‘I believe in… …’
22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Last Sunday, we embarked on a new sermon series based on the Apostles’ Creed entitled ‘iBelieve’.
For twelve weeks, the Apostles’ Creed will help us systematically frame and facilitate our development of a biblical understanding of God.
It is my prayer that through this understanding, we will grow deeper in our relationship with God.
Let’s be clear. I will not be preaching the Apostle’s Creed.
The founding principles of the Apostles’ Creed is derived from the Bible, and therefore the Creed points outside of itself.
I will be preaching the Bible. And as a faith community, we will learn God’s Truths regarding our relationship with Him together; in order that we may grow deeper, stronger and wider in our love for the Lord.
Let’s begin.
What is the purpose of the Apostle’s Creed?
Throughout our survey of the Apostles’ Creed based on the study of the Bible, let us bear in mind what the Creed is meant to develop an intimate understanding of God.
The Apostles’ Creed –
When we think about our Christian ‘faith’, are we certain of what our faith is about? Or even, in whom do we have faith in? Who is our God? And how do we relate to Him?
The Apostles’ Creed helps us to characterize our belief system in our endeavors to be set apart from the world and to live out God’s model of community through Christ as our Way, Truth and Life.
Is our understanding of ‘who God is’ and ‘His Salvific love’ flawed or incomplete? Is our understanding of His purposes for us partial and deficient?
The Creed corrects any erroneous concepts we may have regarding our Triune God and His loving purposes for us.
For more than 1500 years, Christians from all over the world has recited the Creed in overt allegiance to our God. They also do so in marked defiance against the prevailing worldview.
From now till Christ returns, Christians will continue to herald their faith through the Creed.
The Apostles’ Creed stands at the intersection of our declaration of faith in God for Christians all over the world - past, present and future.
Does your belief system intersect with the Christians’? Do you profess the same faith as the Apostles and Church Fathers of the past, present and future?
We live our lives as Christians as both individual worshipers and members of the corporate body of Christ. Each state (individual and corporate) of our relationship to God is essential, but our dualistic and encompassing embrace of both our individuality in Christ and corporate membership in the body of Christ remains the essence of our Christian lives.
This concept of dualistic embrace must also be applied to our reality of the present and future Kingdom of God – the present Kingdom of which our Lord Jesus Christ has heralded through His incarnation and work of redemption on the Cross at Calvary; and God’s future Kingdom which will be consummated and realized in absolute fullness with our Lord Jesus’ return.
The Apostles’ Creed centers us in both of these dualisms; of individual and corporate relationship with God and His people, and of our Christian lives in the biblical reality of the present and future Kingdom of God.
More than a system of belief, the Apostles’ Creed presents to the Christian a landscape of biblical fundamentals that counsels and empowers a dedication to discipleship in Christ.
The Apostles’ Creed also provides a framework of biblical fundamentals that would shape our prayer lives that would guide us in counseling ourselves, and others through the everyday rhythms of life.
May your understanding of the Creed develop within your spirit a deeper impulse and conviction towards a more intimate relationship with God.
And it begins with ‘I believe in… …’
Why is ‘I believe in’ so essential to our existence?
Because to ‘believe in something’ convicts our hearts, and moves us into action.
To ‘believe in something’ compels our spirits, and moves us into confession and profession.
To simply ‘know something’ does not necessarily lead to action.
The Creed begins with ‘I believe in…’ it does not begin ‘I know’.
Intellectual information does not necessarily lead to an invocation of urgency or necessity; which in turn leads to active involvement.
We are driven by our beliefs, and not by what we know.
The Apostles’ creed aims to heighten and deepen the Christian’s existence to that of conviction and not mere conversations; that of beliefs, and not mere knowledge.
Hence, ‘I believe in… …’
Regarding our beliefs, we constantly come before God echoing the prayer of the disheartened father, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22)
Christ inquired of the father, “‘If you can’?” (Mark 9:23)
Like this man, do we have trouble believing?
For most of us, we have no problem ‘knowing’ about God.
But to know God in a deeply personal and intimate way, we need to believe in God.
We need to develop a relationship with Him based on love and trust.
Jesus followed with this statement, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Do you believe in God?
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
How should we believe?
1. Trust in the Lord;
To ‘believe in God’ and to ‘trust in the Lord’ is one and the same.
One cannot believe in God without trusting Him. The converse is true.
That is why it is imperative we believe.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us,
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.’
Trust is exclusive. We either trust God or we do not. If we trust anyone else (including ourselves), we forfeit the right the trust Him.
Recognize that our abilities are limited, and thus, limit the recognition of our abilities.
