I Believe…I Believe!

Leading up to this time of year, world-wide, children and adults alike express a belief in Santa Claus. ‘If you’re good enough, then he’ll leave something for you under the tree’, is what we’re told from a young age. We

have put so much trust and devotion into ‘being good’, so that we won’t be disappointed come Christmas morning. However, as we grow older, we lose that desire to trust and believe in Jolly ‘ole St. Nick. In the 2004 movie, The Polar Express, a boy is whisked away on a magical train all the way up to the North Pole. All throughout the movie, he is skeptical of the fact that Santa even exists and at the end {SPOILER ALERT} he meets the Santa and is even given a silver bell that comes off of the Santa’s sleigh. Before meeting Santa, the boy repeats these words several times out loud, “I believe…I believe…I BELIEVE!”. After so much skepticism, this boy comes away with so much faith, or belief, in someone he had only heard stories about. There’s a song we sang this morning in worship called Bethlehem, Galilee, Gethsemane, and the lyrics go as such.

“Bethlehem, He was born there, I believe, I believe.

Galilee, Jesus walked there, I believe, I believe.

Gethsemane, my Savior prayed there, on Calvary, He died alone
But the tomb, He left there, I believe, I believe…”

As much as we believe in the physical things in this life, no matter what they are, they will not take us or give us as much fulfillment as our belief in Christ. Belief in Christ, means that we believe in truth (which He is…2nd Thessalonians 2:13).

Belief in Christ is not something you can proclaim only when it suits you, when it’s most convenient or when everyone else is doing it. Belief has to be genuine, from the heart and intentional. He was born, walked His earth and died for us to allow everyone of us access to the greatest gift we could ever have. I believe that He gave up everything for me, and I try everyday to live and show that to those around me.

-Do we believe the stories and historical events that we grew up hearing about from our parents and grandparents as they read from God’s word?
-Do we believe in the God that we know sent His Son to die for our sins, so that we would be able to be with Him one day?
-Do we proclaim our belief in God as much as we encourage our children to believe in a magical being that rewards kids for being good one time a year?

Who has more of your belief and trust? Christ or the things of this world?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY-G5eHYGSc

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

1, September 16, 20171, April 14, 2018

STEPS: Believe

Probably the most striking statement of belief that we read in God’s word comes from the gospel of Mark. While Christ is talking to a man whose son has been demon-possessed from childhood, the man says, “If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:20-24) Christ tells him all things are possible to the one who believes. Then, as if speaking across the generations, the man replies, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

As followers of Christ, we understand and follow the steps of salvation; we hear, we believe, we repeat, we confess, and we are baptized. And still, under Satan’s attack and the turmoil of life, we find these same words flowing from our hearts; “Help my unbelief!” This Sunday (September 17th) we’ll be looking closing at that second step of salvation and how examine just how deeply do we believe. Take the next step on Sunday morning and join those of us who…’Believe.’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, September 17, 2017

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” – 524

There are a lot of things we don’t know. How long has this world been spinning, how did God create this world, why would God send His Son to redeem mankind? Lots of unknown questions, but as this song affirms, “I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!” Even with so many unanswered questions, when it comes to our relationship with our Creator and His Son…we believe.

“Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer” – 849

When we bow our heads (bend our hearts) and pray to our Father it is a blessed hour. And we pray because we believe He hears.” The last verse of this song is a great statement of faith, “At the blessed hour of prayer, trusting Him we believe that the blessing we’re needing we will surely receive…”

“Trust and Obey” – 915

Typically an ‘invitation song’, this spiritual song takes our trust (our belief) and reminds us to walk with the Lord. Just remember, He will abide with us as we do His good will. The question that must be answered is do you, will you, trust and obey?

“We Saw Thee Not” – 342

As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper, this hymn reminds us that even though we didn’t witness His birth, or see His vicious death on the cross or the empty tomb after His resurrection, we believe! By faith…we believe.

“Bethlehem…Galilee…Gethsemane” – 357

Christ was born in Bethlehem. Christ lived and walked alone the shores of Galilee. And Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane hours before his death. As referenced in the earlier song, we weren’t there, but we believe. It is for this reason we are propelled to take each step toward salvation.

“Ancient Words” – no book

“Ancient Words, ever true…changing you and changing me.” But is our heart changed when we hear and read God’s Word, or are we just ‘going through the motions?’ We WILL be changed when we fully believe and act on that belief that those ‘ancient words’…those ‘holy words’ are ever true!

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” – 679

Though typically not an invitation song we’ll begin this song with the chorus; “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!” To ‘prove’ something means that you will ‘establish it as truth.’ Do you believe to the point that over and over again you establish Jesus Christ as TRUTH? Remember what He said in John chapter 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

“I Believe in Jesus” – 356

We’ve talked about how we take the next step to believe in the message of salvation. Now, don’t just say or sing it, but live and practice it. Take that step as we close and affirm, “Yes, I believe in the One they called Jesus…and I believe that He’s the answer for me.”

1, April 24, 20151, April 25, 2015

Do You Believe in the Church?…April 26th

Have you heard the phrase, ‘Talk is cheap?’ Simply translated, ‘actions speak louder than words.’ On a personal level, if I tell you to call whenever you need something, but refuse to answer your call when it’s not convenient (like say around 3:00 in the morning) isn’t that just cheap talk? In the same manner, if we proudly claim our church family on Sunday morning, but don’t associate with our brothers and sisters on Friday night, our actions are speaking loud and clear? Or, do we believe enough in the church that we’ll sacrifice our time for them? We might say (and sing) all the right words, but how would our life look if we really ‘believed’ in the church Christ died for?

