25-0831a - Detailed Summary

The preacher, Steve, introduces the sermon’s focus on biblical faith, particularly how God helped Abraham develop a faith credited as righteousness. He poses the question, "What pleases God?" and refers to Hebrews 11:6, which states that faith—believing in God’s existence and His role as a rewarder of those who seek Him—is essential to pleasing God. Steve explains that faith, as defined in Hebrews 11:1 (NIV), is confidence in what is hoped for and assurance of what is unseen. He connects this to the Christian hope of eternal life with God, made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice, which cleanses believers of sin and presents them blameless before God.

Steve revisits the James 2 passage read by Roger, emphasizing the question of what constitutes "deeds" in the context of faith. He suggests that deeds are not limited to charitable acts like giving to the poor or visiting the sick but are part of a broader process where God helps believers develop faith through experience, as exemplified by Abraham. Steve argues that Abraham’s faith was not built on prior experience but was cultivated by God’s guidance. He stresses that faith without action is dead, using the analogy from James 2 of failing to meet physical needs despite offering kind words. The preacher underscores that true faith is demonstrated through actions, as James will later illustrate with Abraham’s example, setting the stage for the sermon’s exploration of how God develops faith in believers.

Steve continues by highlighting James’ use of Abraham and Rahab to illustrate faith accompanied by deeds. He references James 2:20-25, where Abraham’s offering of Isaac on the altar is cited as an act of faith that completed his belief, fulfilling the scripture that credited his faith as righteousness and earning him the title of God’s friend. Similarly, Rahab’s act of sheltering and protecting the Israelite spies demonstrated her faith through action, leading to her righteousness. Steve emphasizes that these examples counter the idea of salvation by faith alone, asserting that righteousness comes from faith expressed through deeds. He introduces a related narrative from Mark 9:14-25, where Jesus encounters a father seeking healing for his demon-possessed son, setting up a discussion on the nature of belief and doubt.

Steve recounts the story from Mark 9:14-25, where a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples, who fail to cast out the spirit. The father, initially hopeful based on Jesus’ reputation, becomes doubtful when the disciples cannot help. When Jesus arrives, the father expresses skepticism, saying, “If you can do anything,” revealing his lack of confidence in Jesus’ power. Jesus challenges this doubt, declaring that “everything is possible for one who believes.” The father responds with a candid plea: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Steve connects this to the human struggle with faith, suggesting that many believers, like the father, acknowledge God but wrestle with doubts. He emphasizes that God answers prayers for stronger faith through divine intervention, providence, and preservation, a recurring theme in his sermon. Steve also references Paul’s sermon in Acts 17, where God works in everyone’s life to draw them to belief, reinforcing the idea that God actively helps individuals, including Abraham, develop faith through experiences.

The sermon continues with Steve focusing on Abraham’s initial encounter with God in Genesis 12:1-3, where God calls Abraham, then in Ur of the Chaldees, to leave his country, people, and father’s household to go to a land God will show him. Steve highlights that God’s proposition to Abraham mirrors the call to modern believers, requiring a leap of faith to trust God’s guidance without worrying about material needs, as echoed in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6). God promises to make Abraham a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and ensure that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him. This divine promise emphasizes God’s assurance of provision and protection, urging Abraham to rely on divine intervention, providence, and preservation. Steve underscores that this call involves leaving behind familiar ties and trusting God’s lead, a challenge that tests Abraham’s faith from the outset.

Steve notes that Abraham does not fully comply with God’s instruction to leave his family behind, as he travels from Ur to Haran and, after his father’s death, takes his nephew Lot, wife Sarah, and possessions to Canaan (Genesis 12:4-5). This partial obedience suggests a lack of complete faith in God’s directive. Steve further illustrates Abraham’s faltering faith in Egypt, where, fearing for his life due to Sarah’s beauty, Abraham asks her to pose as his sister to avoid being killed by the Egyptians. This action reflects Abraham’s failure to trust God’s promise of protection, specifically that God would curse those who curse him. Steve emphasizes that Abraham’s fear-driven decision indicates a lack of confidence in God’s ability to intervene and preserve him, highlighting an early stage in Abraham’s faith development where his actions do not yet align with complete trust in God.

Steve recounts the incident in Egypt where Pharaoh takes Sarah, and God intervenes by warning Pharaoh not to touch her, thus preserving Abraham and Sarah through divine intervention. This event demonstrates God’s faithfulness despite Abraham’s lack of trust. Moving to Genesis 15, Steve describes Abraham confronting God about his childlessness, expressing doubt about God’s promise of an heir since he and Sarah are elderly. God reaffirms His promise, showing Abraham the stars and comparing them to his future descendants. Abraham believes God at this point, but his faith wavers again when Sarah laughs at the promise of a child, given her age (Genesis 18). Despite their skepticism, God fulfills His promise, and Sarah gives birth to Isaac, the child of promise. Steve notes that Abraham’s faith is still inconsistent, as seen when he repeats the deception about Sarah being his sister in the Philistine region, again showing a lack of full trust in God’s protection.

Steve transitions to Genesis 22, where God tests Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac. He explains that this test is designed to reveal the progress of Abraham’s faith, likening it to tests used in education or licensing to assess growth. Abraham responds promptly, setting out early with Isaac, two servants, and the necessary materials. When Isaac questions the absence of a lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham’s response, “God himself will provide the lamb,” reflects a significant growth in his faith, demonstrating confidence that God will intervene. Steve emphasizes the importance of Abraham’s statement, indicating a belief that God will provide a solution, even in the face of such a severe test. As Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, binding him and raising the knife, an angel of the Lord intervenes, stopping him and affirming that Abraham’s willingness to obey demonstrates his fear of God. This act, Steve notes, is the deed that completes Abraham’s faith, as referenced in James 2, showing that his faith is made evident through his actions.

Steve concludes by connecting Abraham’s tested faith to the broader message of the sermon: faith must be accompanied by deeds to be effective. He reiterates that Abraham’s obedience in offering Isaac was credited as righteousness because it demonstrated his belief in God’s promises. Steve extends this to contemporary believers, stating that God desires faith that acknowledges His existence and His role as a rewarder of those who seek Him. He emphasizes that sin separates humanity from God, but God offers reconciliation through Jesus’ sacrifice, which serves as the atonement for sins. Steve urges the congregation to accept Jesus as the sole means of reconciliation, emphasizing baptism for the forgiveness of sins as a critical step in responding to God’s call. He challenges the audience to consider whether they find this message realistic and extends an invitation for those who have not yet responded to Jesus’ call to be baptized, closing with a call to stand and sing a song of encouragement.