Tuesday, September 30, 2008, Part 4

"Now the just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:3-4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:37-38).

IDEA: God commends those who live their lives by trust in His promise without necessarily experiencing the fulfillment of the promise.

PURPOSE: To help listeners grasp why faith pleases God and draw His commendation.

Do you think the Bible has many great ideas?

What are some of them?

One great idea of the Bible is that the "just live by faith."

I. That the just live by faith is stated throughout the Scriptures.

It appears first in Habakkuk 2:3-4—what is the context of that first appearance?

It appears in Romans 1:17—what is the context of that appearance? How the Christian life begins and continues.

It appears in Galatians 3:11—there it stands in opposition to the observance of the law.

Hebrews 10:37-38—the Christian life and its victories come from faith.

II. When we say "the just shall live by faith," it assumes an object.  Faith in what?

Is it possible to have faith in faith?

Is it possible to have faith in yourself?

Is it possible to have faith in something other than God?  Idolaters had faith in idols.

III. What does the statement mean that "the just shall live by faith"?

It's faith in God and what He has promised.

The cast of characters in Hebrews 11 had promises they believed although they may not always have been clear about what the promises involved.

The people believed that there would be a coming deliverer, but they weren't always clear about what that deliverer would be and do.

Always they believed and trusted in the God who was behind the promises.

CONCLUSION: We live by faith when we trust God's character and trust God's promises.