WALK BY FAITH
HEBREWS 11;1- 3
INTRO:
There was a teacher who wanted to introduce her students to the theory of evolution and the origin of the universe but she had an outspoken young boy who was a Christian and she knew that he would surely give her a hard time. She thought and thought about how she could get this young man to accept these theories that she knew in her heart were true. Finally she had a plan. On the day she wanted to start teaching these theories, she called the young boy to the front of the class and told him to go over to the window and look outside. When he did, she said, do you see the grass outside? Yes the young man said. Do you see the trees? Yes the young man said. Look up into the sky and tell me what you see up there. I see clouds. What else do you see? Nothing but sky. The teacher said; then you don’t see god up there? The boy said well no I don’t actually see Him. That’s because He doesn’t exist the teacher said. Please go back to your seat so we can go back to our lesson. When the boy went back to his seat, he asked the girl sitting beside him if he could ask her some questions. He said this loud enough for the teacher to hear him. He asked. Do you see the teacher up there? The girl said yes. Do you see her clothes? The girl said yes. Do you see her arms? The girl said yes. How about her head, do you see that? The girl was starting to get irritated with him and said of course I see her head but what is your point. I just have one more question for you. Do you see a brain in her head? The girl said of course not. Nobody can see your brain. The boy said then does that mean she doesn’t have one?
. A couple of week ago we talked about walking worthy of God. How we are to walk worthy of our calling. How we are to walk worthy of our citizenship in Heaven.
. The Bible has much to say about our “walk” in this life.
. When the bible talks a persons walk, it is talking about a persons life, how they live and how they present themselves in the world.
. In Ephesians we are told to walk in humility; In Romans we are told to walk in purity; In 1 cor contentedness; Eph different from the world; in love; in light; in wisdom and in John we are to walk in truth.
. Today, I’m starting a series on our worthy walk with the Lord. A walk that is God pleasing.
. We will move in and out of this series as circumstances dictate and as I get the sermons ready.
. Today I want to start with the essential. What we must do in order to walk with the Lord at all.
. In order to please God and to even be a Christian we must WALK BY FAITH.
Our text this morning is Heb. 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
. There are three things that I want to bring out this morning about this walk with faith
THE FIST THING IS THAT FAITH HAS A DEMAND AND THAT DEMAND IS ACCEPTANCE.
. We must first and foremost accept who God is
Vs 3 says, By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
. By faith, we understand and acknowledge that God created what we see.
. By faith we acknowledge the power and majesty of our creator.
. By faith we accept God as the creator of all that is.
. Gen 1:1 says that in the beginning god created the Heavens and the earth.
. If we are to walk by faith, we must first accept who God is.
There’s a story about Isaac Newton that I would like to share with you.
Newton was a scientist, a physicist, and an astronomer. His theory of gravitation was a breakthrough in science at the time. You remember the old story of Newton sitting under an apple tree and an apple falling and hitting him on the head and fro this he deduced what we today call gravity.
Newton was a religious man He walked this faith that we are talking about this morning. He was a born again Christian.
Newton had a friend who was an atheist and he had tried over and over to share Jesus with him. He realized that he had to somehow get him to acknowledge that there was a God in order to talk to him about his need for God.
He came up with a plan. He spent weeks making a model of the universe. This model was an exact replica of the universe, as they understood it at that time. All the planets were placed to scale in relationship to the sun and all in their proper places. He painted them to look like what everybody imagined they would look like. He placed this model in the middle of the table in his home. His friend the atheist came by and saw it and was amazed at how precise everything was. He asked Newton who had made this model. Newton told him that he didn’t know. That it had just appeared on his table one day. He said that that was not possible. Nothing just shows up like that. Somebody had to create it and it was obvious that whoever had created it was very intelligent because of all the intricate detail. Newton continued to tell his friend that no, this just fell together and showed up on his table. His friend became very angry telling Newton that this was scientifically impossible.
Newton just looked at his friend the atheist and said ‘isn’t this what you believe about our universe” don’t you believe that everything just kind if fell into place. That it just magically appeared.
His friend got the point. There was a creator. There was intelligent design and that was the god that Newton worshipped.
