Damaged Faith

Pastor Joel Quick

Talking Faith • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Matthew 11:1–11 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Luke 7:18–35 KJV 1900

And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.

John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great, who had been king of Judea and the surrounding regions during the time of Jesus' birth. After Herod the Great's death, his kingdom broke up into smaller territories over which his sons ruled. Herod Antipas received Galilee, and it was He who ordered John's arrest. It was the plotting of Herod's wife Herodias, however, that led John' execution.

Luke 3:19–20 KJV 1900

But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

If we trust Josephus' account, it would seem that the same fear of the crowds that prevented Herod from immediately executing John are also a part of why he arrested John in the first place. A free John may lead a rebellion, but a murdered John might incite one. Herod was in a bind. This paranoia may also be what made John's willingness to rebuke his sin openly such a big deal. Beyond personal offense, Herod may have feared John's rebukes were the early signs of sedition or at least would lead there eventually since he had no intention of repenting of the things for which John rebuked him.

Let me back up, let’s talk about who is John the Baptist? John was Jesus’ cousin. More importantly, he was the forerunner for Jesus.

Am I going to let my circumstances determine my view of God, or am I going to let God determine how I view my circumstances?

God is going to fix this.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 13). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Doesn’t God owe us something for all we’ve done?

These are the hidden acts of grace and mercy we so often miss. Often when in despair, these small acts help us see God was very present, he didn’t abandon us, and he loved me even when I wasn’t doing a very good job of loving him back.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 29). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

During our trials we can feel like a garden overrun with weeds—as if life is being choked out of us. Finding time to study, pray, and worship may be impossible. But even in the overgrown weeds, we can study the seeds of mercy, grace, and hope; toss up a quick, “Help me”; and praise God that he’s in the mud and muck with us. These things are like water and fertilizer helping our spirits bloom and grow. That’s the kind of perseverance that matures and completes our faith.

One of my favorite verses is

Psalm 43:3 KJV 1900

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 30). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

“Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.”

The psalmist is saying that God’s presence isn’t something we have to work for. We don’t have to seek it, search for it, or earn it. Instead, God sends his light to us and all we have to do is follow it back to him. When I am limp and lifeless and can barely speak, my simple prayer is, “Lead me.” And when I ask, God is faithful to usher me into his presence. In my weakest moments, he brings his truth to my mind, his light to my dark and weary soul, and care and refreshment to my worn-out body.

In 2007 my mom had a liver and kidney transplant.

Even during the darkest days of our trials, my joy came when I took tentative steps in God’s direction. There, I was rewarded by seeing him and his love for me in never-before-experienced ways.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 68). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Even during your darkest trials God is waiting with outstretched arms for you to come into his presence. Take a step in his direction and let his light lead you to the joy that can only be found in him.

MYTH: WHEN THINGS LOOK DARK, GOD IS GONE.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 68). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

TRUTH: WHEN THINGS LOOK DARK, GOD’S LIGHT SHINES THE BRIGHTEST.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 68). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

In 2007 my mom had a liver and kidney transplant.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 69). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I was lost in my thoughts. This was not what I had planned. I don’t get it, God. Why this? Why now? I’m not sure how much more of this I can take! This was an unexpected hurdle in a race I never wanted to run. But there was nothing I could do about it. I was hurt and frustrated

What if this is my life from now on? How can I continue

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 69). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I do that for you every day, he said. I love you and I care for you. I have been faithful to you, yet you doubt me every step of the way. Even now you think I’m trying to harm you, not do something good for you.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 73). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I’ve doubted your goodness when all you’ve ever done is care for me, love me, and forgive me. In my doubt and distrust of God, I had failed to see the good things he had done for me. When his plans superseded mine, rather than trust him, I argued why my plans were better than his and doubted his goodness. But even when I doubted God’s goodness, he was good to me.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 75). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

But in 589 BC, their plans were interrupted by political and military actions they couldn’t control. King Nebuchadnezzar, the brutal ruler of Babylon, began his final siege against Jerusalem. When the city fell, he took the Jews to Babylon, where he held them against their will. What a dramatic change in their life plans!

