Faith

In the history of Christianity, both in the biblical record as well as throughout church history, the word "faith" has had two basic meanings.

One meaning has to do with beliefs, accepting the basic tenants of Christianity. These tenants include such things as the character and nature of God (loving, holy, just, covenant-making, etc.), our main doctrines about God, such as the Trinity, as well as our beliefs about the person and work of Christ (the incarnation, the atonement of the Cross, his resurrection and his promised return). To accept the Christian faith is to choose to believe these truths about God and Jesus Christ.

The other meaning of faith has to do with trust, as in, "Keep the Faith." Faith is trusting in the goodness and graciousness of God, in spite of one's circumstances.

Here's a thought: these two meanings belong together. To be a Christian is not simply to intellectually accept all the right doctrines. It's to personally trust in the goodness of God and the benefits of Christ. Faith takes God seriously and responds to God's graciousness with gratitude, commitment and discipleship.

Prayer: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Increase my faith and trust in You. For You are trustworthy, and your graciousness and promises are extended to me. Thank You, Precious Savior. In your Name. Amen.

Extra Credit: Great verses on Faith

Not surprisingly, some of the most wonderful passages in the Bible are
about faith.

Matthew 9:2
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 17:20
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. 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. "

Mark 10:52
And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road

Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be of courage; be strong.

2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:11
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Titus 1:2
a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

James 2:17
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

1 Peter 1:7
These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:21
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 5:9
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 John 5:4
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.

The Ethics of Christ

One aspect of Christianity that we have to come to grips with is this: the ethics of Christ are not normal. They are often countercultural and sometimes even against common sense. But the gospel writers faithfully recorded his most challenging
teachings . . . . for us.

For instance . . .

But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
- Matthew 5:39-42

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
- Matthew 5:43-44

You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
- Matthew 5:27-28

Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."
- Matthew 18:21-23

Here's a thought: Being a Christian is really, really hard. The sooner we realize this, the better.

Prayer: Gracious and Loving Savior, help me to realize the high calling of your ways. Forgive my failures and stretch me into being the kind of disciple you're calling me to be. I can only do these things with your help. Amen.

The Devil

Question: Who in the Hell is the Devil?

That's not cursing. It's an honest question.

The great Christian writer C.S. Lewis once wrote this:

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."

St. Paul once put it this way:

"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."   - Ephesians 6:12

The Bible speaks of Satan (meaning, the "Adversary") and the Devil (the "Slanderer," the "Accuser") as the personification of evil. The prophet Isaiah wrote of a fallen angel who pridefully rebelled against God and continues the rebellion on planet earth. (The name "Lucifer" means "Day Star" or "Son of the Morning.")

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut
down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of assembly on the heights of Zaphon; I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High." - Isaiah 14:12-14

Question: What is the point about personifying evil?

My answer: I think it's this: Evil's got our number. In the same way that God is personal and knows us by name, so does the Tempter. He (do we need to say He/She now? or It?) knows our weaknesses and goes after them. Evil isn't just haphazardly floating around the universe causing trouble now and then. Evil is like what AA says about addiction, "cunning, baffling and powerful."

Prayer: Eternal and Loving God, help us to understand dangers of sin and evil in our world, and help us to stay focused on you that we may resist. In the strong and precious Name of Christ our Savior. Amen.


Extra Credit - Other Passages to Consider:

Jude 6 The Devil lead other angels away from God.
And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great Day.

Ezekiel 28:13-17
13You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, carnelian, chrysolite, and moonstone, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald; and worked in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14With an anointed cherub as guardian I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the stones of fire. 15You were blameless in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you. 16In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and the guardian cherub drove you out from among the stones of fire. 17Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.

James 4:7 Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.

Revelation 20:10 Satan's defeat
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Bourges Cathedral - Last Judgement Window

The Devil is mentioned more times than we realize in the Bible. Here are some of the descriptive titles utilized.

serpent - Gen. 3:14, Rev. 12:9, 20:2

tempter - Matt. 4:3, I Thess. 3:5

enemy - Matt. 13:25, 39

evil one - Matt. 13:19, I John 2:13-14
prince of demons - Mark 3:22

father of lies - John 8:44

murderer - John 8:44

roaring lion - I Peter 5:8

deceiver - Rev. 12:9

dragon - Rev. 12:7, 9, 20:2

Denominations

Why are there so many different denominations?

