By Faith . . .
INTRODUCTION.
A. The recipients of the Hebrew letter had endured sufferings for their faith in Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:32-34)
B. The writer encouraged the brethren not to throw away their confidence in Jesus Christ. He told them not to draw back into perdition, but to live by faith. (Hebrews 10:35-39)
C. In Hebrews 11:1, the writer gives a clear definition of faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV)
D. You can possess this great faith within your life. This faith will allow you to many great things, all within the realm of obedience to God.
E. Let us begin by examining several examples of faith working in the lives of those who followed God.
I. BY FAITH, . . .
A. “. . . the elders (people of old, ESV) obtained a good testimony.” (v 2)
B. “. . . we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (v 3)
C. “. . . Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” (v 4)
D. “. . . Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (v 5)
E. “. . . Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (v 7)
F. “. . . Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (v 8)
G. “ . . . (Abraham) dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (v 9-10)
H. “. . . Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” (v 11)
I. “. . . Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” (v 17-19)
J. “. . . Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (v 24-26)
K. “. . . (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” (v 27)
L. “. . . (Moses) kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.” (v 28)
M. “. . . (Moses and the Israelites) passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.” (v 29)
II. BY FAITH, . . .
A. . . . all your sins can be washed away. (Acts 22:16)
1. It begins with belief in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; Mark 16:16)
2. It involves repenting or turning away from your sins. (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
3. It involves the confession of your faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-10)
4. It involves being baptized into Jesus Christ. (Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4)
B. . . . you can overcome temptations to sin. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
1. By faith, you can stop lying. (Ephesians 4:25)
2. By faith, you can control your anger. (Ephesians 4:26-27; cf. Colossians 3:8)
3. By faith, you can quit being a slave to alcohol. (1 Peter 4:1-4)
4. By faith, you can choose not to steal. (Ephesians 4:28)
5. By faith, you can stop all manner of sexual sins in your life, including pornography. (Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-7; Matthew 5:28)
6. By faith, you can love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30)
7. By faith, you can love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31)
8. By faith, you can over come all manner of temptations!
C. . . . you can be justified and have peace. (Romans 5:1-2)
1. Justified - dikaioo - 1 to render righteous or such he ought to be. 2 to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered. 3 to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be. (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)
2. Because of your faith, you can be found justified or declared by God to be righteous. This justification brings a peace, knowing that God has forgiven all your past sins.
D. . . . you can endure the tribulations, trials, and problems of life. (Romans 5:3-5)
E. . . . you can live your life serving the Lord, waiting to stand before His mighty presence. (2 Corinthians 5:1-11)
F. . . . you can run the race with endurance. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
CONCLUSION.
A. By faith, you can become a child of God.
B. By faith, you can live a life of faithful serve to God.
C. By faith, you can overcome sin.
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By Faith . . . -- February 1, 2004 -- File # 1157
by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK