Believers with a Stumbling-Block Faith

This passage points out specifically what the 'stumbling blocks' are that hinder spiritual growth in the life of faith. The author points to bad habits commonly seen in people who fail, such as self-deception, unproductive behavior, discourteous attitudes, and confused priorities, and warns that these become the cause of rebelling against God and wasting one's life. In particular, through the example of Lot's wife, who heard of the coming destruction yet looked back and became a pillar of salt, and the failure of David, who let his guard down in the joy of victory and committed the sins of adultery and murder, it shows the fatal consequences of failing to break with the world and cast off human righteousness.

Going beyond simply pointing out sin, the sermon digs into the psychological background of why believers so easily stumble over these stumbling blocks. It explains how the reward mentality of giving offerings or seeking success through a prosperity-seeking faith, and the temptations of pride and pleasure that come in comfortable circumstances, bring about spiritual death. Comparing Jesus' words that those who believe without seeing are blessed with Thomas's unbelief, it emphasizes that true faith is pure trust, not human common sense and knowledge. Through the example of Achan, it also reminds us of how an individual's sin affects the community, and that the unseen God cannot be deceived.

This sermon leads the reader to reflect deeply on whether their faith is true obedience or has been reduced to a tool for worldly success and pleasure. To leave behind a showy flower-garden faith and climb the steps of faith by clearing away stumbling blocks, we should examine what greed and stubbornness have taken root within us now. Watch the video to see whether now is the time for the decision to face and clear away the stumbling blocks God has given, and what joy and growth can be experienced in the process.