I have two answers:

One is, Different Strokes for Different Folks
Even if there was only one official institutional church there would still be many different kinds of churches.  It's because Christians, like all people, come in many different varieties. Some like formality; others not so much. Some like jazz or classical music, while others listen to country, rock or folk. Some like an organization where everyone shares the same views, while others appreciate a church that is intentionally diverse. So it's only natural that we have a variety of flavors when it comes to this thing called "church."

Here's my other answer: It's Europe's Fault.
Most of the different denominations today got their start in Europe centuries ago. Folks simply brought their brand of Christianity to the New World. The Italians, Polish and Irish brought their Catholicism. The Scots brought Presbyterianism. The Germans brought Lutheranism. The British brought the Anglican/Episcopal Church as well as Congregationalism. So it's all Europe's fault!

Question, I - Do you pick your religious expression or does it pick you?

Question, II - How do you think God feels about the variety of religions, denominations and sects found on planet earth?

Prayer:  Gracious God, thank you that the family of Christ is a large one. Thank you for the freedom to be who you made us to be and for the privilege of worshipping you in many and various ways. Increase our sense of oneness with Christ-followers everywhere. In His Name. Amen.

Extra Credit:

Church History Timeline - some dates might help

451 AD - the Coptic Christians were separated from Roman Christianity by
the Council of Chalcedon.

1054 AD The church splits into East & West. The West was Roman Catholic.
The East was Eastern Orthodox.

1517 - Martin Luther's Reformation begins, Protestantism born.
Key figures = Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, John Knox

1520s - Anabaptist Movement begins - Baptists, Quakers, Mennonites

1533-34 Anglican Church separates from Rome due to Henry VIII marital issues

1560s Non-Conformist Movement = Puritans, Congregationalists, Methodists,
Plymouth Brethren

1630-1780s -  Puritan movement dominates America

1730s & 40s - Great Awakening in America, religious revival

1790s - 1850- Second Great Awakening in America, religious revival but
also included social issues such as the abolitionist movement, temperance
and women's rights.

1900s to present - Pentecostal movement worldwide (Assemblies of God,
Nazarenes, charismatic movement), Ecumenical movement in US, great
cooperation among churches, mergers of denominations such as the formation
of the United Church of Christ.

Creeds

Although it's not quite fashionable today, I have to admit I like the creeds.

I like 'em for two reasons. One is they help us articulate our faith. "I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord."  I believe. Articulating the faith is a much needed ability these days among Christians. The creeds help us.

The other reason I like the creeds is that I love thinking back to the faith-filled believers who gathered together more than a thousand years ago to try and express the deepest truths of our faith. Imagine their task: how do we articulate the mystery of the Trinity in human words?

"And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father."

"And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets."

Question: Do you have to understand and agree with everything in a creed to recite and appreciate it?

Another question (or two): Why have Christians been moved to create creeds and catechisms throughout the centuries? In what ways has this been helpful and not always so helpful?

And yet another question: Can you be doctrinal without being doctrinaire?

Prayer: Lord of the ages, Lord of eternity, give me the words to recite my creed based on my understanding of you, revealed in scripture and in my life. Amen.


Extra Credit

The Nicene Creed (4th C.)

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles Creed
(Found in various versions between the 2nd & 9th C. Not written by the apostles, but called that because it expresses their faith.)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Weakness of the Creeds

Notice that there's not a lot in them about discipleship, prayer, mission, worship, love thy neighbor, etc. It's all Right Beliefs (Ortho-doxy) and no Right Practice (ortho-praxis).

Trinity

Martin Luther once said, "To deny the Trinity endangers your salvation; to try to comprehend the Trinity endangers your sanity."

Let's give it a try anyway.

You might be surprised to learn that the word "Trinity" is never used in the New Testament. The concept of the Trinity, however, is certainly found there. The word of course means "Three in one." Tri-Unity. Three in Unity.

In Matthew 28 Jesus says "Go forth into the world and make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

At Jesus' own baptism God the Father spoke words of blessing upon his Son - "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And God the Holy Spirit came down upon Christ in the form of a dove to empower him for his ministry.

In John 14 Jesus speaks of the Father sending the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Spirit to be with us and in us.
John 14:16 - "I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever."
John 14:25-26 - "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you."  So, God the Son is talking about God the Father sending God the Holy Spirit to be with them forever."

