sf779 - THE WAY OF FAITH - 2 of 16 DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT LASTS (Hebrews 11 4)
Hebrews 11:4
Introduction
Abel is God’s first hero of Faith!
He was a common man, a sinful man a man just like you and me.
If Abel can be a hero of faith so can I.
What made Abel a hero of faith?
Not his ability but his availability
Not his scholarship but his relationship
Not who he was but whose he was.
It was all by his faith!
The Bible says that by faith he offered a better sacrifice.
The Bible says that by faith he was commended as a righteous man.
The Bible says that by faith he still speaks though he is dead.
In Abel we see the way to become righteous, we see the Way of Faith…
1A. F is for Forgiveness.
We cannot have eternal life without forgiveness.
(Ephesians 1:7 NIV) “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…”
(Hebrews 9:22 NIV) "… without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
2A. A is for Available.
Forgiveness is available for all.
(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
But forgiveness is not automatic.
(Matthew 7:21 NIV) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven…”
3A. I is for Impossible
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
Because God is love.
(1 John 4:8 NIV) "…God is love."
Because God is just.
(Exodus 34:7 NIV) "maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished …"
Man is sinful.
(Romans 3:23 NIV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
How can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?
4A. T is for Turn
Turn means to repent
Repent means to make a U-turn.
(Acts 26:20 NIV) "… they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."
You must turn from something – sin and self.
(Luke 13:3 NIV) "… But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
You must turn to someone – trust Christ only.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV) "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
(Romans 10:9 NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
5A. H is for Heaven
Heaven is eternal life
Eternal life in the here and now.
(John 10:10 NIV) "… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Eternal life in the hereafter
(John 14:3 NIV) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Application
How can you have God’s forgiveness, eternal life, and Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?
By taking the Way of Faith…
Forsaking
All
I
Trust
Him
THE WAY OF FAITH
Developing A Faith That Lasts – Part 2 of 16
August 9, 1998 - Hebrews 11:4
1A. F is for ____________________.
(Ephesians 1:7 NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
(Hebrews 9:22 NIV) "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
2A. A is for ____________________.
Forgiveness is available for ______________.
(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
But forgiveness is not ____________________.
(Matthew 7:21 NIV) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven…”.
3A. I is for ______________________
It is _____________ for God to allow sin into heaven.
Because God is ______________.
(1 John 4:8 NIV) "…God is love."
Because God is _______________.
(Exodus 34:7 NIV) "maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished …"
Man is __________________.
(Romans 3:23 NIV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
4A. T is for ___________________
Turn means to __________________
(Acts 26:20 NIV) "… they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."
You must turn from ________________ – sin and self.
(Luke 13:3 NIV) "… But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
You must turn to __________________ – trust Christ only.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV) "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
(Romans 10:9 NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
5A. H is for _____________________
Heaven is _____________________ life
Eternal life in the __________ and _____________.
(John 10:10 NIV) "… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Eternal life in the _______________________.
(John 14:3 NIV) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
