be "Christ formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). Religion and religious activity can help and hinder this pursuit. Sometimes we perceive ours and others spiritual walk and quantify such in ways that are putting on the necks of disciples of Jesus a yoke that is unnecessary.
May we all be men and women of faith who seek to honor Christ daily and grow spiritually through the many venues available and promoted in Scripture, but not in "yokeful contexts" placed on ourselves or others.
A second reflection question: What can/will I intentionally do this week to freely and sincerely worship God?
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 8 – Faith(#8)
As best biblical scholars can tell, Habakkuk was written in 607 B.C. just prior to the Bablyonian invasion and exile of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. This event results in thousands of casualties and loss of freedom for the survivors.
The first 2 chapters describe a conversation between God and the prophet Habakkuk about why this is happening to all of Judah, including the "righteous".
Chapter 3 concludes with a prayer set to music (v.1, 19). The end of the prayer is a powerful expression of faith, as Habakkuk tells God that no matter how bad circumstances become, he will continue to rejoice in the Lord. May this reading bless us.
3:17-19 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." For the director of music on my stringed instruments.
Reflection question: Would my current faith be described accurately as one of worship and rejoicing when circumstances are challenging or unpleasant?
-Brian
Volume 4 Post/Email 7 – Faith(#7)
Below are two other insightful and inspirational Scriptures on faith, prayer and angels. -Brian
Daniel 10:10-12 > A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said, "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."
Acts 12:5-7 > So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the LORD appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
It's interesting to me that in both stories there was a delay in God's revealing his answer to prayer. For Daniel, the angel tells him in the next verse (13) that he was delayed 21 days, even though his prayer was heard since the first day (v. 12). For Peter, God waits until the very night before his trial (v. 6).
A good application/reflection question: For whom or what have I quit praying earnestly?
Volume 4 Post/Email 6 – Faith(#6)
Something that helps me to believe in the practice of prayer is angels. Not only are there hundreds of references to angels in Scripture, but there are several in the context of prayer. Often when praying I envision God releasing an angel or angels to attend to my request(s). Sometimes I even ask God to send an angel or angels as part of my prayer. Below are three Scriptures pertaining to faith, prayer and angels. (I will share two others in the next post!)
May these increase our faith, refresh our praying, and renew our worship. -Brian
Psalm 34:6-7 > "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."
Luke 22:43-44 >"An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."
Revelation 8:3-5 > "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake."