Faith Comes By Hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17; John 12:12-19)

College Baptist Church

March 24, 2002

Purpose: To reflect on the nature of faith, particularly that faith is founded on God's Word is effective and well-placed faith; to consider the role of faith based on God's Word in the Triumphal Entry account.

Text

Romans 10:16, 17. ¹⁶But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" ¹⁷Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

John 12:12-19. ¹² The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, ⁵ "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."

¹⁶ At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

¹⁷ Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. ¹⁸ Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. ¹⁹ So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

Introduction

Thank you, Isaac, for that beautiful meditation in drama. John the Apostle's reflection on the "Strength of Silence"- thinking through the reactions of different people to the Christ on that day of the Triumphal Entry at the beginning of the Passion Week.

Two of the things that "John" said a few minutes ago really strike me.

• (Said of the disciples) "Each of us had a different quality which was loved by Christ, and each of us also had faults which Jesus sought to correct before sending us out."
• "This 'rock' (pointing to self) is not explicitly a rock to build a church on, as Peter was, but it is a faithful rock. When other voices are silent, I will stand and shout. Hosanna to Christ, who is praised by the crowds and in the silence!"

I'm impressed that when we place our faith in Christ, we are given His righteousness- a righteous standing with God- though we are not yet perfect. He is at work in us, loving us each with our different qualities, and correcting our faults so that we will be people of greater faith.

Also, the life lived by faith is one that will run with the crowds shouting "Hosanna." But more significantly, is that faith is most strongly expressed when others are silent.

Transition

True faith in Christ is not measured by the flow of the crowd but by focus on the Christ.

I've been thinking a lot about faith. In Romans, we are being taught the foundation truth- truth not growing out of someone's opinion or feelings about something, but out of the authority of God's Word- that "the righteous will live by faith" (1:17). But I've been pondering the nature of that faith. How does faith happen? How does it come about?

May I share some things I've been thinking and praying about? Here are some my recent reflections on faith . . .

Faith involves utter confidence and complete trust

Hebrews 11:1, 2. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

When I was the chaplain at Faith Academy in Manila, I received an unexpected phone call one Tuesday. It was from a singer/song writer who was visiting the Philippines. He had been invited to come and sing by a small Christian group in a remote area of the country. He received the invitation joyfully as yet another opportunity to serve the Lord.

He hadn't had, however, any preparation for the cultural adjustments that he would face. When we talked on the phone I could tell he was in culture shock. He was virtually begging me for the opportunity to sing to the western teens that we had at Faith Academy. Sure!

As he came and performed for our midweek youth group, soaking up the familiarity of an environment that he was more used to, he taught us a little song he had written based on Hebrews 11:1. As he sang, I thought, here is a man whose faith has been stretched. He willingly, maybe unknowingly, stepped out of his comfort zone because he was confident God wanted him to. He was certain of what he did not see.

Hebrews 11:1 is more a description of faith than a definition. It describes the bedrock utter confidence in the object in which we place our faith. It is a complete trust.

1:2 tells us that this was something the ancients, the people of the Old Testament were commended for. As we've studied Romans, we learned that even Abraham was made right with God through faith- well before he was ever circumcised or had received God's law.

Faith must be placed in Someone worthy of utter confidence and complete trust

Hebrews 11:3. ³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

11:3 reminds us that this utter confidence and unshakable trust is placed in God. In this chapter listing the ancients' lives typified by faith, the first thing mentioned is God creating the universe.

Essential for well- placed faith is a solid trust of the Object of one's faith and His work in the world. The Object is God. And the author starts at the beginning and tells us it was all of God. And we accept that by faith.

So many people have a hard time today developing a meaningful view of the world and life because they haven't placed their faith in the One who started it all. The foundation of our faith is in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more established our faith. But knowledge doesn't work by itself. Just to know about Him isn't an exercise of faith. Faith is exercised in the confidence of being convinced He is trustworthy, and then trusting Him.

Faith is essential to please God

Hebrews 11:6. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Faith is essential to please God. He is not pleased with anything else. In fact, it is dramatically confronting when we read Romans 14:23: . . .everything that does not come from faith is sin. We can't explore that idea today; we will in the future. But we see that faith is essential in all aspects of our relationship with God.

