The Results of Faith
Following Jesus: The Letter to the Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted
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Hebrews 11:17-22
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,
18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
TOPIC: “The Results of Faith”
INTRODUCTION:
A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:
"Is anyone up there?"
"I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?"
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer."
"That's all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch."
A moment of pause, then: "Is anyone else up there?"
(Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, p. 3.)
I. A WILLINGNESS TO OFFER UP THAT WHICH IS DEAREST TO US (Hebrews 11:17-19).
I. A WILLINGNESS TO OFFER UP THAT WHICH IS DEAREST TO US (Hebrews 11:17-19).
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,
18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
A. The most severe tests are those that call for total commitment. (Hebrews 11:17a).
A. The most severe tests are those that call for total commitment. (Hebrews 11:17a).
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,
1. Severe tests call for us to sacrifice that which is most dear to us.
a. Abraham was called on to sacrifice Isaac.
b. We are called upon to sacrifice dreams, relationships, prized possessions, etc.
(Rom. 12:1)
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
(Gal. 2:20)
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2. God’s desire is that He become most important to us. (Mark 12:30).
30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
a. He has already proven that we are most important to Himself (Rom. 5:8).
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
b. His call to give up that which is most dear to us is really a call to make Him our all (Colossians 3:4).
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
· It is like us giving up all other relationships to prove our love for our spouse.
B. The most severe tests cause us to bank on God’s absolute faithfulness. (Hebrews 11:17b-19).
B. The most severe tests cause us to bank on God’s absolute faithfulness. (Hebrews 11:17b-19).
18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
1. We must not only be willing to obey, but begin moving to do so. (Hebrews 11:17c-18).
18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
a. It’s easy to say that we are willing and never act in obedience.
· The example of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-31).
28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.
30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.
31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.
b. It is a different matter to step out and obey.
2. We act in absolute obedience recognizing: the awesome power of God, the absolute nature of his love, and the inalterable nature of His promises. (Hebrews 11:19).
19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
a. Remember the awesomeness of His power. (Matthew 28:18).
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
b. Rest in the absolute nature of His love. (Rom. 5:8).
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
c. Reflect on the inalterable nature of His promises. (2 Corinthians 1:20).
20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
II. A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S PROMISES (Hebrews 11:20).
II. A FOCUS ON THE FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S PROMISES (Hebrews 11:20).
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
A. God’s promises are firm, even trough successive generations. (Hebrews 11:20a)
A. God’s promises are firm, even trough successive generations. (Hebrews 11:20a)
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
1. Time does not erode God’s promises.
a. The promise that was good for Abraham was still good for Jacob and Esau.
b. The promises made to those saints of old are still good for us.
· Promises of provision (PHIL. 4:19)
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
· Promises of salvation (Rom 10:13)
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
· Promises of power (Acts 1:8)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
· Promises of reward
(Heb. 11:6)
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
(James 1:12)
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
B. We must keep our eyes fixed upon the fulfillment of God’s promises. (Hebrews 11:20b)
B. We must keep our eyes fixed upon the fulfillment of God’s promises. (Hebrews 11:20b)
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
1. The source of the promise is God.
a. The source of the promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph was God.
b. The source of every promise in scripture is the Lord.
2. The source of its fulfillment is God. (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
a. God has promised that He will fulfill his promises and He cannot fail.
III. A WORSHIP OF GOD THAT LEANS ON THE STABILITY OF HIS WORD. (Hebrews 11:21-22).
III. A WORSHIP OF GOD THAT LEANS ON THE STABILITY OF HIS WORD. (Hebrews 11:21-22).
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
A. Faith enables us to worship God in all circumstances (even death). (Hebrews 11:21).
A. Faith enables us to worship God in all circumstances (even death). (Hebrews 11:21).
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
1. Worship is an attitude of the heart, not state of the body.
(John 4:24)
24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
(Psalms 51:17)
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
(Isaiah 57:15)
15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
(Matthew 15:8).
8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
a. Jacob was in a worshipful attitude even when he was about to die and knew it.
b. Worship can be entered into even when physical circumstances are not the best.
· Some of the best worship I have experienced was in the middle of a sleepless night.
2. Worship is an attitude that must be demonstrated to others. (Matthew 5:16).
16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
a. Jacob worshipped with the sons of Joseph who had not been raised under his example.
b. There are people who are looking to you to see true worship.
· Your children
· Your grandchildren
· New believers
· The Lost
B. Faith enables us to pass on the truth of God to others and help them to commit to following them. (Hebrews 11:22).
B. Faith enables us to pass on the truth of God to others and help them to commit to following them. (Hebrews 11:22).
22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
1. We must pass the truth of God’s Word on to others.
(Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
(Acts 1:8).
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2. We must call upon others for a commitment to God’s truth.
a. Joseph called the Israelites to make a concrete commitment to act on God’s promise.
b. Peter called for a commitment on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:40).
40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
CONCLUSION:
Real faith and true worship begins with the surrender of your heart to Christ as Savior and Lord. Why not do that today?