Red Letter Christians – Part Four – Faith and Trust
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A25-34&version=NLT
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Head/Mind – Helpful Information – Faith and Reason
Faith in God was central to Jesus’ message. He encouraged people to trust in God’s provision and to have faith, as seen in passages like Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus assures his followers that God will provide for their needs if they seek the Kingdom of God first. But there are at least two issues we need to tackle.
The first is the relationship between faith and reason.
Militant Atheists claim that reason and faith are antithetical to each other. But, I want to submit, we act on faith all of the time. For example, I cannot easily verify that the people at the grocery store have been truthful about expiration dates or that the elevator has really been properly inspected. I have to trust that these people and institutions are telling the truth
Faith, understood as trust in the reliability of others or the consistency of the world, is an integral part of daily life, even for those who champion reason. Here are several examples of how faith operates in everyday situations:
1. Trust in Medical Professionals
- When you visit a doctor, you trust that their diagnosis and prescribed treatment are based on their expertise and integrity. Most people don’t independently verify the efficacy of medications or procedures, they rely on the medical community. And, even if you do your own research, using Google, WebMD, or Grok, you are still having to use the reasearch and conclusions drawn by others.
2. Reliance on Engineers and Builders
- When crossing a bridge, driving through a tunnel, or entering a building, you trust that the engineers, architects, and construction workers have done their jobs correctly, and that inspections were thorough.
3. Trust in Food Safety
- You trust that food manufacturers and restaurants are adhering to health and safety standards. Whether it’s trusting that milk is pasteurized or that food served at a restaurant won’t make you sick, you rarely verify these things directly.
4. Belief in the Accuracy of Technology
- When you use GPS for navigation, you trust that satellites and software are accurately calculating your route. Most people don’t know the intricacies of how GPS works, the Trigonometry or cartography, but trust that it will guide them correctly.
5. Financial Systems
- Using a credit card or depositing money in a bank involves trust. You have faith that the financial system is secure, that banks won’t abscond with your money, and that the currency itself holds value.
6. Educational Systems
- When learning from teachers or reading books, you trust that the information is accurate and based on sound research. You act on faith in the credibility of educators and authors unless you have a reason to doubt them.
7. Driving and Road Safety
- Every time you drive or cross the street, you trust that other drivers will obey traffic laws. You act on faith that they’ll stop at red lights and drive on the correct side of the road.
8. Trust in News and Media
- Many rely on journalists and media outlets for information about the world. While critical thinking is essential, most people accept much of the information they receive without personal investigation. And, even if you do not trust the legacy media, then you probably trust someone on TikTok or YouTube.
9. Using Public Utilities
- You trust that the water coming out of your tap is clean and safe to drink, that the electricity in your home is reliable, and that the gas pipes won’t explode. You don’t usually verify the infrastructure behind these utilities.
10. Flying in an Airplane
- Boarding a plane involves faith in the pilots, maintenance crews, air traffic controllers, and the manufacturers of the aircraft. Most passengers have little understanding of aerodynamics or the complexities of aviation.
11. Relying on Social Relationships
Everyday interactions require faith in others’ intentions. Whether it’s believing a friend will keep a promise, trusting a babysitter with your child, or expecting coworkers to fulfill their responsibilities, relationships involve a degree of trust.
Faith in these contexts doesn’t mean blind belief but rather a pragmatic trust based on past experiences, the reliability of systems, or confidence in human expertise. Reason and faith are not necessarily opposed; instead, they often work together to help us navigate a complex and interconnected world.
We trust in God because he has proven himself faithful, again and again. Yet, this leaves one more issue to explore.
Heart – Trusting God When Everything Goes Wrong
A Christian writer was traveling by plane, to her home in Denver, when the plane happened to go through a significant storm. She quietly prayed for God’s protection. The passenger beside her was a dubious sceptic who happened to notice her praying. He asked her about her prayer, to which she expressed her confidence of being kept in God’s care. After the storm, he asked her what it would have meant if they had died in a plane crash. Would that have proved that God had failed to keep his promises of protection?
