Faith That Works - Hebrews 10:32-12:2 - December 3, 2006

Sunday school Lesson – Faith That Works – December 3, 2006

We begin a new series of study entitled “Life-Changing Gifts.”

December 3 – Faith That Works – Hebrews 10:32-12:2.

December 10 – Hope That Lives – 1 Peter 1:3-21.

December 17 – Love That Lasts – 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13.

December 24 – JESUS, GOD’S Greatest Gift – Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7.

December 31 – Salvation For All – Luke 2:21-40.

Our series of study begins with the study of faith. We exercise faith every day. Each time we cross a bridge, we have faith that the bridge will hold us. Each time we drink water or eat food we have faith that it will not make us sick. Our faith builds as we repeat an act or in something that proves to be trustworthy. There are times the very thing or someone we place our faith in fails. This is a traumatic moment. Children who are abused or molested by someone they trust. This creates, rightfully so, a trust issue in their lives.

Often our view of GOD has been shaped by good and not so good experiences we have had through false notions we develop about GOD. If this is your situation, then confess it to GOD and ask HIM to reveal to you the truth and to confirm that truth in HIS WORD.

Faith is an interesting word. GOD is the ONE WHO calls us to act in faith. Faith is a gift. Let’s examine our scripture.

Let’s read Hebrews 11:1-2:

1 Now faith is the reality[1] Or assurance of what is hoped for, the proof[2] Or conviction of what is not seen. 2 For by it our ancestors were approved.

GOD is invisible and faith is required to believe that GOD exists. This is why GOD’S WORD is so great. GOD reveals Himself through HIS WORD. HE revealed Himself in various ways to the patriarchs of the faith – Abraham, Moses and ultimately in JESUS.

We exercise our faith by accepting that CHRIST died for our sin on the cross and that HE rose from the dead as proof that HE accomplished the mission that HE agreed to accomplish. The beautiful reality is that GOD sends the HOLY SPIRIT into the heart of every believer proving what we believe is true. We do not receive this confirmation until after we take the step of faith.

Faith is to trust and respond on what we believe as if it is a reality. I have heard faith described as taking a step when you do not see a visible place to place your feet. Now this is a delicate area. There is a difference between the faith we muster up on our own because we want something to happen and faith that GOD places in our heart that a certain thing will happen or be done. We know that GOD has the ability and power to make any thing happen but that does not mean it will happen. GOD will reveal to us in a variety of ways such as in the eyes of our heart and HIS WORD that a specific result will come about.

This is something I have to be very careful of in my own life. I want GOD to heal everyone, no marriage to fail, no disappointed children, no accidents, no sickness, no failed businesses, everyone to accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR and LORD, no spousal abuse, etc. When I hear of bad things happening, I pray and ask GOD to intervene. HE has the power and ability to make all things right in life but there are times HE chooses not to bring the result we think HE should. It is very hard for us to understand when HE does not intervene to bring about a result that will strengthen our faith or the faith of others. Often we try to place GOD in a situation or back HIM into a corner where HE has to perform or do something to prove Himself. Notice some key words I used, “That our faith will be strengthened.” We are eager for GOD to reveal Himself through signs and wonders, especially when a miracle is performed at our request.

Our scripture in last Sunday’s lesson makes it clear:

Isaiah55:8-13:

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord’s declaration. 9 “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

HIS ways and thoughts are far different than ours. HE has a plan for everything, everyone and every situation. HE does not necessarily cause every circumstance in our life because we have the right to choose. But HE is working in the lives of HIS children to bring about the best that can come from a circumstance. Romans 8:28 captures the essence of this principle:

28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

The proper reading of this verse is, “GOD is in all things working ---------. Things and circumstances in our lives are not the doing the work to bring about good, but it is GOD doing the work.

This is why we must have the relationship with HIM in order to endure the dark times in our lives. The same relationship JESUS has with the FATHER as revealed in John 12:49-50: 49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. 50 I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Verse 2 states that faith approved the patriarchs of the Old Testament. They were tested by GOD and their faith, that GOD is a reality, proved to be genuine. Approved means they passed the test. Just as a quality control technician tests materials to determine if they meet the specifications. GOD tests us to determine if we believe HE is a reality. Those listed in our scripture passed the test or were “approved.” This is fact pleased GOD and they entered the Hall of Faith.

