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The Spirit Of FaithI like football, but often when my team is playing I am not at home, so I can't watch the game. So sometimes I'll videotape it - or watch the highlights on the recap show. But when I sit down I usually already know the outcome of the game, I know if my team won or lost the game. You might say, “what fun is that?” Actually it is very comforting, if they lost, I don't care about watching the game. But if my team won, I can enjoy watch the highlights because I know that no matter what happens, if we're loosing, or the star player gets hurt, it doesn't matter - because I know the end of the story. That's the attitude believers should have about what Jesus did for us on the cross— no matter how bad things look, no matter what happens, we don't have to worry -- because we know the end of the story. That's the mentality Paul had as he ministers for the Lord. He knew that whatever ministry he has, its is from the Lord and by his mercy, so if troubles came, if there were spiritual forces at work – Paul focused on all that Jesus had accomplished on the Cross. He knew the end of the story. Our bodies he likens to “jars of clay”, clay pots that are prone to break, but he knew no matter how bad things looked no matte what happened in this life, he did not need to worry because – he knew as believers we have a future hope, and God will raise these “jars of clay” into something much more permanent. That's the end of the story, and that's the “spirit of faith” that Paul speaks of in our text today. The same spirit of faith that all God's children have had throughout the ages. So lets read our text in our ongoing studies of 2 Corinthians as we consider “the Spirit of faith.” READ THE TEXT 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13-18 THE SPIRIT OF FAITH. Once again we see Paul drawing from the Old Testament scriptures as he says, it is written. He quotes from Psalm 116:10 when it says, “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” I love the way Paul uses scripture to prove scripture, the bible is never in contradiction with itself, old and new testaments all agree with who God is, and how we as humans are like clay in the hands of a potter to him. The law of God is laid out so we might know how far from God we are, that we might see our need for a savior. And God's plan to send his son Jesus to die for our sins was put into place starting right after the fall of man. There in the garden right after sin entered the world by Adam and Eve, God said. Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Speaking to the devil God says, I have a seed, and he will come via the woman and there will be hostility between you and him, you will bruise his heel, you will cause him harm, but he will crush your head. So Paul, once again drawing from the old testament reminds us of the words of Psalm 116. Four things I would like us to glean from this text today about the “spirit of faith.”
Drawing from that Psalm Paul says we have the same “spirit of faith” that the Psalmist had. He says, “my words speak my faith.” Today there are a lot of bogus teachings about this scripture. Before we consider those lets look at the source of the quote. 1. TURN TO PSALM 116:1-13 What a wonderful Psalm a cry of gratitude, and thanksgiving for deliverance from death and temptation. We can not be sure but it appears to be written by King David when men were coming against him. When the cords of death were about him, he saw how the Lord was gracious. He says “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.” “ I will take this gift of salvation that God has given me.” For us, we recognize that no matter what life brings, God has salvation by faith in Jesus, it is a gift of God and we lift this cup to receive the free Gift that God offers by his grace. Yet there in V10 we find what Paul quotes to show us that “faith is spoken” he says “I believed therefore I said.” What did he say? “ I am greatly afflicted.” “Help I'm sick, I'm being attacked by my enemies -- and all men are lairs.” In faith he spoke to God about his situation. Lets consider the wrong application. 2. WRONG APPLICATION. Today there are sincere believers who teach that if you speak negative words that is what will happen to you. If you say your sick, you will be sick, if you say your afflicted you will be afflicted. They use our text from 2 Corinthians as a proof text. But as we consider the context from this Psalm, the writer is speaking negativity. Positive confession was not taught by Jesus nor is it a Christian principle, rather it is “new age” in it origin. If you speak positive words, if you pray saying things like. “I speak health into my body”, I speak prosperity into this situation.” Then you release the faith you have and God can move. As I said, sincere folks believe this to be true. But we can find so many examples in scripture where it is not true. Abraham and Sarah who did not really believe that God would give them a son, decided to help God out by Abraham fathering a child by Sarah's handmaid Hagar. Words of faith? No way. Or how about Thomas, who spoke that he didn't believe the resurrection and wouldn't unless the Lord appeared to him and showed him his wounds. Not speaking positive things but God still moved. Positive confession may have some roots in truth. But as it is taught by many today it is not what Paul is talking about nor is it biblical. 3. RIGHT APPLICATION. Matt 12:34-37 ...(Jesus speaking to the hypocrites said)... For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Jesus said, rather then change your speech, he said, your speech reveals what's going on inside of you. So instead of changing your speech to be positive. Believe in Jesus and he will change the inside so your speech will reveal what God is doing in your life. The context of what Paul is writing about speaking in faith is that he knows that even thought he was hard pressed on every side, even though there were troubles and persecutions, even though he was struck down. He has the “Same faith” as the Psalmist, and knows that God was working for his purpose, for personal Paul's growth and for the ministry he had to others. So he speaks positively about what God has done. I have noticed that faith always speaks. When some of you first gave your life to Jesus, I noticed how your speech changed. You wanted to speak like Paul about the great things God has done. “I believed therefore I have spoken” First we see that Faith speaks.