Once Newton’s friend accepted that there was a God, then he could share with him his need for Jesus.
. Faith demands acceptance of who God is
. The Bible says that the Heavens declare the glory of God
Once we accept who God is, we must also accept What He has done for us.
. We must accept Jesus and what He has done for us.
. We must understand that because of mans rebellion against his creator, his sinfulness, that God needed a way to reconcile man back to his creator.
. God created a way back to Him through Jesus Christ
. In the book of John chapter three, John tells the story of a man trying to understand what God has done for us in order to reconcile us to Him.
In John chapter three we find the story of Nicodemus and his late night conversation with Jesus.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a religious man of that time. The scripture says that he was a ruler of the Jews, which means that he was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a very important man both in religious and political circles. Nicodemus believed in God, he already accepted the fact that there was a God, He was just trying to understand the role that Jesus had in this relationship between God and man. The Pharisees, Nicodemus included were looking for their Messiah. The man God was sending to save them. They were looking for an earthly king. In this conversation, Jesus told him that in order to get to Heaven, in order to reconcile yourself to God, you must be “born again”. Nicodemus didn’t understand and said that it was impossible for a man to enter into his mothers womb and be re-born. Jesus told him that it wasn’t a physical but a spiritual birth that He was talking about. A birth from above as some have translated the greek. A change of heart and a change in how man thought that he was reconciled to God. No longer did man have to try in vain to follow rules and regulations to try and reconcile himself to god. All this re-birth required was an acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah, and faith in Him would remove all these rules and regulations that the religion of the day placed on people. John goes on to record probably the most recognized verse of scripture in the bible Jn 3:16.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
.This is what Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he must accept in order to be saved. In order to be “ born again”
. Faith demands that we accept Jesus for who He is
. He is our Savior, He is the reconciler between man and God.
IN ORDER TO WALK BY FAITH, WE MUST FIRST MEET IT’S DEMAND OF ACCEPTANCE OF WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US IN ORDER TO RECONCILE OURSELVES BACK TO HIM.
The second thing we see here is that if we are to walk by faith is that this walk requires ACTION
. Throughout chapter 11 here in Hebrews we see faith lived out.
. Paragraph after paragraph we see action by the “heroes of the faith” as they are called.
. Before we read about this action, the paragraph starts out saying “By faith”
. Their faith had led them into action.
. There are many stories told here in this chapter about these actions of faith but I would like to share just one of them with you.
. The story of Abraham and his son Isaac found here in chapter 11 verses 17,18,19 and Gen chapter 22.
. Let me tell you the story
One day God called out to Abraham and Abraham said I’m listening Lord. God told him to take his one and only son that had been born to him and his wife Sarah and go to Mount Moriah and sacrifice this son named Isaac.
Now I don’t know about you but I believe that I would have said something like; Excuse me, you want me to do what? I don’t know about that Lord.
Abraham didn’t. His faith produced action. He got up early and loaded up his donkey with all that he would need for the sacrifice and the journey. He set out with two young male servants and Isaac. They traveled for three days and when they arrived, Abraham told the servants to stay at the base of the mountain while he and Isaac went up to worship God. They took everything that Abraham had brought with him for the sacrifice to God. Isaac noticed something. Although Abraham knew that he had all that was required, Isaac saw things a little differently. Isaac said, father I see that we everything needed for the alter and to burn the sacrifice with but where is the lamb that is needed for this sacrifice. Abraham looked at his son and said, God will provide the sacrifice. God will provide the lamb.
They went on up and built the alter and then Abraham took his son and bound him and laid him on the alter. Preparing to sacrifice him to God. He raised the knife over the young mans chest, prepared to thrust the knife and God spoke to him again through an Angel and told him to stop. Don’t touch a hair on his head. I see your faith in action. Abraham looked around and saw a ram caught in a thicket and he used the ram for the sacrifice.
. Over in verse 19 here it says that even if Abraham had sacrificed Isaac, he had faith that god would have raised him from the dead.
. If we walk by faith, it will require action.
