TRUE FAITH TAKES THE BAD WITH THE
GOOD
Heb 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time
would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of
Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and
of the prophets:
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of
lions,
Heb 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the
edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong,
waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of
the aliens.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life
again: and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection:
Heb 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and
scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were
tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about
in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted,
tormented;
Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they
wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and
caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report
through faith, received not the promise:
It is imperative that we learn this lesson in a walk
of faith.
Which is the better example of faith in action; The
shout of Gideon, "The sword of the Lord and of
Gideon.", or the statement of Paul," I am now
ready to be offered." ?
To boast in victory or to cringe in defeat are
actions of a vain bully. Faith reacts the same in either
case. It praises God!
I. True faith is NOT result
oriented.
A. There are times when
'even the devils are subject to us.' and there
are times when men treat our message as they did
Stephen's.
Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and
stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
The constant in both cases is the FAITH of the
preachers.
B. The parable of the talents seems
to base rewards on results.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents
came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou
deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more.
But a careful reading of the entire parable reveals
the key word to be "FAITHFUL".
1 Cor 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that
a man be found faithful.
C. True faith is oriented toward
obedience to the Word.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great
delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying
the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Paul's hope for a crown was not based upon his
preaching to kings, his shipwrecks nor imprisonments nor
floggings nor even his eventual dying as a martyr. It
was based upon a faithful life of service.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto
all them also that love his appearing.
II. The results in our life.
A. The thrill of victory when
everything comes up roses.
B. In the 'agony of defeat'. The
thrill in knowing that even then God can and will
sustain.
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the
LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast
down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Learn this important lesson;
In the life of faith, even sorrows are opportunities for
victory.
Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were
cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their
teeth.
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked
up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and
Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Even death is a victory for the life of faith!
Phil 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a
desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far
better:
|
