Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
Three Phases of Faith 2 Kings 4

Three Phases of Faith 2 Kings 4

Last updated on: November 28, 2019 at 1:29 pm by Adrian Warnock

Three Phases of Faith 2 Kings 4 2019-11-28T13:29:09+00:00 Adrian Warnock

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This past Sunday I preached on Faith from 2 Kings 4 at Jubilee Church London’s Wood Green site. Here is the audio, the notes follow.

In some circles today we can over-react to certain extreme teachings and feel nervous about even talking about faith, but as Hebrews 11 tells us, without faith it is impossible to please God! We must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. So, if you are eager to please God, finding out about and pursuing faith is a vital thing to do.

1. COMMENCEMENT of FAITH: Making room for God v10

She sees the man of God and makes room for him (and hence God) in her life
Salvation is often a small decision, people may not be clear of the implications, you can be saved on a fragment of truth.
Sometimes all that is said is “Come into my life, Lord Jesus!”
The basic gospel message simple: Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved”
Thus all that is required is a true acknowledgment of the divinity of Jesus, a willingness to follow him, and a belief that he rose again.
A Christian is someone who believes in the resurrection of Jesus and lives in light of the implications of that event
Sometimes people start coming to church without immediately giving themselves to God….give them time. This is why Alpha works.
Things often begin slowly! Eg Jubilee Church, began with a small handful of people. Early days slow growth, foundations laid, check you are doing right thing, but then trust God.
Don’t despise days of small beginnings. This is a principle in your life, your church, or any endeavor undertaken for God
“One day” over time becomes regularly, and so faith grows to the next phase:

2. Contentment of Faith : RESTING and trusting him in all situations

What began as an occasional thing, was now a regular. Taken more steps towards God, he comes running to you (eg prodigal son) Come to church every week not when you feel like it, for example.
God begins to come to us saying, “what can I do for you?”
The lady replies by saying essentially that she has become content with her circumstances. “I dwell with my people” v13
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. “ Phil 4:12-13
True contentment is very rare! We want “just a bit more” money, or we want a wife, or we want a husband or a child or a new job or home or car or Apple device “then we will be happy!”
NO, happiness comes from within, and most of all from knowing that God is your treasure. This leads to a stillness, a calm about you:

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.
(Psalm 131 ESV)

This phase of faith can be described as “resting faith” It is built on the foundation of God’s goodness and faithfulness AND SOVEREIGNTY:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)
“Ascribe greatness to our God the rock, his work is perfect and all his ways are just, a God of faithfulness and without injustice, good and upright is he!” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).
God is so dependable that even “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim 2:13)
ROMANS 8 God turning ALL THINGS FOR GOD
Ultimately this leads to the faith of Joseph who can say to his brothers “you meant this for my harm, God meant it for my good”
The fullest example of this is how God used the death of his son to save the world. If he can do that, how much more your circumstance!
BUT IT IS NOT PASSIVITY OR APATHY
NOT WORRY EITHER!!!! Many people PRAY like they are WORRYING OUTLOUD!
Elisha then promises her a son. She doesn’t really expect anything from God. One translation of her response v16 is “don’t get my hopes up” = job description of the prophet.
That which she had closed the door on in her mind. God opened! How often are we reluctant to believe God will do anything for us?
God is the miracle-giver!
But this is not the end of the story…this faith of hers was about to be tested more than ever before!
Like Job we can react to tragic circumstances with trust.
Jesus promised us troubles in this world…but we don’t name and claim that promise!
“Full of grief she was, for she had lost her son; but she had a hope left, for she had not lost her faith.
Her repeated phrase “It is well” contains the resignation of resting faith without that when disaster strikes our faith is destroyed.
Horatio Spafford’s son died, then few months later, ruined by Chicago Fire, sends wife and 4 remaining daughters on ahead back to Europe, ship sank, wife was “saved alone.” How did he reply? Like Job. He chose to trust God and wrote:

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

BUT, The lady’s subsequent actions demonstrate that faith is more even than this. We now see the next phase of faith:

3. Expectancy for God to act

We see now the distinction between ACTIVE and RESTING faith
Note that without the foundation of RESTING faith, active faith will be flimsy indeed, and if God doesn’t answer the prayer, we will collapse in a heap! Many Christians never move beyond resting faith, but many Christians are too quick to only focus on this active faith.
The God who brought life, could restore it! Faith GROWS with experience of God responded to correctly:
By faith “Women received back their dead by resurrection” (Hebrews 11)
“It is well” is a bold prophetic declaration, and it is one we can all make (without failing to face the facts as Paul describes Abraham as doing)
She wasn’t lying, or confused, she just had another perspective
We KNOW that one day it will all be well!
God will complete what he started
If we trust that God will make all things right in the age to come, why should he not in this one?
Powers of age to come are breaking through!
GOD is in the business of resurrections! Its his trade. He has a monopoly
When you have a plumber in your house you expect your water will be fixed! If it isn’t you are surprised
When God is in the place, you should expect a blessing and be more surprised if there isn’t one!
This is why we speak of the problem of suffering….I think some times western Christians have more of a problem with healing or blessing!