. James the brother of Jesus and the first pastor of a Christian church writes that faith without action is dead. [Paraphrase]
. If we truly have faith, if we truly walk by faith, there will be a natural action involved with our faith.
There is a member of the church where I was before I came here that I called Superwoman. She did everything. She worked in the nursery. She was in charge of the women on mission program. She taught Sunday school. She was on the Church Council. She cleaned the church. She cooked meals for the sick elderly and delivered them .On church work days she would be right there with the men, trimming hedges, raking leaves, cutting down trees. I learned the hard way that she was as strong as all the men. On visitation nights or special evangelism events, she was the first there and one of the last to leave.
One day as we were talking, I asked her how she kept this pace up. While she is not old, she is no longer a spring chicken. She said that as long as God would give her strength she would continue to do what she was doing and more if she could. She told me that she did what she did because of her faith. She did all these things because of what God had done for her and also because that this is what God expects from her. You see, her faith required action.
. Her faith was more than sitting in a pew on Sunday morning.
. She is walking by faith, She has accepted God for who He is and has accepted what He has done for her and the only reaction, the only way that she can live a life of faith is to put feet and deeds to her faith.
. Her faith requires action.
. True faith, that walking around faith requires action of all who profess belief and trust and faith in Jesus.
THE THIRD THIG WE SEE IF WE ARE WALKING BY FAITH IS THAT FAITH PRODUCES ASSURANCE
Vs 2 says, For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
. The “for by it” means faith.
. By faith, the elders obtained a good testimony
. By faith, they were considered righteous.
. The bible says that because of his faith, Abraham was considered righteous.
. By faith these heroes of the faith were saved and there eternity was assured.
. Back to the story of Nicodemus. Jesus said that if you believed in Him, if you had Faith that you would “not perish but have everlasting life”
. This is the assurance we have as we walk by faith.
. Charles E. Fuller once announced that he would be speaking the following Sunday on “Heaven.” During that week, a beautiful letter was received from an old man who was very ill. The following is part of his letter:
“Next Sunday you are to talk about Heaven. I am interested in that land, because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over fifty-five years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price. But the donor purchased it for me at tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is not transferable. It is not a vacant lot. For more than half a century I have been sending materials out of which the greatest architect and builder of the universe has been building a home for me which will never need to be remodeled or repaired because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old.
Termites can never undermine its foundations for they rest on the rock of ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever enter that land where my dwelling stands. It is now almost completed and ready for me to enter in and abide in peace eternally, without fear of ever being rejected. I hope to hear your sermon on heaven next Sunday from my home in Los Angeles, but I have no assurance that I shall be able to do so. My ticket to heaven has no date marked for the journey -- no return coupon -- and no permit for baggage. Yes, I am all ready to go and I may not be here while you are talking next Sunday, but I shall meet you there some day.” (Ency of 7700 Illust. P. 545, #2183)
. Your faith produces this ticket. This assurance that this gentleman has in his eternity.
I want to close with a story this morning
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required." and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn’t shake the grime that hung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me..."Come as you are. No jacket required." I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn’t seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?" I couldn’t believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!"
He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a place card with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance,” hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no
ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was ... "God’s Grace," was the name of this place!
The man returned and said, "I recommend the ’Special of the Day’. With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu." You’ve got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is the ’Special of the Day’ I asked with excitement ringing in my voice. "Salvation," was his reply.
"I’ll take it," I practically cried out. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said "Mister, look at me. I’m dirty and nasty. I’m unclean and unworthy of such things. I’d love to have all of this, but, but, I just can’t afford it. Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said point to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus." Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I’ll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I’ll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this." He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat.
Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you." Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted and I found myself seated at His table. "The ’Special of the Day’ has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation is yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like for me to
come back as often as I liked for another helping from God’s Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as
possible. As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said..."My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations." "Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave. I walked into God’s Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I walked out a brand new man...robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I’ll keep my promise to my Lord. I’ll go. I’ll spread the Word. I’ll share the Gospel... I’ll hand out the invitations. And I’ll start with you. Have you been to God’s Grace? There’s a table reserved in your name, and here’s your invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket required." [illustration from Randy Aly, Sermon Central]
Invitation
