Faith is the very foundation of our relationship with Jesus, but what IS faith? In this message Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt dives deep into what it really means to have faith, and how having faith and understanding God’s authority over our lives go hand in hand.
Notes 📓✏️:
Surprising Jesus
Faith is the very foundation of our relationship with Jesus!
Without faith we don’t have our faith!
A strong and welcome conviction or belief that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, and that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God.
Faith: Belief that God is in charge and Jesus is our Rescuer.
Nothing surprised Jesus…except faith.
AMAZED!
Matthew 8:5-10 (NIV) “When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
Authority
His belief that God is in charge and Jesus is the Rescuer
This is important because having faith and understanding God’s authority walk hand in hand.
Mark 6: 1-6 (NIV) “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
Skandalizo: “To see in another what I disapprove of, and what hinders me from acknowledging AUTHORITY.”
Skandolon: “The movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick.”
Faith is responding to life as if God is in charge and Jesus is our rescuer.
“God, I don’t understand, but I believe you love me and can help me.”
Centurion faith says: “Jesus, you are in charge. Help.”
Nazarian faith says: “I am offended by your request to trust you.”
“I respond to the questions of life as if I really believed God is in charge and Jesus is my rescuer.”
Hebrews 11:6 (Msg) “It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.”
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- Oftentimes, people have a wide range of thoughts surrounding faith. How would you define faith?
- In life, we all have questions whether we have faith or we don’t. Who do you find yourself asking these questions to? Family? Friends? God?
- The Centurion soldier had faith that said “Jesus you are in charge. Please help.” What would it look like for us to have faith like this?
- God is with us even when we go through difficult times. This week, what area of your life can you focus on having more faith? Where do you need to say “Jesus you are in charge and I trust you.”