Where Do Exiles Draw the Line in Matters of Faith? (manuscript)

“34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

What is the goal of the sermon?

To confront the hearer with the following statement: “If Jesus really is better…, then where do we draw the line as to what we are willing to lay down for Him?”

Why is this goal needed?

To encourage those who are putting all on the line by faith to continue.

To awaken those who say they are walking by faith but are not.

To present three real ways in which we can examine our faith.

How will you accomplish this goal?

(1) The line of natural affection (2) The line of certain death (3) The line of temporary pleasure (4) The lesson and call for evaluation (The answer and call for response)

Is there a key word or phrase for the sermon?

When is God asking for too much? Where do you draw the line?

Sermon Theme:

Evaluate honestly where you draw the line on your faith in God.

(1) The line of natural affection - Hebrews 11:17-19

Hebrews 11:17–19 (KJV 1900)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Observation:

The testing of Abraham (v. 17). God tested Abraham not because God did not know whether Abraham had faith or not, but because this test revealed the faith Abraham had.

The Natural Affection Line (v. 17a). The testing of Abraham was on the line of natural affection. Abraham was commanded to offer up his son.

The Role of God’s Promises (v. 17b-18). The testing of Abraham potentially called into question God’s promises.

The Faith in God’s Ability (v. 19). The testing of Abraham revealed a faith in God’s ability over the loss of natural relationships.

After that bitter and blessed experience I think the words "my" and "mine" never had again the same meaning for Abraham. The sense of possession which they connote was gone from his heart. Things had been cast out forever. They had now become external to the man. His inner heart was free from them. The world said, "Abraham is rich," but the aged patriarch only smiled. He could not explain it to them, but he knew that he owned nothing, that his real treasures were inward and eternal.

Tozer, A.W.; Christian Book Collection. The Pursuit of God (Optimized for Kindle) [Updated 4/14/2010] (p. 28). Kindle Edition.

Meaning

Self-Revelation. God’s testing of His children reveals to them what is in them. What kind of faith did Abraham have in the promises of God? God’s testing of His children serves to reveal a supernatural working of God that thereby leads to bold, exilic faith.

Evaluation. God’s testing of his children draws a line — what is faith in God worth offering?

Application

To the weary - the testing will reveal strength of faith leading to encouragement because you know it is only God.

[Example: In 2009 two mothers, and man who lifted a 1.1 ton car off of a boy - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1190759/Mighty-mothers-superhuman-strength-lift-1-400kg-car-run-schoolboy.html]

The test revealed something in them that previously was not evident. So it is with those who are tired of trials that the trials reveal God working in you.

To the complacent - evaluate carefully what you profess with what you practice.

Where do you draw the line? Are your children too much to entrust to the Lord? (How does your family worship show this? Priorities?…etc)

Illustration:

Matthew 13:44 “44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

Charles Simeon, “…shall we find it in vain to sacrifice any thing to the Lord?”

Transition:

In the faith of Abraham we see that faith in God is worth all natural affections being offered to Him freely.

(2) The line of certain death - Hebrews 11:20-22

Hebrews 11:20–22 (KJV 1900)

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

Observation

Three Patriarchs. Isaac, Jacob, Joseph had faith.

The nature of Isaac/Jacob’s blessings invoked (v. 20-21).

Powerless to fulfill. These are blessings they had no power to accomplish. Isaac and Jacob were dying.

Mere Channels of Blessing. These were blessings offered from individuals who had been blessed of God.

Faith in God’s Ability. The presumption then is that these men were expecting God to continue through their offspring the blessings He had begun through them.

The nature of Joseph’s pronouncement (v. 22)

A Remembrance. Joseph’s pronouncement is actually a remembrance of a promise made to his great-grandfather. Genesis 15:13-14.

God’s Faithfulness. Joseph’s faith was in the reality that God keeps His covenant.

Meaning

The Unifying Theme. The Unifying theme of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph’s faith is found in three statements:

i. Bless, concerning things to come (v. 20)

ii. Bless, when he was dying (v. 21)

iii. Remembrance, when he died (v. 22)

They Die; God’s Word Continues. All three were dying. All three had come to grips with this reality. But, all three knew that God’s blessings and promises do not die when they die. God’s word is not bound by death. Isaiah 55:10-11

“10 For as the rain cometh down, And the snow from heaven, And returneth not thither, But watereth the earth, And maketh it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

Question of Evaluation. This then reveals another line - “Can God’s word be trusted above the power of certain death?”

Application

To the weary - Rest in the knowledge that death cannot stop the power and promises of God. [Intentionally reflect/remember/memory]

To the complacent - Where do you draw the line as to how much of your life you are willing to give because you trust God? (health of being?)

What do your decisions today show about who you are entrusting your children to ultimately? (athletics, college, good career…etc)

Some need a reality check - where is your faith with regards to the certainty of death? Recognize your powerlessness. Who can give you life?

Illustration

Elisha and child with the mortal headache. II Kings 4:32-33.

Transition

What does saving faith look like, and what kind of faith will sustain you to the end? A faith that sees God as worthy of everything, and a faith that sees God as more powerful than death. Where do you draw the line?

