We are starting a new series today to coincide with our student small groups. So today we are going to look at the most basic checkpoint and that is having an authentic faith. We aren’t going to talk about whether or not you have faith, but we are going to look at whether or not your faith is strong enough to stand up to the tests that come your way.
What does the term, “Authentic” mean to you? What images does it draw up in your mind? If I have an autographed football used in last year’s Colt’s Superbowl victory, how import would the certificate of authenticity be? (Very important because that is what gives it its worth, value and proves it’s real)
Unfortunately, one area that causes students to give up on their faith is:
Immediate Circumstances
*When tragedy strikes close to home, our emotions ‘need’ an answer.
* Circumstantial faith requires us to interpret situations around us. If I issue a prayer request and that request doesn’t take place, so I interpret that God can’t do what he says he will do?
Illustration: “Fairy Tales” In all the Fairy tales I’ve watched, when the magic spell or curse is broken what instantly happens? All the dark, dead imagery becomes brilliant colors and beautiful blossoms. The sleeping beauty is awaken by a kiss of the handsome prince. Now that makes for good, “Happily ever after…” stories, but follow this.
When you become a Christian the curse of sin is defeated, but your circumstances may not change. The problem becomes when we think our new life as a believer should instantly result in perfect circumstances.
We can’t make conclusions about God based on an immediate circumstance of life. Many teenagers and adults make conclusions based on the immediate circumstances around them.
Ask: If God doesn’t answer your prayers by next week, do you wonder if He even exists? If you don’t see God at work in your immediate circumstances, do you lose your confidence in Him?
Can your faith be summarized by this statement: “What’s happening now and what I’m feeling now determine what I believe for now?”
The passage in Proverbs says to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” If you are trusting in the Lord with all your heart, that means trust him in the difficult times too. You see authentic faith is trusting, believing that God is who he says he is and he will do what he says he will do.
It goes on to say, “…lean not on your own understanding…” How many of you at one point in your life were confused with God? You didn’t understand the reasoning as to why something was happening? (We all have)
Illustration: When a dad tells his 4 year-old son, “He loves him.” Then takes the boy to the doctor’s office for his yearly vaccination shots the boy may not believe his dad really loves him, “why would he let him suffer pain that way?” But when the boy is older and realizes his dad loved him enough to do what was necessary for his son’s health.
Don’t let immediate circumstances sway you from God. Trust in Him, don’t rely on your own ability to interpret or understand a situation. In that you will develop a deep, authentic faith.
What faith is NOT.
Good working definition of faith: “God is who he says he is and he will do what he has promised to do.”
*Faith is not about you –it’s about God holding up his end of the bargain.
What are some promises you can think of that God has made to us? One promise you will never read is one where God says, “If you trust me, I will give you anything you want. I will take away all the pain and hurt and embarrassment you have endured.” That is not a promise of God –Joel Osteen.
One promise we do find is, found in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord…and he will make your paths straight.” Does that say he will make everything smooth for you? NO! Does that say he will keep all of your family members alive and healthy? NO! Does that say he will let you have popularity, friends, boy/girlfriends and good grades? NO. But it does promise to put the burden of protection and guidance on God.
God has not promised to deliver us from our circumstances. He has promised to deliver us through our circumstances.
Don’t get caught up in the lie that you are the one that has to put on a show for God in order for him to respond. Don’t let your lack of understanding, of an immediate circumstance lead you away from Him. Understand that faith is not about you, it is about God…being who he says he is and doing what he says he will do.
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