Faith vs Unbelief

Introduction

Such a beautiful and wonderful day that we can gather together in the very presence of our Lord to worship him. I hope each of you have a new testament with you, and I’d like to encourage you to be opening to read with me from Luke chapter 5, verses 1 through 11. Luke chapter 5, verses 1 through 11. The time is early in the personal earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, even before he has elected and selected his twelve apostles. And on this occasion is where at least four of them began to follow him. Luke chapter 5. The scripture says in verse 1. So it was as the multitude pressed about him to hear the word of God that he stood by the lake of Genezareth and saw two boats standing by the lake.

But the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then he got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land, and he sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When he had stopped speaking, he said to Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. But Simon answered and said to him, Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. Nevertheless, at your word I will let down the net.

So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats so that they began to sink.

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken. And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men. So when they brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed him. You may wonder why I chose this text for our lesson today when I tell you that what I want to talk about in these few moments is the difference between faith and unbelief. Now some may say, well, that’s rather simple to answer. Faith are those who believe that God is and that Jesus is the Son of God. Unbelief. Well, that’s just the opposite.

That’s people who do not believe that God is, or that Jesus is the Son of God. But I want you to understand this morning as we look at the scriptures that there’s much more involved than just simply saying God is, or that Jesus is the Son of God. In fact, in this scripture we understand something about faith. Jesus, early in his ministry, was now in the region of Capernaum, where he spent much of his time in his earthly ministry. On the sort of the northwest side, you might say, of the Sea of Galilee, or Genezaret, as it’s named here in the text. He’s already worked several miracles, and already there were multitudes following after him. No doubt, not only to see and hear what he might say, but even to see other miracles that he might work.

1. At Thy Word: Faith That Obeys

On this occasion, therefore, he saw these two bolts that had pulled into the dock, you might say, to land. And they were empty. They’d caught no fish that night. Jesus got into one, no doubt Simon Peter’s. And he asked Simon to kind of push out a little bit to the end of the water, so that the multitude had gathered, he might be able to speak, and all could hear him easily and hear what he had, see him easily and hear what he had to say. And then after speaking to them, he encouraged Simon, let down your nets. Now when you stop and think about that, it had to be a matter of faith if he’s going to let his nets down. Here’s a carpenter, the son of a carpenter, at least, telling two professional fishermen, let down your nets.

I mean, how would Jesus know anything about how to catch fish? Simon Peter said, We’ve toiled all night, and we’ve caught no fish. Now, if you’re going to go by human reasoning, if you’re going to say, well, you know, this makes sense, or it doesn’t make sense, if that’s all you’re going to go by, you’d say, Well, there’s no point in letting down the nets. But Peter then said, At thy word. And they let down the net, and it was so full that even his partners, James and John, who also came and filled both bolts to the point that water was nearly gathering into the boat, about to sink. Astonished. Peter’s first reaction unto the Lord really was such that, Lord, indeed, forgive me. Depart from me.

I’m a sinful man. And of course, it’s at this time that the Lord then calls Peter, no doubt his brother Andrew, and his partners James and John, and said, I’ll make you fishers of men. It was a matter of faith at thy word. We understand from other scripture, like in Romans chapter 10 and verse 17, faith does come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And saving faith is an act of faith. A faith that will not obey, will not save. Faith that obeys. At thy word. It isn’t a matter of questioning, well, this is reasonable, and we see why God commanded this, and this is it’s not a matter of going through it all that way. First of all, they’ve had enough evidence to believe in God.

2. Unbelief: Israel at Kadesh Barnea

In fact, in Jesus has worked many miracles. And already they have some evidence that Jesus, no doubt, is a man of God. Whether they understand fully that he’s a son of God, at least at thy word we will obey. That’s the kind of faith that indeed saves. But in contrast to that, unbelief. I’d like for you, if you have your Bibles, to turn with me to the Old Testament book of Numbers. And in Numbers chapter 13, it’s quite a significant story. It’s at the time the children of Israel have come out of the bondage of Egypt. They spent a year at Mount Sinai, where first of all the Ten Commandments were given. And then the tabernacle was built, and all those instruments that were involved in their worship to the Lord God of heaven.

