FAITH

HEBREWS 12:1-4

“WHEREFORE” - For which reason.

The cloud of witnesses are:

            1.         ELDERS

            2.         ABEL

            3.         ENOCH

            4.         NOAH

            5.         ABRAHAM

            6.         SARAH

            7.         ISAAC

            8.         JACOB

            9.         JOSEPH

            10.       MOSES

            11.       RAHAB

            12.       GIDEON

            13.       BARAK

            14.       SAMSON

            15.       JEPHTHAE   

            16.       DAVID

            17.       SAMUEL

            18.       PROPHETS

            19.       VARIOUS OTHERS

Our faith is culminated in the Lord Jesus Christ – Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”

We glance at the saints in chapter 11 but gaze upon the Savior in chapter 12.

I.      WHAT FAITH IS.  F.A.I.T.H.

            A.        FOLLOWING. Abraham. Heb. 11.8

1.         2 Corinthians 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

                        2.         Jesus said many times “follow me”

Matthew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 9:9  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. John 1:43  The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

            B.        ATTITUDE. Enoch. Heb.11.5

1.         1 Peter 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

C.        IDENTITY. Noah. Heb. 11.7

1.         Peter’s Identity

2 Peter 1:1  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Paul’s Identity

Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2.         Faith identifies with the Lord and the brethren.

            Eph. 4.13

3.         Faith cause us to work for the Lord in the church.

            1 Thes. 1.3

D.        TRIALS. Others. Heb. 11.36

            1.         Hebrews 11.17

            2.         James 1.3

E.         HOPE. Heb. 11.1

            1.         Hebrews 11.1

II.    WHAT FAITH DOES.

            A.        Pleases God. Heb. 11.6

            B.        Produces Obedience. 11.8

                                    Gets baptized after salvation

Attends Church faithfully

                                    Reads Bible

                                    Prays

                                    Tithes

                                    Witnesses

            C.        Avoids the Pleasures of Sin. 11.25

            D.        Suffers Persecution. 11.36

            E.         Provides Something Better. 11.40

HOW IS YOUR FAITH TODAY?

A preacher once said, “If your faith will not take you to church, it will not take you to heaven”

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Lamentations 3:40  Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Psalms 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.