God is infinite, trust Him with all your heart. In this absolute and full trust, do not rely on your own understanding – do not see things with your perspective; seek God’s perspective.
Submit your life’s endeavors to His purposes. Daily enquire of the Lord as to how you may submit your life to Him. If He is silent on the matter, perhaps you may need to spend more time praying or reading His Word, or even having spiritual conversations with other disciples who endeavor to live solely for Christ’s purposes.
In divine recognition of his need for Christ in his life, the father cried out to the Lord, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Understand this, without God we cannot believe as we should believe.
The first step in believing God is to trust in Him.
Do you trust God?
2. Take control of your mind;
The Apostle Paul demonstrates this principle in 2 Corinthians 10:5,
‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’
Before we may take control of our minds, we must be conscious of what we are thinking about.
In our busy lives, fatigue and weariness takes its toll on our minds; making us lose track of what we are thinking about and even what we believe.
Arguments and pretensions that set itself against our knowledge of God are subtle and insidious. If left unchecked, it will invade our minds and overrun our knowledge of God built over the years through personal experiences and encounters with Him.
They must be demolished.
Like dealing with a pest problem, such thoughts must be intentionally singled out and destroyed before more damage is done on our minds.
Every thought must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ.
If we do not take control of our minds, we lose much more than our faith in God.
We will lose the ability to know Christ.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
(2 Corinthians 4:4)
We will lose our devotion to Christ.
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 11:3)
Be cautioned.
We must be conscious of every thought in our minds and resolve to think as Christ would, by intimately knowing His Way, His Truth and His Life.
Christ exhorts us not to be worried. So if you have worries in your life, demolish those worries. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, seek to live out His purposes in your life amidst life's challenges, and cast all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
3. Transit from doubt to faith, from disbelief to belief;
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Life is more than just a journey, life is a learning journey.
And in this journey, our lessons are to help us transit from doubt to faith in God, from disbelief to belief in the purposes of the Creator of Heaven and earth.
To make this transition from doubt to faith, our first steps must be to separate our views with the prevailing worldview on the true meaning of life.
The demonic deceptions of accumulating more of this world will only lead us to be part of the brokenness of this world.
We are children of the Most High God. We are earthly, as well as spiritual beings; and just as we live in the present world, we also live in the anticipation of the future and eternal Kingdom of our God.
As such, our lives must express these dualities singularly and overtly.
And it begins when we cease to conform to the pattern of this world, and embrace the conviction to only conform to God’s pattern for our world.
When we live in that conviction, God transforms us – our priorities, our beliefs, our convictions, and our impulses – by renewing our minds.
4. Triumph over the evil one.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
To believe in God is to live in the reality that Christ has triumph over the evil one.
Everything the devil does in our lives is for the sole purpose of robbing us of our peace. With our peace gone, our faith in God becomes shaky and hopeless.
Let’s be clear on Christ’s Words – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.”
To live in this reality that Christ is indeed fully victorious is to understand that real peace only happens to us when we are living in Christ.
What does that mean?
To be in Christ is to solely allow the Holy Spirit to shape our existence, to inspire our desires, to determine our priorities and to energize our lives.
Everything we do, we do as Christ would – and in so doing, live a life that is pleasing to our Father in Heaven.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
John 14:25-31
Christ has already overcome the world.
Christ has already overcome the evil one.
Christ loves the Father and does exactly what He has commanded Him.
Only one question remains….
Are you in Christ?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, lead me, teach me, guide me and mold me; into a deeper faith and trust in our Father in heaven.
Today, I declare my trust in the Lord. I resolve to lean not on my own understanding and to submit to God in all my ways.
I believe that You will make my path straight and my faith will be made unfettered from the worries of my life.
Holy Spirit, help me to take control of my mind. Guide me as I demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself up against my knowledge of God.
Holy Spirit, help me take captive every thought and make them obedient to Christ.
I will seek to conform to God’s pattern for this world. Renew my mind, Oh Lord, so that I may know Your good, pleasing and perfect will. Help me to solely live out Your Will.
May Your reality be mine, O God. May I live in the reality of Your victory over the evil one. May I live in the reality of Your Truth.
I know that I will have trouble in the world. But I will take heart! For You, Lord Jesus, have overcome the world.
Forgive me, O Lord, for my lack of faith in You. I acknowledge that there are areas of my life in which I still trust only myself. Today, I surrender these areas to You.
Thank you for the divine revelation of Your Salvific love for the world and for me.
In this, I do believe in You, O Lord; please help me overcome my unbelief!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Last Sunday, we embarked on a new sermon series based on the Apostles’ Creed entitled ‘iBelieve’.
