When Your Faith is Lacking

Hope Church - Fort Worth, TX

Have you ever gone through a season where your faith in God was struggling or lacking? Maybe you're in that tough place right now, questioning whether walking with Jesus is worth it. If so, this encouraging message is for you!

In this sermon from our "Pressure Points" series through the book of James, Pastor Luke opens up about the crisis of faith he experienced years ago in college. He shares transparently about the factors that led to a dark period of doubts, isolation, exhaustion, and discouragement in his spiritual journey.

However, Pastor Luke doesn't leave us in that pit of lacking faith. He provides biblical wisdom and personal insights into the steps he took by God's grace to regain his footing and move forward in an authentic, life-giving faith.

The main point is this: Your faith makes a difference in how you live your life. Pastor Luke unpacks the biblical definition of faith as complete trust and confidence in Jesus Christ, contrasting it with our culture's vague, self-focused notions of faith.

Going verse-by-verse through James 2, he shows how genuine faith is based on the resurrection evidence of Jesus and will prove itself through outward actions like loving others, showing mercy, and producing good deeds. Using the life of Abraham, he reconciles the relationship between faith and works.

Pastor Luke then identifies four everyday situations where our faith may be lacking:

1. Misplaced faith in ourselves, "the universe," or belief without evidence rather than faith in Christ.
2. Dead faith - acknowledging the facts about Jesus but lacking repentance and obedience.
3. Tested faith - enduring trials and persevering as God purifies and strengthens our faith.
4. Lack of first-time faith - being ready to put your faith in Jesus initially.

For each of these scenarios, Pastor Luke provides practical next steps we can take to realign our faith, such as:

-Identifying misplaced faith and seeking truth in Christ

-Choosing to obey God and be vulnerable with others

-Rejoicing and enduring testing while remembering God's purposes

-"B.A.S.E." our life on Christ by believing, accepting, switching to His plan, and expressing our commitment publicly

The message ends with an opportunity to place your faith in Jesus for the first time or rededicate yourself to walking with Him wholeheartedly, no matter what doubts or struggles you may be facing.

Whether you're a longtime Christian or simply exploring faith, this candid and empowering sermon will speak to you about persevering when your faith is lacking. You'll be inspired by the personal testimony and biblically grounded wisdom Pastor Luke shares.