Rev. Michael J. Imperiale            

First Presbyterian Church                                        October 23, 2005

Without Faith, It's Impossible

I Chronicles 29:1-13

Introduction

Here’s my best shot at a definition of faith: “Faith is trying to be or do something that we know we cannot be or do without God being or doing his thing in us, with us and through us.” The famous verse in Hebrews 11 put it this way: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” In the Old Testament, Noah and his family believed the Lord when they built the ark even though he’s never even seen rain. Abraham and Sarah had faith in God’s promise that they would yet have a lineage and legacy even though they were past the years for having children. Moses and David trusted in God’s provision for the building of the tabernacle and the temple. In the New Testament, Jesus willingly and intentionally gave up his life for the life of all those who would trust him to be their Redeemer. Peter and Paul had faith that their preaching and teaching would bring many to the saving knowledge of Jesus as Messiah and Savior.

I am pretty sure that week after week I can come up with a sermon based on God’s Word that is worth sharing and worth your consideration. But I know that I cannot reach into the mind and heart of any person here (including myself) and make you respond in faith to Christ. Only God can do that.

Throughout the Bible, throughout the history of the church as well in our own day and time, God’s people use their gifts and resources in mission and ministry to be and do something that could not be done without God’s power at work.

Tucked away in the oft ignored and unread book of Chronicles, we have this gem of a passage that outlines how David, Solomon, and the people of Israel went about building the great temple in Jerusalem. The task was great. It was for the glory of God. It required over and above giving. The leaders and the people respond. And there is great celebration. Willing gifts and worshiping God are marks of God’s people exercising faith: being and doing something that could not be done without God’s interaction.

I. God Loves Cheerful Faith in Action (vs. 1-9)

King David said to the whole assembly, “This task is huge – this is not just a place for people to meet each other, but a house for God to meet us.” So David challenged his leaders and people to use their faith, to give and see what could happen. “With all my resources, I’ve done my best to get everything together… And now, how about you? Who among you is ready and willing to join in the giving?”

I remember one of my first meetings with the elders here at First Presbyterian back in 2001. For more than ten years, the capital fund campaigns and plans to restore this well-used, run-down building started and stopped. With $2 million in pledges and gifts in hand, the question was, “Should we go ahead and do it?” We still needed another $2.5 million. Some said, “Not yet.” Some said, “If not now, when?” Most said, “Let’s go for it.” Architectural plans were completed, bids went out, a general contractor was selected, and during 2002 and 2003, this entire building was rebuilt from the inside out. And here we are enjoying this beautiful sanctuary, a new child development center, chapel and fellowship areas, classrooms and offices.

As with any building project, we have faced a few minor and major adjustments. We are working on raising some money to provide better lighting for the choir and the chancel area. We had a major problem with the new heating system – we’ve spent an unexpected $70,000 this year to correct it. But all in all, the facility has provided new and renewed opportunities for worship, study, fellowship and service for the congregation and community. We have an important challenge to reduce and retire building loans of $850,000. As soon as we can do that, the annual ministry budget can return to a better focus on the programs of the church.

Back to I Chronicles. “With willing gifts to worship God, the heads of families, the leaders of the tribes, commanders and captains in the army, stewards of the king’s high affairs, all stepped forward and gave… And the people were full of a sense of celebration.” They did it. In faith they gave to see a great thing happen. David was the author of the temple project and his son Solomon would complete it.

In I Chronicles 28, David gave Solomon principles to guide him through life, the same ideas that any Christian parent would want for their children. “Get to know God personally; learn God’s commands and discover what he wants you to do; worship the Lord with wholehearted devotion; serve God with a willing mind and heart; be faithful; don’t become discouraged” (I Chronicles 28: 9-10).

Although we have focused on the building here at First Pres in the past few years, we have also tried to keep David’s advice to Solomon alive in our life together. This building is a community gathering place that will continue to be a visible witness for God. And we will use and wear it out again in service to the Lord and to the Salt Lake community.

II. Great is the Lord and Greatly to Be Praised (vs. 10-13)

In verse 10, David blessed the Lord in full view of the entire congregation: “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

All of this even before work on the great temple began. All of this in faith for what was not yet seen. Why? Because God gives faithfully, we can give faithfully. Because God gives compassionately, we can give compassionately. Because God gives liberally and gracefully, we can give liberally and gracefully. After all, what do we have that doesn’t have its origin, its source in God?

The mission of our church is rooted in the Great Command and the Great Commission: Love God, Love Neighbor, and Make Disciples. The vision of our church is rooted in where we are today and where we want to be tomorrow: to be a large, downtown church, broadly evangelical with a heart for those who do not yet know Jesus Christ in a personal, saving, biblical way, serving as a mainline, Presbyterian church in the heart of Salt Lake City.

We don’t just fund a project with our giving. More importantly we worship God. We don’t just meet a budget, we serve the Lord. It’s not just financial activity, it’s a spiritual activity. God is the source of our resources. Giving does make our church a better community. But it more importantly deepens our relationship with God.

Conclusion

Pastor Jim and I, the staff, elders and leaders of this church all stand ready to give our all. There’s much work to be done. The task is huge. So we invite everyone, every member and friend of First Presbyterian Church to participate in the growth of giving. It takes time and money to do the things we want to do and become as a church. But it also takes faith. To see the not yet seen. To be and do something we could never be or do without God’s amazing hand at work with us and through us. But without faith, it’s impossible.

Let us pray together.