Faith Driven Vision

Introduction

I’m done with God, He doesn’t work for me...

Deconstruction

ok to question as long as we truly seek

The idea that God doesn’t work for me however reveals a wrong understanding from the beginning

Who is this life really about?

twice in Hebrews 11 the writer states,

Not having received the things promised vs 13, 39

This seems like the very definition perhaps of “God not working”

The whole reason Heb 10 for the author to write this letter/sermon was because the jewish believers in the midst of hardship and persecution were struggling with this very idea.

And so the author specifically wrote this letter and Chapter 11 to challenge their view as those who had gone before “saw” things differently it seems because they persevered in faith

Why is this important?

Vision is interesting as we could all see the same thing and come up with different perspectives or conclusions about it

It’s because we have underlying beliefs, values etc that affect how we see things.

And that’s the point...

I. Faith Sees Beyond the Here and Now vs 1-3

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye

vs 1 - is not just an eternal perspective but spiritual one

Faith “sees” there is more that what we see

In fact, Paul says it this way

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 ESV

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

And so the author of Hebrews takes us back all the way to the beginning

Romans 1:19–20 ESV

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

This is often the starting point ...

II. Faith Sees God as Supremely worthy of our pursuit vs 4-7

Enoch - don’t know much about him

Genesis 5:24 ESV

Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

after 365 yrs

Here the writer tells us that this was because of his faith, he pleased God

without faith this is impossible

In order to walk with God, to draw near to him we must believe two things the author tells us:

God Exists

He rewards those who seek Him

In other words that He is the real and true God and if we seek Him we will find Him.

And so faith is not only believing that there is more than just what we see but that it is evidence of God that draws us to Him

And so faith is the journey of walking with God

III. Faith Does not Disconnect us from this World vs 13-16

There is a saying again So heavenly minded that we become of no earthly good

It can come from this idea of being strangers and exiles

We begin to say, this is not our home.

But Scripture paints a different picture of Heaven as a temporary lay over

We will eventually return to a recreated heavens and earth with new bodies - physical and spiritual

This has always been God’s purpose and plan

vs 16 - better country, a heavenly one

This is ultimately what the author had in mind

This culmination of physical and spirtual of heaven and earth

And so he talks about God preparing for them a city

Hebrews 12:22–24 ESV

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

This then in faith is what we believe, long for and work towards through the gospel

Your kingdom come, your will be done

And so as it is, the world, as it is now, is not our home but one day it will be.

In the meanwhile....

IV. Faith Believes that God is always at work in and through and around us. vs 17-22

Faith asks, “What is God doing?”

On one hand, we know in general from the previous point that God is bringing about his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven

How? Through His people

Abraham - believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead

He trusted the promise of God and that God would fulfill it even in the impossible

Jacob blessed his sons

bowing in worship over the head of his staff

He believed God’s promises extended into the future generations and that God faithfulness to them would not change

Joseph - gave directions in regards to his bones

believed that God would fulfill his promise and so asked for his bones to be taken to the promised land

Faith believes that God will not be done until the end and we are part of that

V. Faith Trusts God.

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV)

"For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”" (1 Peter 2:6, NIV)

They did not see Christ coming or his arrival but they trusted the great purpose of God

Ex. Me trusting God while working at KFC.

VI. Faith is a choice to walk in obedience to God vs 32-40

Here’s what that looks like....

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Here’s what’s supremely encouraging about this list

They all struggled with or failed in the race at times

Abraham - gave away his wife to protect himself

Jacob was a deciever

David - Adultery/murder

Gideon tested God multiple times because he was a coward

Samson - yikes

And yet they were all commended for having faith

It is a daily race of endurance… and one we often fail at

But faith…as described, leads us back to seek God for forgiveness and restoration

Psalm 51:1–6 ESV

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

So we need to pursue and renew this faith daily in Scripture and prayer, fellowship and studying with each other.