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Faith — Belief and Trust

Bryan Schiele
01/19/25 - Sun Worship

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

I want to be a more well-rounded disciple of Jesus, focused on Truth, Heart, Action, and Community. Continuing our “Cross Training” journey, let’s keep those dimensions in mind as we apply them to different aspects of Jesus, beginning with faith. Faith includes our beliefs, trust, and loyalty. And as we relate to others, our faith leads us to speak, confessing Christ, and sharing the gospel. Let’s start by taking a closer look at belief and trust.

Belief (Truth)

See With the Eyes of Faith

In 1938, a popular radio program went viral, convincing listeners that Martians were invading New Jersey. Though the media reported widespread hysteria over Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” dramatization, only a handful of people believed what they heard over the radio. Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our program to bring you a special bulletin: with all the misinformation out there, be very careful about what you choose to believe!

What You Need to Know

God — the Father and Creator of the universe — loved humanity so much that he sent Jesus — his sinless Son — to die for us. And “... whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). We believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead to save us from our sins (Rom. 10:9-10). But “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

Jesus didn't refuse to give any evidence, but he placed limits on how much he would give (Matt. 12:39). After he rose from the dead, Thomas, one of his disciples, was skeptical. He said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25). A week later, Jesus welcomed him to do just that. While Thomas quickly changed his tune, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Our faith in the Lord will take us past what we can prove and require us to decide to trust him (Prov. 3:5).

What You Need to Do

Don’t take anyone else’s word for it! Your faith needs to be your own (2 Tim. 1:5). Consider nature’s complexity and design (Rom. 1:19-20). Listen to what the gospels say about Jesus (John 20:31) — the prophecies he fulfilled, the miracles he performed, and especially the facts surrounding his resurrection (Acts 17:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-11). Know why you believe what you believe through careful study (Acts 17:11), testing everything (1 Thess. 5:21).

And then walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). As believers, we have a different perception of life, the future, and all the realities we can’t see (cf. 2 Kings 6:17-20). Let the “secret and hidden wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 2:7) develop in you “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). The good news of Christ may seem silly to some (1 Cor. 1:19), but it pleases God “through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). So, grow in your faith, rooted and grounded in him, and gratefully serve the Lord every day (Col. 2:6-7).

Through the Week

• Read — Mark 9:14-29; John 9:35-41; 20:30-31; Psalm 119:65-72; Rom. 4:16-25
• Reflect — Ask yourself, “How does faith change the way I see my life and everything happening around me?”
• Request — Pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
• Respond — Pray for something big and bold, and believe that God can do it.
• Reach Out — Ask someone, “What has strengthened your faith?”

Trust (Heart)

Trust in God Completely

If you’re afraid of heights, the thought of venturing out on a walkway suspended 4,770 feet in the air makes you sweat a little. But turning the fear factor up to eleven, the creators of the Grand Canyon Skywalk built a U-shaped glass-bottomed bridge for millions of thrill-seeking tourists to walk on each year. Standing at its apex, there aren’t any visible supports to keep the structure or the people on it from falling to their deaths. Why would anyone voluntarily risk their life on such a bridge?

In the disciple’s life of faith, we trust that God will support us. He’s the firm foundation we stand on, even if it sometimes feels like we’re on the glass-bottomed Skywalk. We may not understand how, but we trust that God is faithful, reliable, and utterly count-on-able to keep his promises and see us through!

What You Need to Know

While belief starts in our mind, trust is an act of the heart. Belief defines what we think is true, but our trust decides who we’ll rely on. It’s the mortar that holds relationships together. No wonder faith is the basis for knowing God — “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20; 3:11, 26).

Riches will fail (Prov. 11:28), our minds might lead us astray (Prov. 28:26), and even our closest friends could betray us (Psalm 118:8). But God has never let anyone down, made a promise he won’t keep, or told a lie (Heb. 6:18). He always works for our good — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). So we hope in him and wait on him (Psalm 62:5-8). Because we know him (2 Tim. 1:12), his character gives us stability and peace (Isaiah 7:9; 26:3-4; Phil. 4:7).

What You Need to Do

Like any relationship built on confidence, every interaction with the Lord should convey how much we trust him. Speak to him with trust through your regular and sincere prayers (Mark 11:24). Allow him to lead you wherever he desires (Prov. 3:6-8). Smile in hope, knowing all he has prepared for you (John 14:1-4).

Read Scripture to grow your trust in God, noticing his track record of love, power, and wisdom. Learn to pray with confidence by praying the psalms, holding onto the Lord “my rock,” “my fortress,” and “my salvation” (2 Sam. 22:2). Even in difficult times, let’s echo the confidence of three faithful men long ago who said, “... our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:17-18).

Through the Week

• Read — John 14:1-4; Heb. 13:5-6; Jer. 29:11-14; Prov. 3:1-8; 2 Sam. 7:27-29
• Reflect — Ask yourself, “Who is God?”
• Request — Pray, “Oh Lord, I trust in you without fear. What can anyone do to me?” (cf. Psalm 56:3-4)
• Respond — List some problems you’re unsure how to solve, and then sit in stillness, knowing that God is in control.
• Reach Out — Ask someone, “When has God proven trustworthy in your life?”