Friday, June 9, 2023

What do you believe in? 

Believe—this word gets tossed around so frequently and randomly that I think most of us take it for granted. “I believe in music.” “Believe in me.” “Believe in yourself.” The Monkees used it in their lyrics, “then I saw her face, now I’m a believer.” And of course, it is used in the heaviest of all questions, “Do you believe in God?”

Believe rolls off our tongues effortlessly, but how often do we really contemplate the significant power of the word? To believe is to accept something as true, or feel sure of its truth.

Do you believe in God? 

If you are like me, you’re saying, “Yes, I believe!” But saying is one thing—saying it and then backing it up with action is something entirely different.

Last weekend, we learned about William Tyndale, an English biblical scholar and linguist, who was a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. He is best known for his work in translating the Bible from Latin, which only the clergy and elite could read, into English. 

Tyndale offers us a prime example of true belief. He became interested in the Bible at an early age and studied it thoroughly. He understood and believed without doubt that because God’s Word is truth, all people should know it, not just the elite. His passion arose from the deceitful practices of the Roman Catholic Church at that time, which kept people blinded by fear instead of finding peace in God’s true Word. He wanted to get the Bible into the hands of as many people as possible so they could come to know the truth about what God says, rather than what the Roman Catholic Church was teaching. 

The bottom line from last weekend’s message: A sincere belief produces significant action.

Tyndale’s sincere belief led him to translate the Bible. Of course the churches and government officials at the time were opposed to Tyndale’s actions and constantly sought to put a stop to his work. He was met with opposition every step of the way and was in constant fear of being arrested, forcing him to relocate several times. Eventually he persevered and produced the first English Bible translated from Latin, Hebrew, and Greek. 

Sadly, Tyndale befriended a man who eventually betrayed him to authorities, and he was thrown in prison for 450 days. During this time of terrible conditions, he hoped to get out to continue his work. Unfortunately, that did not happen. In 1536, he was executed by strangulation and burned at the stake in a public square. His final words were a prayer, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes.” Three years later, his prayer was answered as, at the king’s bequest, four English translations of the Bible were published for the public to read.

Did Tyndale understand what it truly meant to believe in God? I would say, yes, without a doubt. 

Do you believe in God? 

Remember, actions speak louder than words. Here is a verse that you can make a quick prayer of help.

Mark 9:24
… “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Questions:
Do you use the word “believe" lightly, or do you back it up with action?

Next Steps: 
Take action! Get involved with serving on the DreamTeam or join or lead a Group.

Prayer:
Loving Father, you have given me every reason to truly believe you are who you say you are. Help me to overcome any doubts and fears by showing my belief through my actions in doing your work. Please continue to use me as a humble servant to follow wherever you lead me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Luke 8:15
And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.