Sermon 6

I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. BELIEVE! (as if it works that way...)

Passage: Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
faith (fāth): confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.

This feels a little weird, as I am writing it on a Monday for next Sunday. However, I am going to be at camp for the whole week, so I have to do it now and set it to post later.

This particular Bible passage was thought of because I have it written on a picture frame in my bedroom. I quote it often, using it as an argument against my older brother who seems to believe that stuff can only be true if it has incontrovertible facts. Another quote which often comes to mind after it is "Some things have to be believed to be seen." said by Ralph Hodgson.

All too often I have had to argue for ages with people about my faith. When I am relating the story to people afterwards, I usually roll my eyes and say "Why can't people just accept stuff the way they are?!" Sadly, the world does not work that way as much as we may close our eyes and hope for it. There is an amazing, mind-blowing amount of proof for the Bible but people refuse to see it. Like I mentioned. Belief is needed. An example of this was a science article I read recently. I can't remember where it was so I can't give any references, but it mentioned that scientists have recently discovered that a large, world-wide flood probably happened, and they are searching for proof and sources of this flood. My first reaction was NO FLIPPIN' DUH! (my friend's swear, it's good to use when you are angry). I can't even mention how long we have been pointing out the evidence and saying that Noah's flood happened, and now they are just 'discovering it'. Bah.

Now, I must caution that science is not my favourite subject. I spent countless periods arguing with my grade nine science teacher about the creation of the universe, yadda yadda, to no avail. He didn't want to think that what I was saying was true, so therefore it couldn't be true. It would be impossible.

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if the whole world did that. I don't want to believe that I am going to die in a year, so I refuse treatment. I don't believe that poking my eye will hurt, so I will do it, since I am just that special.
What would people think?
Wow, that person is pretty stupid... that makes no sense whatsoever... you guys are all crazy.

My sentiments exactly.


Now, this has all the measurements of a rant (which, rightfully, it is), so I'm going to say my full thought:
If you want to believe something, okay. If you don't, then whatever. However, don't say you will listen and then say to yourself that it is impossible, because then it will always seem impossible. Just try to believe. Have a little faith.

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are...

(One of my favourite songs by Casting Crowns called Who Am I?)

~Godspede