Big God - Faith Warring

What’s this?

It’s a section of this Stack that reflects the content of a weekly small group Bible study that I lead. These posts primarily consist of a sermon summary used as notes during the meeting. A longer description can be found on the About page. If you subscribe to this Substack but don’t wish to receive notifications for this section, select Manage Subscription from the upper-right menu and turn the notification off there.

Audience

These summaries are prepared for and presented within an on-campus small group audience, adding explanations and additional questions during the meeting itself. Members of the group vary in their understanding, but are familiar with the Bible, can find references fairly quickly, and tend to believe what they read there. The beliefs we hold vary individually.

There are no particular expectations with regard to the online audience. Curiosity is enough, and perhaps patience if you understand things differently. The same goes for visitors to the church itself. Questions and comments are encouraged.

Small Group Setting

Meetings are informal and conversational, although there is structure. We begin by taking time to arrive and connect, open in prayer, and then review a portion the message from the previous Sunday. There isn’t time to go through everything, but we go where we are drawn, following the outline or not.

There can be considerably more to each message than what appears in the summary. It is not a transcript, but a condensed outline written for use in group discussion. I suggest watching the video if you have the time and interest. Sermon videos typically run about 30-35 minutes. Take a few notes. Comment below.

Toward the end of our time we look at the “fill-in” sermon points, published with blanks in the bulletin but presented in full within the message and here. We also may glance at the questions for reflection (also from the bulletin) if there is time, and we close with extended prayer.

Note About This Series

This “Big God” sermon series is based on the book Big God — What Happens When We Trust Him, by Britt Merrick.

Sermon Video

Optional but recommended.

Sermon YouTube Livestream Link
Full Service YouTube Livestream Link

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Sermon Summary

(“Slide: …” indicates that the text following is projected on the sanctuary screens and displayed at the bottom of the livestream.)

1. Scripture Reading

   1. Hebrews 11:32-38 - 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

2. Introduction

   1. This is the second to last week of the series. The hope is that we be led to see God as as big, powerful, and wonderful as he really is, and that because of this our faith is strengthened and our lives are being transformed.

   2. We have been going through Hebrews 11, looking at stories of people from the Old Testament, and seeing how they had moments of great faith where God allowed them to be part of doing something great in their time. Stories where faith has progressed, and is now “faith warring”.

3. Slide: Hebrews 11:32-33 - 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,

   1. Some names may be familiar, others not. All demonstrated faith, connected together by “who through faith…“ (v. 33). Their faith made these things possible.

   2. These names are primarily from the Book of Judges, where various battles were fought, to bring God’s glory to a greater part of the earth.

   3. “Faith Warring” is different from the way the world fights. These stories are about fighting physical battles, but point to a spiritual reality that is happening, and often the battles are fought differently, different weapons, and strategies, ways that don’t seem to make sense, but God has a plan. Often, God is doing the fighting and winning the victories. If we are fighting like everyone else, we are doing it the wrong way.

   4. In Faith Warring we see people who will faithfully step into difficult circumstances and difficult situations. They had no business doing what they did for God. Not because of them but because of God they accomplished these things. (The following summaries are taken from notes. See the sermon video or the scriptures for more details.)

   5. Gideon (Judges 6-8) - He was an insignificant nobody, afraid. An angel tells him God is going to free his people and lead him to victory over Midian. Gideon did not agree.

      1. Judges 6:15 - 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

      2. He was filled with fear and doubt (Judges 6:13, 17)

      3. He asked for a sign at the altar, then “fleece” signs twice, then for more confirmation.

      4. Yet he led an army to an impossible victory (300 men vs 130k)

   6. Barak (Judges 4)

      1. He was filled with fear.

      2. He was told to go win a battle that God was giving him (Judges 4:6-7)

      3. He needed Deborah to go with him, and the glory was given to the woman Jael.

      4. Yet God was still faithful to give them victory, although the glory went to someone else.

   7. Samson (Judges 13-15)

      1. He had the least faith.

      2. He did not do what he was told to do.

      3. He eventually won a battle by asking God for strength.

      4. His strength was a gift from from God, not from who he was.

   8. Jephthah (Judges 11-12)

      1. He was a warrior but his mom was a prostitute and so he was rejected at first.

      2. He did things right but made a mistake in the end with disastrous consequences.

      3. God doesn’t need something from us. God was giving him the victory, the gift, and didn’t need a gift back.

   9. David.

      1. He was arguably the greatest warrior in the history of Israel

      2. 1 Samuel 18:7 - Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands

      3. He is best known for his defeat of Goliath

         1. Goliath is a clear picture of the enemy—Satan.

            1. Big.

               1. Goliath was about 9.5 feet tall (1 Sam 17:4)

               2. His armor weighed over 200 pounds (1 Sam. 17:5)

               3. The head of his spear weighed about 19 pounds (1 Sam. 17:7)

            2. Intimidating

               1. He was a champion (‘war machine’) (1 Sam 17:4)

               2. He shouted at and openly challenged the armies of Israel (1 Sam.17:8)

               3. He persisted for 40 days, every morning and every night (relentless) (1 Sam. 17:16)

            3. Mocker

               1. 1 Sam. 17:43 - He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

         2. But David had God confidence (faith), and faced the giant

            1. 1 Sam. 17:26 - Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?

            2. For David, it wasn’t about David—it was about the living God

               He was convinced of the value of God and so the value of living for God and God’s purposes.

