Faith-The Greatest Power I the world p.2
Faith Gives When You Don’t Have It
Hebrews 11:4-5
INTRODUCTION
WHERE'S YOUR FAITH?
Television interviewer and journalist Larry King describes three farmers who gather daily in a field during a horrible drought. The men are down on their knees, looking upward, and praying the skies will open and pour forth a much-needed rain. Unfortunately, the heavens are silent, and the petitioners become discouraged, but they continue to meet every morning to lift up their request to God.
One morning an uninvited stranger approaches and asks the men what they are doing. They respond, "We’re praying for rain."
The newcomer looks at each of them and shakes his head, "No, I don’t think so."
The first farmer says, "Of course we’re praying. We are down on our knees pleading for rain. Look around; see the drought. We haven’t had rain in more than a year!"
The outsider continues to nod his head and advises them their efforts will never work. The second farmer jumps in and says, "We need the rain; we aren’t asking only for ourselves, but for our families and livestock."
The man listens, nods, and says he still isn’t impressed. "You’re wasting your time," he says.
The third farmer can’t take any more, and in anger he says, "Okay, what would you do if you were in our shoes?"
The visitor asks, "You really want to know?"
The three landowners answer, "We really want to know! The future of our farmlands is at stake."
The guest announces, "I would have brought an umbrella!"
SOURCE: Praying in Faith, Citation: Larry King, Powerful Prayers (Renaissance Books, 1998), p. 243.
What is faith? The simplest definition we can give is that,…
True Bible faith is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences.
Read that last sentence again and let it soak into your mind and heart. This faith operates quite simply. God speaks and we hear His Word. We trust His Word and act on it no matter what the circumstances are or what the consequences may be. The circumstances may be impossible, and the consequences frightening and unknown; but we obey God’s Word just the same and believe Him to do what is right and what is best.
Faith is not mystical or mind over matter. Niether is it denying reality.
The Bible makes clear that faith is very practical, inspite of what the world says.
When we come to understand how faith operates in the life of the believer, you discover Faith enables us to understand what God does. Faith enables us to see what others cannot see, and as a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do!
It should not come as surprise when people laugh and mock great men and women when they step out by faith. God is with them and enables them to succeed to His glory.
The best way to grow in faith is to walk with the faithful. The remainder of this chapter is devoted to a summary of the lives and labors of great men and women of faith found in the Old Testament.
The writer begins his survey by going way past Moses and Abraham beginning with Abel.
Abel ‘s life testifies how faith gives when we don’t have it. Abel gave the best he had and the most he had in worship to God. The bible says that he was commended for his faith and that his life continues to speak to us long after he died.
Genesis chapter 4 tells the story of …
1. THE SACRIFICE OF ABEL
Genesis 1 records God’s creation of the heavens and the earth. Chapter 2 records God’s creation of man. And then chapter 3 records man’s sin and the terrible consequences that followed that act of rebellion against God.
And so in Genesis 4:1 we read: “Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor..”
Now, if you’re like me, when you read this story, the question that immediately comes to mind is: “Why did God accept Abel’s offering and not Cain’s?”
Well, I tink there are three reasons. The first has to do with the …
• Type of Offering
Abel brought what God commanded; Cain did not.
You’ll remember that after Adam and Eve sinned, their eyes were opened and they were ashamed of their nakedness. So they wore fig leaves to cover themselves. God confronted our first parents and explained to them the consequences for their disobedience. But He also gave them the promise of One who would come and defeat the serpent, Satan. And so God says to Satan in 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
And then God clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins. We read in 3:21: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
God set the precedent for the kind of sacrifice he would require. But it is not merely the sacrifice of an animal, but it is the heart of willing obedience that goes with it. The faith Abel demonstrated was one of obedience, which is also demonstrated by the….
• Quality of Offering
Abel brought his first and best to God; Cain did not.
Look at 4:3: “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.”
Cain brought “some of the fruits”—not the first or the best. Abel brought “fat portions” from the “firstborn of the flock”—Abel offered both the first and the best.
Well, Bible teachers debate as to whether the real issue was the type of offering or the quality of offering. And both positions have their strengths and weaknesses. But one issue that Bible teachers do agree on is the …
• Attitude of the Offerer
Abel brought a proper attitude to God; Cain did not.
At the end of verse 4 we read: “3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”
That is, he was depressed. You’ve heard that depression is anger turned inward.
Verse 6: “Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.’”
Cain was full of pride. And when his offering was rejected by God, he responded in anger. And it seemed that Cain was determined to stay angry. Cain’s mother, Eve, was talked into sin—but Cain would not be talked out of sin!
