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(Hebrews 11:1-16)
I. Introduction.
A. Orientation.
Last week,
We were thinking about some of the things
We might use to motivate ourselves
To share the Gospel with others.
Its one thing to know we need to do it,
And how to do it,
But its another actually to do it.
Usually, the only thing standing
Between what we should do
And what we actually do is motive/desire.
If we dont want to do something, we wont.
If we want to do one thing more than another,
Well do that instead.
But if we really want to do something,
Its difficult to stop ourselves.
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This is why He made us and redeemed us
This is the main reason we exist.
This is why were here.
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He has promised the blessing
Of greater and more immediate answer to prayer
If were willing to give ourselves to this work
He will help us more, if we will yield more.
B. Preview.
Tonight, lets consider something else we need
If any of these motives are to do us any good: faith.
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We need to believe these things are true.
We need the conviction, the certainty that they are.
To the degree we have it we will be motivated.
To the degree that we dont
To that degree our desire to do this work
Will be weakened.
II. Sermon.
A. This is what faith is all about
This is why God gave it to us:
So that we could see,
So that it would strengthen our conviction,
Increase our desire,
And move us forward.
The author to the Hebrews writes,
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen
(11:1).
This is to say,
That seeing isnt always believing
Even if we could live
With all these things in front of our eyes,
It wouldnt be enough.
We need something more.
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But Abraham was still willing to carry it out
Because he knew God was faithful.
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A little pleasure, a little gain, a little happiness in the world will make men part
with all that is honest and sacred. A man would wonder at their folly, but the
great reason is, they live by sense: Demas, in love with this present world, has
deserted me (2 Tim. 4:10). Here lies the bait, these things are present; we can
taste the delights of the world, and feel the pleasures of the flesh; but the
happiness of the world to come is a thing unseen and unknown. Let us eat and
drink, for tomorrow we die (1 Cor. 15:32).
This is the language of every carnal heart. Present advantages and vanities, though
they are small and but trifles, have more power to pervert us than good things at
a distance, and the promises of God, even, to allure and draw in our hearts to
God. Here lies the root and strength of all temptations; the inconveniences of
strictness in religion are present, and they may have present distaste and present
trouble to the flesh, and our rewards are yet future.
So, how can we check this living by sense that is so natural to us? Why, faith,
substantiating our hopes provides a remedy. Faith makes things to become as
real as if they were already enjoyed. Where faith is alive and strong, and is the
conviction of things not seen, it baffles and defeats all temptations.
Edwards said this is the reason unbelievers
Arent as alarmed as they should be about hell:
To them it seems a long way off,
And so doesnt appear as threatening,
While the things that tempt them are near.
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