Now Faith Without Wavering
Romans 4:17-22 (ESV)
as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
Abraham has been called the father of faith, because against all odds, against science and nature and circumstances, Abraham believed God for a son. And he did so without wavering, and I think that is an amazing statement. My faith often wavers, so I want to find out more about Abraham’s faith.
SOLVING THE PROBLEM FOR GOD
Abraham was 100 years old, as was his wife Sarah. It was physically and scientifically impossible for them to have a child. Abraham had been given a promise years before that he would bear a son,
Genesis 15:4-5 (ESV)
your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
But Abraham and Sarah grew impatient, and so initially they decided to solve the problem for God. We often do that too, don’t we? Get out of the way God, I can take it from here. This attempt to solve the problem ended in disaster, and child named Ishmael who became an eventual enemy of God’s people.
When God reminded Abraham, of the promise, Abraham argued back…
Genesis 17:18-19 (ESV)
And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
So then, despite his failed attempt to solve the problem, and despite his advanced age, Abraham hoped against hope for the promise of God.
FAITH IS A TUBE OF HOPE
Thirty-three miners in Chile were once trapped more than two thousand feet underground. No one even knew exactly where they were. Trapped beneath the surface, they were helpless, hopeless, and desperate. If they were ever going to be saved, they could do nothing, help would have to come from above.
After several weeks, the miners’ location was pinpointed and rescue workers were able to lower essential items down to them through a small tube. Things like toothpaste, food, and other survival items were sent to the miners, not just to help them in the midst of their dark and desperate situation, but also to give them hope.
This tube provided hope to the miners that someone was up above them, doing everything in their power to reach them and deliver them from their pit. The tube itself did not deliver them, but it gave them hope that deliverance was on the way.
After fifty-nine days, every miner was successfully brought to the surface, and one said, “We always knew that we would be rescued; we never lost faith.”
That’s what faith is like. It’s not the actual answer, but it’s the assurance of things hoped for, it’s the sure hope against hope that Abraham knew.
1. ABRAHAM DIDN’T FAKE IT
Abraham never faked his faith like so many do today. I hear so many people trying to be faithful, but they sound like idiots, because they are only faking it. They refuse to acknowledge facts, but this is what I love about Abraham.
Romans 4:19 (ESV)
He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.
Abraham didn’t fake it, he didn’t ignore the facts, he didn’t numb his mind with a mantra saying, “I am young, I am virile.” No, Abraham looked the sorry facts straight in the eye and acknowledged them, but he said, “My God is bigger than you!”
There is no point denying facts, you just sound like a crazy person. But miracles occur when God supersedes the facts, and that’s what Abraham’s faith was all about.
The Greek word for considered (He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body) is KATANOEO, which means to fix your eyes upon, and that’s a huge clue to Abraham’s faith. He acknowledged the facts, but he never fixated on them, instead he fixed his eyes on God. What are your eyes fixed on?
2. ABRAHAM NEVER WAVERED
Romans 4:20 (ESV)
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God,
If you are like me, you start with faith and, when things get tough, or delayed, your faith starts to waver a little, or a lot. The Greek for waver is DIAKRINO, a compound word meaning DIA, two, and KRINO, to judge. It means vacillating or wavering between 2 opinions. It implies a mental struggle with faith.
James relates this back to faith…
James 1:6-8 (ESV)
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
So a double minded or unstable or wavering faith does not see the miracles. Let me ask you, do you mentally struggle with your faith? You know God is able, you know He loves you, but you just can’t comprehend that He would do this miracle for you.
Another instance of wavering occurs when Elijah is facing off against the prophets of Baal.
1 Kings 18:21 (ESV)
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping (wavering) between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.
Wavering is limping or some translations say dancing between 2 opinions. It is unstable, and unproductive, and a sure fire way to not see God’s miracles in your life. Abraham, we are told, did not waver once he was sure and believed!
3. ABRAHAM GREW STRONG
Romans 4:20 (ESV)
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
Abraham grew strong in his faith. He didn’t just snap his fingers and presto, I have strong faith. No, he grew strong, ENDYNAMOO in Greek, meaning growing in strength and power, dynamo is the Greek word for power, from which we get dynamite. Abraham’s growing faith was dynamite!
2 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV)
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
Faith grows. You believe God and see a small miracle, then another, then another, and so your faith is strengthened for even greater faith and miracles. Abraham saw his God make a way in a new land, defeat enemies, prosper financially and protect him, and each step of faith strengthened the next step.
That’s exactly what is happening right now here at Ignite. We saw God provide a quarter of a million dollars miraculously to buy our Woombye property. Then we moved here, and saw God provide $700k for Lily House to buy Woombye, so we could but here. I don’t have time to list the amazing miracles that keep happening, even until today.
The great thing about faith without wavering is that, because we are the body of Christ, we can join our faith together, so if my faith is stronger, it can help build yours.
4. ABRAHAM WAS FULLY CONVINCED
Romans 4:21 (ESV)
fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Fully convinced is PLERO-PHOREO, a compound word combining Plero, meaning fullness with Phoreo, meaning burdened or clothed. So this word means completely clothed with the belief that God is willing and able to do what He promised.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Similar word isn’t it… convinced, assurance, conviction. You can be fully clothed in the absolute, unwavering surety that God can and will do as He has promised.
GOING WAY BEYOND WAY BEYOND
Let me remind you that Paul gives us this promise in Ephesians
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
The Word power is DYNAMIS, which we saw means explosive power, but I want to highlight the words more abundantly, to show just how radical God is, and how radical our faith in Him can become. More is the word HYPER, meaning above and beyond, and the word used for abundantly is HYPER-EK-PERISOU. Perisou is exceedingly or more than is necessary, ek makes the word stronger. What this word literally means is that God can do not just abundantly, not just exceedingly abundantly, but above and beyond exceedingly abundantly!
So why did Abraham’s faith not waver? Because he was absolutely convinced that God, the same God who had proved Himself time and time again, was able to go way beyond what was needed.
DON’T WAVER, STAND TOGETHER
This is the dynamic faith that you need in your life, and that we are seeing time and time again at Ignite. We can join our shields of faith together and all grow stronger in our faith. The way I see it, you don’t have to come to church here or go to church at all. You’ll still be a believer, still be saved. But if you want to see radical, exceedingly abundantly, over the top miracles, this is a great place to be. Faith begets faith, and if your faith is weak, or you try to believe but you waver in your mind back and forth, then we can stand with you.
James 1:6-8 (ESV)
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Wavering faith fails and falls, but you have the option as Abraham did of clothing yourself in absolute surety that God will do exceedingly abundantly as He has promised.
You may have come forward in the last few weeks for prayer, but nothing happened yet. I want to urge you to respond again if your faith is wavering. Don’t be afraid to be honest before God and say, I’m wavering a little, but don’t camp there. Remember, Abraham did not waver in his faith, but was strengthened, and you can be strengthened in your faith by responding and by allowing us to stand with you and help strengthen you.
WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR FAITH WAVERS AT TIMES?
HOW CAN YOU BE FULLY CONVINCED OF YOUR FAITH?
WHAT DO YOU NEED HELP TRUSTING GOD FOR RIGHT NOW?
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