Standing Strong: Faith Over Fading - Hebrews 10:32-39

Introduction

We live in a sad day. It seems that many Christians are fading. Churches that are not convenient seem to be losing numbers by the minute. People are simply dropping out of the race, they’re fading from the field. These have grown weary and begun to faint. Paul warns us concerning this fading and fainting.

Galatians 6:9–10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

1 Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

Now the key to winning the race is not speed but endurance, obedience, discipline. These virtues enable the Christian in staying faithful in order to finish strong.

There are three types of faith mentioned in the Bible:

Faith #1: Saving Faith - Throughout Scripture, the clear, consistent message is that no one receives salvation except through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Acts 16:30–31 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Faith #2: Doctrinal Faith - These are the doctrinal truths and beliefs of the Christian faith.

Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Colossians 2:6–7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

Faith #3: Daily Faith - This is practical faith. This faith has to do with relying on God, not self in our everyday living. This faith is displayed not only in our public profession, but also in our private practices.

1 Corinthians 5:7 “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”

Romans 4:19–21 “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

Two Groups Discussed

Group #1 - Those Who Shrink

Two things are true concerning these people.

The Lord finds no delight in them

Their days drown in despair

Group #2 - Those Who Stand

These are Christians, who like Timothy are “instant in season, out of season.” There is no variance in their message or mission, they grow tired but they press on, they never shrink, fade, or drop out. They have staying and standing power. There are three directives for standing firm.

Directive #1: Recall Past Victories - (vv.32-34)

These Christians are directed to carefully think back and reconstruct in their minds all the things they have overcome through Christ in them. Paul is directing them to keep on remembering the reality of the past when they were persecuted showed boldness. The first way to deter apostasy is to remember one’s earlier days in the faith.

Directive #2: Remain Courageous & Confident (v.35)

Directive #3: Revive Your Faith (vv.36-39)