She answered, for the Christian, the hope is that God will keep us in his loving hands until we reach our final destination. “My earthly home is Denver, but it is not my final destination.”
In John 10 Jesus says, “Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and, no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’”
Hands – Even If I Must Walk Through The Valley of the Shadow of Death
The promise of the Gospel does not come with a guarantee that we will not suffer in this lifetime. In fact, Jesus says that anyone who wants to follow him must be willing to take up their cross and follow him.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “When Christ invites a person to follow him, he bids that person, ‘come and die.’” The promise is that whatever we face, whether it be physical suffering, loss of friends and loved ones, humiliation, or the slander of others, we will not face it alone.
One church’s statement of faith says, “We trust in God…In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.”
Isaiah 26:3 says, “God will keep in perfect peace those who keep their mind on him, because they trust him.”
The Eastern Orthodox practice of saying the Jesus Prayer is like having a quiet conversation with God that helps you remember that he is always with you. The prayer is simple:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Here’s an easy way to understand it:
- It’s like calling on your beloved friend: When you say this prayer, you’re talking to Jesus, who loves you and wants to help you. Just like you talk to your best friend to feel close to them, this prayer helps you feel close to God.
- It keeps you focused: Life can be busy and distracting, but saying the Jesus Prayer helps you remember God is always there. It’s like holding onto a little light in your heart that keeps shining, even when things get hard or noisy.
- It’s like taking a deep breath: The prayer is calming. Some people say it slowly, in rhythm with their breathing—when they breathe in, they think, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,” and when they breathe out, they think, “have mercy on me, a sinner.” It helps them feel peaceful and centered.
- It’s a habit we use to stay close to God: Just like brushing your teeth keeps your mouth healthy, saying the Jesus Prayer often keeps your soul connected to God. The more you say it, the more it reminds you that God loves you and is with you all the time.
- You don’t have to be perfect: The prayer reminds us that we need God’s mercy because no one is perfect. But instead of making us feel bad, it makes us feel loved because God always forgives and helps us when we ask.
So, saying the Jesus Prayer is a simple and powerful way to stay aware of God’s presence and to feel His love and help every day. By doing so, we learn to develop a deep faith and trust in God.
Invitation
Friends, we’ve heard Jesus speak today:
“Do not worry… Your heavenly Father knows what you need.”
But these aren’t just comforting words from long ago. They are personal words for right now.
Maybe your life has felt uncertain.
Maybe anxiety has been louder than peace.
Maybe you’ve believed in God with your mind, but you’ve struggled to trust Him with your heart.
Jesus says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
That’s not wishful thinking.
That’s a promise from the One who says, “No one can snatch you from my hand.”
So today, I want to give you the chance to respond:
- If you’ve never placed your trust in Jesus, let today be the day.
- If you’re ready to receive baptism or explore what it means, we invite you to speak with one of our pastors after the service.
- If you want to join this church — a community learning to trust God together — we would love to welcome you.
And for every one of us:
Today is a chance to seek first the Kingdom…
To lay down our worry…
And to take hold of the hand that never lets go.
Let us pray.
Closing Prayer
Gracious and faithful God,
Thank you for the voice of Jesus that cuts through our anxiety and reminds us we are not alone.
You are the God who feeds the birds, clothes the flowers, and never forgets your children.
We confess that we worry.
We cling to control.
We forget your promises and try to carry the weight alone.
But today, we turn back to you.
We place our trust in your goodness , not just for eternity, but for today.
Teach us to seek your Kingdom first.
To believe that your love is deeper than our fear.
And to rest in the knowledge that we are always in your care.
Give peace to the anxious, courage to the hesitant, and strength to those in the valley.
Make us a people of trust.
Make this church a place of peace.
In the name of Jesus —
The Good Shepherd who holds us in His hand and never lets us go —
we pray. Amen.