And then as they journeyed farther, they came to Kadesh Barnea. And the writing of this in Numbers 13 is the time where they selected a man from each of the twelve tribes to send them in to spy out the land. In fact, they were told to go and see if the land is good for 40 days. They were to go. In fact, in chapter 13, in verses 17 through 20, Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, Go up this way into the south and go up to the mountains and see what the land is like. Whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many, whether the land they dwell in is good or bad, whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds, whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are forest there or not.

Be of good courage. Bring some of the fruit of the land. And now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes. And so they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of sin as far as Rehob near the entrance of Hamet. Actually, the scripture says that they found it to be indeed a very plentiful land. God had described it as a land that was going to flow with milk and honey. Indeed, they brought back a large cluster of grapes and pomegranates, and indeed they came back and their message in verses twenty-seven through twenty eight, the scripture says, We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong.

The cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. And the Amalekites dwell in the land of the south. The Hittites, the Jebusites, the Amorites dwell in the mountains, the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan. Then verse 30, Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men who had gone up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land, which they had spied out, saying, The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants.

All the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants, the descendants of Anak came from the giants. And we were like grasshoppers in their sight, in our own sight, so we were in their sight. So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. And the whole congregation said to them, If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness. Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt? So they said to one another, let us select a leader and return to Egypt.

I ask you, these Israelites, at the bidding of ten spies, who said, You know, we’re not able to go in there. Well, those cities there, they’re walled up. They’re high. The cities are well fortified. Now reason takes over. Who are we to go in and conquer that people? And beside the people there are like giants, and well, we are in their sight and at our own. We’re just like grasshoppers. Who are we? We can’t do that. Now these are the same people who no doubt understood how that the ten plagues had come on Pharaoh and on Egypt that had finally delivered them from Egyptian bondage. They crossed the Red Sea as it was dried up on either side as they walked across into free land, across from their enemies, the Egyptians who were coming after them.

They no doubt witnessed really miracle, you might say, after miracle, where God provided their needs, manna to eat, flesh to eat, water to drink. They had witnessed success against enemies when the Amalekites had fought against them, and as long as Moses’ arms were held up by Aaron and her on either side, they had victory, and they had seen victory. They no doubt knew about the time when King of Moab Balak had hired Balaam to come out and place a curse against them, but every time he attempted to do so, he only blessed. Now they’ve come to Kadesh Barnea to enter into the promised land. And what do they say? You know, reason takes over. We’re not able. We just can’t go in there. Those cities, why they’re too strong, and those people, they’re too large.

And we cannot go in. Would you say these people no longer believed in God? I’ll tell you, I’m convinced they knew God is, if that’s the question. But they were unbelievers. If you have your text read Hebrews chapter 3 with me. When in Hebrews chapter 3, the New Testament writer describes how that even some Christians can fall away from God, can depart from him. And he used as the illustration and comparison these very Israelites of whom we were just reading. Hebrews chapter 3, verse 17. Now, with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned whose corpuses fell in the wilderness? To whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest? But to those who did not obey. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

I want you to see the statement there. Here, in one thing, we’d say, oh, they’re believers, they believe in God, but no, they don’t, in the sense of saving faith. They would not obey. They were unbelievers as God viewed them. Now when you make an application of that, is it possible that even in an audience of this size there are some unbelievers? I have no doubt. I really believe probably every adult that I’m looking at would say, Oh, I’m convinced. I’m convinced there is God. And I’m convinced Jesus once was born and walked this earth, and he’s the Son of God. But are you an obedient believer? Are you really an unbeliever? What would make you an unbeliever? Is to not obey the word of the Lord.

3. Our Response to God’s Word Reveals Faith or Unbelief

Our response to God’s word reveals whether we really are people of faith or people of unbelief. I’m convinced that it’s not difficult to show people what to do to be saved. You remember when Jesus, after he ascended, after he arose from the grave before he ascended into heaven, he gave what we call the Great Commission to His apostles. He said, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. He who believes not shall be condemned. Is that hard to understand? It really isn’t. In fact, we see it carried out in really ten days later on the day of Pentecost, when there the apostles gathered in Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit fell on them. Peter standing up with eleven preaches that first gospel sermon this side of the cross.