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (pp. 75-76). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Imagine how shocked they must have been to go from freedom to slavery in such a short period of time. While held in captivity, they weren’t sure what to do. How could they make sense of the twists and turns their life plans had now taken? How long would they be held in slavery? And where was God in all of this?

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God revealed that he was the one who had allowed his people to be taken into exile in Babylon. And worse, he sucked the air right out of their tents when he said they would be there for seventy years (). That was not what they had planned. How could a loving God allow this?

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 76). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Jeremiah 29:10–14 KJV 1900

For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (pp. 76-77). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

God reminded them that he had a plan. His plan would help them prosper and give them a future even better than the one they dreamed about while they were living in Jerusalem. So they had to decide whether to throw up their hands in despair—or to trust that God is who he says he is and that he had a better plan for them.

Job was a righteous man, so good that God was impressed and recommended him for testing.

God was using our hospital captivity to teach me about his character and to draw me closer to him. When I was alone pouting about how my plans hadn’t worked out, God was able to break through my stubbornness and reveal another plan for me, a better plan—one that would draw me into a closer relationship with him.

Job confesses that I thought I knew you. Many Christians say that I have known the Lord for so long but the truth of the matter is we are in what the Greeks call “Epignosis.” Epi meaning toward and gnosis meaning knowledge.

Acts 17:27–28 KJV 1900

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Acts 17:

If I had lived out my perfect plan, the one I thought was better than God’s, there are things about his Word and character I never would have experienced. Fortunately, God is faithful to us even when we are disobedient to him.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 77). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (pp. 77-78). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I never realized how much I needed the help of people from my church. There had been so many opportunities to serve us and they availed themselves of each one.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 78). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

When I was young, I thought church was all about a building on Sundays. That was the day we got dressed in our good clothes and drove to a brick building with red-carpeted aisles. But when trouble hits, we experience church in fresh, new ways—ways that had ancient beginnings.

The first-century church wasn’t something experienced in a building on Sunday mornings. In fact, there wasn’t even a building. Church happened when people naturally gathered together to learn more about the man named Jesus from his friends, the apostles, and others who’d seen the miracles he’d performed.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 96). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

During these gatherings, there was such a sense of interconnectedness that if one person in the community was hurting, then the others in the group would sell their possessions so they could help (). Whatever individual identity they processed had been swallowed up by this new corporate identity. They were the first Christ followers. Or as we call them today, Christians. And they didn’t meet in the church. They were the church.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 97). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

followers. Or as we call them today, Christians. And they didn’t meet in the church. They were the church.

We are on a journey from speculation to revelation.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 97). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Job gets a picture of God when everything that he has is gone. Even his wife turns on him.

Job 19:1–27 KJV 1900

Then Job answered and said, How long will ye vex my soul, And break me in pieces with words? These ten times have ye reproached me: Ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. And be it indeed that I have erred, Mine error remaineth with myself. If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, And plead against me my reproach: Know now that God hath overthrown me, And hath compassed me with his net. Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, And he hath set darkness in my paths. He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: And mine hope hath he removed like a tree. He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. His troops come together, And raise up their way against me, And encamp round about my tabernacle. He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me. They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, Count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. My breath is strange to my wife, Though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body. Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. All my inward friends abhorred me: And they whom I loved are turned against me. My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh? Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead In the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, Yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, And mine eyes shall behold, and not another; Though my reins be consumed within me.

God uses pain and grief to let us feel compassion for others.

God revealed to me that the church wasn’t serving us because we were so pathetic that they felt sorry for us. It wasn’t about us at all. These precious people served us, not because we were worthy but because they wanted to serve Jesus. When the gospel takes hold of you, you can’t help but respond by giving yourself away. It wasn’t our worthiness or even our need that compelled them to help. It was the manifestation of God’s grace and his redeeming work, powered As Christ followers, when we see the depth of sacrifice Jesus made for us, bringing a few meals or sweeping some floors for someone in need is nothing.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 97). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

It’s an opportunity for us to learn how to be more like Jesus. We become servants because he was. While we were going through this season of brokenness, the church wasn’t a place we went on Sundays. Church is the people who come to us.

MYTH: THE CHURCH IS A BUILDING WITH SERVICES.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (pp. 97-98). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

TRUTH: THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE OF GOD AS THEY SERVE ONE ANOTHER.

MYTH: THE STRENGTH OF MY FAITH IS BASED ON HOW STRONGLY I BELIEVE.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 99). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

TRUTH: THE STRENGTH OF MY FAITH IS BASED ON THE STRENGTH OF MY GOD.

The single word why haunts me the most.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 98). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

In those dark moments when I am obsessed with finding out why, I’m sure that if I just had an answer to my question, I’d feel better. Even if we were to get an answer, it probably won’t lead to satisfaction and always leads to more questions. I’m not the only one who feels this way. Everyone wants to know why bad things happen.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 115). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 133). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 99). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

In the midst of broken circumstances, we ask why. We’re not the first to ask, and we won’t be the last. Ever since God gave us the ability to ask questions, we’ve been asking that question of him. “Why, God, why?”

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 115). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

For many, the only thing they hear when they ask God why is silence. They feel alone and abandoned. Sometimes they grow angry and bitter at what seems to be his lack of response. When I meet those people, I think how wonderful it would be if we could meet God at Starbucks and, over a muffin and latte, ask him all our questions and clearly hear his answers.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 133). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

The answer to our whys may never be answered in our lifetime. But even if we knew why, it’s likely we wouldn’t be satisfied with the answers anyway.

We ask God why, believing the answer will provide us with some kind of deep soul satisfaction. But too often, we don’t get the answer we want. I don’t think that means we should give up asking questions; we just need to understand their role in our brokenness.

Questions can be a great help in mourning our loss, communicating our frustration, and expressing our feelings. We belong to an almighty, transcendent, yet approachable God who loves hearing our questions. Our questions are important to him, and the Scriptures are full of hurting people asking questions.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 134). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Look at the Psalms. David wrote many of them when he was broken; and, in them, he poured out some painful and intimate questions. Sometimes David got answers. Sometimes he got silence. But even when David’s questions weren’t answered, his faith in God was stronger than his need to know. Just like David, my why questions allow me to go before my heavenly Father and pour out my heart to him. They help me process what I am going through.

What are some of your why questions? Have you ever talked to God about them?

Then I want you to write down all your why questions. Start with “Why did this happen?” or “Why me?” Then get more specific. Try to remember each of those why questions that kept you awake at night.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 140). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

It’s important to know that nowhere does the Bible promise that all our questions will be answered this side of heaven. God doesn’t promise our stories will make sense in and of themselves.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 140). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

But he does promise they will find their greater purpose in light of his greater story of redemption.

I’ve discovered that the longer I focus on why, the less progress I make. When I continue to ask why, somewhere deep inside me the repeated questioning and lack of answers feeds a sense of entitlement. When that sense of entitlement grows, it usually leads to bitterness.

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 141). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

The answer to why doesn’t help us heal. But knowing that God’s glory can be displayed, even in the brokenness of our lives, gives us hope despite our circumstances. I promise you will find more purpose and joy in your life if you set aside the why and begin to ask how.

How might God use your current trial to glorify himself?

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 141). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

How might God use your weakness, infirmity, or disability to display his power?

How might God use your hard circumstances to show you something about himself?

How might God use your hard circumstances to show you something about yourself?

How might God use your pain for a purpose?

How might God make this mess into a message?

How might God use your current chaos to make you into a man or woman who walks by faith, not by sight?

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 142). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

How might God use your situation to show you that true peace is found only in him?

How might God use an untimely death to stir the hearts of others and show them the importance of eternal security in the life to come?

Ask God for wisdom in writing your own how list.

Job 23:9–10 KJV 1900

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.

-Warren Wiersbe

Read more: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/15-beautiful-quotes-encourage-broken/#ixzz5dlwgsUuf

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (pp. 143-144). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever. -Vance Havner

Story, Laura. When God Doesn't Fix It (p. 144). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

The Son of God alone can restore us to God, for He shed His blood to cleanse our sins and give us a new life.

Read more: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/15-beautiful-quotes-encourage-broken/#ixzz5dlwvEIOA

-Watchmen Nee

Read more: https://www.christianquotes.info/top-quotes/15-beautiful-quotes-encourage-broken/#ixzz5dlx6qvJT

1 Peter 5:7 KJV 1900

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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