For twelve weeks, the Apostles’ Creed will help us systematically frame and facilitate our development of a biblical understanding of God.
It is my prayer that through this understanding, we will grow deeper in our relationship with God.
Let’s be clear. I will not be preaching the Apostle’s Creed.
The founding principles of the Apostles’ Creed is derived from the Bible, and therefore the Creed points outside of itself.
I will be preaching the Bible. And as a faith community, we will learn God’s Truths regarding our relationship with Him together; in order that we may grow deeper, stronger and wider in our love for the Lord.
Let’s begin.
What is the purpose of the Apostle’s Creed?
Throughout our survey of the Apostles’ Creed based on the study of the Bible, let us bear in mind what the Creed is meant to develop an intimate understanding of God.
The Apostles’ Creed –
- Characterizes our belief system;
When we think about our Christian ‘faith’, are we certain of what our faith is about? Or even, in whom do we have faith in? Who is our God? And how do we relate to Him?
The Apostles’ Creed helps us to characterize our belief system in our endeavors to be set apart from the world and to live out God’s model of community through Christ as our Way, Truth and Life.
- Corrects error;
Is our understanding of ‘who God is’ and ‘His Salvific love’ flawed or incomplete? Is our understanding of His purposes for us partial and deficient?
The Creed corrects any erroneous concepts we may have regarding our Triune God and His loving purposes for us.
- Connects with fellow Christians all over the world - past, present and future
For more than 1500 years, Christians from all over the world has recited the Creed in overt allegiance to our God. They also do so in marked defiance against the prevailing worldview.
From now till Christ returns, Christians will continue to herald their faith through the Creed.
The Apostles’ Creed stands at the intersection of our declaration of faith in God for Christians all over the world - past, present and future.
Does your belief system intersect with the Christians’? Do you profess the same faith as the Apostles and Church Fathers of the past, present and future?
- Centers us in the tension of the individual and collective, present and coming Kingdom of God;
We live our lives as Christians as both individual worshipers and members of the corporate body of Christ. Each state (individual and corporate) of our relationship to God is essential, but our dualistic and encompassing embrace of both our individuality in Christ and corporate membership in the body of Christ remains the essence of our Christian lives.
This concept of dualistic embrace must also be applied to our reality of the present and future Kingdom of God – the present Kingdom of which our Lord Jesus Christ has heralded through His incarnation and work of redemption on the Cross at Calvary; and God’s future Kingdom which will be consummated and realized in absolute fullness with our Lord Jesus’ return.
The Apostles’ Creed centers us in both of these dualisms; of individual and corporate relationship with God and His people, and of our Christian lives in the biblical reality of the present and future Kingdom of God.
- Counsels us to live out the Christ life.
More than a system of belief, the Apostles’ Creed presents to the Christian a landscape of biblical fundamentals that counsels and empowers a dedication to discipleship in Christ.
The Apostles’ Creed also provides a framework of biblical fundamentals that would shape our prayer lives that would guide us in counseling ourselves, and others through the everyday rhythms of life.
May your understanding of the Creed develop within your spirit a deeper impulse and conviction towards a more intimate relationship with God.
And it begins with ‘I believe in… …’
Why is ‘I believe in’ so essential to our existence?
Because to ‘believe in something’ convicts our hearts, and moves us into action.
To ‘believe in something’ compels our spirits, and moves us into confession and profession.
To simply ‘know something’ does not necessarily lead to action.
The Creed begins with ‘I believe in…’ it does not begin ‘I know’.
Intellectual information does not necessarily lead to an invocation of urgency or necessity; which in turn leads to active involvement.
We are driven by our beliefs, and not by what we know.
The Apostles’ creed aims to heighten and deepen the Christian’s existence to that of conviction and not mere conversations; that of beliefs, and not mere knowledge.
Hence, ‘I believe in… …’
Regarding our beliefs, we constantly come before God echoing the prayer of the disheartened father, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22)
Christ inquired of the father, “‘If you can’?” (Mark 9:23)
Like this man, do we have trouble believing?
For most of us, we have no problem ‘knowing’ about God.
But to know God in a deeply personal and intimate way, we need to believe in God.
We need to develop a relationship with Him based on love and trust.
Jesus followed with this statement, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Do you believe in God?
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
How should we believe?
1. Trust in the Lord;
To ‘believe in God’ and to ‘trust in the Lord’ is one and the same.
One cannot believe in God without trusting Him. The converse is true.
That is why it is imperative we believe.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us,
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.’
Trust is exclusive. We either trust God or we do not. If we trust anyone else (including ourselves), we forfeit the right the trust Him.
