Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-11
Walk by Faith
Intro.
1. We only follow one of two courses in life (no neutrality), Matt. 6:24; 7:13-14; 12:30.
2. We either live by appearances (sight) or by faith (conviction formed by credible testimony and compelling evidence; trusting dependence), Heb. 11:1; 2 Cor. 5:7:
a. Christians confident of heaven due to testimony and validation, 5:1-8.
b. AIM: Be well-pleasing to God, 5:9 (10-11).
c. Accomplished as we walk of faith.
3. Three steps, when combined, amount to walking by faith.
I. HEAR WHAT GOD SAYS, 1 Sam. 3:10; Mark 12:37 (Rom. 10:17).
A. Because What God Says is Right, Luke 8:8 (Ps. 19:8).
1. Be careful how you hear, Luke 8:18.
2. Careful what you hear, Mark 4:23-24.
3. Be confident (resolved) that whatever God says it right.
B. Because Listening to God Gives Us Understanding, John 8:43.
1. Man’s wisdom is contingent, conditional, and contradictory.
2. God’s wisdom is clear, concise, and capable of saving us, 1 Cor. 1:25.
C. How God Speaks to Us: In the Gospel of His Son, Heb. 1:1-2; John 12:48; 1 Pet. 1:22-25.
1. Word of the cross (1 Cor. 1:18-21).
2. Understanding the truth is available to us if we will LISTEN to God, Eph. 3:3-4.
II. BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS, Acts 8:35-37.
A. Faith to Trust God’s Word, Mark 5:22-24, 35-36 (41-42).
1. Jairus told to trust Jesus rather than men (daughter raised).
2. Will we trust God’s word on every subject to bring us God’s blessings?
B. Faith to Trust God’s Power, Matt. 9:27-30.
1. Depend on His power rather than our own, Eph. 3:20.
2. He will reward believers, Heb. 11:6.
III. OBEY WHAT GOD SAYS, Matt. 4:4.
A. Faith Saves When Faith Obeys.
1. Faith that saves is active – Acts on what it hears from God and believes about God, James 2:14, 17, 20, 24.
2. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham…, Heb. 11:4ff.
3. Faith without loving obedience is like car without gasoline: It goes nowhere, cf. Gal. 5:6-7.
IV. TAKE THESE STEPS AND YOU WILL BE WALKING BY FAITH. (Eph. 2:10 → 4:1, 17; 5:2, 10, 15; 1 John 1:6-7)
A. Walk by Faith (Epistle of James: Practical Christianity).
1. In the trials and temptations of faith, 1:2-16.
2. Pure, holy living, 1:19-27.
3. Fairness toward men, 2:1-13.
4. Speech, 3:1-12.
5. Self-restraint, 4:1-10.
6. Treatment of brethren, 4:11-12.
7. Being wise, 3:13-18.
8. Remember the will of God, 4:13-17.
9. Patience in suffering, 5:7-11.
10. Prayer, 5:13-18.
11. Converting erring brethren, 5:19-20.
Conclusion
1. Living by faith means hearing, believing and obeying God in all that we think, say, and do (2 Cor. 5:7).
2. Walk by faith:
a. To be saved, Rom. 10:13-14.
b. To be a faithful disciple of Christ in every relationship and activity of your life (parent, child, husband, wife, employer, employee, fellow-Christian).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted June 17, 2021