Deal with Noise to Remain Firm in Faith
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands… Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29)
You are warmly welcome! May the Lord Almighty fill you with the peace and joy of his celebrated presence in this fellowship as we worship Him.
One of the reasons for considering renewing our baptismal vows is the problem and effects of noise. Could this have been Thomas’ problem? Fellowship and faith are at risk. He was absent when the risen Lord Jesus Christ first visited the Apostles, and he refused to believe when they told him they ‘had seen the Lord’; what had distracted him into absence from fellowship? And what was on his mind that could not allow the good report to sink in? Various forms of noise are a serious distraction from the place of fellowship and meeting with Jesus Christ, and various forms of noise are fertile ground for doubting the life-saving reality of the gospel. According to experts, continued exposure to noise can cause stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, and many other physical health problems; at a spiritual level, it is even more dangerous.
Today we face the noise of information overload from social media and ubiquitous news and games, the pursuit of material things, false prophets and teachers, crazy work schedules, busy ever buzzing streets, and so much more. How has this affected your commitment to fellowship and faith? The Scriptures expose two other types of dangerous noise: first is the noise of pretentious worshippers – whose lip-service is loud but their hearts are far from God – and he vehemently hates it. “Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:23-24). Second is the noise of protesting selfish masses that can even subvert and overthrow justice; Pilate was a victim of this noise: ”But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.” (Luke 23:23-24). In both these cases God’s displeasure comes from the neglect of righteousness and justice.
The message today is that we need to deal with the noise to remain firm in faith, in good fellowship, and focused on the righteousness and justice that God desires. Take the dedicated time with God our Savior “who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.” (Ps 65:7). At the upcoming Renewal Service, we will meditatively visit accounts of God’s saving deeds in history, renew our baptismal vows, and commit to continually deal with noise in order to remain firm in faith in God. May the Lord give you grace for this discipline.
God bless you as you all!