Some Assembly RequiredSample

I mentioned yesterday that we were going to talk about the purpose of faith, the power of faith, and the practical requirement of faith. So, let’s get to it.

What is the PURPOSE OF FAITH?

Faith can be placed in a number of things, people, situations. But faith in Christ Jesus is the ultimate measure of faith. Why? Because faith in Jesus is what allows the human soul to believe that what God’s Word says is true, and that it’s true for me. Yes—I can believe that Jesus died, but I also believe that He died and rose again FOR ME, and that His death and resurrection is satisfactory to cancel out my sin debt! What I could not do for myself, He has done on my behalf!

This type of faith in Christ then sets into motion the faith that I can believe God to do other things, like provide for my needs, heal me when I’m sick, protect me from danger, guide me when I need direction, prepare me for eternity, grow me through the reading of His Living Word. And then, another step further means I can trust God to turn tragic situations into good outcomes—for myself, my husband, my children, my family, my church, my community, the lost people around me. Faith grows in my life, line upon line, precept upon precept, to a point to where FAITH GUIDES EVERY DECISION I MAKE.

This is the kind of faith that Noah possessed that caused him to believe. Faith drove him to fear, which drove him to action.

The purpose of faith? To equip you and I to believe that what God says is true, and will happen, even if we can’t see it with our natural eyes right now.

Jesus said in Matthew 19, verse 26 AMP: "But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”

What is the POWER of faith?

The power of faith is limitless as it must be built upon the power of an all-powerful God! When Chresten put the dining table together, it was indeed built, but not because he is an expert carpenter or furniture designer. His faith had to rest in the expertise of people who are carpenters and designers—people who, by the way, we’d never met before. There was an understanding and faith on our part that, if this is a furniture store in that this is all they do, surely they’ve recruited people who truly know how to design, build, and equip novices to furnish their homes.

That kind of faith produced an actual table we own to this day. The expertise of people we’ve never known was the driving force toward what we knew we desired: treasured family meals together in an otherwise small dining space.

The power produced both the desire to purchase and put together the table.

The power of Noah’s faith motivated Noah to obedient action. Why? Our friend Matthew Henry said,

“If it be some good thing, faith stirs up love and desire; if some evil thing, faith stirs up fear. Noah’s faith influenced his practice.”

The power of Noah’s faith caused him to silence all other voices around him and only listen to God’s. It gave him ingenuity to craft a plan, recruit helpers, secure the supplies, and keep getting up each morning. Noah had to keep going when everyone mocked him, when there was no rain in sight, when he didn’t know how long he had to put this boat together. Noah’s faith empowered him to keep leading, even when his wife was potentially embarrassed about this new pet project, when his sons questioned what he claimed to have heard from God.

The beautiful thing about Noah’s experience is that God was working in Noah, and through Noah. How? FAITH! Paul wrote to the Philippians in chapter 2, verse 13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” (NLT) In verse 6 of Hebrews 11, it says, 6 But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (AMP) Faith is the driving force behind all of this!

And yet, Noah still had to take action. Some Assembly Required.

So, we come to the practical requirements of faith. But let's save that for tomorrow's time in God's Word.

Dig a Little Deeper

What voices have been challenging the voice of the Holy Spirit in your day-to-day living? Sometimes, as we guide our own choices, and then seek to lead our children, we must decide the difference between what is good, and what is best. Ask the Holy Spirit today to reveal that difference in practical elements of your family's lifestyle.