The Walk of Faith

Faith of the Ancients: The Walk of Faith

Prayer Night Plug-

The World (missionaries)

Our Community (Lincoln Park stats, elections)

Our Church (church needs)

Our People (attendance list)

Intro: Filler Episodes & Recaps

Moses- Refuse and Choose

Trust- Truth that shapes behavior

Hebrews 11:1–2 NASB95

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.

Hebrews 11:13 NASB95

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Climax of Hebrews 11- such a great cloud of witnesses

Hebrews 12:1–3 NASB95

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Main idea: Faith requires some big steps. Movement - out of and into.

Today’s passage

Hebrews 11:29–31 NASB95

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

Joshua 1:3 NASB95

“Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

Walk Across- First Steps (crossing the red sea)

Walk Around- Continuing Steps (walls of Jericho)

Walk Away- Big Steps (Rahab)

1. Walk Across- First Steps

- Hebrews 11:29 - first step

Hebrews 11:29 NASB95

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.

a. Set the stage

b. Picture of salvation

i. Egypt - sin and slavery

Refuse and Choose

ii. Promised land - people belonging to the Lord,

identity and destiny

slaves to chosen

c. Deliverance

i. Trust God to walk across His miraculous provision

ii. Tendencies

1. Enemy doesn't want to let you go (to be free)

steal, kill, destroy

2. People often want to go back (human Nature)

3. God is faithful in preparing and protecting

dry for Israelites, wet for Egyptians

Walk Across- First Steps

2. Walk Around- Continuing Steps

- Hebrews 11:30 - continuing steps

Hebrews 11:30 NASB95

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

a. Set the stage

12 spys (grasshopper mentality)

put the band out front, go for a walk, go home

b. Picture of obedience

i. In contrast to former disobedience

ii. Ongoing nature of following Jesus

Follow Me

iii. The trust GAP

1. Planting and harvest

2. Promise and fulfillment

3. Death and resurrection

4. Galatians 6:9

Galatians 6:9c NASB95

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

c. Temptations in the continuing steps

i. Not do it in the first place because it doesn't make sense

if the Israelites said no after hearing the battle plan

ii. Quit in the middle

Even when I don’t see/feel it you’re working

gal verse here

iii. Lose sight of day 7 and victory and walk aimlessly (lost sight of the promise)

Revelation 3:21 NASB95

‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

all of God’s promises are yes and amen

Walk across- first steps

Walk Around- Continuing steps

3. Walk Away- Big Steps

- Hebrews 11:31 - big steps

Hebrews 11:31 NASB95

By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

rehab mentioned 3 times in the new testament

Heb 11 tells it out of chronological order (rehab came before the walking around the walls)

a. Set the stage

b. Picture of radical action (Faith Without Works is dead)

i. James 2:25-26

James 2:25–26 NASB95

In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

ii. Switch teams and loyalties

iii. She saw and heard of something/someone better than what she knew

c. Risk and reward

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

i. Left comfort and familiar

ii. Gained a new life and identity given by God

iii. Matthew 1:5-6 (David, Jesus)

Matthew 1:5–6 NASB95

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.

Rahab was King David’s Great-Great-Great Grandmother (Also in the line of Jesus)

Conclusion: When was the last time you did a victory dance?

Exodus 15:19–21 NASB95

For the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea on them, but the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea. Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Miriam answered them, “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.”

Is God calling you to a place of deliverance

first step (salvation)

Continuing step

Big Step

Pray then step forward