Thursday March 16, 2017
“He is greater still”
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of
sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in
Egypt; for he looked to the reward.– Hebrews 11:24-26
Faith in Christ
A.
‘Faith’ in Scripture
B. What
is Faith?
1. Knowledge
2. Assent
3.
Trust in Christ
This is the
heart of faith. Although trusting in Christ is not a predominant expression in
the New Testament, these words certainly focus attention on a central feature
in the biblical teaching. It was because this element was lacking in the faith
of those who believed in Jesus only because of his mighty works, that he
declined to entrust himself to them (John 2:23 – 25). His summons to trust
Christ constantly appears in his invitations to follow him, and especially in
his ‘gracious words’, “come to me, all
who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,
and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls” (Matthew 11:28 – 29). Other biblical ideas which are
synonymous with faith, further this principle of personal trust.
Faith means abiding in Christ
(John 15:1 – 11); it means receiving
Christ (John 1:12) and therefore embracing him in total trust.
Such trust
is always a costly thing, because it involves us in surrendering our lives to
Christ. That is why in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) Jesus does
not speak simply of ‘faith’. He speaks about following and about carrying the
cross. He does this to emphasize what faith involves. It means the practical
recognition that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. It means forsaking everything
for his sake. It means sacrifice and service.
This is why
the New Testament illustrates the nature of faith by the life of Moses (Hebrews
11:23 – 28). For him, it involved the renunciation of worldly honor and wealth.
It meant commitment to a people who would suffer constant reproach, and the
acceptance of ill- treatment with them instead of experiencing the pleasures of
sin. What possible motivation makes such a man abandoned himself to the life of
faith? It was the value of having Christ. “He considered the reproach of Christ
greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward (Hebrews
11:26). This is the sure mark of the man of faith: he clings to Christ alone as
Savior, and he commits himself to Christ alone as his Lord.
Memory Verse:
He ‘oku
fakae‘a ‘i ai ha mā‘oni‘oni mei he ‘Otua, ‘oku kamata mei he tui, pea iku ki he
tui; ‘o hangē ko e Folofola, Ko e mā‘oni‘oni te ne mo‘ui mei he tui. – Loma 1:17
For in it
the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,
“The just shall live by faith.” – Romans
1:17
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week
11 – Deuteronomy 4-5; Luke 6
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