Early Church Theologians looked at these passages and more, and said this:

God the Creator is God.
Christ, the Word made flesh, is God. And,
The Holy Spirit is God - God with us and in us.

So they came up with this concept of one God in three "persons." One God with three expressions.

St. Patrick compared it to the 3 extensions of a clover leaf.

A. If you look at the Creator/God the Father passages you learn many important things about God. We serve a God who is holy, a God of justice, a Covenant Maker, the Creator of all that is, etc. That's one extension of the clover leaf.

B. If you look at the extension of the leaf of Christ, you learn other things about God - the God of grace and forgiveness, the concepts of salvation, eternal life, discipleship and more.

C. And if you look at the extension of the Holy Spirit you learn yet even more - the Gifts of the Spirit, the Indwelling of the Spirit, the Fruits of the Spirit, etc.

It's the one God with 3 expressions, 3 roles, 3 manifestations. Of course it's all  mystery and metaphor. It's the best we can do with our finite minds seeking to understand the Infinite One as revealed in our scriptures.

Theologians talk about the Trinity as God over us, God for us, and God with us.

God the Creator is God over us, God greater than us - the expression of
God as Almighty God, the Majestic Creator of the entire Universe.
Jesus Christ is the expression of God who distinctly reveals to us how much God is for us, and how far God is willing to go to show us this love, even to the Cross.
And God the Holy Spirit is God with us and in us.

God over us.
God for us.
God with us.

I think those simple words get at the heart of the Trinity - who God is
and how God relates to us.

Here's a thought: We need all three. We need a God who is over us, greater than us, mightier than us.  But we also need a God who is decisively for us. Christ came to show us how much we are loved. And we need a God who is with us and in us, God the Holy Spirit. Otherwise God is way up there, and not down here in our midst and in our souls. 

Prayer: Thank You, Precious Lord, for being exactly the God we need. Amen.

Extra Credit - Trinity Illustrations

In addition to the clover leaf here are a few more.

A. I am a father and a son, and my spirit is evident in my children.

B. An apple has skin, the meat of the apple and the core. All comprise the apple. Distinct, yet one.

C. The sun, its rays and light itself. Distinct yet emanating from one.

D.  Ice, liquid and steam. Different expressions of the same thing, H2O.

Pentecost!

You know, every so often in the course of human history there comes a day
that changes everything. July 4, 1776 was one of those days, the birth of
our nation. June 6, 1944 was another one of those days, D-Day, the
decisive invasion of WWII. There have been other important days in human history. Aug. 3, 1977, the birth of Tom Brady, or May 17, 2003, the day the Red Sox signed Big Papi.

In our faith, there have been big days as well, days that changed everything. The day (or night) when Christ was born.  The day we now call Good Friday, and of course, Easter Sunday.

Do you know that Pentecost is one of the biggest days in our faith? In the 2000 years of recorded Biblical history, Pentecost is on the short list of most important days - because it changed everything. Ever since the Day of Pentecost God is now available to all.

In the Old Testament, God seemed only available to a select few - prophets, priests & kings. Only they had access to Almighty God, and even then it was only on special occasions - such as on the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple, the most sacred place on the face of the earth, and he'd offer a sacrifice and commune with God. Special person, special place, special time. Pentecost is the undoing of all that.

Acts 2 records the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to the
earliest Christians. We find these words:

"I will pour out my spirit upon all people - your sons and daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall
dream dreams."     - Acts 2:17

That's Pentecost. It changed everything.

Here's a thought: The Holy Spirit is God with us and in us.

Meditate on the Spirit by focusing on your breathing.
Breath in the Holy Spirit.
Breath out the things in your life that don't belong.

Prayer: Thank You, Holy Spirit, that You are God's power within me. Fill
me. Strengthen me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Amen.


Extra Credit

The Satellite Dish Illustration

In the Old Testament only a few special people had a "spiritual satellite dish." They would be tuned in to the heavens and occasionally hear what God was up to. Then they'd tell the people about it.

Well, because of the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost - everyone now gets a satellite dish. Everyone and anyone can tune in to God and feel the power!

Pentecost
Pentecost was originally a Jewish holiday, held 50 days after Passover. It was known as the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Harvest, celebrating the first harvest of the season. It was a required holiday for all those living within 20 miles of Jerusalem. Jews also made pilgrimages to Jerusalem to celebrate it. That's why there were people from all over the western world gathered there for this particular Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2.