Faith, Prismatically
CENTRAL TEXT:
Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Heb. 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending 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 by faith.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 73:26, 27
LEADER: Whom have I in heaven but you?
ALL: And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
LEADER: My flesh and my heart may fail,
ALL: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
PRAYER/SCRIPTURE READING/CONFESSION OF FAITH: Romans 8:5-9; 2 Corinthians 5:6-9
LEADER: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom. 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
2Cor. 5:6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
LEADER: The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER:
CONFESSION OF SIN:
LEADER: Let us confess our sin to the Lord.
ALL: We relate to the father’s cry when he said, “I believe; help my unbelief.” And we have no defense against the Lord’s plaintive question, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” We’ve taken comfort in what is no comfort. We’ve refused help in what You freely give. But in Your question there is love; and in Your Cross there is pardon. Forgive us for turning our face from Yours. Help us this day to see why and where to trust You.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 Peter 1:22-25
LEADER: He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION: Colossians 3:23-24
LEADER: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Genesis 4:1-16
Genesis 4:17-18; 5:22-24
Genesis 6
Micah 6:6-8
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Think of as many words as you can that faith can be compared with. What is faith? Go.
- It’s a point of scholarly contention about why Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and not his older brother Cain’s. Have a look and offer your informed opinion. The author of Hebrews sees in Abel’s sacrifice a commendable faith. Why so, do you think?
- Enoch–ironically Cain’s son!--disappears as quickly as he enters the narrative. What from his cameo appearance might we learn about the character of faith in the Lord?
- As we said in the sermon, Noah’s expression of faith was a minority view. Ever had an experience when the moment called for adopting a minority view as it pertained to faith–or some other issue? What did it take to persist in that unpopular perspective?
- Where in these three figures do you see analogous expressions of faith in the person of Jesus?
- What did His faith accomplish for us? What does that faith mean to compel in us?
ILLUSTRATIONS:
QUOTES:
the soul without God, the soul cut off from God, is like a whale stuck in a pond. It longs for the ocean, he said. It can’t be in the depths where it belongs.
- A paraphrase by Rowan Williams of a 17th century Welsh author named Augustine Baker
BOOKS / DOCS
“Time to Rediscover Hebrews,” Sinclair Ferguson
Worthy:Living in Light of the Gospel, Sinclair Ferguson
How light behaves in natural gems