Faith

Hebrews 11 ESV

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Our main challenge as we work our way through advent this year is to recapture the mystery of advent right? I heard a story this week of a man in America who was in a bookstore and bought a Bible. He had no knowledge of it. I don’t remember his impression of the Old Testament but what caught my attention was his reaction to reading the New Testament. He fell in love with Jesus. He tenderness and compassion. His reaction to scripture was totally different than many of us who became familiar with most of the Bible when we were young and we loose the mystery and awe and wonder.

Last week we looked at hope and this morning we will be concentrating on Faith and Peace. And next week we will look at joy.

I want to pause a moment and examine the relationship between Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.

It all begins with faith, right? You have to have faith in something to have hope. And the ultimate hope is having faith in God and His son Jesus Christ. Then that hope brings joy and peace.

Let’s look at the promise Jesus has made to everyone that has faith in Him. Look with me at John 16 beginning in verse 29

John 16:29–33 ESV

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The first truth I want to point out in this passage is in verse 32. Jesus is saying these words right before His arrest and crucifixion. Jesus knows that when He gets arrested, the disciples who said the would never leave Him, are all going to scatter. How lonely would that have felt? Have you ever felt alone? I know I have. But if you have faith, what is the promise from our text? You will not be alone for the Father will be with you. The God of the universe, has made you a promise

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

or

Psalm 34:7 ESV

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Remember we have an enemy and he is a liar! He wants to make us feel isolated. He want you to believe you are alone and with out hope.

Do you see how important our faith is?

There are a lot of people around us that have faith in things other than God, but eventually those things will let them down and they will feel empty and alone.

The greatest tragedy in life is when you lose hope. If you are anything like me, you have gotten to comfortable with the reality of the incarnation and all that it means to us.

So where does our peace in tribulation come from? Let’s look back at our passage in John. Look at verse 33 with me.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Our peace is in Jesus. What does that mean. It means if you have faith in Jesus Christ, He will be your peace. Not maybe. He will. Not probably, No HE Will! Not if He feels like it. No! Jesus is promising that in Him you WILL have peace.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I love this verse. The peace Jesus is offering us surpasses all understanding. How important is it for us to focus on and cling to this peace? God promises that His peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ JESUS. Are you actively

So Jesus is clear, in this world you will have tribulation, that is you will suffer, but the promise from God is that His peace will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. Listen our enemy is already defeated. What is his reaction when faced with the truth of God’s word? He fleas. So what is his only hope to defeat us? The only way Satan can defeat you, is if he can get you to doubt God’s promises. Because if you cling to the truth of God, he is already defeated. So where are you loosing ground to the enemy? What lies are you believing? How are you giving ground? This advent, turn your heart to Christ and in Him you will find peace that can overcome your enemy.