It's Time - Christ Our Refuge

CHRIST OUR REFUGE Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 15:21-28

What is a true, living and saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?  Observe  these two stories where Jesus says the two people have ‘great faith’. 

FAITH – ITS CENTRAL IMPORTANCE

• Ephesians 2:8- by grace you are saved through faith
• Hebrews 12:5 – without faith it is impossible to please God

The purpose of this talk  -  to help us  see if we are in the faith and if not, then take steps to finding true faith in Jesus

• Some may discern that up until now what they have regarded as true is in fact not true faith at all
• Others with a very timid or even somewhat hidden faith may have that faith affirmed, nurtured and fanned into flame

FAITH – ITS MANY COUNTERFEITS

• Respect/ sympathy for Christ’s cause – we are either for him or against him
• Knowing about him - we must act on the knowledge
• Imitation of his example - this is faith in yourself and renders his coming into the world unnecessary for it believes we can save ourselves
• Attending church – do not merely attend the surgery but visit the doctor
• Believing he is the Son of God - we must know him and worship him
• Jesus the Adviser – we must submit altogether to his authority and teaching
• An orthodox confession of faith - false if not accompanied by obedience to the will of the Father – Matthew 7:21-23
• Inherited faith - baptism is a call to discipleship that must be lived out
• Sincerity in belief - it is not sincerity of belief but the object of our faith that matters – we can be sincerely mistaken
• Belief in yourself - faith in faith as an approach to life is not faith in Christ

FAITH – ITS ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS

Matthew 15:21-28 – Jesus apparent reluctance to respond was to test the genuineness of her faith and see if she belonged to the Israel of God

• I am making an approach to you - she called out – moved towards Jesus
• I believe you can do this – did she know of Elijah and the widow?
• I am willing to pay any price – she ignored the disciples rebuke
• I am desperate – you are my only hope
• I do not deserve it - I do not have the promises of the covenant people
• I will not give up – she persisted, persevered
• I have reason to believe you will hear me – you are compassionate
• I cast myself entirely upon your mercy – look upon my need

Her faith brought her to  Jesus with unstoppable force and received its reward

Luke 7:1-10 – the healing of the centurion’s servant – many similar features

• I do not deserve it – I need grace. I am not relying on my record.
• You do not have to do it – you can grant or withhold grace
• I need you to do it – no-one else can heal
• I know you can do it – you have authority in the realm of sickness, just as I have in the army
• I ask you to do it – so let us also ask Jesus to save us.

• Jesus Christ has not changed This is still what he calls great faith.
• He invites us to come and ask, seek and knock and receive.
• He did not turn away those who came seeking his blessing
• He encourages us to come

FAITH – ITS  COMMON OBSTACLES -   So what holds us back?

• I am not worthy - a steppingstone, not a stumblingblock. Matthew 5:3
• I couldn’t keep it up – he will keep you -– Philippians 1:5. .
• It’s too late – if it wasn’t too late for the thief on the cross, it is not for you.
• I will just wait until he lays hold of me and grants me such a faith – come!
• I will come when I have improved my life a bit - come just as you are

FAITH – ITS UNIVERSAL RESULTS - . Galatians 5:6 - The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Love is the expression and the fruit of a living, genuine faith in the Lord. It establishes a life-changing relationship.

• Love for God – enjoyment of God and obedience to His will – Matthew 7:21
• Love for the family of God – by this we know that we have passed from death unto life that we love the brothers and sisters. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 1^st John 3:14

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