Walking Blindfolded

Introduction

Survivor: One of the interesting games they play at challenges is to blindfold the team and then have a “caller” stand on a platform and call out directions to objects they need to find. There are 2 or 3 teams all with their caller yelling directions trying to guide their team through the maze. They run into each other, and the various obstacles.

Life can be like that sometimes.

Today, we’re going to talk about a kind of blindfold that we all wear as Christians. It’s not a physical blindfold, but a spiritual one. It’s the blindfold of faith.

Today we are beginning a new series on the Christian Walk. Our lives are a journey and the Bible has a lot to say about how we travel down this road.

First, The Christian walk must be a walk of faith. I want to look at a couple of passages about that this morning.

in Habakkuk 2:1-4

Habakkuk 2:1–4 NKJV

I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Both Habakkuk and the apostle Paul reminds us that we must walk by faith.

Followers of Christ must not build their lives around things that have no eternal significance. Rather than pursuing the same things the world pursues, a Christian should focus on the unseen realities such as Jesus and heaven.

We cannot do that if we are not walking by faith.

What is the Meaning of Walking by Faith?

Walking by faith is not about denying reality or ignoring facts.

We aren’t called to blind faith born out of ignorance and imaginations

Walking by faith is NOT:

unintelligent

On the face of it, to “walk by faith, not sight” sounds fairly unintelligent. It sounds like you’re ignoring what you can see right in front of you and trying to force yourself to believe something that probably isn’t true.

Yet far from being merely an emotional psych up, faith throughout the Bible is connected to serious-minded confidence

Sheltered

At first glance, “Walk by faith, not sight” sounds like something you can afford to do only if life’s already going well and you don’t have to worry about anything serious in life. It sounds like a pastime of the sheltered and privileged. The rest of humanity has to keep their eyes open and their hopes realistic so they can keep putting food on the table.

But again, when we zoom out and look at the larger context of “Walk by faith, not sight,” we see the opposite picture being painted. Paul narrates what life is like for him and his fellow disciples of Jesus using words such as “hard pressed,” “perplexed,” “persecuted,” and “struck down” (2 Cor. 4:8-9, NIV). He writes, “We who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:11a, NIV), and “Outwardly, we are wasting away” (2 Cor. 4:16, NIV). “Meanwhile we groan” is how he describes the interim between now and Jesus’ return someday (2 Cor. 5:2, NIV).

Aloof

Living by faith, not sight might conjure images of someone so preoccupied with heaven that they’re not invested in making a difference here. It’s true that walking by faith means “fix[ing] our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” (2 Cor. 4:18, NIV). But it’s not true that this means staying aloof from others. Instead, walking by faith leads us directly into the path of people who aren’t yet interested in Jesus: “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20b, NIV).

Whatever walking faith by faith means, it’s not a matter of staying aloof from and unattached to people.

It’s about trusting God's promises even when circumstances seem contrary.

It is faith IN God. Trusting GOD

Walking by faith means living life in light of eternal consequences.

Walking by Faith is to Believe

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is believing what God promises or says.

Faith is only as valid as its object. You could have tremendous faith in very thin ice and drown.… You could have very little faith in very thick ice and be perfectly secure.

—Stuart Briscoe

Every man lives by faith, the non-believer as well as the saint; the one by faith in natural laws and the other by faith in God.

A. W. Tozer

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But 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 diligently seek Him.

We believe He exists

He is

We trust God is who He says He is!

almighty

all knowing

Loving

Just

We believe He rewards

He saves those who have faith

Romans 10:10 NKJV

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

God is so gracious, He does more than just save us, He also rewards those who live for Him

Scripture mentions several rewards, crowns, which He will give in the judgment. We in turn will cast them at Jesus’ feet.

Walking by Faith is to Fear God More than Man

Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We value His appraisal of us, not the people around us

We care more about the fact that we will one day stand before God and account for our lives than we care about the opinions of others.

Reverence for God.

An awe for and admiring God

A submissive fear

Fear God is foundational for all spiritual knowledge and wisdom.

This reverence puts us in the right position to truly trust Him

John MacArthur said,

“Fearing God is a state of mind in which one’s own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God’s”

Notice the contrast:

fools despise wisdom and instruction

IT is foolish to ignore God.

It leaves us stumbling in the maze with too many voices yelling directions.

Sadly, our world is full of the foolish.

We are fools until we submit to God

Walking by Faith is to Obey the Bible

We have an internal tug of war of 2 worldviews

worldviews

Biblical Worldview

A biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. When you believe the Bible is entirely true, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do.

Walking by faith entails having a worldview that elevate the Bible to the highest truth.

We view the world through the lens of the Scriptures

Secular Worldview

This is actually a conglomeration of several.

From pagan to scientific, the world offers positions in contrast and conflict with the Scriptures.

Secular worldviews deny the existence of a transcendent, divine or sacred dimension of reality, and affirm that reality has a different makeup and it is this structure that has importance for how they understand and live our lives

To walk by faith:

We must have faith the Bible is the inherent and inspired word of God.

2 Timothy 3:15 NKJV

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:17 NKJV

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Bible is the only guide for what we are to believe and do.

To walk by faith is to actually believe the Word and do what it says even when that is in conflict with the secular worldview which surrounds us

We must diligently study it to know what it means

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Walking by Faith is to Trust God in Every Circumstance

Life can throw a lot at us

There are many ups and downs to daily living

Many people allow the circumstances to inform their faith.

When all is good, they are ok with doing the religious thing, but when circumstances turn downward, they turn on God.

Others forget God in good times and are driven to Him in desperation in bad times.

Truly walking by faith is to trust Him no matter the circumstances are!

Romans 8:28 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

We know He is God and trustworthy on the mountain and in the valley.

We trust Him regardless!

Faith is not passive; it's active obedience to God's Word, even when we don't understand the outcome.

Daniel is a good example of walking by faith.

Daniel prayed 3 times a day facing Jerusalem.

He was large and in charge. God had blessed him and he had risen to be in charge.

Those jealous against him convinced the King to make it a crime

When Daniel heard that, he went right on praying.

That is walking by faith!

Conclusion

Walking by faith:

Fear God more than man

Obey the Bible

Trust God in every circumstance

Challenge:

Take a step of faith this week, no matter how small.

May God strengthen our faith and give them the courage to trust Him completely.

Additional Points

Consider using hymns or worship songs that emphasize faith and trust in God.Offer practical tips for developing a stronger faith, such as Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.Encourage the congregation to share their testimonies of faith with one another during the week.

Remember, the key to a powerful sermon is authenticity. Share your own struggles and triumphs with faith to connect with your congregation on a deeper level.