Faithful living

Hebrews 11:24-26

Introduction:

Question – How many believe that the local N.T. church is the body of Christ?

How many believe that the Word of God is our sole authority and must be obeyed?

How many believe in missions, outreach, giving?

Clearly the scripture tells us no less than five times to “live by faith”.

Hab.2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal.2:20; 3:11; Heb.10:38

Message:

I. Faith is not a Theory, But an Action.

1492 Pulling On Both Oars

An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day a passenger noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word “Faith,” and on the other oar the word “Works.” Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man, being a well-balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity for testimony, said, “I will show you.”

So saying, he dropped one oar and plied the other called Works, and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the oar called Faith, and the little boat just went around in circles again—this time the other way around, but still in a circle.

After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, “You see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and “faith without works is dead” also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing.”

—Bible Friend

[1]

A. If we say it we ought to do it.

B. If we don’t do it then we don’t have faith.

II. Faith is Seen as the Evidence of What We Hope for. (Heb.11:1)

James in his epistle instructs the believer of the foolishness of empty faith. Because faith is properly trust, the believer will do something with the faith he holds so dearly to.

Examples:

A. Peter walking on the water.

The other disciples may have expressed their faith to do it. But only Peter got out there.

B. Umbrellas And Faith

A southern church congregation had met to pray for rain to release a long dry spell. The preacher looked severely at his flock and said:

“Brothers and Sisters, you ll know why we’re here. Now what I want to know is—where are your umbrellas?”

III. Faith is as Real as the Object it Reflects.

Here is the difference between a real faith and false faith.

A. False faith trusts in an imposter.

1) False gods

2) False beliefs

Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, spiritism, New-age, etc.

B. True faith trusts in the truth. (John14:6)

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[1]Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).