We Walk by Faith
February 5, 2012
Introduction
In (2 Cor 5:7), we find these word, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Almost 50 years ago, I was preaching in Loving, New Mexico, and a sister raised her hand, and said. “Brother Pinon, don’t you think we walk partly by faith, and partly by sight?” For many people, and in many instances, she is correct, but as Paul was writing this letter, I think he meant exactly what he said. What if you remove the sight, so that we cannot see where we are going with our eyes, or our senses? What then? Can we walk by faith? That is the challenge. As one song says,
Will your anchor
hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
What are the storms of life? Can we begin to list them? They are many, and there are many still to come.
I believe today they play the Super Bowl. When the game is over, what will have really changed? How much will it really matter? This morning I want to talk about the real Super Bowl -- the Super Bowl that God is watching, coaching, and giving out the rewards.
I believe it was James Dobson who was telling about his days as a great tennis player. For whatever reason, he was walking by the dumpsters for the University where in years past he had been awarded his titles, and there was his tennis trophy. He had to pause a moment and think.
While we are thinking about walking by sight, let’s switch over to thinking about living by faith.
Body
I. Who are the great men of faith?
A. Let me start with Abel..
1. Abel died for his faith at the hand of his hostile jealous brother.
a. Abel didn’t make the evening news.
b. There was no parade to honor his noble death.
2. Abel’s death will be remember and rewarded for all of eternity.
(Heb 12:24 NKJV) to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
- Let me speak of Abraham.
1. He is known as the father of the faithful.
2. He went out, not knowing where he was going.
(Heb 11:8 NKJV) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.{9} By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; {10} for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
- Let me speak of Noah
(Heb 11:7 NKJV) By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
- Let’s look at the Hebrew writer’s summary.
(Heb 11:32-40 NKJV) And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: {33} who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, {34} quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. {35} Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. {36} Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. {37} They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented;{38} of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. {39} And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, {40} God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
II. What does the future hold for us?
- There will be bad times ahead..
1. Like it was in the days of Noah.
(Luke 17:26-27 NKJV) "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: {27} "They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
2. Will there still be faith on the earth.
(Luke 18:7-8 NKJV) "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? {8} "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
- There will be very difficult times coming.
(Luke 21:25-26 NKJV) "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; {26} "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Conclusion
I. When life is over, what will you have?
- Will it be a super bowl ring?
- Maybe it will be a tennis trophy?
- Or will it be a home with God?
II. Do you believe and will you confess your faith in Christ as the Son of God?