The Measure of Faith

Faith is defined by Hebrews 11.1 as being: “…the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by it, our ancestors were approved.” I added verse 2 for good measure. And what is it that we hope for? Is it not for something that is better than what we are going through in this life, that there is more beyond this life? It is sad that some say that faith means we have more to this life, that we can live life to the fullest.

Our definition of heaven and hell become temporal, what we experience. Some say that hell is living life as a victim, but when we chose to make it more, then life becomes like heaven. And for whatever reason, some won’t even broach the subject. But in understanding the pictures of faith this morning, we need to realize that there is more beyond this life.

If our understanding is for this life alone, then we are to be considered fools, as Paul told the Corinthian church. If you think your life is good now in Christ, then know how much better life will be in His return. If you think your life is hell right now, apart from Christ, we have no idea how much worse hell will be, a place of loneliness, solitude, darkness, and sorrow beyond description. No, let us focus on what is waiting for us, for those in Christ: Think of the best wedding reception you’ve been to, or the best celebration that you have ever experienced. Every time you think of it, there isn’t the least bit of sorrow or sadness associated with it. THAT is nothing compared to the feast God has been cooking, has been preparing for us.

Paul said this: As long as he lives, he will live for Christ, but should he die, then he gains. That is a life lived by faith. That is exactly what we see here with our passage this morning. We see that, and a life of doubt. Let’s read our text:

First the life of doubt: When we discussed this on Wednesday, we started at verse 6. The question came up about what the church was praying for. Were they praying for Peter? So verse 5 answers this. They were praying for Peter. How they were praying, that is another question. I suspect that they were praying for his release. It would fit my sermon a bit better to assume that they were.

The problem is that there was doubt somewhere. Doubt tends to rob a person, making him blind, fearful. Yet, this account demonstrates clearly that there is no situation that is so insurmountable that our Great Father cannot help us with. It was a dire time for the church, once again. The State learned that a small minority could be appeased to silence by going after the meek, those who’d turn the other cheek. And the first 4 verses should serve the church a warning this morning. When the State today finds it easier to quiet the shouts of those against Christ by going after Christians… James was put to the sword. So did the Church in Jerusalem have any hope?

Prayer sometimes is the last act of desperation. I get that sense here, too. They became too absorbed in their problems that when the answer became clear, they denied the answer. You’re crazy. It’s his ghost. Leave us.

That’s when faith comes to work, though. When times seem bleak, look. Jesus came to frightened, though experienced boatmen in the midst of a storm. Peter walked to Jesus. How far? I believe it was a bit more than 3 feet. Then when the 12 came back, along with one who was possessed by a demon whom they could not drive out, we hear, “This critter only comes out by prayer, you of little faith.” Then during the time between the cleansing of the Temple and laying his life down that final week, he withered the fig tree. Oh, my children, if your faith is but the size of a mustard seed, you could command that mountain, “be cast into the sea!” and it would move.

Faith is always Amazing.  When the rest of the disciples finally opened the door, they were amazed because God answered their prayers. Now what storms are we willing to weather in our lives? And are we weathering them with the aid of Christ, or do we try them alone? Or do we leave the struggle completely to others?

 With faith, we are never alone. Yes we have God with us, clothed in Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit. But there is more to the faith. We are also a family. When Peter was arrested after James’ death, the church in Jerusalem came together. They were praying with one another. They were sharing the hard times.

Too often Americans love to go to church to feel good. But what about those hurting around us? Do we take time to see their hurts, to minister to them? We were never meant to weather the storms alone. Jesus did that for us, on the cross. (His disciples had abandoned him, and then he saw God’s presence leave, thus why he cried out, “where are you?!” He did that so that we would never have to.) Then He gave us each other. When times are tough, do we call our brothers or sisters? Is the church meeting always to be happy, happy, joy, joy? If we haven’t already, we are in the process of losing our community.

Faith is a Community. When we realize that we are a community, we are a family, then we can better invite others to join the family, to meet our Father through Christ Jesus. BRP revealed that though churches are friendly, they are not welcoming. Church is something we do, not where we belong. Faith fixes that. It brings us together, in love. For the good times, and especially for the bad times.

Finally, Faith is ever Calming, ever comforting. Peter is the epitome of faith in the midst of the storm. He learned well watching others, and in this case, Jesus. You remember Jesus slept in one storm where the disciples, again, seasoned boatmen, were fearful of losing their lives. “Master, we are about to die and you sleep?!” “Of little faith, be calm!” Then turning to the waves, he then calmed the storm. Peter was now that beacon of calm. This is what Paul meant by telling the Philippians, I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

Peter, here, wasn’t singing Tom Dooly song. There was no fear. He knew his destination. He was taking a much needed rest. He was sleeping so soundly that I imagine the Angel of the Lord kicking him awake, and even then, the angel only managed sleep-walking state. It was only after he was finally free and clear from the prison complex did he come to.

Ah to have faith as Peter. Maybe Paul learned his axiom from Peter, to live is for Christ and to die is to gain. So how do we do with the storms in our lives, the struggles? As a family, we are facing a storm of sort. We are a small family. But when we are living a measure of faith, allowing it to comfort us, to calm us, to unite us into a family, a community, then we will see amazing things happen. It will take us believing in what we pray for, doing what we can, letting God handle the hurdles, and to fill us with his strength.

If, but the size of a mustard seed, what can we then see?