Persevering Faith
Hebrews 11:39-12:3
Faith is synonymous with belief and trust. There is however a difference between genuine saving faith and spurious, superficial, disingenuous faith. This difference is crucial. Intellectual assent, a head belief or knowledge does not save. James 2:19 tells us that the demons believe the facts about God but that belief is a dead faith. Genuine saving faith is a wholehearted commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior. It is not superficial but persevering. John 3:36 says, “He who believes (present active tense) in the Son has everlasting life...” The difference between dead faith and genuine saving faith is that saving faith is a persevering faith. What are the characteristics of a persevering faith.
I. Persevering Faith is an evidencing faith
A. Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith
B. A good report – martureo – to give witness or affirm
C. Their faith was constant and unwavering. In spite of the harshest persecution, the vilest attacks, the severest trials, the strongest opposition and rejection from those closest to them, their faith stood firm as evidence that it was genuine and real.
D. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
E. James 2:18 “Yea, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
F. Many people claim to be saved and to possess genuine real faith. If you ask them if they are saved they respond affirmatively. But, are they really? There are who claim to know God, but do they have the proof in their life that they know really God? Does the evidence in their lives say they are genuinely saved?
G. Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again—until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other. – William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army
H. Persevering faith will demonstrate itself not only in actions and but also in reactions.
I. Matthew 13:20-21 (NKJV) “...he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles (is offended- KJV).
II. Persevering Faith is a self-denying faith
A. Hebrews 11:24-27a “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt.”
B. The very nature of faith is self-denial. Robert Leighton in his commentary on states that “Faith is a humble, self-denying grace that makes the Christian nothing in himself and all in God.”
C. FAITH = Forsaking All I Trust Him!
D. Genuine repentance and faith is manifest in a self-denying, cross-bearing total surrender of oneself to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. - copied
E. Mark 8:34 “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
F. Jesus links self-denial with cross-bearing. Cross-bearing is far more than enduring this or that hardship. Carrying one’s cross in Jesus’ day, as we learn from the story of Jesus’ own crucifixion, was required of those whom society had condemned, whose rights were forfeit, and who were now being led out to their execution. The cross they carried was the instrument of death. Jesus represents discipleship as a matter of following him, and following him as based on taking up one’s cross in self-negation. Carnal self would never consent to cast us in such a role. “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die,” wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was right: Accepting death to everything that carnal self wants to possess is what Christ’s summons to self-denial was all about. - J. I. Packer, Hot Tub Religion, (Living Books, Tyndale House Wheaton: 1987)
III. Persevering Faith is a focused faith
A. Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
B. They were focused on the Lord and the finish line.
C. The Lord Jesus Christ is central to everything!
D. As believers we must look unto Jesus keeping our hearts and minds stayed on Him. Our faith is in Him, through Him and by Him.
E. Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
F. I think of Peter when he stepped out the boat and began to walk on water toward Christ. As long as his focus was on Christ everything was fine. The moment he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the tumultuous waves about him Peter began to go down being swallowed up by the stormy sea.
G. Matthew 13:22 “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful”
IV. Persevering Faith is an obedient faith
A. Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
B. Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
C. Hebrews 11:17-19a “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead...”
D. We are saved by faith alone, but saving faith always results in a life of obedience to God.
E. Wise men and women learn to obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. – Stanley
F. Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, which we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
G. God is Sovereign. Results and consequences belong to Him. We are to be resigned to obeying His will.
H. Genuine persevering faith obeys God and leaves the results to Him.
I. It’s difficult for us to comprehend that God isn't looking for results, but obedience.
J. 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) “And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams”
K. “God wants obedience, not results. God wants obedience, not results.” We need to be faithful to what the Lord calls us to do, no matter what others may say, no matter what others may do, no matter how frustrated and discouraged the devil would have us become. We never know what God can accomplish, what lives He can touch, what glory He will receive through our lives and our church when we obey and leave the results to Him.
L. Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
V. Persevering Faith is an enduring faith
A. Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
B. Concerning verse 1, John Piper writes, “This is the point of the whole book. Endure, persevere, run, fight, be alert, be strengthened, don’t drift, don’t neglect, don’t be sluggish, don’t take your eternal security for granted. Fight the fight of faith on the basis of Christ’s spectacular death and resurrection. And show your faith the way the saints of Hebrews 11 did—not by coasting through life, but by counting reproach for Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt (He 11:26-note). So the main point of this text is the one imperative: RUN! (He 12:1). Everything else supports this—explains it or gives motivation for it. Run the race set before you! Don’t stroll, don’t meander, don’t wander about aimlessly. Run as in a race with a finish line and with everything hanging on it.” – John Piper, Running with the Witnesses
C. Hebrews 12:3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
D. He didn't quit, throw in the towel, or say it’s not worth it. How dare I?
E. 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”
F. We are to be His lower lights reflecting His glorious light. Shine in the darkness. Shine when the storms of life surround you. Shine when the clouds of discouragement or despair darken your path. – Shine until the day dawns and you are basking in the light of His presence!