Paul's model of faith is focused -as he speaks about what God his done. When you and I proclaim what God has done with our lips, when we sing it from our hearts an amazing thing happens -- your faith is encouraged. That is what Paul does, he goes right from quoting Psalm 116 to the ultimate deliverance as he focuses on two things. 1. THE RESURRECTION. Faith is always focused on God and what he has done. The resurrection. “We know that God who raised Jesus will also raised us.” When you share your faith, it is a powerful thing to share your personal experiences with God. Your testimony of how you came to faith. Paul's testimony is found three different times in the book of Acts. But when we speak the scriptures, the word of God, and the work of God, there is power. Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The word of God and the principles of God has power to work in people's lives. Sure your testimony is powerful, but God's word can cut though a hard heart, it can separate and penetrate even thoughts and attitudes of the heart. And these words of faith -- are the means of salvation. Rom 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord ," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. It is by words spoken in faith, the confession of “Jesus Christ is Lord”, that salvation comes to a man or woman's life. Have you done that? Paul speaks faith not to positively confess something, but because he is focused on what he believes, first the resurrection, then Grace. 2. GRACE Look at V15 - so grace may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Cor 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. The great definition of Grace, Jesus left the glories of heaven to become poor for your sakes. All so you and I, all who have this “spirit of faith”, will inherit riches that far exceed anything this world can imagine. That is grace, that is the grace that we speak of by the spirit of faith. Grace, Paul says, is working for their benefit, so we speak about it. Why? So God's Grace will reach more and more people. We began this section where Paul is somewhat defending his ministry as he places law and grace on the balancing scales. We saw how the law could not save, it only condemned, but that Grace, like Paul speaks of here, brings thanksgiving into our lives. Thanksgiving, back to Psalm 116, it is a Psalm of Thanksgiving, the Psalmist is thankful for the grace of God - the righteousness of God and the compassion of God. Ps 116:5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. First we saw how the Spirit of faith-- speaks, second how the Spirit of faith is focused.
This spirit of faith - builds endurance as we focus on what God has done. Paul says “we do not lose heart” - even though we are going through tough times. In another place he says. Eph 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. The story is told during the middle of World War II, Prime Minister Churchill gave the commencement address to Oxford University. Dressed to the hilt, he arrived at the auditorium with his usual props, a cigar, a cane and a top hat. As Churchill approached the podium, the crowd rose in appreciation and applause. After a few minutes Churchill settled the crowd down and asked them to be seated. Standing confidently before this great crowd slowly he removed his cigar and placed his top hat on the podium. Then Churchill gazed at his waiting audience that included some of the most noted scholars in the world. With an authoritative tone in his voice he said only 15 words that day, the most famous being: "never...never...never give up...!" There was a deafening silence as Churchill reached for his hat, steadied himself with his cane, grabbed his cigar and left the platform. That's what Paul speaks of endurance – never giving up, forging through no matter what he faced. Viewing his troubles through lenses of faith. Look how he views troubles. 1. LIGHT AND MOMENTARY TROUBLES. Your KJV says “For our light affliction, is but for a moment.” Paul's secret for endurance, never never, never giving up, and its the same for all the saints throughout the ages. With the spirit of faith he knows that whatever happens in this life will work for eternal purposes. That life is short, but eternity follows. That's how all those suffering persecutions throughout history endured what came to them. Many were put to the fires, during the Roman empire Cesar Nero would light the Christians as human torches in his garden. During the reformation the Catholic church would burn at the stake those who would propose that we are “justified by faith in Jesus” and not by our own piety. Today in places like Indonesia, Sudan, Iran, and Vietnam people are being killed for their faith in Christ. Some of you know the story of Romanian Pastor Richard Wurmbrand founder of Voice of the Martyrs. He spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel. Although his captors tortured him constantly, they could not defeat him. He recounted, “Alone in my cell, cold, hungry, and in rags, I danced for joy every night.” During thats time he turned to a fellow prisoner, a man he had led to the Lord before they were arrested, and asked, “Have you any resentment against me that I brought you to Christ?” His response: “I have no words to express my thankfulness that you brought me to the wonderful Savior. I would never have it another way.” Those two men are typical of how any believer, like Paul, view their sufferings, as “light and momentary afflictions.” How could Paul have that view? By the spirit of faith – he knew salvation, brings strength for today and hope for tomorrow. By this “same spirit of faith” we are not defeated by troubles and circumstances. As God's children we have the assurance that God is at work in our lives, preparing us for those eternal realities. Paul like martyrs throughout the ages looked beyond what is seen to what is unseen. By the Spirit of faith he was able to look to the exceeding great reward that awaits all who trust in Jesus Christ. Listen to some of the last words Paul writes as he awaits death by decapitation. 2 Tim 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. We have seen how the Spirit of faith speaks, the Spirit of faith is focused, how the spirit of faith builds endurance. Finally, we see.
