Grace Church Metropolis
James One Mg 4
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      • James 1:5–8MEV

  • James One Mg 4
    James 1:5-8

    Wavering Faith

    A Common Theme
    If you have faith…
    Last week I shared the story of the father with the demon possessed son.
    “I believe, but help me with my unbelief”
    We can all relate to this father.
    Even strong believers can struggle between trust and fear, confidence and uncertainty.
    The Disciples on the Sea
    Jesus questioned their fear and accused them of having little “so little faith”.
    Matthew 8:26 NLT
    Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
    Peter Walks on Water
    When Peter began sinking while walking on water, Jesus caught him and challenged his doubt.
    Matthew 14:31 NLT
    Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
    Jesus curses a fig tree.
    Mark 11:23 NLT
    I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

    Mountain Moving Faith

    Think and grow rich?
    That’s a believing in ones-self “kind of faith”.
    The power of positive of thinking? “A blind optimism”
    Wishful thinking?
    Pretending problems don’t exist? “I’m fine”

    Biblical Faith (Hebrew 11:1)

    Faith is confident trust in the character, promises, and Word of God, even when circumstances or feelings seem uncertain.
    Faith encompasses both intellectual conviction and personal trust grounded in God’s character and promises.
    Biblical faith is confidence in God because of who He is.

    Ask but Don’t Doubt Ask for Wisdom

    God gives generously without rebuking (you again)
    But God adds
    James 1:6 MEV
    But let him ask in faith, without wavering.
    When you pray and doubt it sounds like this.
    “Can God really help me?”
    “Will God come through?”
    “Maybe I should handle this myself.”

    Faith Say:

    “God hears me.”
    “God is wise.”
    “God is trustworthy even when I don’t understand.”

    Wavering Faith

    Wavering Faith is like this:
    Wavering faith wants God’s blessings without fully surrendering to God’s leadership.
    It is like trying to sit in a chair while secretly wondering if it will hold you.
    True faith rests its full weight on the chair.
    Biblical faith rests its full weight on God.
    Biblical faith is confidence in God because of who He is.

    Wavering Faith Is Unstable

    James gives a vivid picture:
    James 1:6 (MEV) — 6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
    James 1:6 MEV
    But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
    The readers in 1st century Israel would have understood this picture.
    We can get the picture.
    Here’s another: squirrel crossing the road.

    See if this you?

    One day: Excited Next day: Discouraged
    One minute trusting: God; Next: overwhelmed by fear!
    When we are wavering and be tossed about we are letting our emotion, our circumstances, opinions, and fear control us. Drive us!
    We have not anchored in our heart in God’s truth.
    We are shallow in our beliefs.
    We get tossed about by every shiny new trend.
    James 1:8 (NLT) — 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
    James 1:8 NLT
    Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

    Instead, let this be you.

    Build a firm foundation on the solid rock of God’s word.
    There are essential things you must believe
    So, when the wind blows…
    When the enemy slings fiery arrows…
    We are not going to have perfect faith.
    But we can have surrendered faith.
    I don’t understand it. You don’t have too.

    Three Ways to Greater Faith

    Know the Character of God.

    Your faith will grow when you remember
    God is always faithful.
    God is always wise
    God does not change
    God keeps His promises

    Stay anchored in the word.

    Our feelings and mood change
    Our circumstances change
    Opinions change
    One minute it is sunny and blue skies. The next we are taking cover in a basement.
    One thing is constant is that nothing stays the same.
    Except God’s word. It never changes.
    Romans 10:17 (ESV) — 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
    Romans 10:17 ESV
    So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

    Build Faith through Prayer

    Pray without ceasing
    Pray scripture
    Pray together
    Pray is your direct line to God.

    Challenge

    What area of your life is being tossed by fear, doubt, or uncertainty?
    Bring it fully before God.
    Ask in faith.
    Trust His wisdom.
    And refuse to let the winds of circumstance speak louder than the promises of God.

    Anchored Heart

    The waves may rise.
    The winds may blow.
    But a heart anchored in Christ can stand firm.

      • Matthew 8:26MEV

      • Matthew 14:31MEV

      • Mark 11:23MEV

      • James 1:6MEV

      • James 1:6MEV

      • James 1:8MEV

      • Romans 10:17MEV

Grace Church Metropolis
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http://www.gracechurchmetropolis.com
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