Sermon Notes 10/16/2011

Sermon Text: Genesis 22:1-24

Sermon Title: How Faith Works Part 2

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-21

How Faith Works Part 2

Review from last week

Legalism: Merit by Works; Striving in the Flesh

• Paul’s main argument against legalism comes from Genesis 15:6

Antinomianism: No Works; Against Works; No Law

• James’ main argument against antinomianism comes from Genesis 22:18

What is the answer? “So they went both of them together” (Genesis 22:8b). “That Faith” – James 2:14 - (the faith that saves) is a faith that works (a faith that is completed by works) – James 2:17, 20-23.

Understanding the continuity between Genesis 15:6; 15:17; Genesis 22:18. God ordains the end AND the means.

• “For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). ----- “If we confess our sins, he is unfaithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
• “I will lose none that the Father has given me” (John 6:39). ----- “Strive therefore to enter in” (Luke 13:24). “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the son of man” (Luke 21:36).
• “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). ----- “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

How Does Faith Work? Turn to 1 John.

1. Saving faith results in an expression of love and trust expressed through burden-free obedience. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:3-4).
2. What does it mean to overcome the world and how does faith help? Read 1 John 2:15-17. Loving God extinguishes a love for the world. How?
• “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
• “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
3. What is faith? “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
• Just like belief and works go together, so do faith and hope. Faith is not hope.
• A Helpful Illustration: Your life is a boat. The world is the sea. Faith is the anchor. Hope is the chain tied to the anchor.
• Romans 10:17; Must read 2 Peter 1:3-4 and compare with 1 John 2:15-17. Must Emphasize vv. 5, 8, 10-11, 19.
4. Remember Abraham?
• The basis for Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 22:3 was faith.
• The basis for Abraham’s reply to Isaac in Genesis 22:7 was faith. The chain of his hope was tied to God’s Word, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be.”
5. Faith works this way: We always walk with certainty in uncertainty.
• I walk with certainty: The Anchor of God’s Word. I walk by grace on the foundation of faith found in God’s sure Word.
• I walk by grace in uncertainty: The Chain of hope tied to the anchor of faith (God’s Word) found in God’s sure word.

Two simple examples:

1. Today you go to work to find out the company you work for has gone bankrupt. You are instantly unemployed with no severance. How does faith work?
• The Anchor of Faith
• Seek Rightly: Matthew 6:25-34 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
• Ask Wisely: II Corinthians 8:1-15.
• Search for Work Diligently (Do not be idle): 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.
• Pray Aggressively: Philippians 4:4-7.
• Think Rightly: Philippians 4:8-9.
• Rejoice and Embrace: James 1:2-4.
• Ask for Wisdom: James 1:5-8.
• Give Sacrificially: Luke 21:1-4
• The Chain of Hope
• The Purpose of God: Romans 8:28-30.
• The Love of God: Romans 8:31-39.
• Trust in God (He will see to it): Genesis 22:8, 14.
• Promise of God: Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:25; Proverbs 10:3.
2. Today you go to the doctor because of a stomach ache and find out you have terminal cancer. How does faith work?
• The Anchor of Faith
• Pray Aggressively: Philippians 4:4-7.
• Think Rightly: Philippians 4:8-9.
• Rejoice and Embrace: James 1:2-4.
• Ask for Wisdom: James 1:5-8.
• Look for Others to Comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
• The Chain of Hope
• Same as unemployed example above.