Scripture:
Hebrews 11:4-7 ESV
[4] By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commended him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. [5] By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God had taken him. Now, before he was taken, he was commended as having pleased God. [6] And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [7] By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this, he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes from faith.
Observation:
Most of the brothers and sisters I know who spend a lot of time in the bible call this the “HALL OF FAITH” It’s a long list of men and women. GOD decided to use it as an example to build HIS kingdom. Men and women who would stand out because of their actions. They would not just talk about it. They were about it. the list continues on after the verses I was directed to this morning, so I encourage you to go get your bible and read more. I believe it will lift your spirits. So let’s start with Able his faith cost him his life. In a sense, he was really the first martyr. The action of bringing the right sacrifice made his brother Cain jealous. His jealousy, in fact, caused him to kill Able. And gets banished from the land. Enoch walked in faith, staying next to the LORD so closely that GOD just took him to heaven. His faith truly pleased the LORD. This brings me to my bullet point. Without faith, it is impossible to please GOD without faith. But the question is, what is faith? Well, let’s look a little deeper. Noah started building a boat in the middle of a desert land. He was told by GOD to do so and got started. He took a risk. There had never been rain up to this point, but GOD told him to build a boat, and he did. I can’t tell you how many people probably walked by him and laughed, calling him crazy. Telling him he was wasting his time… but he continued in the face of others who did not understand. Because GOD spoke to him, and that produced action.
Application:
“Faith = action”. So, let’s get down to the brass tax. Faith is not some mystical word that no one truly understands. In short, faith is moving forward even when you can’t see what was promised. It’s taking the next step despite the fact you can’t see what your foot is going to land on, but knowing that there will be something solid to hold your weight on you will be taught to fly. To put it simply, it’s action. Faith is action without visible confirmation. You believe so, you do. There have been several steps of faith that I have taken in my life. All of them have produced results in some form or another. But my point to all this is action if you believe you will do. My question is, what has GOD spoken to your heart that you have not moved forward on? What do you know you are supposed to do that the enemy is telling you will never work… step out in faith. Your actions will be set in motion. GOD’S plan for that situation. Take the first step. Moses did, and the Red Sea parted. He could not see the highway that GOD did, but he stepped to the edge and put his staff in the air. He took a step, and GOD met him there. He did what he could do, and GOD did the rest. One small step (not a leap, a step) set in motion GOD’S deliverance for HIS chosen people. I am telling you all this because I believe that GOD has a plan for you. HE is waiting for you to look up and say Father I know I can’t see what you promised, and in fact, it looks exactly the opposite, but your word says it and I believe it, and that settles it. You can’t walk on water unless you get out of the boat. HE has called you by name. HE has given you influence, and HE has made you for such a time as this. Don’t let the what-ifs keep you from what HE spoke to you.
Prayer:
Father, we love you, and even though we may look crazy we are going to move. I’m sure the other 11 disciples were telling Peter don’t do it, but he did, and that’s why you made it known. The whole world knows that Peter got out of the boat. Our faith can not grow if we don’t take the first step, Father Help us to do so. Put the right thing in front of us so that we will be willing to take that step. We know that when we do, you will be there saying… yes…yes… now that’s my boy… one more just one more… come on, my child, just one more… yes now see I told you. Look back now and see how far you have come. Lead us Father so that our faith will be the action that pleases you it’s in the mighty name of Jesus. We pray amen.