SF691 - HOW TO MAKE YOUR LIFE REALLY COUNT - DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT WORKS (James 5 1-6)
Hebrews 11:8-19
Introduction
Two ways to live life…
By sight – base everything on what we see.
By faith – base everything on what we cannot see.
Christians are instructed to live by Faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight
We are learning to live by faith…
Abraham is a great example of how to live by faith.
Romans 4:11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,
Four lessons on faith from father Abraham…
1A. I cannot stay where I am and go with God at the same time. (11:8-10)
1B. I must answer God’s call. (11:8)
He calls us from sin and self.
Luke 13:3 (NKJV) "… but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
He calls us to Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV) … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
Romans 10:9 (NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
He calls us from the known to the unknown.
To follow a God I cannot see, to a place I have never been.
2B. I must obey God’s command. (11:9-10)
I must follow Him into a new and strange place. (11:9)
I must focus on Him no matter the circumstances. (11:10)
2A. I cannot allow my reasoning to overrule God’s revelation. (11:11-12)
1B. I can rely on God’s revelation. (11:11)
God is faithful!
1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
God’s promises are permanent!
Matthew 5:18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
2B. I must beware of man’s reasoning. (11:12)
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
3A. I cannot allow temporary things to take priority over eternal truth. (11:13-16)
1B. I must hold the things of this world loosely. (11:13)
Matthew 6:20-21 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2B. I must grasp the truth of eternity tightly. (11:14-16)
We have a better hope. (11:14-15)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus..
We have a better home. (16)
John 14:3 (NKJV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4A. I cannot allow self to get in the way of sacrifice. (11:17-19)
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
1B. I must deny myself.
This does not mean to devalue myself.
This does not mean to deface myself.
This means to demote myself.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
2B. I must offer myself.
Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
This is surrender.
3B. I must follow Him.
Matthew 4:19 And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 10:39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
Application
Are you living by faith?
What are you trusting in to get you to heaven?
What are you trusting in to get you through today?
LESSONS FROM THE FATHER OF FAITH
Developing a Faith that Lasts – Part 5 of 16
September 20, 1998 - Hebrews 11:8-19
1A. I cannot ____________ where I am and go with God at the same time. (8-10)
1B. I must ____________ God’s call. (8)
He calls us from _________ and ___________.
(Luke 13:3 NKJV) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
He calls us to __________ __________________.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NKJV) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
(Romans 10:9 NKJV) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
He calls us from the __________ to the unknown.
2B. I must ________________ God’s command. (9-10)
2A. I cannot allow my ____________________ to overrule God’s revelation. (11-12)
1B. I can _______________ on God’s revelation. (11)
God is ____________________!
(1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV) God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
God’s promises are permanent!
(Matthew 5:18 NIV) I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
2B. I must ______________ of man’s reasoning. (12)
3A. I cannot allow temporary things to take priority over eternal truth. (13-16)
1B. I must hold the things of this world ________. (13)
(Matthew 6:21 NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2B. I must grasp the truth of eternity _______. (14-16)
We have a better hope. (14-15)
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV) Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. {14} We believe that Jesus died and rose again….
We have a better home. (16)
(John 14:3 NKJV) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4A. I cannot allow _____________ to get in the way of sacrifice. (17-19)
(Matthew 16:24 NIV) …If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
1B. I must _______________ myself.
(James 4:10 NIV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
2B. I must _______________ myself.
(Romans 12:1 NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
3B. I must _________________ Him.
(Matthew 10:38 NIV) and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.