sf791 - A FAITH TO DIE BY - 7 of 16 DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT LASTS (Hebrews 11 22)
Hebrews 11:22
Introduction
Ready to Die
A person is not really ready to live until he is ready to die. It was a dark night in Marshfield, October 24, 1852. Daniel Webster was dying. He was ready. His physician, a very sensitive man named Dr. Jeffries had ministered as much medicine as he could and as was practically possible. He realized that death was near and he chose to be a friend rather than a physician at that moment and he picked up an old rather well worn hymn book that Webster had often sung from and he chose to read the words of one of his favorite hymns:
There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
lose all their guilty stains.
He read every stanza, when he got to the last, Webster's lips were moving, though no sound came:
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
lies silent in the grave,
then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I'll sing thy power to save.
I'll sing thy power to save,
I'll sing thy power to save.
And he looked at Webster, their eyes met, and Webster uttered three final words: Amen, Amen, Amen!
It is one thing to have a faith you can live by it is entirely another thing to have a faith you can die by.
Joseph had that kind of faith (turn to Genesis 50:22-26)
Three facts concerning dying faith…
1A. The Reason for Joseph’s Faith
1B. Real faith is not controlled by circumstances. (50:25)
Things were good; there was no reason to return to Canaan.
Principle: Do not parade God’s Word past the judgement seat of your circumstances.
2B. Real faith does not depend on feelings.
It did not matter how Joseph felt.
Feelings come and feelings go;
Feelings are deceiving.
The Bible is the Word of God;
and nothing else is worth believing.
Feelings are fickle and change often.
John 5:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
3B. Real faith is founded on facts.
Joseph knew what God had promised to Abraham. (Genesis 15:13-14)
Faith is our response to God’s Word.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Ø Substance = a setting under (support)
Ø Evidence = proof, conviction:
God names it and we claim it!
Ø Are you listening to God through His Word?
2A. The Reality of Joseph’s Faith
1B. Real faith will wait on God.
It had been 300 years since God had made this promise to Abraham.
It would be at least 300 more years before God would bring His people out of Egypt.
Habakkuk 2:3 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.
God is never late and God is never early.
Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
2B. Real faith will rely on God.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Beware of do-it-yourself Christianity.
Colossians 2:6-7 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
3B. Real faith will rest in God.
Joseph died in peace.
Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret...
3A. The Reward of Joseph’s Faith
1B. The partial fulfillment of God’s promise (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32)
Joseph’s heart was in God’s place with God’s people.
Now his bones were where his heart was.
2B. The complete and final fulfillment of God’s promise (Daniel 12:2; John 4:28-29)
One day our bodies will be united with our spirits and we will be where our heart has been.
Application
God has made a promise…we will spend eternity where our heart is.
God’s promise is that…
We can have abundant life in the here and now.
We can have eternal life in the hereafter.
A FAITH TO DIE BY
Developing A Faith That Lasts - 7 0f 16
October 18, 1998 - Hebrews 11:22
1A. The __________________ for Joseph’s Faith
1B. Real faith is not _______________ by circumstances. (50:25)
2B. Real faith does not depend on _________________.
It did not _________________ how Joseph felt.
Feelings are ______________ and ___________ often.
(John 5:24 NIV) "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
3B. Real faith is _______________ on facts.
Joseph ______________ what God had promised.
(Genesis 15:13-14 NIV) Then the LORD said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. {14} But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.
Faith is our ________________ to God’s Word.
(Hebrews 11:1 NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
God ______________ it and we _______________ it!
2A. The Reality of Joseph’s Faith
1B. Real faith will -------------------- on God.
(Habakkuk 2:3 NIV) For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
God is never _________ and God is never _______.
(Romans 5:6 NIV) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2B. Real faith will ______________ on God.
(Isaiah 40:31 NCV) But the people who trust the LORD will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.
Beware of do-it-yourself ___________________.
(Colossians 2:6-7 NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, {7} rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
3B. Real faith will __________________ in God.
Joseph died in _________________.
(Psalms 37:7 NKJV) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret ….
3A. The Reward of Joseph’s Faith
1B. The _____________ fulfillment of God’s promise
Exodus 13:19; John 24:32
Joseph’s _____ was in God’s place with God’s people.
2B. The ____________ fulfillment of God’s promise
Daniel 12:2
John 5:28-29