Introduction

Text: Hebrew 10:36-11:10

Faith is a conviction or belief that something is true or real without evidence
It is leaning of the entire human personality in absolute trust on God’s power, wisdom and ability
A living faith is active faith demonstrated in putting total trust in God through actions and deeds

v Hebrew 11

Gives the list of heroes of faith, men and women who lived in their generation basically by putting their total trust in God
They earn a name that outlived them by their faith in God

v Lived by Faith

Their successes and achievements were not predicated on their strength wisdom or ability but by faith. Hebrew 11, verses: 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30
Peter’s confession at the healing of the crippled man who sat at the beautiful gate: Acts 4:10- By the name of Jesus

v Question: By what are you living?

Their faith was evident in their inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and ability of

v Bible times versus out time

We may be quick to conclude that heroes of faith in Hebrews existed in bible times and assume that life was much easier compared to our days, the truth is that these people dealt with frailties, fears, hopes and desires like those we are faced with in our contemporary times.

v Today’s experience and realities

The challenges we are faced with today are so real and has begun to have its toll on our faith
Many no longer believe the promises of God as written in the Bible
It is becoming difficult for many young adults to wait and keep themselves pure of sexual immoralities
Many believe that not until you are involved in shady business, you cannot make it in life
Many are quick to give up because it seems God’s intervention is not coming soon

v The question we need to ask ourselves is

How did Lot’s Daughters, though engaged, kept their virginity is Sodom, the land of immoralities?
What made Daniel and the three Hebrew boys stand for God in Babylon where they were had unrestricted freedom?
How did David become a man after God’s heart?
What helped Joseph in the absence of his parent in a foreign land to have the fear of God?

All these heroes of faith possess God through the exercise of their faith-God Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, God of Daniel, God of Shadrach, Mesach and
Today, we talk about these people because their stories are fascinated, ours too can be it we keep faith at a time like this

v Things that helped them to have a living faith

A genuine encounter with Jesus. Hebrew 10: 20-23
- They were not passive about their relationship with god
- They didn’t become Christian because they were born into a Christian family
- Their lives revealed they have met with Jesus
- No matter the packaging we have out into Christianity and the church today, a life transformed by an encounter with Jesus is the proof of salvation
- Kenneth Hagin says “The things of God still cost the same price they did years ago. They never go up in price and never go down in value”.
- If we want to have a living faith, we must encounter God like the heroes of faith did
Understanding what they are living for. Hebrew 10: 36
- So many people do not know the reason for their existences
- They don’t know why they are in that office, family, church or community
- As much as people pray to fulfil a purpose, they don’t know the How can they fulfil a purpose they do not know?
- Joseph knew why he went to Egypt. Gen 50:20- To save lives
- David was sent to look after his brothers’ welfare at the battlefront, but right there, he knew why God sent him. 1 Samuel 17:29
- Genesis 5 gives us a list of people who lived their entire life just have children, no tangible achievement except Enoch who changed the rhythm of the story
- If you must have a living faith, you cannot afford to live a ‘try and error’ life, you must be definite about the reason for your
Perseverance and Endurance. Hebrew 10: 36-37
- Anyone who desires to walk in faith must be ready to persevere and endure
- You must understand the timing of God
- Joseph did not wake up to the fulfilment of his dreams
- David did not ascend the throne immediately he was anointed king by Samuel
- Sarah did not give birth 9 months after God promised Abraham
- They all waited, endured and persevered
- We live in a generation that wants everything
- They are quick to give up
- They want quick, sharp and fast things- fast foods, fast success…
- Most quick, sharp and fast don’t give lasting
- A living faith is an enduring faith

Ø Responsive lives (by faith they did/they become)

Heroes of faith lived responsibly
They were not lazy but active
Responsibility is our response to God’s ability
To be responsible is to respond to the opportunities that God placed in front of us
The heroes of faith made good use of every opportunity regardless of their forms- problems, difficulty, challenges
Even during the lockdown, we can make good use of it

Most young people today blame their parents, government, environment for their misfortunes
They cannot see anything good because they are looking for ready-made things

An understanding of God’s word. Hebrew 11:3
- A faith that will speak must daily depend and draw strength from God’s words
- Life challenges do not reduce, they keep increasing, but a man of faith conquers by the word of God. Revelation 12:10
- How much of the word of God do you know?
- How much of His words do you keep?
- How much of it do you apply to your everyday life?
A life of sacrifice. Hebrew 11:4
- Selfishness and greed will never earn anyone a living faith
- Abel was commended for an excellent sacrifice, his faith still speaks today
- Paul fought a good fight of faith and encourage Timothy to do the same. 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:12
- What are you willing to give to earn a living faith?
- Live a life of sacrifice and see God turn you to a blessing
Living with eternity in view. Hebrew 11:13-16
- Heroes of faith lived beyond their lifetimes (beyond the parentheses of their lives)
- They were heaven focused- where your treasure is, there your heart will be
- Mark 8:36- what shall it profit a man if gains the whole and loses his own soul?

Conclusion

Living faith earn those heroes a testimony and inspired stories
If the stories of heroes of faith is to be written in our generation, will your name be there?
If your name is there, what will be written about you?
By what are you willing to live your life? By yourself or by faith in God?
Remember you only live if you live by Jesus and not by

The Living Faith | Dr Kiitan Adeniyi

June 7, 2020