Jesus - Making Sense of Faith - Romans 4, 10 and Hebrews 12 - October 31, 2010

Bible Study – Jesus – Making Sense of Faith – October 31, 2010

This is our final lesson in our series entitled “The Case for Jesus.”
Our scripture is Romans 4:1-3, 13-25; 10:9-13; Hebrews 12:1-2.
My wife and I have been on travel for the past 2 weeks that is why the lessons were publised in advance. Hopefully, we are back on schedule. Blessings to all.

We are studying apologetics and our last study will be in the month of November dealing with “The Case for the Christian Life.” In this lesson we will explore the true meaning of Biblical faith. The Bible describes faith in Hebrews 11:1 - 1 Now faith is the reality[1] of what is hoped for, the proof[2] of what is not seen. Faith is a statement of belief. But we can believe something that is false and when we discover the truth that what we thought was true was actually false our belief system breaks down. This is why many people who become Christians may question their relationship to GOD through CHRIST. CHRIST did not measure up to what they thought HE should do for them because they had made false assumptions. It is critical that all Christians understand the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge of CHRIST.


We can study, listen to pastors and learn about CHRIST but it takes a step of faith for us to know CHRIST. To know CHRIST is all about having an intimate, loving, dynamic relationship with HIM. If you are a Christian and don’t have this type of relationship with CHRIST but would like to, then I ask you to go to HIM and tell HIM of any grievances that you have with HIM. All stumbling blocks must be removed if you want to have a dynamic relation with CHRIST.


Christians must yield their wills to CHRIST and allow HIM, through the HOLY SPIRIT, to lead and direct their lives and reveal truth. As they do, they will experience the presence of CHRIST in their lives and grow and mature Spiritually. CHRIST will become real as we walk with HIM in faith. I know in my life, HE asked me to do small things and as I responded and HIS prompting was confirmed, I became more trusting. We are all different and HE may choose to work in your life differently.


Walking obediently with CHRIST does not mean a journey of ease but a journey of getting to really know CHRIST in an intimate way and building a knowing relationship with HIM. It is an active and interactive relationship. It is a relationship such that when HE says no or to wait, we accept it. We realize that HE is sovereign and will not give HIS children a serpent when they ask for a fish. CHRIST is the reality and manifestation of GOD. When you have CHRIST, you have GOD. When you walk with HIM and talk to HIM and obediently respond to HIS leadership, you experience the reality of HIM. Each step of faith you take, as HE leads you, builds upon itself. In each step of faith, you build your relationship with HIM and HIS reality is made manifest. You grow and mature Spiritually. When you read and study GOD’S Word, the Bible, HE will open up the treasures that are in HIS Word that apply specifically to you to help you grow and mature Spiritually. It is an awesome journey that takes time which is only restrained by our willingness to take a step of faith when HE asks us to do so.


A caution, be careful that you do not test GOD as you build your relationship with HIM through CHRIST. What am I trying to say? I have great faith that CHRIST can do anything. Since I have that faith, then when something comes along in life that does not go my way or challenges me, I ask CHRIST to either take care of the situation for me or give me guidance to take care of it. Then nothing happens. What is wrong? Nothing may be wrong except we may want to test CHRIST to prove that HE is real. HE is not a magic genie who pops out at our every selfish whim. We should ask ourselves, “What is our motive or the attitude of our heart when we ask CHRIST to do such-and-such?” The disciples of JESUS wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a village that did not welcome them. This is captured in Luke 9:51-56:


51 When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up,[21] He determined[22] to journey to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead of Him, and on the way they entered a village of the • Samaritans to make preparations for Him. 53 But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”[23]55 But He turned and rebuked them,[24] 56 and they went to another village.


GOD wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. We should go to HIM with all things we encounter in life. “Well, I thought you said not to ask GOD for every selfish whim?” That is correct. Don’t ask for something that is not in accordance with HIS will and purpose for our lives. How do you know what the will and purpose for your life is? When you are in the right relationship with HIM you are in the HIS will.


It could be that GOD desires for us to be tested and to teach us. Often, when I face situations that GOD seems not to come to my aid and I quit fretting, I have to ask, “LORD what are YOU trying to teach me or what do I need to learn from this? What would YOU have me to do in this situation? What is the attitude of my heart toward YOU? Have I sinned against YOU?”


Many Christians question what they are experiencing as they journey with CHRIST. Questioning is good. Go to CHRIST in prayer, study the Bible, look around you and look and listen for HIM to give you the answers. The answer may come quickly or it may take time. Why does it take time? Because GOD is working either in our hearts or in the hearts of others or in the circumstances that need to come about for a satisfactory conclusion.


