“Confidence in Faith”

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25; 32-36

An African Pastor and an American Pastor were discussing their churches, and in the course of the conversation, the African mentioned that his church, as well as many African churches in general, were experiencing tremendous growth in both faith and numbers. The American was especially impressed, and asked his counterpart “To what do you attribute this incredible growth?”
The African pastor replied. “We are very focused on three aspects of faith: first, we have complete confidence in the truth of Scripture; second, we have complete confidence in the teaching of Jesus Christ; and third, we have complete confidence in the power of Prayer.”
The American pastor, realizing the simple truth of what his new friend had just taught him, humbly rededicated his ministry to proclaiming and teaching these truths to his own congregation.
- A personal experience, as related by Rev. G. Terry Steenburg, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Owego, NY

Could faith be any simpler, or truer, or more powerful than that?

Read Hebrews 10:19-25

The author of Hebrews gives us quite a bit to consider in these few verses. First, some background on the references to the Temple. The “Most Holy Place”, also known as the Holy of Holies, was where the ark was kept and where it was believed that God resided. It was divided from the next room – the court of the priests – by a woven curtain that had no seams. The only person who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies was the Chief Priest, and then, only after an extensive ritualistic purification. The curtain was, in fact, a barrier to everyone else, and it kept them, in faith, away from Almighty God. In Matthew’s gospel (27:50-53), we read that at the moment of Christ’s death, this curtain was torn in two, from the top to the bottom.

The book of Hebrews now tells us that by faith in Christ and by the shedding of his blood, all, by faith in Jesus Christ, have been granted access to the Most Holy Place – the very presence of God – and the comparison is made between the curtain and Christ’s Body. There has been a lot of discussion and controversy over how Jesus’ Body could be a barrier, a curtain, for us, but we all have to admit that the Lord Jesus and his teaching was, and has been right up to this day, a stumbling block for many. But for our purposes, let’s simply say that it is by the sacrifice of his own body that the way through the "barrier"", which is, of course, our sin, has now been opened. And Jesus is also seen as the “great priest” who is the access to God for all who come by faith in him. His priesthood, therefore, is far greater than that of humanity, as no one but one could enter God’s presence, and then only with a great deal of fear and trepidation. We have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and by that purification, and that alone, we can enter the presence – the heart – the love of God without any apprehension.

God in Christ has prepared this way to salvation for us, and by his promise, we can trust that it is true. And because we have this assurance from Jesus, we are to encourage each other by coming together for worship, for study, for fellowship, for prayer, and, in general, in many ways to encourage each other in faith expression. This is the focus that the African pastor in our story was referring to - faith in what scripture tells us about God in his three Aspects, faith in the sacrificial way that Jesus has prepared us, and the call to be in constant communication with Almighty God, in the name of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22).

Read Hebrews 10:32-36

“Do not throw away your confidence”. Not when you are subjected to insults, oppression, and persecution; not when a Christian friend needs you to support them in their suffering; not when you must stand tall with those who had been imprisoned for their faith; not when you have had your possessions taken by the secular authorities; not ever, because these trials and assets and struggles are of earth, and therefore are only temporary. One day, they will all be replaced with the most marvelous life and gifts and possessions that we could ever imagine. Those who believe in Jesus Christ, those who have surrendered their earthly ways to him, have a wealth and hope and peace that is totally and completely of Christ.

Is it easy to live this kind of faith? Not at first, but the more of yourself that you give, the more of Jesus’ strength and courage you will receive. And as we approach the beginning of Lent, this is the attitude and life that we must adopt. We are to truly live as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be committed to his covenant mercy, and we are to study and learn and live his commandments (Matthew 28:18-20).

And as we come to him today for healing and restoration, and as we seek Christ’s setting us right again in this life, we must put our entire hope and trust in the power of Jesus. The woman with the hemorrhage believed completely; blind Bartimaeus believed completely; the Canaanite and Samaritan women believed completely; the friends of the paralytic man believed completely; and so have many others throughout the centuries. And by faith in Christ, prayers have been heard and answered.
Come today for healing, in complete faith.

At this point, a healing service was offered, with many folks coming forward for personal healing, as well as that for their friends.