Sermon presented at the Congregational Church of Grafton, MA, July 1, 2012.
Texts:
Mark 4:30-32 (Parable of the Mustard Seed)
Hebrews 11:1-7 & 11:32-12:2
What is Faith? That’s not a small question. In Christianity, the answer to that question begins with Genesis … and never really ends. Faith defines how we see ourselves, who and what we choose to have relationships with, and what we envision our end and the end of Creation, to be. Faith helps us make sense of the events and circumstances that shape us and our world. It lays out a path for us to follow into the future. Faith enables us to gaze into the infinite and the unknowable and find a place there for ourselves. It helps us make sense of the mystery of God and the vastness of Creation. Faith enables us to exist in a world of uncertainty and change.
Faith. A great deal is expressed in that one tiny little word. So, it’s kind of audacious to think we can have any sort of meaningful exploration of this topic and yet still have time to get to the Sox and Mariners game this afternoon.
A lot has been written on the topic of Faith. Not just the Bible, but everything from Hamlet or Pilgrim’s Progress to Harry Potter and Star Trek.
We talk a lot about Faith too, saying things like “I have faith in Evolution” or “This (or that) strengthened my faith” or, “I lost (or I found) my Faith.” But, we never define what Faith is, even though we talk a lot about how much of it we have, or need, or how to find it, or how to use it.
We also talk a lot about how important faith is to us. We admire those who have strong faith, and we honor those who die for their faith. We seek to encourage faith in others, and we minister to those in need as a product of what our own faith impels us to do. Faith is a powerful thing, and central to our existence.
Yet, even though we talk a lot about what to have faith in; or, how to find faith; or, how to use our faith, we never define what it is. It’s assumed we already know. I’m not sure that’s a good assumption.
The Here and the Hereafter 