Faith is utter confidence and trust in God. And in truth and reliability of His Word.

Faith is established and strengthened through the Word of God

Romans 10:16, 17. ¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" ¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

These verses are preceded by verses describing how essential it is to take the message of the Good News to the Israelites. It is a message that is to be taken to all people. When the message is taken to people, faith is birthed in hearts and minds as they hear the message. The message is heard through sharing the Word.

There is something powerful about the Bible, the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 describes it as the sword of the Spirit. Hebrews 4:12 says 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.

It is not that there is anything magical that in the book or the words written in the book. It is the authority the words carry because of the One who wrote the words. That takes us back to the Object of our faith. Because the Bible is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) it is true and authoritative.

It seems to me that there is a kind of concert going on, a communication, as our faith is placed in God and His Word. The Holy Spirit takes the Word and applies it to our lives, often to specific situations that we face. John 14:26 tells us that He will teach us "all things" and "remind us" of "everything" Christ has said to us. We respond in faith, in utter confidence and trust. Perspective is changed. Life is changed. God is at work.

This is why in the Old Testament, for example, God told Joshua as he was about enter the promised land, ⁸Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." A life saturated by the Word of God is a life changed. Faith is strengthened. Fear is transformed into boldness.

Faith and the Word at work in the Triumphal Entry

Let's turn our thoughts to the Triumphal Entry which our children, our hymns and special music, and drama have drawn our attention today. I have found it interesting to reflect on the Triumphal Entry through these thoughts on faith, God, and His Word.

John 12:12-19.

There are three groups of people that we can consider this morning who were present with John that day. There was the great crowd, Pharisees, and the disciples.

1. The great crowd was the locals and pilgrims who were in Jerusalem for the Passover. They ran after Jesus as He entered Jerusalem. Amazingly, they shout out Scripture- parts of God's Word that they always used when going up to the temple- in expectation of the coming Messiah. Did they really know and understand that indeed this was truly the Object of their faith and desire?

2. They shout "Hosanna!" It meant save us! Save us now! Little did they know that was exactly what Jesus planned to do. He was going to save them as the Passover Lamb sacrificed on their behalf for the forgiveness of sins. But they wanted a King to save them from Roman tyranny. "Blessed is the King of Israel!" they cried.

3. The Pharisees, the religious leaders, had an entirely different agenda. They also knew God's Word. But they didn't accept it. They were blinded to it's application. All they wanted is to kill Jesus. But they didn't really want to do it at Passover. With these crowds running after Jesus, things could really go sour on them.

4. There are people who know God's Word- or should- but don't hear the Spirit's application of it to life. That's why it is important for all of us to prayerfully search and submit. Search the Scriptures for what God says and prayerfully submit to the teaching of the Holy Spirit as He takes the Word and applies it to our lives.

   Considering the pride and blindness of the religious leaders of the time, I don't think it is out of question to acknowledge that at times your religious leaders today may have missed the leading of the Spirit. It is possible for a leader (myself included) to be so blinded by one's own agenda that one may not discern the leading of the Holy Spirit. But the Spirit is consistent. He leads all humble and submissive hearts in the same direction through the application of God's Word

5. The disciples represent to us people of growing faith, people who ran with the crowd when it was right, and people who stood firm in their faith in the silence. Certainly, there was struggle and growth along the way. The garden betrayal. Confusion. Running. Denial. Hiding. The resurrection. Joy. Hope. The presence and the words of Jesus. Faith.

12:16. ¹⁶At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

Conclusion

This morning our faith is strengthened as we run with the crowds, as it were. Our children have reminded us of that great Triumphal Entry. We have witnessed five precious people baptized, declaring their faith in and loyalty to Jesus Christ. We have sung great hymns of praise. We have witnessed the Word in music and drama. We have reflected on the meaning and application of faith in our lives.

I think the "Apostle John" has asked us what our reactions are in the time of silence. That too is a time to stand in faith. When the crowd deserts Christ. Or when we stand alone in the work place. Or with an unbelieving parent or sibling. In faith, let us praise His name- lest, as Isaac said- the rocks cry out on our behalf.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. True faith in Christ is not measured by the flow of the crowd but by focus on the Christ.

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