            3. He chose to not fight like everyone else, but using stones and a sling.

   10. Hebrews 11 points us back to this imagery of faith that is warring, and victories we can have. How we can stand firm in our faith? …

4. Slide: When we talk about warring by faith we realize:

   (1) Warfare is the normal state of Christian life. One of the main attacks the enemy uses against us is to try to prevent us from participating in what God has in store for us.

   1. (Ryan comments about not being a warring person. “Play fights.”)

   2. Warfare language is used repeatedly in the Old and New Testaments…

   3. Slide: 2 Timothy 2:3 - 3 Join with me in suffering,like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

   4. Slide: Ephesians 6:10-12 - 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

   5. We have a battle to be won. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us who our struggle is with.

      1. We too often fight the wrong battles and people, in the wrong way, using the tactics of this world, such as being louder and posting on social media. We will lose the battle if we fight the way the world fights.

      2. The fight is not against flesh and blood. Paul was the enemy of God before he came to Christ. He was having Christians imprisoned and killed. Stephen, when being stoned, cried out “forgive them” — the battle is not against flesh and blood.

      3. Our goal should be to see people repent of their sins and turn toward Christ. They are lost sheep, not enemies. It can be difficult to think this way of some people.

      4. [This local church] wants people to belong while they figure out what to believe. We trust that through belief, behavior will be transformed. We introduce them to the God of the Universe that loves them so deeply that he would give his Son to die on a cross and rise again so that those that put their trust in him will not perish but have eternal life.

      5. When they believe, behavior is transformed. If you read the Word of God it will challenge you over and over again. But the order is important. First belief and coming into relationship with God, with that leading to transformed behavior.

      6. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of hell. Our goal is to prevent Satan from doing his work, stealing souls away from God. We stand in the gap as a witness of the power of the truth and love of Jesus Christ. That is what we are called to do.

      7. Stand firm and be prepared, because there is a battle that rages and the enemy wants to make us comfortable, or scared, so that we don’t get into the game and live on mission. He hates a church where everyone is empowered, bringing glory to God.

   6. Slide: (2a) Warfare is consequential in the Christian life.

      There will be victories.

      1. Sometimes victories:
         Slide: Hebrews 11:33-35a - 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.

      2. We have ultimate victory in Christ. (References Faith Winning message.) We know that our eternity is set, complete and total victory. But we can still see God do some things in our lives and in our world today. (Examples given.) There will be victories when we put our faith in Jesus, fight the battle, and stand firm. But also…

   7. Slide: (2b) There will be struggles. - or apparent losses

      Hebrews 11:35b-38 - . . . There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging,and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground

      1. This is less exciting, but suffering does not mean lack of faith. “…refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection…— the world was not worthy of them.“ Many times it takes more faith to endure than to escape. The Christian life is a state of warfare, experiencing victories and defeats.

      2. Slide: 2 Timothy 3:12 - 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

      3. We should not be surprised when we experience times of suffering. It is a part of the Christian life. John 3:16 tells us when we put our trust in Jesus, we have an eternity to look forward to where all things will be made new, right, and redeemed. We look forward to that day so that we can endure and have victory in what feels like defeat.

5. Slide: (c) Both are for God’s glory!

   Romans 5:3-5 - 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

   1. We can have glory even in our sufferings. We don’t always feel that.

   2. “What makes a great witness for Jesus Christ?” (Example of professional athletes professing their faith on camera. It is possible for viewers to misunderstand the meaning, thinking that God rewards them for such profession.) The prize is relationship with Jesus.

6. Conclusion

   1. When we can stand in suffering, losing everything, and thank God and still trust him, that is a testimony. We can celebrate in the good times as well. Keeping our perspective on eternity in good times and bad, we can be a light to this world. There is no more powerful witness than Christians who are made to suffer because of circumstances, but do it well, with hope and joy.

   2. Examples. Being generous after losing everything. Being loving after being persecuted and hated. Standing firm and fighting the spiritual battle not the way the world does, but the way God has called us to.

   3. Love God. Love others, make disciples, stand firm, be in prayer, be in the Word, be in community. Because we are fighting a battle against the powers of hell. And we know that we already have the ultimate victory. So let’s keep our eyes focused on Jesus. He is the prize. He is what our faith and our lives are all about. Keep pursuing him. Keep building his kingdom here (and Carmichael) as it is in heaven.

   4. There will be victories and struggles, but it is all for God’s glory if we put our faith in him and allow him to move in and through our lives, whether in suffering and defeat, or victory. We give all the glory to God.

   5. So thank you Lord, whatever you have in store for me, I am grateful that you gave me Jesus, so I know that there is something more. Let’s keep being that light to this world. Let’s fight this battle. Let’s win some victories. Let’s demonstrate Jesus to the world.

[Closing Prayer]

Sermon Points

When we talk about warring by faith we realize:

1. Warfare is the normal state of Christian life. (Eph. 6:10-12)

2. Warfare is consequential in the Christian life. (Eph 6:11)

   1. There will be victories. (Heb. 11:33-35a)

   2. There will be struggles. (Heb. 11:35b-38)

   3. Both are for God’s glory. (Rom. 5:3-5)

Questions for Reflection

1. What does “faith warring” mean to you?

2. What are some things that stop you from living on mission? Comfort? Fear?

3. Are there some “giants” before you that need to be slain? Spend time in prayer, and ask God for the strength to overcome.

4. Who can you share the hope of the gospel with this week?