Most of us want and desire faith. We exercise faith every day when we cross a bridge, ride an elevator, sit in a chair, eat our food, drive a car, etc. Some of the time we may take the LORD for granted. We must be careful not to take a step of faith before the LORD leads us to take that step. I had to learn to wait upon the LORD. Many times I got ahead of the LORD and things did not work out as I had expected. When I would stop telling the LORD how disappointed I was in HIM and listened, then HE would reveal that I had gotten ahead of HIM. I still have trouble waiting upon the LORD. Faith is vital. I believe GOD can do anything. Faith must be coupled with permission from GOD to take action, when we are the ones to act. There are times when GOD has to do the acting or it may be a joint effort. When HE tells you to take action, then act. Keep in mind that it is our faith in GOD that is the key. It is not faith, confidence and trust in our abilities but faith, confidence and trust in GOD that is important. HE is the ONE with the power to bring about what is needed. It is not our faith that moves mountains but our faith in HIM that moves mountains. It is not our gifts of the Spirit but they are GOD’S gifts of the Spirit that are made manifest through us.


When we have the proper relationship with GOD through CHRIST, then we will know when to take action and when to wait. That is part of the sanctification process. We will make mistakes but GOD teaches us through our mistakes and we will grow and mature Spiritually, as we allow HIM to lead and direct us.


So let’s review. Faith can be seen through our actions. Faith in the wrong things or certain people can lead to disappointment. We build in our minds a trust factor and when that trust is compromised or broken, it is a major blow to our value and trust system. Often, our background and the things we were exposed to in our early development, shape our value and trust system. Our parents may have divorced and we prayed that they wouldn’t. We blame GOD because HE did not intervene. We must keep in mind that GOD gives every person a free will. HE can place stumbling blocks and barriers before people who are about to make wrong decisions but the person or persons have the freedom to ignore these barriers.


If this is your situation, then I ask you to be honest with GOD and tell HIM the problems you have with HIM and ask HIM to reveal truth to you through CHRIST. Ask HIM to help you to build the relationship HE wants you to have with HIM through CHRIST. Talk to HIM just as you would your very best friend. Read the Bible and ask HIM to reveal truth to you as you read HIS Word. I suggest starting with the Book of John, which is in the New Testament.


In our first scripture we will see the importance GOD places on faith in HIM.


Let’s read Romans 4:1-3, 13-25: Abraham Justified by Faith
1 What then can we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 If Abraham was justified[1] by works, then he has something to brag about—but not before God.[2] 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.[3]


Abraham’s faith represents the cradle for our Christian belief. Abraham had faith in GOD and obeyed GOD. Simple but true. What did that simple obedient faith do for Abraham? The Apostle Paul made it clear that GOD did not justify or make Abraham righteous according to his works but according to his faith in GOD. His faith in GOD resulted in him obeying GOD and faithfully following GOD as GOD instructed him and led him. We know that Abraham was not perfect. He stumbled along his walk with the LORD. GOD knew his heart. GOD knows our hearts as well and HIS desire for each Christian is for him/her to be made in the image of HIS ONLY SON JESUS. But each Christian has the right to choose whether or not to obey the flesh or the HOLY SPIRIT. Obedience to GOD produces Spiritual growth and maturity.


The Promise Granted through Faith
13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.[8] 14 If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise is canceled. 15 For the law produces wrath; but where there is no law, there is no transgression. 16 This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants—not only to those who are of the law,[9] but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all 17 in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations.[10] He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. 18 Against hope, with hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations,[11] according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.[12] 19 He considered[13] his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, without weakening in the faith. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.[14] 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

When a person accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR by faith, GOD accrues that step of faith to him/her as righteousness. The same as HE did for Abraham. When a person exercises his/her faith, it joins him/her to Abraham because of faith. He/she in essence becomes a descendant of Abraham because of their bond of faith in GOD. But more importantly he/she becomes a child of GOD through the miracle of the rebirth. This can only happen through what CHRIST did for all who would believe that HE gave HIS life for them. HIS death broke the sin barrier and gave all who believe direct access to GOD, their FATHER, through rebirth. GOD’S Spirit joins with our spirit and we become GOD’S child.


Paul makes it clear that faith in GOD is no comparison to obeying the law. The law is important to reveal to each person how far short he/she is in being righteous. JESUS magnified this short fall when HE taught that people must not only obey the law, the Ten Commandments, but also the spirit of the law. JESUS said to hate a person was like killing that person and to lust after a woman was the same as committing adultery. The obvious question should be, “Then who can be made righteous enough to be acceptable to GOD?” That is why CHRIST gave HIS life so that all who believe in HIM will be saved from the penalty of sin, which is death. All believers are made righteous when they accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR. Second Corinthians 5:21:
21 He (GOD) made the One (CHRIST) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (CHRIST).


GOD promised Abraham a son. Abraham was 100 years old before GOD gave him the promised son through his wife Sarah who was 90 years old. Talking about waiting on the LORD! I understand why he and Sarah took matters in their own hands when Sarah offered her maidservant to Abraham to produce a child. Thus Ishmael was born. His descendants are the Arabs and the descendants of Isaac are the Jews. Ishmael was not the son GOD promised to Abraham. GOD wanted Abraham to know for certain that the child given to him was truly from HIM. Thus, when it was impossible from a human point-of-view for them to conceive and produce a child, bang, GOD gave them a child, Isaac.


