Walk by Faith

Introduction

Have you ever had someone give you advice on something they had no business talking about? Like, someone telling you how to raise kids when they’ve never had any. Or, a young, single person giving marriage advice. Though they might have something good to say on occasion they really don’t know what marriage and parenting are really all about.

If that’s true, then why do we let the world tell us what it means to be Christians? There are many opinions that unbelievers have about Jesus and His followers. Sometimes they have a point, but they don’t really know what they’re talking about. One such area is faith. We get our definition of faith from the world’s perspective. Don’t do that, let God tell you what it means to have faith. Culture wants you to define your belief as being blind, illogical, a simple bias that goes against everything we know to be true. Our faith is not blind, it is not an accident, it is not meaningless or without evidence. Rather, our faith in God is based on truth, reality, and evidence (Hebrews 11:1-3).

Here we get the basic breakdown of what faith is and what it does (vs. 1). Assurance means “to stand under or to support” (things hoped [expected] for); we expect God to keep His promises and look forward to the day He does. Conviction means “convinced by the proof” (of God, who we cannot see); a good example is trusting that gravity will bring you back down to earth when you jump.

(vs. 2-3) The phrase “by faith” is used 19 times in this chapter. It is by faith that we believe and trust the evidence of God’s existence, His work, and His person. It is by faith that men through the ages have been approved (passed the test). It is by faith that we seek God, that we understand His power to create ex nihilo, that we are made an inheritance.

We see the difference faith in God makes in a person. We learn what faith is and what it does throughout this chapter.

I. The Faith of Heroes (vs. 4-31)

A. What does the example of godly men and women tell us about true faith?

1. Abel offered the best worship he could, which tells us that God wants us to give our best for Him (vs. 4)

2. Enoch walked with God, seeking Him and His ways (vs. 5-6)

3. Noah believed God’s words and obeyed them (vs. 7)

4. Abraham obeyed because of his faith

a. He followed God’s lead, trusted in His promise, and waited for God to build him a city instead of building a name for himself (vs. 8-10)

b. He believed in God’s power and faithfulness so he went to obey, even when it didn’t make sense. He passed the test (vs. 17-19)

5. Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau for the future and Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons (vs. 20-21). We pass our faith on to the next generation

6. Joseph had foresight and requested an honorable resting place (vs. 22). He left a legacy of faith

7. Moses’ parents held life as sacred, according to God’s design, and feared the Lord over men (vs. 23)

8. Moses did many things by faith (vs. 24-29)

a. He identified himself with God’s people and endured persecution instead of the pleasures of sin

b. He looked forward to the reward of the Messiah instead of Egypt’s treasures

c. He feared and followed God instead of Pharaoh

d. He passed through the Red Sea on dry land

9. Joshua/Israel followed a plan that made no sense because God said so (vs. 30)

10. Rahab protected the spies instead of standing with the rebellious Canaanites (vs. 31)

B. My dad is very disciplined when it comes to keeping in shape. He does a minimum of 40 minutes of cardio everyday. His main reason was because he wanted to be in good shape for his kids, being able to play and keep up with us as we got older. Another reason was to be a flat-belly preacher, but that was secondary.

1. Our values drive us to live a certain way

2. Faith in God leads us to…

a. Worship with our best

b. Seek God in every way

c. Obey God’s Word

d. Trust in His promises

e. View life the way God does

f. Endure the hardships of life while waiting for God’s rewards

3. Our duty is not to worry about the outcome, that’s God’s domain. Our responsibility is to be faithful with who we are and what we do

C. What does God do when we prove faithful?

1. Accepts our worship and declares us righteous (vs. 4)

2. Pleased with us and rewards of eternal life (vs. 5-6)

3. Gives salvation and makes us heirs of righteousness (vs. 7)

4. Designs and builds a place for us (vs. 10)

5. God directs the steps of man (vs. 20) and accepts the worship of generations (vs. 21)

6. God honors the legacy of godly people (vs. 22)

7. God protects human life and provides for families (vs. 23)

8. God rewards those persecuted for Christ’s sake, protects and delivers those who follow Him, and sets apart His people from everyone else (vs. 24-29)

9. God breaks down obstacles when we faithfully and patiently obey (vs. 30)

10. God gives peace and preservation to those who do likewise (vs. 31)

II. The Faith of the Past Leads to Christ and Us (vs. 32-40)

A. God accomplished much through the faithful (vs. 32-38)

1. Illus. Andy Stanley, a well-known preacher and author and founder of North Point Ministries, has done a lot of good when it comes to communication and leadership in the church. However, he has made a fatal flaw in his approach to the Bible

a. Stanley has made a call to “unhitch” from the O.T., his concept is, we are N.T. Christians and are saved by Christ, who made the Law obsolete. Thus, we do not need the O.T. commands or Scriptures anymore. The apostles unhitched from them and so should we.

b. There is a major problem with that. Everything in the Bible is essential for something. How do we know that Jesus is the Messiah? Or even what a Messiah is? The O.T. How can we learn what it means for Jesus to be our High Priest? The O.T. How do we know the beginning of all things? The O.T.

c. The O.T. leads us to Jesus and demonstrates key truths that are still relevant today. One example is what it means to live by faith, as shown in these verses

2. We look to the faith of the past to teach us about faithfulness today

a. Not only this, but we look to each other for encouragement and help in growing in faithfulness

b. Philippians 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”

3. The world’s response to the faithful is negative, but we learn to persevere because of our trust in God’s power and promises (vs. 35b-38)

a. The world is not worthy. People of faith are commended by God but the world sets itself and its ways against Him

b. Though we may be strangers and wanderers, as foreigners in this life. We live by faith, looking forward to the reward of heaven

B. God works all things together for the good of the faithful (vs. 39-40)

1. The example of the faithful is to our benefit. They did not receive the promise in their lifetimes, but God has provided something better for us in Christ

2. In Jesus the faithful are made complete to the finish, past and present

Application (12:1-3)

A. This “great cloud of witnesses” are the heroes of the faith: both in the Bible and in our lives (vs. 1)

1. God witnessed their faith and approved them, making them secure in His arms

2. Our faith is made stronger by knowing the story of those who came before and learning to imitate them

B. We need each other if we are to grow in faith

1. For you older saints, we want you to know that we need you

a. Your life experiences and maturity helps us on our journey of raising families, working with integrity, and building a thriving church

b. Keep up your faithfulness and share your journey with us

2. For you young people, like me, you’re never too young to be known for your faith

a. David was a man after God’s own heart at a young age and God did many wonders through Him

b. Keep growing one day at a time. Be an example to those around you, showing them what it means to be a follower of Christ

3. Keep living by faith, no matter who you are or where you are in life. If you stumble, keep getting up and running the race mapped out for you

C. How do you walk by faith? (4 F’s)

1. Follow: the example of the faithful heroes of the past (vs. 1a)

2. Forsake: sin and pursue righteousness (vs. 1b)

3. Focus: on Jesus’ character, actions, and desires (vs. 2)

a. He originated and demonstrated the faith (true faith)

1. He knew for a fact God exists, He created the universe, the desires of God, the purpose of mankind, etc.

2. He showed through His beliefs and actions what it means to live by faith

b. He endured persecution and now rules His people (those who live faithfully)

4. Forward: Endure hostility and keep trusting God, never losing heart (vs. 3)