The Causality of Faith

May 12, 2024 
GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor

The Causality of Faith
Acts 16:25-40

Causality is an influence by which one event, process, state, or object contributes to the production of another event, process, state, or object where the cause is partly responsible for the effect, and the effect is partly dependent on the cause.

1. Faith empowers us to defy our circumstances, v. 25

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
             -Matthew 5:21-24

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
             - Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
             - Matthew 5:43-47


2. Faith is often display in what we don’t do, v. 26-28

“Your true character is most on display when you get the upper hand on your enemies.”                                                                                                                                     - Jack McGorman 

3. Our lived faith causes others to desire faith, v. 29-32

v. 26- “all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

4. True faith seeks to identify with the God of our faith, v. 33-34

Religious tradition vs. biblical Faith...

a) you have some rituals in your past but little joy in the present
b) its an external thing trying to get in not an internal reality trying to get out
c) nothing exercises dominion over what comes naturally 
d) you have more excuses than experiences
e) you rarely submit to anybody or anything
f) you have always been in control

5. Faith sometimes calls for civil disobedience, v. 35-40

Mental worship…

1.    What song is most consistently coming from your life these days? 
2.    What has the Faith given you the capacity to do that you by nature couldn’t?
3.    In