(3) The line of temporary pleasure - Hebrews 11:23-29

Hebrews 11:23–29 (KJV 1900)

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Observation

The Parents of Moses (v. 23). Moses was well-endowed. He was beautiful. His favor was not only one earned, but it was just easy to come by. This makes it even more outlandish that he would give any of this up.

The faith of Moses (v. 24-28).

A. Moses chose: v. 24 - 26 Tells us that (by faith) he made a choice to refuse.

i. The nature of the choice v. 25 - tells us the nature of the choice — choosing to be mistreated rather than live in enjoyable, temporary pleasure — writer seems to be emphasizing “short time”

i.a. The mentality of the choice v. 26 tells us the mind underneath this decision. It was not thoughtless. He considered disgrace for the sake of the “Anointed One” as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt...

i.a.1. The reason for the choice v. 26b tells us why he thought this way…because he was looking ahead to his reward.

Summation: His faith in reward ahead led to thinking that a choice to be mistreated with people of God rather than enjoy temporary pleasures was better — a choice that was to refuse to be known as Pharaoh’s grandson.

B. Moses endured: v. 27 tells us that he left Egypt but that he persevered. The seeing him who is invisible may be a reference to the burning bush which spawned his return. It seems that the leaving was not a quitting because of the perseverance phrase.

C. Moses kept the Passover: v. 28 tells us how Moses faith led him to trust in the sufficiency of obedience and blood atonement.

*This concludes direct talk of what Moses did and, much like before Moses, points to people connected to Him.

The People under Moses’ Leadership (v. 29). tells us that the nation passed on dry land through the Red Sea and that God brought justice upon the Egyptian army.

Meaning

Exchange of the temporary pleasure for temporary affliction. The overwhelming truth of Moses’ faith, that the author wants to point out is the exchange of temporary pleasure for temporary affliction.

What Moses’ Actually Believed: Passover. Note also that this affliction was not only a recognition of what the Egyptians were doing to Moses, but Moses believed he deserved far worse. The observance of the Passover, when a lamb was killed and the blood painted on the doorpost meant Moses not only chose affliction with the nation of Israel rather than pleasures of sin; but Moses believed he needed a substitute to suffer greater affliction.

Question of Evaluation. This all reveals another line, “Is faith in God worth temporary suffering and admitting how I actually deserve far worse than temporary suffering?”

Application

To the weary - Please know that just as the pleasures of sin are temporary so too the pain for the Savior is temporary. There is reward on the other side of Christian suffering. Romans 8:18

“18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

To the complacent - Where do you draw the line? Have the lust of the world/eyes, and pride of life waged a war upon your soul that you cannot overcome?

Illustration:

Luke 8:14.

Matthew 19:21-22.

Transition

The saving faith of Hebrews 11 forces us to examine lines that we otherwise may not consider — Is the Lord worthy of all we have? Is the Lord’s power worthy of our life to the death? Is the Lord worthy of suffering, mistreatment…etc? Where do you draw the line?

Conclusion:

(4) The lesson and call for evaluation

Evaluation of Value. The line you draw depends upon the value of what is being exchanged.

If what you receive is far more valuable to you than everything, then there is no line. (natural affection, certain death, temporary pleasure). If you value what you hold more deeply than what you get in exchange, then you place the limits.

Illustration: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Elliot, Jim

What do we get? The question we then must ask, “What do we get?”

In order to answer this question, our text points us quite clearly to the One in whom we see perfect valuation of God, God’s promises, and God’s power — Jesus Christ. Notice three threads that point us to Jesus Christ:

v. 19 - The figure of a the resurrection

v. 22 - The unstoppable word through death

v. 28 - The atonement through the Passover Lamb

In all three of these accounts, we are directed to Jesus Christ. He is the Prize. He is the lovely One. He is the One who was worthy of suffering reproach for. Hebrews 11.26.

He is the One who empowers us to see what really matters most.

Thus:

If Jesus is better, then is He worth You devoting your children to Him? How?

Entrust them to Him by making family worship a priority

Entrust them to Him by exemplifying sacrifice for Christ

If Jesus is better, then is He worth trusting his word through death? How?

Care for your health, but don’t make it an idol of your life.

Don’t wait to have material wealth and health taken. Offer it to brothers and sisters within the body.

If Jesus is better, then is He worth giving up some personal pleasure for? How?

Learn to live content in whatsoever state you are in.

If your tendency is to spend primarily for your pleasure, learn to give to those in need. [Two present needs at GBC now]

RH Response Questions:

I would like to repent of my sin and receive Jesus as my Lord.

I have more questions about what it means to have saving faith.

I am praying that the Lord will help me have a faith like an exile.

Post-Sermon Discussion Questions:

Read Hebrews 11:17-19. When you consider the exilic faith of Abraham, what are your initial thoughts about his willingness to offer up Isaac? What particular application should make for your and your faith?

Read Hebrews 11:20-22. Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all were getting ready to die; but they still believed God would fulfill his word. What are a couple of ways that you can help you be intentional about remembering the promises of God?

Read Hebrews 11:23-29. What exchange did Moses make? Is Jesus worth this kind of exchange? If so, what is one specific way that you can pray for God to help you exercise this kind of way? Be specific. You know you and God knows you.

Based on the testimonies of Hebrews 11 thus far, how would you describe a saving faith versus a spurious (false) faith? Explain why you answered this way.

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