And God even offered Cain a second chance to do what was right. But instead of humbling himself and doing the right thing, Cain let his anger turn to depression and his depression turn to jealousy. Look at verse 8: “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”
Pride—anger—depression—jealousy—murder. But it doesn’t stop there. Cain has the audacity to lie right to the face of God. Verse 9 says, “Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ The LORD said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.’”
In stark contrast to Cain, we view Abel’s attitude. Turn back to Hebrews chapter 11. And look at verse 4: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.”
Abel offered his sacrifice by faith—not in pride or arrogance that would lead to anger, depression, jealousy, murder, and lying. Abel offered his sacrifice by faith—in humble dependence on Almighty God.
And that sacrifice of Abel also revealed …
2. THE CHARACTER OF ABEL
We read in Hebrews 11:4: “By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offering.”
Now, it’s important to remember that in Hebrews 11, Abel is being commended for his character—his walk with the Lord as an Old Testament believer. The sacrifice that he offered to the Lord was not a means of salvation. Sacrifice was not the way that people got saved in the Old Testament. People in the Old Testament times got saved the same way that we get saved in New Testament times. Today, we look back to the cross of Christ and put our trust in His death to take away our sins. In Old Testament times, they looked forward to the coming Christ and put their trust in Him to deal with their sin problem.
So when Abel offered his sacrifice, he did not do so in order to get saved. He offered his sacrifice as a believer in order to express his deep devotion to God and his fellowship with God.
So his offering demonstrated his righteous character as a believer. Turn over to Heb.10:38: “But my righteous one will live by faith.”
How would you describe your Christian life? Is it like Abel’s—a humble dependence on God? Or is it more like Cain’s—a proud arrogance that demands your own way?
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Wow. You know, if I’m really honest, I’d have to say I’m more like Cain than I am like Abel! But I don’t want that. So, what do I do to make it right?”
I believe that God extends to you the same opportunity He extended to Cain. God allowed Cain to make things right when Cain offered an unacceptable sacrifice. It’s not too late.
So, do what Cain refused to do:
• Humble yourself
• Admit to God that your attitude has not been right
• Confess your sin of pride and arrogance
• And ask God to help you to live your Christian life by faith—in humble dependence on Him
Hebrews 11 shows us plaque after plaque after plaque of Old Testament believers who lived their lives by faith—men and women who lived in humble dependence on God. And Abel heads the list.
Because of Abel’s righteous character, the writer of Hebrews concludes by sharing with us …
3. THE LEGACY OF ABEL
Consider these words at the end of verse 4: “And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.”
Abel has been dead for thousands of years. And yet, he still speaks loud and clear to us today. In what sense? By his example of faith! Abel leaves us his legacy—a life lived by faith.
What will this look like
Three conditions for leaving a lasting legacy are:
1. Holding Godly Convictions
You have heard some people describes’ He is a man of conviction’ In reality they are saying “ He is just plain stubborn.
There is a difference between conviction and stubbornness.
HEARING PROBLEM
A middle-aged man was distraught over his wife’s stubborn refusal to admit she had a hearing problem. One day he asked his family doctor for advice how to convince his wife that she has this problem.
The doctor promptly told him that when he got home he was to confirm the problem by opening the front door and from there asking his wife what’s for dinner. Then the doctor said, if she doesn’t answer, move closer to the kitchen. Repeat the question again, and if she still doesn’t answer, move right up to her ear and whisper in it, “What’s for dinner, honey?” In this way, the doctor assured him, she’ll have to admit she has the problem.
So the man raced home with joy in his heart and opened the front door.
“What’s for dinner, honey?” he asked.
When there was no reply he moved closer to the kitchen and asked again. “What’s for dinner, honey?”
No reply.
When he looked into the kitchen, sure enough, there she was. So he tiptoed over to her and whispered in her ear, “What’s for dinner, honey?”
Immediately she turned and looked straight at him:
“For the 4th time, I said we’re having Spaghetti!”
Who had the problem with stubbornness?
Men, if you want to leave a lasting legacy to your children and grandchildren it begins by holding onto the convictions of Gods word, and then passing it on.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.(A) 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up
2 Timothy 1:12-14 … I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which you hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto you keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us.
O how Havelock and Canada cries for men of conviction whose lives are shaped by godly convictions not the passing fads of an antichristian culture.
Only convictions based on the word of God will bear any kind of fruitfulness for the next generation. We live in a day where the Bible is not merely mocked it is completely ignored but so few are reading it.
Men, do you want to make a difference for the next generation. Become men who know the word, love the word and in turn will LIVE THE WORD.
2. Maintaining Godly Character
Proverbs 22:1 A good name (literally "character") is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
When you hear the name Richard Nixon what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
I see an old man on TV with two fingers raised boasting, “I AM NOT A CROOK”
Now when I say the name Billy Graham, what comes to your mind?