Let’s read Hebrews 11:5-7:

5 By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away.[6] Gn 5:21–24 For prior to his transformation he was approved, having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah,[7] Gn 6:13–22 after being warned about what was not yet seen, in reverence built an ark to deliver his family. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

This scripture gives us an example of Enoch who was approved or tested by GOD and found to be faithful. GOD decided that Enoch could just come on to heaven with HIM. I thought how neat. But guess what? In John 2:24, JESUS is speaking and HE tells us:

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Our faith in CHRIST has already transferred us from earth into heaven. I think this means that moments or split-seconds before our body dies, we leave our earthly body and step into heaven and into the presence of our SAVIOR and LORD JESUS CHRIST.

There is a difference between faith and belief. The scripture tells us in James 2:18-19:

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”[5] The quotation may end here or after v. 18b or v. 19. Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.[6] Other mss read Show me your faith from your works, and from my works I will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.

Faith results in action. Belief does not necessarily produce action. Notice verse 19, the demons believe that GOD is one and they shutter. They made a choice knowing GOD is GOD. Satan has deceived them into making a bad decision. Even GOD gives freedom of choice to the heavenly beings.

GOD gave an assignment to Noah. Noah was faithful to his calling even though he was far from any water and it rarely or never rained in the area where he was building a very large ship. The ark was the length of one and a half football fields.

Just imagine the ridicule Noah had to endure from the people about building such a large ship in the desert. Noah had faith that GOD is a reality and believed what GOD had told him would happen by building the ark. Notice in verse 7, Noah worked in reverence. Building the ark was Noah’s calling. Thus Noah was approved or tested by GOD and found to be genuine.

Notice in the later part of verse 7 that Noah “became the heir of righteousness.” An heir does not work or earn an inheritance. His obedience of building the ark did not make him righteous but his righteousness is a result of his faith. Noah was living in the right relationship with GOD. His right relationship with GOD is what made Noah righteous. Simply Noah had faith that GOD is a reality and when GOD asked him to build the ark, he responded.

When we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR and LORD, our sin is removed and the righteousness of CHRIST is placed in each Christian. This is the result of our new relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Think about that?

Let’s read Hebrews 11:32-38:

32 And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,[33] Dn 6:22 34 quenched the raging of fire,[34] Dn 3:23–28 escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned,[35] Other mss add they were tempted they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground.

The scripture reveals the reality of GOD through the mighty things HE has done through those who have acknowledged HIM by faith. Our scripture lists those who have served GOD and others who endured awful things at the hands of others, but remained faithful to GOD, because they all had faith that GOD is a reality. Their eyes were fixed on what was to come by remaining faithful.

Let’s read Hebrews 12:1-2:

1 Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[1] Or looking to Jesus the source and perfecter[2] Or the founder and completer of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[3] Or who instead of the joy lying before Him; that is, the joy of heaven endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.[4] Ps 110:1

Here we have to be careful. I have thought of the statement in verse 1 as suggesting those who have departed this life are looking down from heaven and watching what we do on earth. The large cloud of witnesses mentioned here are those who have been mentioned in this scripture, those in the Hall of Faith.

We are encouraged to take off anything which will hamper us from running the race of life from a spiritual point-of-view. The race of life is compared to a marathon, which is a grueling event. As you get closer to the finish line in a marathon you are weary and want to give up. This is the time the one running the race must focus on the finish line. Finishing the race is the focus. We must press on to win the prize that waits for those who endure.

When we run the marathon race of life, we must keep our eyes upon JESUS. HE is the ONE WHO is the source of our strength. HE is our perfecter, encourager and teacher. HE is the source. HE is the ONE WHO has blazed the trail ahead of us. HE is the ONE we are to follow and pattern ourselves after.

The lesson we learn from JESUS is that HE had to focus beyond HIS suffering and the agony of the cross and focus on the reward of being obedient to accomplishing HIS mission on earth.

JESUS looked beyond the cross and as such achieved the goal and sits at the right hand of the FATHER for all eternity. This is HIS message to all Christians. We must focus on our heavenly reward and not focus on temporary earthly ease.

As you may recall from our study of Isaiah, we discussed the importance of the scripture in revealing to us the power, care and consistency of GOD. HE revealed to the Israelites 150 years before hand what was going to happen to them, so they would know that the true GOD, YAHWEH is the GOD they could trust and follow.

Look at the following scripture in Romans 15:4:

4 For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope.

We must keep our eyes upon JESUS as we journey through life and study the scriptures which reveal HIM to us. GOD is a reality and came to earth as a baby and HIS name is JESUS. Wise men and women still seek HIM.