Aug 7, 2022 Preaching | Bro. Julius Consulta
Faith is confidence in God that results in our obedience regardless of consequences. In Hebrews chapter 11, we will examine three heroes of faith to show us how living in faith looks like.
Noah: The Obedience of Faith.
By faith, Noah when divinely warned of things unseen, moved with Godly fear and prepared an ark for the saving of his household from the forthcoming rain. Faith for Noah is confidence in God that resulted in him building an ark despite the unknown. A gigantic ark that measures 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high or the equivalent of about one and a half football field and the height of a three-storey building. With his obedience in building this massive ark, Noah condemned the world, sending the message clearly that judgment is coming, and the people should repent. Unfortunately, no one believed him. Other than his family, the rest of the people rejected the warning. This tells us that when we decide to live a life of faith, people may laugh and reject us, inspite of this, ‘Will we still continue to live in faith?’
Abraham: The Life of Faith
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go to the place he would receive as an inheritance. When God called Abraham to this journey, he was already 75 years old. It was at a time when he had lived long enough to be comfortable in Haran and called it his home. Though uncertain of the future and of where he was going, Abraham without delay, packed his belongings and obeyed God’s instructions. He left everything familiar and everything he had known in exchange for uncertainty. He left his homeland, cut family ties, and abandoned his comfort zone to embrace an uncertain future. Abraham trusted God and obeyed. Faith for Abraham is confidence in God, that resulted in his journeying regardless of the unknown. His obedience did not come with a guarantee that he will live comfortably, instead Abraham lived like a stranger in a foreign country dwelling in tents. He settled in a temporary dwelling place for a hundred years. Despite this, Abraham did not let the situation discourage him because he looked forward to the future, his heart yearned for heaven. He acknowledged that his citizenship was not of this world but ultimately in heaven where God dwells.
Furthermore, by faith Abraham, when his faith was tested, offered up Isaac. Abraham without any hesitation or doubt, was determined to offer his only son Isaac as God commanded him. Even when it seemed that God’s instruction to offer Isaac seemed to contradict his promise that Abraham, through Isaac, will one day be a father to many nations, Abraham obeyed God. He knew in his heart that is a promise-keeping God and will fulfill that which He has promised. Faith for Abraham is confidence in God, that he was willing to offer his only son, as a form of sacrifice. Faith is not a matter of whether you like the instruction or whether it makes sense, rather, it is knowing and trusting that God will be faithful.
Moses: The Choices of Faith
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer the affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Moses grew up with all the prestige, wealth and privilege as a member of Pharaoh’s household. He had the privileges of a prince of Egypt and was held in high esteem as a mighty general. Seeing the burden of his people, made an important decision by faith to renounce his identity as an Egyptian and embraced his true identity as an Israelite. With this decision, Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than the pleasures of the world. He went from someone who would have been the next Pharaoh with limitless power to a slave. Moses’ decision meant the wrath of the King, it meant being a slave. As Dr. Vance Havner said, “Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible, all by faith.” Faith for Moses is confidence in the promise of God, that resulted in him choosing his identity, regardless of the persecution.
In conclusion, the Three principles we can learn from Hebrews 11 with regards to living a life of faith are:
- The heroes of faith were normal men. They were not superheroes with unique and special abilities, but were average ordinary people no different from us, who have flaws and imperfections. But because of their exemplary faith and obedience their names are recorded in the hall of faith. Relying on God’s grace and help, it is also possible for us to live a life of faith.
- The object of biblical faith is God. It is not faith on results nor faith on oneself rather it is faith in God. We can have faith in God because He created the heaven and the earth, He is the alpha and omega, He holds the universe in His hand, He is holy, He is righteous and He is sovereign.
- Biblical faith leads one to act. If we profess that we love God and we have faith in Him, we must be willing to act on and obey His instructions.