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Presented, November 13, 2005 am

FAITH, THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR (12)

Faith’s Conclusion – Hebrews 12:1-2

Today, we bring our study of faith as recoded in Hebrews 11 to its conclusion.  We have identified what faith is and seen its development and execution in the various examples we have studied.  It is my hope that we have seen the importance of faith.  But, in noting these great examples it might lead some to reason, “What about me?”  We know the faith of those recorded is great and we need to learn from their examples, but HOW do we increase our faith?  In our lesson this morning we want to talk about that.

Actually the answer is found in our text – in Hebrews 12:1-2.  Achieving a strong faith is not an easy thing to do.  It requires dedication and hard work.  The question is: are we willing to put forth the effort?

I.                     Faith Comes by Hearing – Romans 10:17

a.        The first thing to keep in mind in developing faith in your life is the need for knowledge.  In EVERY example we have studied, the Lord communicated with them in one way or another.  Some directly and others not as direct – but they were aware of who God was and what He was able to do.

b.       TODAY, God speaks to us through His word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 11:1-2.  If we are to trust Him we have to learn what He would have us to do.  That means STUDY – 2 Timothy 2:15.

c.        Romans 10:17 says that as well.  Consider also the text beginning in vs. 14-15.

d.       Consider, what is the benefit of all these examples we have noted in this study?  We can take encouragement from them.  Hebrews 12:1 – they are our “great cloud of witnesses”.    In them we can take comfort that we CAN accomplish what we need to.  In them we can KNOW that God is there for us. 
Their examples can encourage us and inspire us to do what is right.  We understand this in every aspect of life.  There are many who have gone on to accomplish great things because they read about what some great historical figure accomplished.  They reason, “I want to be like them” and take steps to become as they were.
The same is true in our Christianity.  We look to their examples and hopefully are inspired to want to be like them.  But we cannot be like them if we don’t have faith.
ALSO, know this – in their examples we know we are not alone.  They are interested in us and cheering us on just as we rejoice in the promises they received.

II.                   We need to lay aside every weight and the sin.

a.        I wish I could say increasing our faith was an easy thing, but it is not.  It takes effort and a willingness to sacrifice.  After all you have to learn to TRUST in someone not sitting across the table from you.  And the fact is that the more you trust God the greater your faith will be.

b.       In preparing this lesson, one author I read noted that this “great cloud of witnesses” we look to means to “consider them”.  This statement is described as “consider ourselves”. 

c.        If your faith is to increase it depends on you living a devoted life.  We HAVE TO put Him first.  Again consider the numerous examples – Moses walked away from Egypt, Abraham walked away from his home and then was willing to sacrifice Isaac, Joseph refused the ultimate glories afforded Egyptian dignitaries.
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things SHALL be added unto you.”
 2 Timothy 2:4 speaks of the soldier not entangling himself in the affairs of this life.  BTW, this text is dealing with endurance – the same subject as the context of Hebrews 11.

 

d.       The idea of a weight in this verse was a training aid for runners to build up stamina and strength.  They would wear weights on their ankles as they ran in training.  Then when the actual race came they would cast off the weights and their race would seem much easier.

e.        We must cast aside whatever it is that hinders us from putting God first.
It could be our families - Matthew 10:37-38
It could be our jobs, our money (1 Timothy 6:9-10) or our recreation
It could be the cares of this world – Luke 8:14 (Parable of the Sower – thorny ground)
It could be worries, an improper self-image, pride, frustrations, and numerous other attitudes.
Summarized in Romans 13:14 - , “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provisions for the flesh…”

f.         As long as the Lord is not first in your life – the distractions will keep your faith from developing to its full potential.

III.                 We need to lay aside the sin that so easily ensnares us

a.        We know that sins will separate us from God – Isaiah 59:2, Jeremiah 5:25, “Your iniquities have turned these things away, And your sins have withheld good from you.”
Proverbs 15:29 says, “The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
John 9:31 makes an observation – that God does not hear sinners.

b.       There has been some debate as to whether or not this verse refers to a specific sin, or any sin we commit.  Some believe it describes the sin of unbelief.  But regardless of your thoughts, the same applies – WE HAVE TO GET RID OF SIN if faith is to really develop in our lives.

c.        The word ensare (easily beset – KJV) used in this text means to easily surround and thereby thwart our efforts.  It is much like a roadblock that keeps you from reaching your goal.  If you have lived a life of sin you know how it can trap you and keep you from doing the good things you ought to be doing.  Consider the addict whose life becomes consumed with his evil – if affects everything else in his life and keeps him from doing better.  That is why any reputable organization designed to help you overcome addictions calls for you to QUIT RIGHT NOW.  The addict can’t have a little of his substance and live a good life. 

 

d.       We cannot serve God and Satan at the same time and expect God to accept us.  As long as you are living in sin, you are saying that you do not trust Him to rule your life. 
Romans 6:12-14, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
Friends, sin will hinder your faith from increasing.

IV.                We must run with endurance

a.        A key to developing our faith is to NEVER give up.  If there is such a thing as a compliment for Satan it would be the fact that he doesn’t give up.  If you resist him he will flee for awhile, but he WILL be back.  One of his greatest weapons is to convince you to quit or at least slow down your growth.

b.       There are many who are striving to put their trust in God day after day.  But from time to time we reach a point where it becomes a real struggle.  Some give in or give up when this happens.  They reason that it is too hard to stay the course and they quit. 
What would have happened if Moses gave up after Pharaoh rejected him 3 or 4 times (or worse yet, Israel).  What if Noah had quit after about 10 years of preaching to an ungodly world?  I am convinced God chose these men because He KNEW they would NOT quit.

c.        For your faith to increase, you have to have the mindset that you will NEVER quit.
Remember that this is a theme of the text that prompted the “hall of fame of faith” (Hebrews 10:36).
Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful unto death…”
Matthew 10:22 says, “…He who endures to the end will be saved”
Romans 2:7 speaks of eternal life awaiting “those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality”

V.                  Look to Jesus – the finish line

a.        Realize the goal at hand.  It is your reason for running this race by faith.  You have a home in heaven to look forward to.  But it will only be given to you BY FAITH!
That goal is a driving force in the way we live our lives.  Paul understood this – Philippians 3:13-14.
2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1 – we are looking at the things not seen
2 Timothy 4:8 speaks of that crown of righteousness which awaits us.
You have a home in heaven waiting for you, BUT you have to finish the race to receive it.  Let that goal be a motivation.

b.       And, never forget that we are not alone – Jesus went before us.   And he does not expect anything of us that He did not do Himself.  He ran the race, set the course and finished it.  Our text says, he did this joyfully, enduring the cross.  NOW He is waiting at the finish line for us to cross it.
Friends, Jesus WANTS you to win this race and if you will BY FAITH keep you eye on Him, you will win.

These are some things that will help you develop your faith as the examples we have been studying.  I am sure there are others that can be added to these but if we will keep these thoughts in mind, our faith WILL grow. 
In closing, understand that before you can run the race of life that ends at the gates of heaven, you have to enter it first.  If you are not a Christian, obedience to the gospel is how you enter.  Are you a child of God? If not, let me encourage you to enter that race today.