Desperate, Uninformed and Shattered Faith: 2016 Gospel of Luke #31
This is an exposition of Luke 8:40-56. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, October 2, 2016.
Intro:
People mean well. I know they are trying to help but sometimes people say really dumb things. You can have one of those days when everything goes wrong. You backed over your dog pulling out of the drive way in a hurry going to work. In spite of your desperate attempts to save him and that $3000 vet billed, he died. You finally get to the office and you’re told despite reports to the contrary the company is having to lay off some of its employees and your boss needs to see you right away. On your way back home having lost your job you’re passed by a firetruck running with lights and sirens. You get home to see your house in flames. Your neighbor greets you with a sympathetic hug and says, “How are you doing?” “How am I doing? Really? How do you think I’m doing Einstein?” Worse yet one of your friends from church calls to encourage you. They urge you to, “Have faith.” Despite the fact that apparently you and Job have the same friends, you recognize that there is truth to what your church friend said. There is the need for faith. There is the need to trust in God. To rely upon Him and trust His grace is sufficient. But how are you supposed to have faith in the midst of such tragedy?
Just how are you to believe when your world is rocked you are lucky if you can stand let alone exercise faith? You cannot read the Scripture and not be struck by the fact we are called to have faith in every circumstance. We are called to believe and trust no matter what because our God has shown himself able to deliver, able to supply all our needs. He has promise to never leave us or forsake us. He has proven that His power is great, His love is limitless and promise is true. But what faith can I muster when I’m beaten down? What faith can I muster when my world is turned upside down? How am I to believe when I, due to shock, feel nothing?
Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains. Well, that’s encouraging. I mean a mustard seed is tiny. It seems insignificant. But sometimes I’m not sure I’m able to accomplish even that. This is when we need to be reminded that, biblically, it is not the strength of our faith but the power of the object of our faith. It is not how much we believe but the one in whom we believe. Your confidence does not rest in the strength or power of your faith but in the strength and power of God. We find some encouragement in our text this morning.
Text: Luke 8:40-56
Luke is giving us some snapshot of our God in action.
You remember Jesus and the 12 are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arises.
With a word he calmed the wind and the waves.
As Lord of creation the winds and waves must obey him.
Then, landing on the other side they were confronted by a man possessed by a legion of demons.
With a word He brought peace to that tormented soul.
As Lord of heaven and earth even evil spirits must obey him.
Our text continues the story…
Thesis: Our God is mighty to save even in the midst of desperate, uniformed and shattered faith.
In our text we are confronted by two desperate people both in great need. One of them is wealthy, powerful and influential. The other is poor, neglected, isolated and alone. Both encounter the sovereign power of God in the person of a loving Savior. Neither is ever the same.
There are 3 things I want to point out along the way as we work through this text.
- Our God graciously responds to the feeble pleadings of desperate faith. (8:40-42)
- Our God mercifully corrects ignorant, superstitious and simplistic faith gently directing toward a more mature faith. (8:43-48)
- Our God lovingly restores shattered faith by the working of His mighty power. (8:49-56)
Conclusion:
This is the capstone of a series of events displaying the power of our God. In the midst of a raging tempest he said, “Be still.” There followed an eerie calm. Confronted by a demon-possessed man he said, “Be gone” and a tormented soul was at peace. By his touch a woman was made whole and with a word a dead girl was brought to life. Our God is sovereign. Our Savior can do anything. He can save your soul. He can restore your life. He can supply your most desperate need.
Our God is mighty to save even in the midst of desperate, uniformed and shattered faith.
Won’t you come to him now?