Recognize that our abilities are limited, and thus, limit the recognition of our abilities.
God is infinite, trust Him with all your heart. In this absolute and full trust, do not rely on your own understanding – do not see things with your perspective; seek God’s perspective.
Submit your life’s endeavors to His purposes. Daily enquire of the Lord as to how you may submit your life to Him. If He is silent on the matter, perhaps you may need to spend more time praying or reading His Word, or even having spiritual conversations with other disciples who endeavor to live solely for Christ’s purposes.
In divine recognition of his need for Christ in his life, the father cried out to the Lord, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Understand this, without God we cannot believe as we should believe.
The first step in believing God is to trust in Him.
Do you trust God?
2. Take control of your mind;
The Apostle Paul demonstrates this principle in 2 Corinthians 10:5,
‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’
Before we may take control of our minds, we must be conscious of what we are thinking about.
In our busy lives, fatigue and weariness takes its toll on our minds; making us lose track of what we are thinking about and even what we believe.
Arguments and pretensions that set itself against our knowledge of God are subtle and insidious. If left unchecked, it will invade our minds and overrun our knowledge of God built over the years through personal experiences and encounters with Him.
They must be demolished.
Like dealing with a pest problem, such thoughts must be intentionally singled out and destroyed before more damage is done on our minds.
Every thought must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ.
If we do not take control of our minds, we lose much more than our faith in God.
We will lose the ability to know Christ.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
(2 Corinthians 4:4)
We will lose our devotion to Christ.
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 11:3)
Be cautioned.
We must be conscious of every thought in our minds and resolve to think as Christ would, by intimately knowing His Way, His Truth and His Life.
Christ exhorts us not to be worried. So if you have worries in your life, demolish those worries. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, seek to live out His purposes in your life amidst life's challenges, and cast all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
3. Transit from doubt to faith, from disbelief to belief;
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Life is more than just a journey, life is a learning journey.
And in this journey, our lessons are to help us transit from doubt to faith in God, from disbelief to belief in the purposes of the Creator of Heaven and earth.
To make this transition from doubt to faith, our first steps must be to separate our views with the prevailing worldview on the true meaning of life.
The demonic deceptions of accumulating more of this world will only lead us to be part of the brokenness of this world.
We are children of the Most High God. We are earthly, as well as spiritual beings; and just as we live in the present world, we also live in the anticipation of the future and eternal Kingdom of our God.
As such, our lives must express these dualities singularly and overtly.
And it begins when we cease to conform to the pattern of this world, and embrace the conviction to only conform to God’s pattern for our world.
When we live in that conviction, God transforms us – our priorities, our beliefs, our convictions, and our impulses – by renewing our minds.
4. Triumph over the evil one.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
To believe in God is to live in the reality that Christ has triumph over the evil one.
Everything the devil does in our lives is for the sole purpose of robbing us of our peace. With our peace gone, our faith in God becomes shaky and hopeless.
Let’s be clear on Christ’s Words – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.”
To live in this reality that Christ is indeed fully victorious is to understand that real peace only happens to us when we are living in Christ.
What does that mean?
To be in Christ is to solely allow the Holy Spirit to shape our existence, to inspire our desires, to determine our priorities and to energize our lives.
Everything we do, we do as Christ would – and in so doing, live a life that is pleasing to our Father in Heaven.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
John 14:25-31
Christ has already overcome the world.
Christ has already overcome the evil one.
Christ loves the Father and does exactly what He has commanded Him.
Only one question remains….
Are you in Christ?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, lead me, teach me, guide me and mold me; into a deeper faith and trust in our Father in heaven.
Today, I declare my trust in the Lord. I resolve to lean not on my own understanding and to submit to God in all my ways.
I believe that You will make my path straight and my faith will be made unfettered from the worries of my life.
Holy Spirit, help me to take control of my mind. Guide me as I demolish every argument and pretension that sets itself up against my knowledge of God.
Holy Spirit, help me take captive every thought and make them obedient to Christ.
I will seek to conform to God’s pattern for this world. Renew my mind, Oh Lord, so that I may know Your good, pleasing and perfect will. Help me to solely live out Your Will.
May Your reality be mine, O God. May I live in the reality of Your victory over the evil one. May I live in the reality of Your Truth.
I know that I will have trouble in the world. But I will take heart! For You, Lord Jesus, have overcome the world.
Forgive me, O Lord, for my lack of faith in You. I acknowledge that there are areas of my life in which I still trust only myself. Today, I surrender these areas to You.
Thank you for the divine revelation of Your Salvific love for the world and for me.
In this, I do believe in You, O Lord; please help me overcome my unbelief!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.