Sermon Notes October 4th, 2020 I C U: 35 Days to Revive My Faith When Faith is Laughable ------Welcome To Discovery Community Church Over the next 35 days, as we continue our walk through Genesis, a book about ​ ​ “beginning,” I’m inviting you on a journey to revive your faith by learning from the lives of some who’ve been there. Today, we start the journey back.

We know how to rest our body We know how to restart a motor We know how to revive a heart But how do you revive...a faith?

Faith simply isn’t easy for me. It never has been, and I’m not alone: for many of us it is one of the little secrets.

We doubt and are afraid people will find out. We are even more fearful God will find out.

Genesis 18:10-15 New International Version (NIV) Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and , your wife, will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

This is a tough moment for Sarah. Her inner wrestle becomes public and historical. She struggles with cynicism.

Hebrews 11:11 The Message (MSG) By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. That’s how it happened that from one man’s dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.

There is little doubt that unbelief is a sin. It states in Romans 14:23 New International Version ​ (NIV): everything that does not come from faith is sin. ​

There is little doubt faith is necessary. It states in :6 New International Version ​ (NIV): and without faith it is impossible to please God. ​

Faith requires us to: -- Believe what I can’t see -- Hold what I can’t touch -- Step where I don’t want

Faith requires a miracle.

And there is little doubt the cynic needs help that only God can provide.

Luke 18:27 New International Version (NIV) replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

The seeds of the greatest work in one’s life are planted in dark places where faith is so excruciatingly difficult. It’s in those deeply dark places, where it feels like only cynicism thrives, that God actually fully develops faith…if we let Him to.

Hebrews 3:12 New International Version (NIV) See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

A Cynic’s Only Hope...

1) ...begins when I’m straight with God

The greatest faced deeply dark moments. I think we're familiar all with depression, discouragement, hopelessness, and fear. They were all honest with God.

Mark 9:24 New International Version (NIV) Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Faking your way numbs the soul.

Isaiah 29:13 The Message (MSG) The Master said: “These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren’t in it. Because they act like they’re worshiping me but don’t mean it, I’m going to step in and shock them awake, astonish them, stand them on their ears. The wise ones who had it all figured out will be exposed as fools. The smart people who thought they knew everything will turn out to know nothing.”

2) ...Is fed with God’s words

Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Psalm 19:7 New International Version (NIV) The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Hebrews 4:12 New International Version (NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

3) ... strengthened close to faith people

Iron sharpens.

Proverbs 13:20 New International Version (NIV) Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Hebrews 3:13 New International Version (NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Colossians 3:16 New International Version (NIV) Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

4) ...grows with the faith you already have

Luke 17:5-6 New International Version (NIV) The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Like a baby: sit, crawl, stand, walk, run, warrior.

Mark 9:24 New International Version (NIV) Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”