THE FAMILY OF FAITH
Hebrews 11:8-16
There are always certain characteristics which identify different families. Sometimes, there are certain physical features that identify families. Maybe it is their skin tone, or their hair, or high cheek bones, whatever. Being away for many years and not having the opportunity to see the children of my friends grow up, I was amazed how many I could identify just because they looked so much like one of their parents. Sometimes, families can be identified by personality whether being outgoing or quiet, cocky or humble. Sometimes, it is the way they talk. Some families have their own dialect.
Today I want to speak to you about a specific family: the Family of Faith. They come in all shapes, forms, personalities, and dialects, but the common characteristic that identifies this family is their Faith in the Promises of the Living God. As we work through the characteristics of this family, I want you to ask yourself, “I am a part of the family of faith?
A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY OF FAITH IS WILLING...
1) TO OBEY ALL (11:8)
“By faith Abraham, ...., obeyed...
Faith without Obedience is Dead
Obedience is outward expression of an
inward faith
Partial Obedience = Disobedience
2) TO RELEASE ALL (11:9)
“By faith he sojourned in the land of
promise...”
(Col 3:2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Release all earthly possessions
(Matt 6:19-21) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(1 John 2:15-17) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Release all earthly rights
(Phil 3:20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
3) TO BELIEVE ALL (11:11)
Believe the Impossible
Believe the Improbable
4) TO SEE ALL (11:10,13a)
See the Visible
See the Invisible
See the Present
See the Future
(John 14:2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
5) TO CONFESS ALL (11:13b-14)
(Luke 12:8-9) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
6) TO FORSAKE ALL (11:15)
(Luke 9:62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
7) TO RECEIVE ALL (11:16)
BECAUSE THEY TRUSTED ALL
Trusted God’s Promise of an Earthly
Inheritance
(John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Trusted God’s Promise of a Godly Posterity
Trusted God’s Promise of a Heavenly Home
Rev 21:1-10
21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
KJV
