FAITH TO DIE BY
Hebrews 11:20-22
Last week we addressed the fact that if we claim that we have faith then we can be certain our faith will be tested. The ultimate test of one’s faith crystalizes around the subject of death. Death is the one issue which will certainly separate the those who have the real thing or those who have the counterfeit.
Observations concerning Death:
1) The Reality of Death Is Absolute
Death is Certain to All (Romans 3:23;6:23)
(Heb 9:27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Death is Not Partial to Any
Young or Old
Rich or Poor
Educated or Uneducated
Good or Bad
2) The Response to Death Is Optional
Attitude of Fear
-Fear of the Unknown
-Fear of Future Judgement
Attitude of Peace
What makes the difference?
Answer: The Object of One’s Faith
If the Object of One’s Faith is Less Powerful than Death, then Fear will be the response to Death.
If the Object of One’s Faith is More Powerful than Death, then Peace will be the response to Death.
I. FAITH TO DIE BY GIVES ONE HOPE TO LIVE WITH
(Heb 11:20) By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
(1 Peter 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(Gen 17:5-7) Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
II. FAITH TO DIE BY GIVES ONE JOY TO WORSHIP WITH
(Heb 11:21) By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
(1 Cor 15:54-57) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Songs Isaac May Have been Singing:
“Victory in Jesus”
“Beulah Land”
Beulah Land, I am longing for you
And one day on thee I’ll stand
There my home, will be forever
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land
“Hallelujah Square”
I saw an old man gasping for breath
Soon he’d be gone with his eyes closed in
death
He looked at me and said, “Boy, don’t look
so blue,
I’m going up to heaven, how about you.”
I’‘ see all my friends in Hallelujah Square
What a wonderful time we will all have up
there
We’ll sing and praise Jesus, His glory to
share,
And we’ll all live forever in Hallelujah
Square.
III. FAITH TO DIE BY GIVES ONE FOCUS TO PLAN WITH
(Heb. 11:22) By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Joseph was a great administrator and up to the time of his death, he was still making plans. He believed so strongly in the promises of God that he knew that God would fulfill those promises made to his forefather Abraham and he wanted to be a part of them.
God has his hand on our church and wants to do special things if we allow him. I have had two men of God independently of one another tell me that believed that God was wanting use Raiford Road in a mighty way to reach this region. Soon we will begin to examine the need to building new facilities to position ourselves for future ministry and we are now organizing ourselves to be even more effective in the area of missions. But some of us, maybe you or me may not live to see all that God has planned for our church, but that should not keep us from planning, because we are going to be a part of it whether we are here or in heaven cheering you on.
Therefore, our faith keeps our focus to continue planning for the days ahead.
