CENTRAL THOUGHT
Exemplary faith inspires other believers to trust God.
HYMN: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD IN THE LIGHT OF THIS WORD.
TEXT: 1 Tim 4:12, Heb. 11:1-12.
INTRODUCTION
In 1 Tim 4:12, Apostle Paul writing to Timothy underscored the need for him to be an example of the believers. That essentially mean it was not enough to be a believer in Christ. We are expected to be “reference point” believers, demonstrating the reality of our belief in a way that leaves no one in doubt of the difference Christ makes in one’s life. Is this call was needed for the first century Christians, is it even more urgent for our day, when it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish believers from nonbelievers.
Apostle Paul’s charge to Timothy was for him to be example of believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
The focus of this lesson is the call to be example of believers in faith. This is a very important necessity in our walk with God and in demonstrating the reality of God to men. In fact, Heb. 11:6 summarizes it thus: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”. In the light of Apostle Paul’s charge, we are to demonstrate our faith in God, before other believers and also to the watching world.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- Define the meaning of faith
- Show how faith is developed
- Discuss the exemplary life of faith demonstrated by the patriarchs
- Highlight the benefits of a faith-filled life
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT IS FAITH?
Faith simply defined, is our unquestionable or unwavering belief in God’s word and His unfailing ability to fulfill them. The believing heart will say, “if God said so, I believe it”.
What we believe God for may not be physically evident, but as we exercise faith, God registers it in our spirit as already accomplished. This is why Heb. 11:1 describes it as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. When believers of old went on to as on this unseen evidence, they obtained a good report (Heb, 11:2). When God promised Abraham a heir from his loins, there was nothing else to believe on but God’s word of promise. Abraham believed it and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6). God’s expectation for us today is to believe His word and act on it. It is not mere presumption but a demonstration of our willingness to stake everything on God’s integrity, for the just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17). It is profitable to the individual to believe God always.
Q2. HOW IS FAITH DEVELOPED?
Below are some of the ways a believer’s faith can be developed.
(i). Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes from hearing and believing the word of God. In other words, it is the word of God that stirs faith within us. We must therefore continually enrich our faith by a daily intake of the word of God.
(ii). Faith is developed when it is tried (Jam. 1:3-4). Faith that has been tried will endure, and in the process develops capacity to believe God for greater challenges. Faith that has been tired in overcoming faith that brings praise to Christ (1 Pet. 1:6-7).
(iii). Greater faith to overcome stubborn obstacles is released when we accompany our prayers with fasting (Mk 9:29).
Q3. WHAT LESSONS DO WE DRAW FROM THE EXEMPLARY LIFE OF FAITH OF THE PATRIARCHS?
The exemplary life of faith of the patriarchs as chronicled in the book of Hebrews chapter 11 remain beacons of which to pattern our walk of faith. Here are some examples to draw inspiration.
Abel (Gen. 4:1-16): In him, we have an example of excellence in giving. He saw the act of giving beyond duty. He saw it as an avenue of demonstrating his love to God. His “more excellent sacrifice” gave him a witness with God that he was a righteous man. His giving revealed the true state of his heart. There was no hidden motive in his offering; he was simply out to please the Lord. What does your giving register of you before God?
Enoch (Gen. 5:22-24, Heb. 1:5): The testimony scriptures bear of this man that before his translation to heaven, he pleased God. In Gen. 5: 24 we are given an insight to this man’s life. Enoch walked with God. A walk with God is a walk of faith that speaks of love, obedience, fellowship and worship. Can the same testimony be given of you when the story of your earthly sojourn is narrated?
Noah (Gen. 6:13-22, Heb. 11:7): Noah was one man that stood out of the crowd of his days. Noah, we are told, found grace in the eyes of God. He was a just man and perfect in his generation, walking with God (Gen. 6:8-9). He was warned of things not yet seen, and being moved by revelational fear, built the ark that saved him and his household. By his obedience, he condemned the world of his time and became the heir of the righteousness which was by faith. The challenge his example gives us is complete obedience (Gen. 6:22) and devotion to duty while waiting for the fulfillment of God’s word. How far are you willing to obey God?
Abraham (Gen. 12:1-5, Heb.11:8-10, 17-19). This is the man we commonly refer to as the father of faith. His life was a walk of faith and obedience to God. In Gen.12:1-5, Abraham left his native land for Canaan in obedience to God’s call and promises. He was willing to leave certainty for uncertainty because of his faith in God. He was willing to trade a visible thriving city in the Ur of the Chaldeans for the invisible city in Canaan, whose builder and maker was God.
By faith, Abraham was willing to sacrifice his one and only son (NIV) Isaac for whom he waited on God for a long time. He was willing to risk his lineage to prove his love for God (Heb. 11:17-18). He was very convinced of God’s ability to raise dead Isaac back to life, if he has sacrificed him. How far are you willing to trust God?
Sarah (Heb. 11:11). The walk of faith is not a prerogative of the men folk. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, stands tall as a heroine of exemplary faith. At the age of 90, when all the vital signs of childbearing had long ceased, it was great faith on the part of this woman to believe God’s promise of conceiving and bearing a child. God gave strength to accomplish this task because of her faith in God’s ability and faithfulness. How much are you willing to believe God, especially in the face of the obvious?
Joshua and Caleb (Num. 13:30, 14:6-9). The 12 spies had returned from their mission to survey the land of Canaan. It was a land flowing of milk and honey but there were challenges (the intimidating sons of Anak).
While ten of the spies chose to focus on the challenges, Joshua and Caleb chose to focus on the opportunities. They saw the present challenge as another opportunity to prove God’s great power which has been at work for them. It is even more remarkable when we realize that they were in the minority, two against the multitude! This indeed was exemplary faith.
Q4. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF A FAITH-FILLED LIFE?
(i). A faith-filled life males the believer an overcomer ( 1 Jn. 5:4). The overcomer never considers any obstacle as too great and any situation as too daunting (Matt. 17:20). In fact, the greater the obstacle/ challenge. The greater the believer’s faith in God’s ability to bring a miraculous outcome. (ii). God rewards faith in Him. According to Heb. 11:6, God is a rewarder to those that diligently seek him. Diligent following and persistent focus on God’s ability always wins.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The believer in Christ is called to a life of faith. Our ability to please God depends wholly on this. The demand in Heb. 11:6 is absolute, “ Without faith, it is impossible to please Him”. Therefore, we must learn today as of old to cultivate the habit of living by faith. Beyond this, god expects us to be exemplary in the demonstration of faith towards Him. Exemplary faith always motives men and stirs up faith in the heart of the weak and hitherto sceptics.
The Church landscape today is yearning for men like Smith Wigglesworth, Benson Idahosa, George Muller, S.G. Elton, Kenneth Hagin, etc., who, by their faith, demonstrated the reality of God to their generation. Yours can become an ever increasing faith as you grow your faith by a daily walk with God.
MEMORY VERSE
2 Cor. 5:7
“For we walk by faith and not by sight”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Reflect on what is faith. Heb. 11:1-2
Tuesday: Exemplary faith of Abel. Gen. 4:3-10
Wednesday: Exemplary faith of Enoch. Gen. 5:22-24
Thursday: Exemplary faith of Noah. Gen. 6:13-22
Friday: Exemplary faith of Abraham. Gen. 12:1-5; Heb. 11:17-19
Saturday: How faith is developed. Rom. 10:17; James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7