A. INTRODUCTION
1. Faith is relationship. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is” (Heb. 11:6).
2. Jerry Falwell said, “Faith is stepping out into the darkness, the unknown.”
a. Not knowing. “But Abraham . . . went out, not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8).
b. Not experienced. “Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
c. A leap into the dark to make it happen. “Noah . . . divinely warned of things not yet seen” (Heb. 11:7).
3. Many say faith is not a leap into darkness, but into light, stepping on the promise of God.
a. Faith is obedience to God’s call. “Abraham obeyed when he was called” (Heb. 11:9).
b. Faith is claiming a promise. “Sarah . . . judged Him faithful who had promised.” (Heb. 11:11).
c. Faith acts on God’s Word. “Abraham . . . offered up Isaac . . . who had received the promise” (Heb. 11:17).
4. Faith doesn’t always get what it claims.
a. Timing. “These all died in faith, not having received the promise” (Heb. 11:13).
b. God has a different purpose. “By faith . . . others were tortured not accepting deliverance” (Heb. 11:31, 35). “By faith . . . still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment” (Heb. 11:36).
c. Some were not healed. “I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me” (II Cor. 12:8).
B. THE LEAP (ACT) OF FAITH
1. Intimacy. “Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:24).
2. Built an ark. “By faith Noah . . . prepared an ark” (Heb. 11:7).
3. Left security. “By faith Abraham . . . went out not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8).
4. Blessed sons. “By faith Isaac blessed” (Heb. 11:20).
5. Planned return to land. “By faith Joseph . . . gave instructions concerning his bones” (Heb. 11:22).
6. Separation. “By faith Moses . . . choosing . . . to suffer affliction” (Heb. 11:25).
7. Protected God’s servants. “By faith Rahab . . . received the spies in peace” (Heb. 11:31).
8. Attacked giant. “By faith . . . David” (Heb. 11:31-32).
C. HOW TO LEAP
Definition: “To spring free, as from the ground; to jump over a fence; to pass abruptly from one state to another; to act precipitately.”
1. Usually to leap over an obstacle or barrier. “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes . . . he will have whatever he says” (Mark 11:23).
2. Usually to step over your inner obstacles. Abraham – “And being not weak in faith . . . he staggered not at the promises of God” (Rom. 4:19-20).
? Fear of harm or embarrassment
? Loss of security or things
? Ignorance
? Doubt or unbelief
3. Ask if you really want to take this leap.
a. Is it for God?
b. Is it for self?
4. The bigger the leap, the more energy needed to clear an obstacle.
a. Time in prayer and planning.
b. Support from others.
c. Knowledge.
5. You must be committed to the leap.
a. Can’t go back, i.e., Abraham, Moses, Joshua.
b. Can’t change strategies when half way there.
6. Consider where you will land and where you will be.
a. Do you really want this victory?
b. What will you do when you get there?
7. Don’t expend so much energy on the leap that you can’t live when you get the victory.
8. Some leaps must be taken in spite of fears and obstacles.
a. Imperative for the work or reputation of God.
b. Imperative for you.
9. Some leaps are so dangerous you might not survive.
a. What will happen to others?
b. What will happen to the work?
c. What will happen to me?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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