2 Cor 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Vision to see with eyes of faith. Paul's afflictions are seen as light. Even when he was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, thrown out on the open sea, cast into dungeons. Yet he still says, “no sweat.” He calls his problems light. I think Paul was a heavyweight. Oh, to have the eyesight of Paul to see whatever we endure presently as light compared to the weight of God's presence and His Glory. Looking at the rewards of heaven, the joys of heaven, and recognizing that whatever happens in this life is really just temporary. That is to have vision with the eyes of faith. 1. EYES ARE FIXED. I like that statement, eyes are fixed, staring at the eternal. Col 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above , where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above , not on earthly things. Not just putting our vision on eternal things but setting our hearts and our minds on the things of heaven. Do you long for the appearing of our Lord? Sure I know you might enjoy your life right now and there is nothing wrong with that – in fact God has blessed many of us with wonderful things in this life. But when troubles come, endurance comes from having this eternal mindset, having our eyes fixed eternally. Heb 12:2-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus , the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. What a wonderful promise to say Amen to. You will not lose heart, you will not grow discouraged when we are looking to Jesus. How do you do that practically when he is not with us physically? How do we focus on him when he has long ago ascended to the fathers side? Good question – three ways. 1st. Looking to Jesus in obedience. John 15:10 (Jesus said) If you obey my commands , you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. Live in obedience to the word and will of God. How can we call Jesus our Lord, if we do not obey his word. He is ether the Lord -- the master or he is not. No one can serve two masters, you will ether be devoted to one and despise the other or visa versa. 2nd Look to Jesus as you serve others. Jesus said, the greatest in the kingdom will be the servant of all. Believers are called to serve one another in love. A servant attitude is what the Holy Spirit builds within each one of us. Servanthood is the foundation of practical faith. 3rd. Look to Jesus in his word. Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. This spirit of faith will be built in your heart and in your life-- with a constant diet of spiritual food. Is your faith waining away? Look to Jesus, focus on him, study God's word. Like Paul you will be convinced that the invisible world was real, and this world is temporal. A. W. Tozer said, “The invisible world described in the Bible is the only "real world." Warren Weisby said. “If we would only see the visible world the way God wants us to see it -- we would never be attracted by what it offers.” The things of this world seem so real because we can see them and feel them; but really they are all temporal and destined to pass away. Madonna was right we live in a material world, but we are also living in a world that like our bodies is fading away. The time will come when there will be a new earth -- the eternal dwelling for those who trust in God. So we look with eyes of faith into the Word of God. We fix our eyes on Jesus, on heaven on the things of God. Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. That's the spirit of faith Paul is speaking about, that we have a certainty of what is unseen, a sureness of the eternal. Like Abraham who looked for the heavenly city and separated himself from Sodom; while his nephew Lot chose Sodom because it looked good and he walked by “sight and not by faith.” How important it is for us to live with the spirit of faith? Why is it important to have a eternal view of life? It is very important, because this world is not our home. Like the saints we read about in Hebrews chapter 11. We are only strangers, pilgrims, passing through looking for that better city who's builder is God. Finally V18 is precious to the Christian because-- “We live by faith, not by sight.” It is the spirit of faith that enables the Christian to see things that cannot be seen. It is this vision into eternity that allows us to say no to fleshy desires and live holy and Godly lives, and because we know that one day each of us will give an account to God. The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman—a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, “What a dark and filthy place!” Her friend replied, “It’s better higher up.” When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, “Things look even worse here.” Again the reply, “It’s better higher up.” The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden woman. She had a smile on her face that radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the poor surroundings in which this woman lived. She blurted out, “It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!” Without a moment’s hesitation the shut-in woman responded, “It’s better higher up.” She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment. INVITE, PRAYER, BENEDICTION, SING. Series: 2
Corinthians -Through the Bible |
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