The Journey of FaithThe Journey of Faith

A. Life is described by different metaphors:1. Life is like a battle. Eph. 6:10-17; 2 Tim. 2:42. Life is like a race. 2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Cor. 9:24-273. Life is like a journey. There is a way we travel…

God’s people are called “sojourners.”• “the good and right way” – 1 Sam. 12:23• “the highway of holiness” – Isa. 35:8• “the narrow way…” – Matt. 7:14• “the way of salvation” – Ac. 16:17• “the way of God” – Ac.18:26• “the way of truth” – 2 Pet. 2:2• “the right way” – 2 Pet. 2:15• “the way of righteousness” – 2 Pet. 2:21

B. The guiding principle is faith in God and his way.1. Summaries of the lives of certain people posted in certain scriptures. 2. For example,

• Enoch “walked with God” – Gen. 5:22• Noah was “a righteous man, blameless in his generation, (who)

walked with God.” Gen. 6:9• Moses was called “the servant of the Lord.” Deut. 34:5• Joshua was described in this way: “Israel served the Lord all the

days of Joshua…. Josh. 24:31• Stephen was “full of grace and power.” Ac. 6:8• Barnabas was “a good man, full of the H.S. and faith, and a great

man people were added to the Lord.” Ac. 11:24

3. Think of all the women who are singled out.Sarah, Jochebed, Hannah, Mary, Mary, Dorcas,

Phoebe, Priscilla, etc.

4. It is significant how God appraises one’s life?“ what God values in person’s life?“ what He is looking for?

C. The Bible describes the journey of faith in terms of its:1. Beginning2. Continuation3. End

I. THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAITHA. Faith depends on knowledge of the Word. Rom. 10:17

Learning may occur over extended period of time. E.g.,1. Children reared in a Christian home.2. Men/women who attend church services regularly.3. Very religious people.

B. Knowledge will eventually lead to faith. But what do we mean by faith?Cruden’s Concordance: “…saving faith

is the acceptance by the intellect, affection, and will of God’s favor extended to man through

Christ. Thisfaith produces a sincere obedience in the life

andconversation…. By this faith, we are said to be

justified,

Rom. 5:1….Faith is, as it were, a condition on our part whereby we come to be partakers of the blessings of the new covenant. It is a faith that worketh by love, Gal. 5:6. It is not an idle, inactive grace, but shows itself by pro- ducing in us love to God and our neighbor.” (p. 199)

W.E. Vine Dictionary of N.T. Words:“Faith (pistis): primarily, firm persuasion, a

convictionbased upon hearing…is used in the N.T. always of

faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual. …The main elements…are (1) a firm conviction, producing a

fullacknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth, e.g.,

2 Thess. 2:11, 12; (2) a personal surrender to Him, John 1:12; (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender,

2 Cor. 5:7….” (Vol. II, p. 71).

Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon:“(it is) used especially of faith by which aman embraces Jesus, i.e., a conviction, fullof joyful trust, …conjoined with obedience to

Christ.” (p. 511).

2. Note the emphasis of what faith includes:- acceptance of revelation of Scriptures.- conviction – firm, unwavering belief in God,

Christ, etc. - commitment – obedience to Christ.

3. There is a sense in which one may already be a believer at some point in life without being a Christian, a disciple of Christ. E.g., John 12:42-43 – many rulers “believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him….”

They were believers but not “confessed believers.”They were not yet “committed believers.” They were not yet “converted believers.”

II. THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY.A. Heb. 3:12-14 speaks of “the beginning of our confidence…”

B. 2 Pe. 2:20 says that when one turns from the way of right…“the latter end is worse than the beginning….”

C. Some examples:1. Priests in Jerusalem were “obedient to the faith.”

Ac.6:12. Treasurer confessed: “I believe that Jesus Christ is

theSon of God.” Ac. 8:37 He was then baptized.

3. Paul asked: “What shall I do, Lord?” Ac.22:104. Rom. 6:3-4: one is raised from baptism to “newness

of life.” cf. Col. 2:12-13

5. Heb. 10:23 – “let us hold fast the confession of ourhope without wavering, for He who promised isfaith.” Hope rests on our faith. (11:1)

III. THE JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE.A. Again, the language is informative and significant.

1. 2 Cor. 5:7 – “we walk by faith…”2. Gal. 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no

longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life

which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of

God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

B. We are to continue in the faith.1. Col. 1:23 – “If indeed you continue in the faith,

grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope

of the gospel….”2. 1 Tim. 2:15 – “nevetheless she will be saved in

childbearing if they continue in faith….”3. Acts 14:22-23 – “strengthening the souls

of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith….”

C. We are encouraged to grow in faith.2 Thess. 1:3 – “We are bound to thank God always for

you,brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith growsexceedingly….”

D. God is aware of our faith – its condition.Rev. 2:19 – “I know your works, love, service, faith….”

E. We are encouraged to follow the faith of others.Heb. 13:7 – “Remember those who rule over you, who

havespoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow,considering the outcome of their conduct.”

IV. THERE ARE DANGERS ALONG THE JOURNEY.A. Some may depart from the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1B. Some may cast off their first faith. 1 Tim. 5:12C. Some may err from the faith. 1 Tim. 6:20-21D. Some will be weak in faith. Rom. 14:1E. There are “enemies of the faith.”

V. THE END OF THE JOURNEY.A. 1 Pet. 1:6-9 – “…receiving the end of your faith – the

salvation of your souls.”B. Heb. 3:14 – “…if we hold the beginning of our confidence

steadfast to the end.”C. 2 Tim. 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the

race, I have kept the faith.”D. Rev. 2:10 – “…be faithful until death, and I will give you

the crown of life.”E. Rev. 14:12-13F. Rom. 6:21-22G. Heb. 6:12-13

Conclusion:A. Life is like a journey. It has a beginning and an end. And one’s walk with God has a beginning and an end.

B. We choose the way we travel in life. There are only two ways. Matt. 7:13-14 - “the broad way” and “the narrow way.”

C. The way that leads to heaven and eternal life begins in faithand ends in faith.

D. The question that each must answer is:

Which road am I traveling in life? What is my final destination?Have I begun the journey of faith?Am I living by faith now?