Dying Faith

Temple Baptist Church - 3-25-2020

Hebrews 11:20-22

Introduction:

A.  A man once said that dying was the “acid test” of faith.

1.  Death – an event that cannot be evaded.

2.  Death – the door to eternity.

3.  Death – an enemy feared by most.

4.  Death – either friend or foe!

B.  To the unsaved, death is a foe.  Death for the unsaved is devastating.  Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

1.  A Life without God is a life without purpose.

2.  A Death without God is hell for eternity.

C.  To the saved, death is a friend.  “These all died in faith.”

D.  To the Lord, death is precious - Psalms 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

E.  The 3 Fathers of the Nation of Israel were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Abraham, the Father of Faith, was the most spiritual of three though we still see his faults in Genesis.  Isaac was less spiritual, and little is said about his life.  Jacob was a supplanter, a man of the flesh that God chose to bring forth a nation.

F.  Joseph, a beautiful type of Christ who came unto His own and His own received Him not, yet He gave His life for those who rejected Him.

1.  Isaac died in Faith: He blessed his Children in Disappointment.  Verse 20. 

a.  Isaac Resigned himself to God’s will.  “and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.”  He knew that the birth order was wrong and he, no doubt, was disappointed in the actions of his children but put them in God’s hand.  Isaac knew that, though it was not the design of his will, it was the design of God’s will to bless the supplanter, Jacob instead of the eldest, Esau.

b.  Isaac Recommended his God to his children.  Jacob and Esau may not understand God’s workings, but God could be trusted.

c.  Isaac Remembered his God would accomplish all that He promised.  God had a will in the life of both Isaac and his children. 

2.  Jacob died in Faith:  He blessed his Grandchildren in Worship.  Verse 21.

a.  Jacob Blessed his grandchildren.  He stressed the importance of family in this life and leaving a model for them to follow after he was gone.

b.  Jacob Believed God’s leading in blessing them outside of their natural birth order.  God can use the oldest, but he can also use the younger children.  Though most of the patriarchs were the first-born, at times the Lord changed the birth order.

c.  Jacob Bowed unashamed in his worship.  God’s people should never be ashamed of their Lord and worship before both saved and lost.

3.  Joseph died in Faith:  He blessed his People in Hope.  Verse 22.

a.  Joseph had Forgiveness.  If any man ever had a reason for bitterness and a chance for revenge, it was Joseph!

b.  Joseph had Foresight.  He made his funeral plans before time.  We are all going to die if the Lord does not come soon.

c.  Joseph had Faith.  Joseph knew where “home” was though he would never live there in the remainder of this life.