Faith Life 16 (FAITH SEES INTO THE FUTURE)

GRACE ABOUNDS ONLINE BIBLE STUDY

THEME: FAITH LIFE OF CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS (Part 16)

TOPIC: FAITH SEES INTO THE FUTURE  

SPEAKER: Peter Ayoola Fakeye (PAF)

Hebrew 11:7

Biblical faith only have one object, and the object of our faith both in old and New testament is CHRIST. 

From our text, The Bible says;  "By Faith, Noah received the instructions and word from God for something that would happen in the future." Noah was singled out to receive instructions from God concerning preservation of lives because he has been engaging faith. Also, when the word of God reached Noah, there had never been sign of flood before. It has never happened in human history, and for Noah to receive that word from God, it is because he had engaged Faith in Him. The reason it appears we are in the dark; not living an excited life, and it looks like the future is bleak and obscure is because we have not been receiving the word of God by faith. 

There is difference in hearing the word of God and receiving it. when you hear the word of God it'll take faith for you to receive it. Therefore, to receive God's word by faith would have been as a result of the fact that we have trusted God based on what we've know about Him. The question is, how have we known God? 

The Bible tells us in several scriptures that Christ is the express image of God's person (Hebrew 1:3). Jesus was also telling the disciples that; "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father (John 14:9)." God is so pleased to define Himself in His Son, Jesus. Therefore, the more we know Jesus, the more we cast our trust and confidence on the father, and we'll allow His word to resonate through our mind,  thought, heart, and our entire being.

It's so saddened today that many christians are carnal. We know how to receive bad news, hurtful word and keep it in heart for years. Some know how to keep malice and grudges because of what they have heard from someone. But we don't know how to receive the word of God, so that it dwell in us richly forever (Colossians 3:16).

The question still is, what do you know about Jesus? How is our relationship with Christ? And what value have we placed on Him? Do you know if the president of your country call you today, and tells you that he is coming next week, we will never forget it because you have placed more value on a earthly president, and you have not been giving preeminence to the president of all ages. I pray we will receive forgiveness from the Lord in Jesus' name.

Brethren! We need to start trusting God for our lives, so that our lives can be radically transformed. Noah put his faith in the word of God and placed value on God's word because He had a relationship with Him. Noah may not really have gotten to know what God was saying from the start, because he had never been a vessel builder before, but the word of God that he received engage him into action. 

We need also to know that the time frame between when Noah received the instruction and when the ark was finished is about 100 years (that's a century). You can imagine the number of sceptics that would have ridiculed him and try to discouraged Him. When we now look at our lives, we'll discovered that the reason we get weigh down while carrying out God's instructions is because we have not been acting with Faith on His word. Brother and sister, you need to receive a word from God by faith that will get you going irrespective of the environmental distractions.

I will also want you to notice another thing from the life of Noah, that Faith is a product of work and not work a product of faith. We'll see the Bible made us know that Noah's faith preceded his actions. He had first believed In God and His word, and that Belief system drove him to action, such that even though if it will take Him 100 years, yet he will never back out from the word of God. Having received instructions from the Lord, the Bible says he acted with godly fear. This means that he was moving by what God says with respect and regards to His person. He had a relationship with God and knew that God that has spoken to Him will never lie or back down on his word. Brother and sister, even though it will take life time, don't back out from Faith in what Jesus has accomplished for you. You may currently be sick, or passing through one challenge or the other, it may not seems as though His promises are coming forth, but my admonishing to you is that, keep faith alive, and that will continue to guide your disposition and gives you direction as you patiently wait to see the manifestation of His word in your lives. For Noah, he could patiently build the ark even though it would take him 100 years. Brethren! You need a word/instruction from God if you will really be excited about your stay on earth. It is this word that will engage you and set you on the right course in the journey of life.

Hebrew 1:1-2

The Bible says God has been speaking to us in the old testament through the prophet about Christ (who is the content of the word of God); but now that Christ has come in the New testament, He is the final and absolute revelation of God to man. God is not speaking any other thing than communicating CHRIST to us, with all His grace, love and Mercy. We need to start having relationship with Christ Jesus. 

The Holy Spirit and Jesus are one and it is the Holy Spirit that does the word of inspiring and revealing. But when we don't stay with Christ, the absolute word of God, and learn to fellowship with Him, there is no how the Holy Spirit could contact us with His inspiration, direction and innovative ideas. Because it is only in Jesus that the Holy Spirit get to act upon our lives.

How connected are you with Jesus, the living word of God?

Shalom!

Grace Abounds