He no doubt goes into the fulfillment of Scripture. That Jesus is everything that had been prophesied in the Old Testament scripture. That indeed even his resurrection had been foretold in Psalm 16. And now at the right hand of God, sitting as prophesied again in the Psalm. And that’s when the scripture says they were cut to the heart. They were pricked. There are some believers here, at least, in the sense that now the scriptures have made sense to them. And also in their heart has worked on the concept of saying, Lord, what would you have me to do? For the question they raise is, what shall we do? Believers told what to do. Now in today’s modern world, a lot of preachers simply say, Well, just say this sinner’s prayer and you’ll be saved.

That’s not what Peter said. What Peter said is in Acts 2 38, repent and be baptized. Every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Is that hard to understand? I say to you, not a bit difficult to understand. You know, there are many today who balk at that and say, Well, I don’t know, I’m not sure we why why baptism? Why baptism necessary? In fact, you hear some even say, you know, in Mark 16, 16, we quoted a moment ago, it says, He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be. It doesn’t say who does not believe and is not baptized shall be condemned.

There we go, the logic. You know, oh, wait a minute. If it is said, and is not baptized, then we’d see how important baptism is. Well, wait a minute. If they truly believe, will they not obey? I illustrate it this way. Let’s say the day you wanted to fly to New York City. And so you’ve already bought your ticket. And we go to the airport, and you have bought your ticket, but you do not board the plane. Easy to understand. He who buys a ticket and boards a plane will fly to New York City. He who buys a ticket but does not board a plane. You even have to say that. If in fact you’re not boarding that plane, you’ll never get to New York City on that plane.

You’ll be left behind. When Jesus said, He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. He who does not believe certainly won’t be baptized. He doesn’t have to add the rest of that. In fact, again in Acts chapter 2, you know what verse 41 says? Then they that gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day they were added unto them about 3,000 souls. At your word we will let down the nets. At your word we will do what you want us to do. In fact, what does the Bible say about the faith that saves? In the letter called James, in James chapter 2, really in verses 14 through 26, he talks in great length about saving faith. But particularly in verses 20 through 24, the inspired writer says, Do you want to know, foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Really the word works in that text ought to be understood as obedience. Follow through. When he says in verse 21, as an illustration, was not Abraham our Father justified by works when he obeyed Isaac, when he offered Isaac his son on the altar. The word works with Abraham was a matter of, if God said, do it, I’ll do it. Did it make sense to take your son up and offer him as a sacrifice, Abraham? It was a matter of faith, wasn’t it? That he went and offered Isaac as a sacrifice. Of course, God stopped his hand, but he was doing what God said do. It wasn’t a matter, we’ll judge this matter, and I’ll decide whether I should or shouldn’t. It wasn’t that at all. In verse 21, do you see that faith was working together with his works?

4. Someday, But Not Today: Reasons to Put It Off

By works, faith was made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled, which says Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. Are there people sometimes who say, Well, you know, I understand Jesus is the Son of God, and I believe, I believe indeed what he taught. And someday I’m going to be baptized. But not today. Well, why not? Here comes reasoning in it. Men began all kinds of reason. There are some who say, Well, you know, that’s really requiring such a big change in my life. I’ve had people say to me, Preacher, if I were to go to that church where you preach, the roof would fall in on me. You know what he’s saying? I know I’m such a sinner.

I just don’t know. I don’t want to be a hypocrite. So it’s better me not even start. Well, frankly, none of us are perfect. But without the Lord on our side, we really won’t make it. At least get started and understand that the Lord will provide the help if you have provided the act of faith to do God’s will. At your word, Lord, I’ll obey. And he’ll help us we go along the way. You won’t be perfect, but he will forgive as you continue to repent and continue to confess your faults and pray for forgiveness. There’s some who say, Well, you know, boy, my parents didn’t do this. And if I were to be baptized, immersed for remission of sins, I wonder if wouldn’t I be condemning them?

Here goes reason again. First of all, you’re not the judge. You can’t condemn anybody else but yourself. And you might judge yourself unworthy of everlasting life if you’re not willing to obey. But frankly, the question ought to come if your parents are as honest as you are, if they understand what you understand about the gospel, would they not really obey if their heart is right with God? If you understand what God’s will is, that’s the time to obey.

For this crowd here today. I don’t know, boy, if I were to go for, I just don’t know. And we back off and we say, Oh, what I’m saying say is there are people who have found all kinds of reasons to say not now. I tell you, that’s the best argument the devil has for you. If in fact you’ve come to a point of being convinced of what to do to be saved, the devil just says, put it off till later. Wait till later. Don’t do it now. Are they unbelievers? John chapter 12, Jesus had some unbelievers in his life who were believers. In John chapter 12, verses 42 and 3. The scripture says, Nevertheless, even among the rulers, many believed on him. Now we’re talking about the intellectual.

