All or Nothing - Part 2

Yesterday I discussed All or Nothing faith. I showed how Joshua and the Israelites exhibited all or nothing faith as they marched around the walls of Jericho. I discussed how Elijah exhibited all or nothing faith as he challenged the prophets of Baal.

Today I want to move to a New Testament demonstration of all or nothing faith.

Obviously, Jesus comes to mind. He certainly demonstrated all or nothing faith in every action. Give up Heaven and become human? All or nothing.

Walk on water? All or nothing.

Die on a cross? All or nothing.

Leave the expansion of your kingdom to a bunch of guys who just weeks prior had all deserted and in some instances denied you? All or nothing.

But today I want to focus on Paul. If you are unfamiliar with Paul, take some time to read the book of Acts in the Bible. Paul (formerly known as Saul) is first introduced at the end of Acts chapter 7. We see him again at the beginning of Acts chapter 8, also as Saul. But from Acts 9 until the end of the book of Acts, we really get to know Paul, and the impact his life had on the expansion of Christianity beyond the city of Jerusalem.

But my focus today is from one of the letters Paul wrote to one of the many churches with whom he worked. Take a look at I Corinthians 2:1-5 (The Message):

You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway.  God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.

We so often view Paul as this bold man of God. He took the gospel to the gentiles. He stood up to the council in Jerusalem. He withstood beatings, ship wrecks, hunger, stoning, and lashings. He even sang in prison!

But here we read of Paul's all or nothing approach. Paul learned that if he didn't decrease, and Christ increase, the message of the gospel could not be made clear. Paul didn't rely on fancy methods, he simply told the story of Jesus.

God's Spirit and God's power did the rest.

I think that some times, especially in the modern church, we rely too much on fancy mental or emotional footwork. What we really need is all or nothing faith, lay it all out there and believe God's Spirit and God's power are enough.

This may sound funny coming from a guy who's career is making great worship environments. But sometimes I think all the gear, all the planning, all the work interferes with God's Spirit, God's power.

I know my heart, and I know the heart of our pastor, and many pastors around the country. For us, technology is simply a tool. God's power and God's Spirit are what we long to fill the room. Gear is nice, God is necessary!

So as you begin to fear, as you wonder what words to share with your hurting friend, with your neighbor who is lost, with your co-worker about to wander down a path you know only leads to destruction; move forward despite the fear. Trust that with all or nothing faith, through God's Spirit and God's power, life changing words and actions will come from you.

Fancy mental or emotional footwork isn't the key. All or nothing faith is what leads people from a life of sin to the saving grace of Jesus!