GOD does the impossible. JESUS is a descendant of Abraham and Isaac. The very existence of JESUS from a human lineage point-of-view was the result of GOD giving Abraham and Sarah a son who they named Isaac. If you read in the book of Genesis, you know that GOD asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. GOD tested Abraham’s faith. Abraham’s faith was so strong in GOD that he believed that if he sacrificed Isaac, which meant reducing Isaac to ashes, GOD would raise him from the ashes.


GOD promised the Messiah/CHRIST to the Israelites, they waited but when HE came to earth, most of the religious leaders rejected HIM because they were looking for a political Messiah. The linage of CHRIST began with a man of faith, Abraham. Abraham and Sarah had to wait until GOD gave them a son in their old age. The birth of Isaac was a miracle. GOD gave mankind the birth of the Messiah through the miracle birth of JESUS to an obedient virgin girl called Mary.


CHRIST lived as a normal human. HE was subject to all the temptations of a human, yet HE remained sinless. HE performed miracles to demonstrate that HE was the SON of GOD. HE even raised those who had died from death to show that HE had power over death. Who has that power, except GOD! HE was crucified on the cross because HE said HE was GOD. HE had the power to come down from the cross. Instead, HE gave HIS life for all who would believe in HIM so they would be saved from the penalty of sin and the consequences of sin, which is death.


So how do you become a born-again believer in CHRIST?

Let’s read Romans 10:9-13:
9 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 Now the Scripture says, No one who believes on Him will be put to shame,[7] 12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.[8]


First of all, Paul makes it clear that GOD is no respecter of persons. That is, HE does not discriminate. HE is available to all.


Salvation is so simple that many say it is too easy. People want to do something. But CHRIST has already paid the price for sin with HIS life. CHRIST did HIS part by giving HIS life for you and me. Our part is to accept it. But notice in verse 9 that Paul makes it clear that a person is to believe in his/her heart that GOD raised JESUS from the dead. Why? Because many good people have died but only CHRIST was raised from the dead, which is proof that HE was and is the true SON of GOD.


As mentioned earlier there is a difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Head knowledge is gained from reading and studying about JESUS. Heart knowledge comes from really knowing JESUS because you know HIM and what HE has done for you. HE gave HIS life for you, so that you can experience the miracle of rebirth in your spirit. HE did what you could not do for yourself regardless of how pure you think you could live your life. CHRIST dying is one thing but GOD raising HIM from the dead is another! Many people have died for good causes but GOD raising CHRIST from the dead confirms that HE was GOD’S ONLY SON. Buddha and Mohammad lived and died. They were in search for GOD. They are still dead. Yet, people make a religion out of them.


If you have never asked CHRIST into your life you can do so right now by praying the following prayer or something similar: “LORD, I am a sinner and I ask YOU to forgive me of my sins. I believe that CHRIST gave HIS life for my sins and I ask HIM to come into my life right now.” If you prayed this prayer or one similar, then thank HIM for forgiving you of all your sins and for coming into your life.


You have been born into the family of GOD, have eternal life, your citizenship is in heaven, the HOLY SPIRIT indwells you and this is just the beginning of an awesome journey with CHRIST. Get a Bible and begin reading in the Book of John, which is in the New Testament. Talk with CHRIST just as you would speak to your best friend. Ask HIM to reveal Spiritual truths to you and to lead you to fellow Christians who can help you grow in CHRIST. Ask HIM to lead you to a church that teaches truth so you can grow and mature Spiritually.


Let’s read Hebrews 12:1-2:
The Call to Endurance
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] the source and perfecter[2] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[3] endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.[4]


The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Some believe these witnesses are those on earth who are watching us but others believe there is a cloud of witnesses in heaven who are watching us, who are cheering us on to obediently serve GOD. The writer tells us that the most important thing in this earthly life is to not allow any sin keep you from obediently serving GOD through our relationship with CHRIST. But to do that we must have the right relationship with CHRIST. Build your relationship with CHRIST and let HIM teach you, lead you and guide you to all truth.


Many Christians serve GOD in their flesh but GOD wants them to serve HIM as HE leads and directs them. That means placing your faith in CHRIST and trusting HIM to lead you as the HOLY SPIRIT leads, prompts and guides you. So how do you do that? Each Christian needs to say “LORD, here I am just as I am, take my life and use it as YOU choose. Make me into the obedient Christian YOU want me to be.” It doesn’t have to be these exact words but it is the relinquishing of your will to CHRIST. It is no longer, “I who lives but CHRIST WHO lives in me.” It is an awesome journey of walking in faith with CHRIST.


Keep in mind that this world is not our destination. All humans are passing through this life on their way to eternity. Earth is a temporary stopover. No person will escape death. All will stand before GOD at judgment day. Consider the words of JESUS words spoken in John 5:24:
24 “I (JESUS) 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.


Want to by-pass judgment? Then accept CHRIST as your SAVIOR by faith!!!