Christ is The Better Conduit Pt.2: Prevailing Faith

Opening:

story

The Pastors car ran out of Gas. His wife, who was a passenger remembered seeing a garage half a mile back down the road. He got out the car and started to search the trunk of the car for a container, but the only one he could find was his baby grandson's potty - so that had to do! He trudged to the station, then carefully carried it back with a full container of Gas and started to carefully pour the contents from the potty into the petrol tank. Driving by was the leader of a methodist church. Recognized a fellow Christian in need and stopped his car to offer-help. As he approached he saw the bishop pouring the contents of the potty into the tank. The man-gasped and said: "If I'd known they had faith like that in the Baptist church I'd never have left!"

Recap/Intro

The Better conduitPt. 1- Works vs faith

Faith That Directs (vv. 8–19)

Surrendered faith (vv. 8–10)

Abraham obeyed God and went where God directed him, not knowing where he was going.

He was seeking a heavenly city (cf. John 14:1–3; Rev. 21:14–20)

Supernatural faith (vv. 11, 12)

Sarah and Abraham thought they were too old to have children.

Abraham was ninety-nine and Sarah was ninety.

Yet with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26)

Isaac would be a miracle son (Gen. 21:11, 12)

Seeking faith (vv. 13–16)

These great giants in the faith sought a heavenly city

They could have given up hope, but they were faithful (cf. Rev. 3:10; Matt. 24:13)

Sacrificing faith (vv. 17–19)

(a) Faithfulness (v. 17)

Abraham was willing to sacrifice Issac.

(b) Fate (v. 18)

If Isaac was slain, how could a nation be established?

Yet Abraham trusted God.

(c) Faith (v. 19)

Even if Isaac was slain, God could resurrect him.

Faith That Protects (vv. 20–22)

Faith and the future (v. 20)

“It was by faith that Isaac knew God would give future blessings to his two sons, Jacob and Esau” (LB).

Faith and fate (v. 21)

Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, future leaders of the Jewish people.

Faith and faithfulness (v. 22)

The entire life of Joseph was a life of faith.

Sacred (Gen. 37:5–11). He had a dream, which was from God.

Sold (Gen. 37:27, 28). He was sold by his brothers because of their jealousy toward him.

Slave (Gen. 39:2). He was imprisoned, but God was with him.

Suffering (Gen. 39:7–20). Potiphar’s wife lies about him, and he is placed in prison once again.

Service (Gen. 40:1–23; 41:1–46). Joseph interprets dreams and is made second in command to the king.

Through all fourteen years Joseph was patient and had faith. Note his words in Genesis 50:20 as they compare to Romans 8:28.

Faith That Subjects (vv. 23–28)

Protection (v. 23)

Moses was kept from death (Exod. 2:10).

Persistent (v. 24)

Moses refused to become a member of Pharaoh’s family (Exod. 2:11–24). He lived differently (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Persecution (vv. 25, 26)

He chose suffering instead of the pleasure of sin. He knew God would reward him (cf. Matt. 5:10–12).

Patience (v. 27)

Moses endured. He saw God, who is invisible. He had real faith (Heb. 11:1).

Passover (v. 28)

He kept the Passover (Exod 12:1–24). It may have seemed strange, but he fully obeyed God.

Many miracles took place under Moses’ leadership. All of them happened because of faith.

Faith That Projects (vv. 29–31)

Powerful faith (v. 29)

The Red Sea is divided (Exod. 14:21–28).

When there was no hope God gave hope.

When there is no way trust God to make a way.

He does the impossible if we trust Him.

Pleasing faith (v. 30)

The walls of Jericho fell (Josh. 6:1–24).

This seemed incredible, but obedience brought down the walls.

Protecting faith (v. 31)

Rahab’s faith is honored (see Josh. 2:1; 6:25).

God always honors faith.