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Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6 - Pastor Steve Wilson - April 17, 2011 am
Please click the button to the left to play the sermon
We use the word "faith" a whole lot, but what do we mean when we say, "salvation is by faith" or "keep the faith"?
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering that Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:1-6
Hebrews 11:6 in the Jewish New Testament says, "And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches Him must trust that He does exist and that He becomes a Rewarded to those who seek Him out."
Faith is trusting. To help us understand, I want to spell out F-A-I-T-H
1. Forsaking
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Isaiah 55:6-7
a. Forsaking your way
b. Forsaking your thoughts
c. Forsaking means returning to God
A boy caught in a building on fire - on an upper floor - must forsake his bicycle, toys, and even the building if he is to jump into the net provided by the fireman - AND SO DO WE - FORSAKING
2. All
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8
a. All the things we love cannot save us
b. All things need to be forsaken
c. All things need to be seen in their true light
The boy is standing on the window sill ledge - Nothing in that building will save him - soon everything will be burned up - he needs to let go of all things - AND SO DO WE - FORSAKING ALL
3. I
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
a. I am important to God
b. I cannot do anything except respond
c. I can experience the grace of God
The boy is on the ledge - the net is ready - he will only be saved if he jumps - his parents can't jump for him - salvation is available if he wants it - IT'S AVAILABLE TO US IF WE WANT IT - FORSAKING ALL!
4. Take
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Mark 8:34
a. Take up the cross
b. Take Him
c. Take Him at His Word
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved... Acts 16:31a
The boy hears the fireman yelling, "Jump!", "Jump!", "We will catch you!" - The boy needs to take the firemen at their word and jump - WE NEED TO TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD AND JUMP - FORSAKING ALL I TAKE
5. Him
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
a. By Him all things were created
b. For Him all things exist
c. Through Him all things hold together
Our illustration of the boy on the ledge fails at this point - Jesus is more that just a net - He is our Creator - our Purpose - our very Life
So what is faith?
Forsaking
All
I
Take
Him
We are called to display the AAA-O faith - Anything, Anywhere, Anytime, Bar Nothing
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