The Credibility of Faith
Sermon preached in St Salvator's Chapel, St Andrews on Sunday 8th March 2009 by Bishop Eric Brown
Introduction
We are living in troubled times and our world is in a mess. The political, financial and economic uncertainties bring with them a feeling of foreboding as to our future wellbeing. In the words of one commentator, 'everything nailed down is coming loose...' and in the world famous hymn 'Abide with Me' to live in the second stanza captures our current condition very well. They are:
.. change and decay in all around I see
O thou who changest not, abide with me
The big question is: - In these rapidly changing times where can we find permanency - a sense of stability? Is there anything that we can 'tie onto'? It is my firm belief that faith in Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation to all who believe is the answer to a troubled world.
Harry Emerson Fosdick got it right when he said (quote):
The highest use of a shaken time is to discover the unshakeable. When everything that can totter is staggering then is the time to get our eyes on what stands firm.
What stands firm is not a system nor an institution, rather it is a person and his name is Jesus Christ. The Bible says of Him that He is 'the same yesterday, today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8). It is in Christ that we have hope. The Bible says:
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters presence the presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Hen 6:9-20).
Our scripture speaks to us of three distinct dangers:
- Contrary winds
- Tempestuous waves
- Dangerous seas
All of them carry life threatening potential.
Contrary Winds
Our text tells us that Jesus and His disciples had just completed another day of successful ministry. He was teaching about the Kingdom of God using parables. That evening Jesus instructed the disciples 'Let us cross over to the other side'. Where He intended to expand his ministry in Gentile territory. Having successfully despatched the multitude with unquestioning obedience they set sail. Luke tells us that as they sailed Jesus fell asleep. Mark said, '... he was in the stern, asleep on a pillow' (Mark 8:38).
It was in this situation of calm and tranquillity that an extraordinary storm erupted on the lake, putting the lives of all on board in jeopardy. Hurricane winds whipping up tsunami like waves swamp their boat rendering the efforts of these experienced seamen useless.
We must not fail to notice how the Bible described the storm - a wind storm.
A regular storm is usually predictable and so precautions can be taken to protect against their damaging effects. A wind storm is however, unpredictable. It comes sudden and unexpected and can have devastating effects on life and property.
- Wind storms tend to blow when the master of the elements seem to be sleeping
- When the heaven is like steel and our own efforts in praying are of no avail
- When your physical, social and economic wellbeing are at stake
Windstorms - what are they?
- When you are told that you are no longer needed for the job you have done for the last ten years - that's a windstorm.
- When you are threatened with the repossession of your home.
- When your marriage which you prided yourself in suddenly ends in divorce - that's a windstorm.
- When your romantic relationship breaks up because of unfaithfulness on the part of your mate.
- When sudden death comes and robs us of a loved one.
- When a family friend turns out to be the abuser of your children.
- When a casual visit to the doctor results in a bleak prognosis.
- When drugs and crime wreak havoc in the family.
Wind storms are those events in our lives which have the effect of turning our world upside down leaving us desperate, frightened, depressed and struggling to cope.
Charlotte Elliott captures it very well in the third stanza of her song 'Just As I Am Without One Plea'
Just as I am though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fightings and fears within without
O Lamb of God I come
No doubt there are some of you here this morning who are battling with your personal windstorms you didn't plan it neither were you expecting things to turn out the way they have. I am here to tell you don't give up, don't surrender. Hope in God. Help is on the way.
When the disciples had done all they could and all their efforts had come to nought they remembered that Jesus was on board and with haste they ran to him with an urgent plea, 'Master, Master we are perishing'.
Mark said, '... they awoke Him and said to him teacher do you not care that we are perishing?'
Notice that the disciples took the problem to Jesus and they did so believing he was able to help them. That's the answer to have the faith and the courage to take our problems to him.
- When contrary winds are blowing.
- When tempestuous waves are dashing.
- When the ship in which you are sailing is rocking.
- When more water is coming in than you can bail out.
- When the ground beneath your feet is unstable.
Then that's the time to take your burdens to the Lord in faith believing that he will deliver you.
Fanny Crosby puts it this way:
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Jesus' Response
Without hesitation Jesus arose rebuked the wind and the raging waters and they ceased and there was calm.
Rebuke = an expression of sharp disapproval.
He rebuked the wind and the waves and, according to Mark, he said to the sea 'Peace Be Still'.
With just a few words from Jesus all three dangers were muzzled and there was an instant calm. The sea became as smooth as glass, the rocking of the boat was over and peace & tranquillity returned.
- Joy was restored.
- They could smile again.
- Laughter returned.
- They could sing again.
- They could love again.
It was in this time of peace and tranquillity that Jesus asked them a most profound question 'Where is your faith?'
Faith:
(1) The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
(2) Faith - the confident trust that we put in God in particular in his promises. What God says he will do, will be done because God cannot lie.
(3) To have faith is to be fully convinced of the truthfulness and reliability of that in which you believe. It is more than intellectual ascent. It is a reality of the heart.
The question is loaded with meaning:
1. The storm happened for a purpose - namely to test their faith
a. They should not have been terrified because He was on board
b. It was he who commanded them to cross to the other side
c. His sleeping through the storm should have indicated to them that the situation was under control
2. In times of crisis our greatest problem is not what is happening around us rather it is what is happening inside of us.
3. 'Where is your faith?' is really saying, 'Faith must be tested before it can be trusted'.
4. 'Where is your faith?' is saying Faith is tangible, Faith is dependable, not least in times of crisis.