THE FINISHING OF FAITH
Hebrews 11 could be called "The Saints Hall of Fame", "The Westminster Abbey of Scripture", and "The Honor Roll of the Old Testament Saints." It deals with the excellency of faith.
We observe faith worshipping, walking, working, waiting, warring, and faith winning. We note in this chapter that is a must to obtain a good report with God and to please God.
This morning I want us to look at Isaac who is mentioned in Hebrews 11 and consider three things that should find their place in the furnishings of faith of any man or woman.
Genesis 26:25
The furnishings of faith
Altar
Tent
Well
Three things that should be found in the life of any man or woman of faith:
I. An altar - speaks of DEDICATION TO THE WILL OF THE SAVIOUR.
Altar was a place upon which men offered sacrifices.
A. Altar had been erected
First, instance of any altar building done by Isaac. Many erected by his father. The building of an altar was an act expressive of one’s personal devotion. Has there been any altar’s experiences in your life? Are there any altars where you have yielded yourself to do the will of God? Has there been any altars erected where you have surrender your person and plans?
Isaac was offered up to God years before on an altar built by his father Abraham! However, God did not want Isaac; he wanted Abraham. In the life of Abraham, the offering up of Isaac meant surrendering to God his attachments, his affections, and his aspirations.
Quote Romans 12:1,2
A pig and chicken were wandering past a church when the chicken noticed the words on the marquee in front of the building announcing a ham and egg breakfast next Sunday before the morning services. The chicken said to the pig, "Is not that just grand. Both of us are involved in next week’s breakfast."
The pig quickly replied, "That is easy for you to be excited about. Your part will just be a contribution, but mine will be a sacrifice."
B. Altar had been neglected
The word altar does not appear very much in the life of Isaac. I wonder if this does not explain the mediocrity, which marked his life?
When I study the life of Lot that I find no altars mentioned in his individual life. Could this be the reason he got into the mess he got into?
I think we need to do as Elijah did on Mount Carmel. We need to repair the altars of dedication and faithfulness that are torn down.
A wife or a husband who is 85% faithful to their mate is not faithful at all. There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to Jesus.
II. A tent - speaks of DETACHMENT FROM THE WAYS OF SOCIETY.
A tent is very easily moved. A house is solid and built into its environment, but a tent can be moved at a moment’s notice. A tent proposes that one is a stranger and pilgrim. It suggest that one is just passing through.....that one is not going to settle down. A tent is a type of transient dwelling. A tent implies a spirit of detachment.
II Timothy 2:4
A good soldier must not allow himself to get entangled with civilian interest, when all his energies are supposed to be devoted to the war. A good soldier will have to give up certain things, certain interest, certain habits, certain amusements, and even certain friends - not because any of these are wrong in themselves, but because they are a snare, an entanglement to him. They get in the way of his success as a soldier. He needs to be detached from certain things that he might be totally committed to the one who he serves.
I read recently about a Civil War soldier who happened to be a watchmaker. One day the bugle sounded, and the men were told to break camp. "But I can’t go now." the soldier complained. "I have a dozen watches to repair." He was a soldier entangled and not detached from the things of this world.
The tent in the life of Isaac suggest the same thing
A. Needs to be a spirit of detachment from the pleasures of this world
As we pass through things temporal, we must be careful not to lose sight of the things that are eternal. The temporal may become the enemy of the eternal.
I John 2:15-17 The world draws away our love from the Father. "Demas hath forsaken me, d this present world."
If the church of Jesus Christ were as afraid of worldliness as it is of holiness what a difference would be made.
The world’s pleasures drain our energies, deplete our resources, demand our time, and divert our mind.
The world is divided into three parts:
of the flesh has to do with the appetites.
of the eyes has to do with appearance.
Pride of life has to do with applause.
of the flesh is to do (pleasure).
of the eyes is to have (possession).
Pride of life is to be (prestige)
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be ......lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Men will be pleasure lovers more than God lovers.
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
David Livingstone, the great pioneer missionary to Africa, walked over 29,000 miles to spread the gospel. His wife died early in his ministry, and he face stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren. His ministered half blind. He said in his diary: "Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on men, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie, but the tie that blinds me to your service and to your heart."
A. Needs to be a detachment from the possessions of this world - "lust of the eye"
Oh, the desire to have is so great. One cannot go to Wal-Mart without seeing something they think they just have to have.
Have to have the latest gadget.
The individual whose eyes are open to the earth have ears that are shut to God.
Mark 4:19
Far too many allow spiritual things to be crowded out by temporal things.
B. Needs to be a detachment from the praise of this world - "pride of life"
Christ warned us that if we lived for him that the world would us. We are not to be surprised when the world exhibits its hatred of the Christian. BUT it is a bad thing if the world speaks well of us, and worse sign if we want it to do just that.
"Do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ?"
III. A well - speaks of DEPENDENCE ON THE WORD OF THE SPIRIT
In Psalm 1 the man who delights in the Word of God is described as being like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
A. Notice the difficult found in digging the well "
In verse 18-22 Isaac had to fight for the wells.
The most difficult to pick up in your home and read is the Bible. The devil will fight your reading of the Bible. He will even encourage you to read commentaries or devotional books in place of the Bible. There is no book like the Bible.
This is the greatest book on earth,
Unparalleled it stands,
Its author is God; its truth divine
Inspired in every word and line,
Though written by human hands.
B. Notice the necessity found in digging the well
Dig or die. They could not live without water. Neither can any of us live without the water of the Word of God.
If you are not found in the Word, you will flounder without the Word.
Ponder if carefully, practice it thoroughly, study it minutely, abide in it constantly, long for it ardently, believe it wholly, and mind it obediently.
Conclusion:
Faith has its furnishing. Does your faith have its furnishing? Faith needs a altar, a tent, and well.
An altar of dedication to will of the Saviour
A tent of detachment form the ways of society
A well of dependence on the Word of the Spirit.
