Text: Hebrews 10:35-39
Introduction:
1. In April 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes. On the film shown on the telecast, as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk. The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute. It wasn't until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was freefalling without a parachute. Until that point, the jump probably seemed exciting and fun. But tragically, he had acted with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness. Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute never buckled on. Faith in anything but an all-sufficient God can be just as tragic spiritually. Only with faith in Jesus Christ dare we step into the dangerous excitement of life. It is for this same reason we must pass our faith on.
2. As we continue the series ‘Living a Legacy’ the message this morning is on faith. Probably the most notable Scripture regarding faith is found in Hebrews 11. The writer goes to great lengths to tell of the faith of Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses; in addition to a number of others who too exemplified faith.
3. However, the ‘faith chapter’ is prefaced with vv. 35 & 36 of chap. 10 “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence (faith), which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” This is the central theme of the Book of Hebrews.
Transition:
In order to ‘Live a Legacy of Faith’ we need to have a better grasp of faith in our lives; its definition, development, demand, design, & duty.
I. Faith’s Definition – Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
a. Faith’s connection to Hope – “assurance of things hoped for”
i. Hope and wishes are not the same thing. To hope is to long for, strive for something. It is based on promises that have been made. Faith takes that hope and accepts it as a reality even though it is yet complete. It puts a great deal of trust in the one who has promised. God is a faithful God, and He will do what He says He will do. Faith is believing even though it is not yet accomplished.
b. Faith and Convictions – “the conviction of things not seen”
i. A friend of mine (Jim Snyder) had a saying ‘knowing in your knower’. There’s some things we know in our heads – we’ve been taught in school or at home (fire is hot). But ‘knowing in your knower’ is more a gut thing. This is where convictions and faith collide. You may know something in your head; but you can justify your actions to make sense of things.
Convictions and faith take it to the next level. You ever get that gut-wrenching, heart pounding, feeling you need to do something? Yes, it’s a feeling, but it’s much more than that. You can’t dismiss it and go about your day. If you ignore it, it’ll eventually go away, but deep inside you know the truth. That’s God at work in your ‘knower.’
Transition:
We’ll come back to your ‘knower’ in a moment. First we need to understand how faith is developed.
II. Faith’s Development (from the Word of God) – Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”
a. The world is loud around us. Satan would like distract us and drown out the voice of God in our lives. He does so by subtly using the things of the world. Music, television, friends, literature; anything he can to get our attention. He knows “faith comes from hearing” so if he can just keep us from hearing, he can stunt our faith.
b. But understand, hearing builds faith; so we must listen to the right thing: “hearing by the Word of Christ.”
i. World – it’s all about you. What makes you feel good, what brings you happiness, what do you think is “right?”
ii. Word of Christ – Believe in me, and I will make you new. Conform to my likeness. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.
c. In order to develop your faith you must spend time in God’s Word. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” Christ speaks to us through His Word, so we have to commit to get into the Word. As you develop your faith, you will be able to “hear” God better. Your ‘knower’ gets stronger.
Transition:
Knowing what faith is and developing your faith by getting into God’s Word will naturally bring you to the following point: Faith’s demands.
III. Faith’s Demand – Hebrews 11:6
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
a. The thing about faith is it must be active; faith demands action. James said, “Faith without works is dead.” In other words, if you aren’t going to act on what you believe, your beliefs are worthless.
Illustration: Moving to Montana
Three years ago this last week we moved to Big Sandy; seven months prior to that you called us. What you may not have heard is the journey that brought us here. I will briefly summarize (although I think a book could be written on the subject).
Kristen and I have been involved in ministry for many years: Youth 6.5 yrs, Children 6.5 yrs, SS teachers, VBS directors, etc. We always knew the importance of serving in the church; but, at one point we felt God leading me into a more active role. In 2002 I entered seminary and was looking to graduate in 2007. As the time approached, we realized that God would likely want us to leave our home church of 18yrs and take a pastor position elsewhere.
This is where a struggle began. Our family, our friends, our lives were tied to KC and to even think of leaving was difficult. Eventually we decided that leaving KC would be tolerable as long as we stayed close by. In the spring of 2006, I began searching for a church in Missouri or Kansas to pastor. God had other things in mind. Through a variety of circumstances God made it clear that Big Sandy is where He wanted us to be.
Coming here was the hardest, easiest decision we’ve made. Hard in that we had to leave behind everything we held dear. Easy in that we knew this is where God was sending us. In the months during our transition here there were times of arguing with God; but ultimately we had to decide if our faith was based on what was comfortable or on God. Then we had to decide if we were going to act on that faith or not.
b. Danielle came back from camp with a verse that is found in Luke 9:23 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
i. This is where the rubber meets the road. Denying one’s desires, wishes, plans, and possessions to follow after the One who meets our every need.
We made the transition out here and have seen God’s hand in our lives and the lives of our daughters. He has been faithful and has given us more than we could have ever thought possible. Kristen and I were commenting that we have developed friendships here that took us a lifetime to develop in KC.
Transition:
It’s all a part of Faith’s design.
IV. Faith’s Design – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Illustration: Driving in Israel
When I was 17 I went with my mom, dad, and brother to Israel. We toured the whole country going from town to town riding a bus. The driver would weave in and out of traffic maneuvering that bus as though it was a VW bug. When someone commented on his driving the guide said, “He drives by faith, not by sight.”
“for we walk by faith, not sight-”
a. Many times we want to see the finished picture before we take a step. Kristen and I at first wanted to know why God would take us so far from home before we committed to go where He sent us.
Illustration: One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters."
Walking by faith, not by sight means we have to trust Him even though we don’t know the outcome, even when we don’t understand the reason for the trials we are in. Faith is trusting God in all things. Knowing He has our best in mind and that everything we go through is to bring us to that point.
b. Sight can be deceiving. Check out these pictures. What do you see?
i. In the same way, Satan distracts, distorts, and dilutes the truth to make us less effective or less obedient to God. You can’t always see clearly, but when you place your hope in God, develop your faith through studying God’s word, obey the demands of faith by following your convictions, and rely on faith’s design you will find success.
Transition:
Finally, living by faith brings about a changed life; that is faith’s duty.
V. Faith’s Duty – Romans 1:17
“For in it (the Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
a. It is the Gospel and faith therein that brings righteousness; not man’s righteousness, but the righteousness of God. This is faith’s duty – to bring those who believe into God’s presence clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
i. This could just as easily read, “the man who lives by faith shall be made righteous.” Are you living a righteous life? Is there sin that easily besets you? Maybe you aren’t living by faith; living out your faith.
b. See, man’s righteousness is like filthy rags to God. You can be the best person alive and still fall short of God’s glory (cf. Rom. 3:23). It is the good news of the Gospel that leads to salvation. Christ’s death on the cross satisfied God’s wrath and through Him we can be justified by faith in Christ’s death and resurrection.
Conclusion:
Living a Legacy of Faith begins with having faith in the first place. Faith in what you cannot see, but hope that what God says He’ll do, He’ll do. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Do you have that faith? Today is the day, now is the time for a decision.
Living a Legacy of faith means developing your faith through the study of God’s word. If you have drifted away or have not grown in your faith, maybe you are struggling with sin, commit today to serve God. As Joshua declared to the people of Israel, “…choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…” Serving Him means following the convictions He places on your heart. Living a Legacy of Faith requires you to relinquish your desires and strive for what God desires.
Do you want God’s will to be active in your life? Follow Faith’s design, trust God with your whole being. The alter is open this morning.
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