Integrity, trust, character.
In our day we live in an age of moral vacuum. It seems like character doesn’t count. To put it candidly, you can sleep around and still be a good brain surgeon. You can cheat on your mate and have little trouble continuing to practice law. Apparently, it is no problem to stay in politics and plagiarize. You can be a successful salesperson and cheat on your income tax. Seeing this we have allowed this attitude to permeate throughout Christianity. The perception is that you can do these things and still be a good Christian. But the reality is you cannot do those things as a Christian and continue enjoying the Lord’s blessing. – (adapted from C. Swindoll)
2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue (moral excellence or character)…
1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
We put a great amount of value on reputation but there is a vast difference between Character and Reputation.
• Reputation is what you are supposed to be; Character is what you are.
• Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; Character is what you have when you go away.
• Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime.
• Reputation grows like a mushroom; Character grows like an oak.
• Your reputation is learned in an hour; Your character is does not come to light for a year.
• A single newspaper report gives your reputation; a life of toil gives you your character.
• Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor; Character makes you happy or makes you miserable.
• Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone; Character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.
• Your reputation is what men think you are. Your character is what God knows you to be. (copied - William Hershey Davis)
Your Character will impact generations to come.
One man, Max Jukes, did not believe in religion and married a girl of the same opinion. From this union came 1,026 descendants. Studies showed that 300 died prematurely; 100 were sent to the penitentiary; 190 sold themselves to vice; 100 were drunkards,; and the family cost the state of New York $1,100,00.00!
Another man, Jonathan Edwards, believed in God and in his Christian training and married a girl of like character. From that union 729 descendants were studied and they discovered that 300 were preachers, 65 were college professors, 13 were university presidents; 6 authors; 3 U.S. Congressmen and 1 was vice president of the United States
2 Chronicles 17:3-6 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
3. A living a life of godly COMMITMENT
The virtioso opera singer Luciano Pavarotti tells the story about how he made the choice to be a singer. At a young age his father introduced him to singing and he took to it with great skill and enthusiasm. At one time in Pavarotti’s life he was enrolled in both vocal lessons from a professional tenor and college studies to be a teacher. When he graduated from school he faced a dilemma to either become a signer or to become a teacher. When he asked his father about which course to take, his father responded: “If you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.” Commitment is that’s the key. Choose one chair.
It is absolutely impossible to live a Christian life without having a complete commitment to following Christ.
Our culture is one that does not see commitment as something of importance any more.
Commitment is the Key to leaving a lasting godly legacy. Commitment is the key to discovering the blessings of God
The sad reality is that most people settle for being involved without ever making a commitment.
There is a massive difference between being involved and being committed. Being involved means that you can do what you want, as you want and when you feel like doing it. Commitment means that you are at the call of Jesus 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
To make the decision to just being involved, and it is a decision, is one that creates a system of cheating. We cheat God of giving Him our very best, we cheat others of what we have to offer and we cheat ourselves of the blessings of Christ that come only when we become committed. Far too often we settle for being involved in the work of Christ and never actually making a commitment to it.
Commitment is what Jesus is looking for in all of our lives and He wants us to have the desire to serve Him not just on Sunday morning but each and every day that we draw breath.
The greatest hinderance to commitment is priorities. To make a commitment to Christ involves three priorities
1. To God ( Love the Lord with all you heart mind and strength
2. Your Family
3. The Family of God, the local church
How do I do this pastor?
I find it interesting that when Abel offered his sacrifice to God, the Lord accepted it but rejected Cains.
The reason God gives is found in the attitude in which they approached God.
Cain came with whatever was on hand. He offered some of the crops to the Lord.
His attitude was, whatever God, hope this is enough.
Abel on the other hand gave his best because he gave his all as worship.
God doesn’t look for our activity calendar, he is not moved by the number of zeros behind the 1 on the tithe envelope.
He is moved by a heart of worship that says, ‘GOD, TAKE ALL OF ME > I Give you my life, my all. That is the best I can give.
God is not interested in hearing our excuses about what we don’t have. He is calling us to give to him all that we have.
Men today let me ask you: What legacy are you going to leave? What are people going to remember about you after you’re dead and gone?
Men, What kind of legacy are you leaving?
Are you living your life today in a way that will positively influence your kids and the way they live their lives and for the generations to come should the Lord tarry?
Maybe some of you can answer yes. Some others may be answering no. Others of you might be saying, I really don’t know.
The question becomes for each of us, How should I be living my life today to positively influence my kids in their futures?
What things should I be doing?
The greatest and most enduring thing you can leave is a Godly legacy of a life lived by faith in God.
