Faith That Endures
Faith That Works • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Yes, it is Father’s Day. But those of you who know me recognize that I do not alter the service in that direction.
So today, we will look at our sermon within our series titled “Faith that Works”.
Today’s message is titled “Faith that Endures”
But without leaving the series today’s message can apply to Father’s as much as to any other believer.
So, I would challenge us to look at our context and focus in on the idea of how God’s Word was true then and still applicable today.
Most of us who have children or those concerned about the next generation desire them to trust the Lord by Faith and receive His promises.
Paul the apostle once said, he would give his own faith if his people, the Jews, would come to Christ.
This is a picture of Love. Yet, it’s also a picture of sacrifice.
Enduring faith is a faith that is sacrificing of self for the purpose of God’s glory.
Let’s dive into our text today and take a look at what enduring faith looked like over generations and likewise how it can look for those of us who love and trust Jesus.
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.
What if…?
What if…?
That is a question we often ask.
A question we ask when waiting for something.
A question we are asked when longing for something.
A question that challenges.
A question that teaches.
A question that leads.
A question that chisels.
A question that exhorts.
You see this question is one for patience. (does the enactment of patience not chisel away at us)
How many of us really have a ton of patience?(when patience is utilized our faith is tried)
When we ask the question: “What if?” We are asking something of patience and something of faith.
Maybe the question would go something like: “What if God allowed…” or “What if God caused …” or “What if God decided to…”
You see, in this instance:
God’s Promise Was Delayed
God’s Promise Was Delayed
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.
What do we know?
These all died
They got to look at the promise
They looked from afar
They remained strangers/foreigners
Maybe one looks at this promise and wonders, “what?!” “God did not give them what He promised!”
It was a promise, but was it what people think? Or maybe was it what they thought?
Sure they were given the land, but their inheritance was far more than what can be obtained or attained in this earthly life.
They were foreigners, not just in the land of their pilgrimage, but in this place called earth.
They were sojourning…they were living in tents…they were desiring something promised…BUT WHAT?
They Wanted A Home
They Wanted A Home
For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
When we look with the eyes of our flesh, we see with the eyes of our flesh.
Sometimes what we long for is more than what we think we have.
God gives something greater.
We may ask God for what we can imagine, but what He gives is more than we can think to ask for.
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
I’m reminded of the little girl with the plastic necklace from the dollar store.
Yet, if these men and women of faith wanted something like they had, they could have easily returned back where they came from.
Sometimes people do that.
They don’t want to hold on to Christ, to hope in Christ, to long in Christ, or to wait in Christ.
If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.
The writer essentially points to the capacity to go home.
But God!
God has more, abundantly more according to the apostle Paul.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I want the more of God rather than the momentary pleasure.
I want what He stores up, what He has prepared, what He gives, what He rewards, and what He provides.
Yes, we can go back.
But what do we gain.
What good is there in returning to the same old momentary thing.
Jesus said:
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We can look to that thing we hold in the moment or we can look for the one who holds eternity.
Hold On For The Right One
Hold On For The Right One
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.
Come in close right here:
The writer states: “they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one…”
They hope in more
Because He is more and provides more
He blesses with more
Sustains as more
They hope and He is not ashamed.
He presents them as a spotless bride
Why? Because He had decided, He Had declared, and He had provided, because it would be and therefore was.
Let me put it another way. Since Jesus was not an afterthought, but a forethought
Since God has known what He would do, it was done but not yet.
Yes they were waiting with anticipation and we are waiting with anticipation.
Because He has promised and it is so!
He is not ashamed because of His grace, their faith (which was gifted), and His Glorious Preparation.
Walking Away, But In...
Walking Away, But In...
Be Spotless- He Will Wash You
Be Patient- He Will Not Fail You
Be Pursuing- He Will Reward You
Be Enduring- He Will Bless You