The true test of how much you believe in something can’t be found in your words alone. What we believe in (value) can be seen in how much time, energy and interest we give to its success. In short, how much you trust in something is determined by how much you are willing to sacrifice for it. How much did God ‘believe’ in the church? Enough to have His Son die for her! Each of us would do well to take a look at how much time and energy (yes, even money) we are willing to give to this same church. Then ask the question, ‘How much do I believe in the church?’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, April 26, 2015

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“For the Beauty of the Earth” – 67

What a great opening for Sunday morning’s service. As you consider the glory of God, what reasons can you find to praise Him? In 1864, Folliot Pierpoint offered these ideas. For the beauty of the earth, the sky, and each hour of the day or night; for the church that continually ‘lifteth holy hands.’ (See I Timothy 2:8) If for no other reason, these things call on us to say, “Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.”

“Doxology” – 66

“Praise God from Whom all blessing flow!” The Old Hundreth dates back to the mid 1500’s with words that were penned in the early 1700’s. How could something so ancient still be sung and recognized here in the 21st Century? Possibly because some things never change. Things like…God will always be praised!

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315

Let’s sing this song before the Lord’s Supper and break it up into three different sections. Verse 1 & 3, verse 2 & 4 and conclude with verse 5. Notice the power of the message. “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my riches gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er (ever) such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?” Then verses 2 and 4, “Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my Lord. All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood. His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads o’er (over) His body on the tree. Then am I dead to all the globe, and all the globe is dead to me.” Thanks to Isaac Watts we can survey the cross of Christ more vividly as we consider our Savior’s sacrifice for the church.

“I Believe in Jesus” – 356

Do you believe in the church Jesus died for? If you don’t believe His word, you’ll never be able to believe in Him. This spiritual song has one scriptural reference after another. From the day He stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee to the morning He woke Lazarus from His deathly slumber. Do you believe the blind could see and the deaf could hear? Do you believe He died on Mount Calvary only to leave behind an empty tomb? Do you believe He’s the answer…do you believe in His church?

“The Church’s One Foundation” – no book

Blending the words from Samuel Stone in 1886 with the musically arrangement of George Webb in 1837, we have an all-time favorite when it comes to describing the Bride of Christ, the Lord’s church. “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. She (the church) is His new creation, by water (baptism) and the word (the gospel of salvation). From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride, with His own blood He bought her and for her life He died.”

“Live for Jesus” – 594

Perhaps this isn’t your typical invitation song, but what a great call for the church to live a life for Christ. To be His disciple and stop wandering in sin. Living for Jesus means following His example and giving Him all you have.

“How Firm a Foundation” – 457

It’s been said if you really mean it, repeat it. And if you really want to get your point across, say it a third time. I’ve heard it said if you want to have someone over for supper and they turn you down, ask them again. If they still say no, ask them a third time. Perhaps three is a charm. Whether or not that was on the mind of the one who penned this hymn, repetition is utilized in the last verse of this song. But have you noticed Who is speaking? “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose (rest), I will not, I will not desert to his foes. That soul, tho all hell should endeavor (try) to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.” God believes in the church and He will not turn us out. But what about you, do you believe in the church?

1, December 29, 20131, December 30, 2013

I Believe, I Believe

Bending down to pick up the bell that had fallen from the reigns of the sleigh, the young boy holds it to his ear and gently shakes it. No sound can be heard, the bell is silent, just a faint whisper of doubt. But the boy knows better, others have heard it clearly ringing and the evidence is before him. This bell should be ringing but he hears nothing…why? Carefully he holds the bell in his hands and, closing his eyes, he whispers, “I believe, I believe, I believe!” Slowly he again, brings the bell to his ear and gently shakes it. A crisp, clear tone resonates from the bell. It rings! An old, white-bearded man approaches the boy and asks, “What was that you said?” The answer is as natural as the sound that rings from the bell, “I believe!”

If you have seen The Polar Express you’ll remember this scene from the popular Christmas movie. Standing between acceptance and rejection a young boy is magically transported to the North Pole where he meets a train conductor, several new friends and the man dressed in red. But shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve our ‘main character’ still hasn’t decided if he truly believes there is a Santa Claus. Not until he faces the fact he’ll never hear the Christmas bells until he believes…until he believes there is a Santa Claus.

So the question comes to you, do you believe? A question asked not in regard to Santa, but in regard to the Christ. Have you, will you, publicly proclaim that you believe Jesus is the Son of God? That’s important, but don’t stop at believing. The scriptures tell us ‘anyone’ can believe. In James 2:19, regarding belief in God and Jesus as one, James states, “You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” The demons aren’t shaking a bell, they know who God is. The intimate foes of Jesus Christ believe He is Who He says He is. But they don’t accept Him nor will they ever follow Him. I can say, “I believe, I believe, I believe!”, but what does my life say? How do I live each day?

As this year ends and a new one begins many of us will write down our New Year’s Resolutions. Our resolve to do some things better. We’ll start acting differently, we’ll begin rearranging our priorities. If you have never come to “believe” who Christ is, and what He has done for you, God’s word will give you direction. But if you are already following God’s word, and have obeyed His calling, take a good long look at your life. Remember, it takes more than just saying “I believe!”