Dharius Daniels - Sick Faith

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. «Lord,» Martha said to Jesus, «if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.» Jesus said to her, «Your brother will rise again.» I want to pause right there and teach from this topic in our time together: «Sick Faith.» I want to ease into this introduction with a question. The question I think is critical, consequential, and actually the quintessential question. Look at me, family. The question is, simply put, at the core, what does God really want from us? I think if any relationship is going to be healthy, vibrant, fruitful, and fulfilling, this question must be answered. I don’t understand how you can develop intimacy and closeness in any relationship without intentionally addressing this question. It is possible to be in a relationship with someone who has good intentions but poor execution, meaning they are providing what they think you want rather than what you truly need. I feel real vibes right here on this side—does that make sense? It’s possible for people to give you what they think you want instead of what you really need. Therefore, it is key and critical to investigate and explore what it is at the core that God really wants. There are a myriad of individuals here in this place, and we would answer this question in a number of different ways. But here it is, family: some may say God wants worship, others may say God wants obedience, and others may say God wants intimacy—a close relationship with Him. I don’t feel that those answers are incorrect; they are just a bit incomplete. I believe those answers are the fruit of what God wants, not really the root of what God wants. At the core, I believe God wants to be believed. Notice I did not say He wants to be believed in; I said He wants to be believed. In other words, I’m simply suggesting that God desires for us to believe in His nature and His ability. To believe Him is to believe His nature and to believe in His ability. It is to say, «I believe you are exactly who you say you are, as you revealed yourself in the Scriptures.» That’s who You are! Yes, You are a waymaker. I believe that You say You’re a door opener. I believe that You say You’re a mind regulator. I believe that You say You’re the peace in the middle of the storm. I believe that You said when the enemy comes in like a flood, Your spirit will lift up a standard against it. I believe that You said You’re bread when I’m hungry. I believe that You said You’re water when I’m thirsty. I believe that. I believe You are exactly who You say You are—that’s Your nature. But I also believe in Your ability. I believe You can do exactly what You say You will do. You said You would supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I believe that. You said You would do exceedingly abundantly above all I ask, think, or imagine. I believe that. I am not saying He simply wants us to believe in His existence; I’m saying He wants us to believe in His nature and in His ability. This type of belief is what the Bible describes as faith. Faith is a word that’s often used richly but understood poorly. It is a term that is tagged to concepts that are not actually faith. There are times when we can unintentionally label things like optimism as faith. «Oh, I got faith; I believe it’ll work out.» No, that’s not faith—that’s optimism. That’s not bad; it’s just not entirely biblical, because faith makes you optimistic. But just because you have optimism doesn’t mean you have faith. Optimism does not have an object in which the faith is placed. The Bible says that faith has an author and a finisher—it comes from someone and returns to someone—looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Optimism says it will work out; the universe will work it out somehow and it’ll just work out. Faith says, «God, hey, God is getting ready to work it out.» It’s not going to work out on its own. I know someone who is working behind the scenes, orchestrating the affairs of human existence and human affairs according to the counsel of His own will. God is doing it! I don’t believe it’s going to work out; I believe God is getting ready to take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for my good. I don’t have optimism; I’ve got faith—faith, faith! A belief or a trust that produces a corresponding action. Here is the Darius Daniels definition of faith, adapted from a definition I read years ago by Dr. Tony Evans: faith is acting like God is telling the truth all the time about everything. Notice I said faith is acting like, not feeling like. Acting like means it is a conviction that is so sure and so catalytic that it produces a corresponding action. When I believe, I can’t help but act like it, because faith without works is dead. See, that’s the difference. I can believe and not do anything, but faith is a belief that is so convincing. It’s the evidence of things not seen; it’s the substance of things hoped for. But it is also the evidence of things not seen. I don’t have to have…