Being a CHRISTIAN IS LIKE WALKING IN STRONG WIND….LEAN INTO IT…ie FORWARD TILT not stand straight or blowed over!

To conclude:

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33 ESV)
If you have settled in your heart that God comes first, if you have settled in your heart that you will trust him WHATEVER happens, you can then implor him to act, and expect the unexpected!
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11 ESV)

Where are you in these phases? Resolve to take the next step TODAY

Make room for God
Trust Him
Dare to believe he will act for you today!

Listen to Adrian’s Podcast

Interviews, personal reflections, meditation, debates, sermons, training

Coming soon (God willing) : the rest of the series “Jesus Commands”

Jesus said that if you obey him your life will be established on a firm foundation when the storms come.

Follow the link to read all the articles, or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified as they are published.

Complete the form in the top of the right hand column, or below if you are visiting on a mobile device.

Previous Post

June 27, 2013

Twenty types of tweet: how many do you use on Twitter?

Next Post

July 3, 2013 A surprising answer to the "Why Me?" question

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 1 and 2 Corinthians 1 and 2 Thessalonians 1 and 2 Timothy 1 John 300 Leaders A Life of Joy Abortion Acts of the Apostles Adrian on radio Adrian on TV Adrian's Story Albert Mohler Amazing Grace Arminocalvinist Spectrum Assurance Atonement Atonement Series Attributes of God Barnabas Best of the Blog Bible Bible Software Bible Translation Biblical Inerrancy Billy Graham Bob Roberts Books C. J. Mahaney Calvinism Cessationism Charis Warnock Charismatic Spectrum Charles Simeon Charles Spurgeon Church Leadership Colossians Complementarian - Egalitarian Spectrum Complementarianism Conferences Culture Daniel Debates Deuteronomy DGM08 DGM13 Discernment Doctrine Don Carson Ed Stetzer Eddy Leo Ephesians ESV Bible Translators Interview Evangelism in a Post-Christian World evolution Exodus Expository Preaching Ezekial Faith and Feelings Family Florida Galatians General Genesis Get Wisdom - Proverbs sermons Gifts of The Holy Spirit Gifts of the Holy Spirit 2006 Global Faith Forum Godly Attitudes Gospel Gospels Grace Greg Haslam Grudem vs Piper: The Baptism Debate Healing Heaven Hell and Rob Bell Hebrews Henry Tyler Henry Warnock Holy Spirit Holy Spirit Baptism Hope Reborn Hugh Palmer Irresistable Grace Isaiah J. I. Packer Jack Hayford Joel Joel Warnock John John Lanferman John MacArthur John Newton John Owen John Piper John Smyth Jonathan Edwards Josh Harris Justification Justin Taylor Kenneth Ulmer Leadership Leadership Lessons from 1 & 2 Samuel Lex Loizides Liam Goligher Lig Duncan Limited Atonement Lou Fellingham Mark Dever Mark Driscoll Martyn Lloyd-Jones Matt Chandler Mental Health Missionary Methods: St Paul’s or Ours? My Story N. T. Wright Nehemiah NWA08 NWA09 NWA10 Opinion OT History Books Pentateuch Personal Personal Revival Philippians PJ Smyth Podcast Politics Preaching Prophecy Proverbs Psalms Raised With Christ Reformed Charismatic Regeneration Relationships Resurrection Resurrection & Salvation Revival Rice Broocks Rich Man and Lazarus Rick Warren Rob Rufus Roland Allen Romans Sam Storms Sanctification Series Sermons Sermons on Philippians Serving Jesus at Work Sexuality Sin St Paul Steve Chalke Strange Fire Suffering T4G T4G Statement TAB09 Tamasin Warnock Teamwork Terry Virgo The Atonement Debate - Chalke book The Soulwinner The Spirit-Filled Church The Traitor Within Theologcial Spectrums Theosis Tim Challies Tim Keller Titus TOAM06 TOAM07 TOAM08 TOAM09 TOAM10 TOAM11 Todd Bentley Tope Koleoso Total Depravity Video Water Baptism Wayne Grudem Worship

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 May 2025 April 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 August 2023 May 2023 April 2023 February 2023 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 August 2021 May 2021 April 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 June 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book of the Bible is written as a song of love between a bride and groom?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalms Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Proverbs

Books by This Author Books by Adrian Warnock

See All Titles »