The Bible actually warns of certain “faiths” one does not need, thus not only to be warned but to once again be reminded of “one faith” (Eph. 4:5) which is “THE faith” (Jude 3). To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1561/29?v=20251111
Did you know, friends, there are faiths we should avoid? Yes, a number of faiths, if you will. Let’s think on these things today from the International Gospel Hour. We’ll be back in a moment.
SPEAKER 02 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our Jay Webb, and greetings and hello everyone. Great having you with us for our study today. As we begin with Hebrews 11 and verse 6, let’s think of that wonderful verse that says, But without faith it is impossible to please him. For he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Oh friends, today may we seek God through our study, and as we turn to the word of God to see the answers of life. As we speak of faith, it is interesting to see how the word faith is used in Scripture. The late Wayne Jackson observed correctly that the term faith may be used subjectively, for example, referring to one’s personal faith, Romans 1 and verse 8. It may also be employed objectively, meaning the body of truth or the gospel revealed to man through his inspired spokesman, Galatians 1.23, 1 Timothy 5.8, and Jude verse 3. So, friends, our obedient faith in God’s faith, if you will, is what we are to pursue. It’s like Paul who affirmed in Galatians 2.20, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. So Paul’s obedience, his faith, was in the faith in the Son of God. You know, that’s so powerful, friends, but there are so many today who that embrace the wrong kind of faith, or faiths that should be avoided. That is our study just ahead, and we’ll pick up with that study in about 30 seconds or so, but first, a few words about our work from our J-Web.
SPEAKER 02 :
Since 1934, the International Gospel Hour has been heard over the radio. We are one of the longest-running weekly religious programs in the history of American radio. We are very blessed to continue over the air through gracious giving of congregations of Churches of Christ, faithful Christians, and devoted friends. That’s why you will never hear us asking for money from you, our listeners. Our study material is free, always has been, always will be. We appreciate you listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
A faith to avoid. How about a little faith? In Matthew 6, beginning with verse 30, Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat, or what we shall drink, or what we shall wear? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. He’s speaking to those of little faith. And he tells those with little faith, do not worry, but seek first the kingdom of God. You see, our faith will grow when we worry or we are anxious less, and yet grow stronger in our faith in the kingdom of God and seeking Him first. What about another type of little faith? Do you remember this one from Matthew 14? Beginning with verse 23, when Jesus had sent the multitudes away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Now when evening came, he was alone there, but the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost. And they cried out for fear, but immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I, do not be afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. So he said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus, but When he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God. You see, when Peter looked away from the Lord, He looked away without faith. And he began to sink. But what’s the conclusion? That one can look upon Jesus and know truly you are the Son of God. That helps us to avoid a little faith. Another faith to avoid? A shipwrecked faith. From 1 Timothy 1, 18-20, this charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected concerning thee faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I deliver to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Faith that is shipwrecked, meaning it didn’t handle the battles of the sea of life. And think about Hymenaeus and Alexander. They rejected concerning the faith. And Peter, or rather Paul, delivered them to Satan. We learn a little more about Hymenaeus in 2 Timothy 2, 17 and 18, who erred from the truth by saying the resurrection was passed already, meaning there’s no effect. He erred from the faith by overthrowing the faith of some. You see, he erred from the faith. He had to be there first, friends. What about Alexander? You know, this is Alexander believed to be one and the same in Acts 19, beginning with verse 33, where there he made defense of the law, giving proper audience to those who were speaking against their goddess Diana. He’s also believed to be the coppersmith that gave Paul much grief in 2 Timothy 4, 14 and 15. And when Paul mentions of the blasphemy that comes forth, that they may learn not to blaspheme, if anybody knew blasphemy, it was Paul who admitted himself as a blasphemer, 1 Timothy 1, 13. Now, friends, for a ship to wreck, it has to sail first. And for a faith to wreck, it had to have a beginning. That’s right, friends. People that believe in God can shipwreck their faith. In Hebrews 3 and verse 12, Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief. In departing from the living God. That’s a faith to avoid. Here’s a third faith to avoid. A dead faith. From James 2 beginning with verse 14. What does it profit my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Now, friends, James is already writing to Christians, those who are already saved. He calls them my brethren. And he speaks to them about walking faithful to God. And he is speaking about a faith that works, an active faith that responds, as did Abraham in the example in this same chapter, James 2, 21-23. And so later we note in verse 26 that you see how by works a man is justified and not by faith only. Which means faith is expressed by the actions and the works that the Christian will do. Works are not what a man does to be saved. Works are what a saved man does by expressing his faith. But a dead faith we need to avoid. You see, when somebody simply says, well, I believe in God, but their life doesn’t express it, that’s a dead faith. What about a silent faith? That’s a faith to avoid. In John 12, 42 and 43, Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. In Acts 8 and verse 37, the eunuch had no problem expressing his faith when he said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And isn’t it amazing how they commanded that chariot to stand still, and he went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch. It’s simply based upon the command of Christ in Mark 16, 16, the preaching of Peter in Acts 2 and verse 38. Friends, these are some faiths that we need to avoid. And dear friends, let’s avoid those faiths by embracing the faith that is in God. To contend for the faith, Jude verse 3. To go back to the Bible. And with that being said, friends, we’re going to take just a few moments and allow our J-Web to share with you an awesome video series called Back to the Bible.
SPEAKER 02 :
Let’s go back to the Bible, shall we? On International Gospel Hour, we always desire to go back to the Bible for our studies, and now we are delighted to offer a special video series through our friends at World Video Bible School. It’s called Back to the Bible with our friend Rob Whitaker. A simple yet thorough study that deals with authority in religion, the church, and your salvation. It’s free, friends. Call us at 855-444-6988. Tell us your email address, say back to the Bible, and we will send the link to you. It’s that easy. You can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, leave us your email, type Back to the Bible in the message box, and we will send the link right away. We look forward to hearing from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yes, friends, there are faiths to avoid. And faith is the willingness to trust and obey God without ever having seen Him. And it’s not a gullible leap in the dark, as an existential faith would say. I’m grateful to the words of Wayne Jackson to bring those thoughts to a conclusion today. And we’ll continue these studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com. And join us next time.