They knew Jesus is of God. So many believed on him. But because of the Pharisees, they would or 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. Whatever reason, these had the excuse, they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. But their believers who were unbelievers. They were not saved believers because they would not confess the Lord Jesus Christ. What a sad situation. To come to the judgment day and say, Lord, I really believed. Did you obey? Well, no, I never I had all these kind of excuses, Lord. Of what value would that be? Come judgment day. There are those who even have obeyed the gospel who have left the Lord.

5. Christians Can Become Unbelievers

That same passage we referred to a moment ago in Hebrews chapter 3, when it spoke about those who’d wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and they did not enter because of unbelief. You know, that context is really talking about Christians. Earlier in that same context, Hebrews 3 and in verse 12, the apostle there says, Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. I know there are those in our world today who say, once saved, always saved. But this is a passage they have difficulty with. I know they will say, Well, yeah, there are people who’ve uh who said that we’re Christians and they left the Lord, but they never were really saved. That’s the answer they give.

6. As a Church: Philadelphia or Sardis

But I don’t tell you what. Can you depart from this auditorium if you haven’t come into it? That’s an easy question to answer, isn’t it? This talks about brethren who depart from the Lord. They couldn’t depart if they hadn’t been in fellowship with him. So he warns brethren who have an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. He said, Exhort one another daily while it’s called a day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Christians can become unbelievers, can lose their soul. Are there any in this audience of that disposition? Let me make one more application. Not only as individuals, but as a church. We as a congregation either can walk by faith or we can become unbelievers. In a moment after we dismiss, we’re going to allow our visitors time to we’ll greet them and let them go.

But then the elders have asked for the congregation to remain. We’d like at least kind of give a congregational report of where we are and where we plan to go in our work. One of the things I want to lay before you is that we have a choice to make. We can either be like a church that’s read up that we read about in Revelation chapter 2 and 3, where he addresses the seven churches of Asia. In chapter 3 and in verse 8, he speaks about the church at Philadelphia. The Lord said, I’ve set an open door for you. Philadelphia had nothing wrong said about it, no complaint. The open door was as to the civilization, Eastern civilization from them. Even Philadelphia had been literally built as a city through which the Greek culture would flow to the civilization.

And now the Lord says, My word can flow through you as well, not just the Greek culture. You’re an open door. Reach out beyond Philadelphia, is what he’s saying. Then there’s the other church. In chapter 3 and verse 1, it’s the church at Sardis. It said of Sardis, they had a name that they were alive, but they were dead. Two churches. We can be a church that has a name. We’ve been here, got a reputation. Good church. I’ve stopped and thought it was 1986 when Arlene and I moved here. And you know, this building really had only pews. We didn’t have this wing over here. In fact, uh, those pews weren’t all full. As we began to grow, we added two pews at the front, another pew at the back.

I think there might have been two pews at the back. And even those began to say, we need more room. We we built added the wing. And then as we needed more classroom space, we’ve added the classroom building. And all of these financially have been paid for. We’re not in debt with this building. And it’s so easy for us to say, Lord, we’re a good church, aren’t we? We got Josh preaching for us and Greg preaching for us now. And you know, everything is in order, Lord. What more for us? We can say, look. We’re a good church. Have a name, but we’re dead. If we get to the point we’ve reached the ultimate, and that’s all we’re going to go forward with, we become like Sardis.

Or we can be like Philadelphia. An open door set before us, not only here, but in other places. Are we a congregation with faith that says at your word, we will continue to reach forward. The ultimate goal, Paul would say in Philippians chapter 3, is not that I’ve already attained, but its purpose was to reach indeed upward call of God in Christ Jesus. That must be our spirit and attitude as well. That’s a choice before us.

Conclusion

An invitation song in just a moment. I want to ask you, though, in an individual way, to respond. Are you a believer or an unbeliever? Do you really have faith? Are you one who would say, well, later, Lord, but not today? And here’s my excuse. Which way is it with you? If you’re subject to the Lord’s invitation, we bid you come now and we’ll assist you in making your heart right with God and ready for heaven. Won’t you stand as we sing?