Faith in Action

  

 

 

By Faith- 10

TITLE: Faith in Action

TEXT: Hebrews 11:28-29

THESIS: Faith in God’s promises and divine power serves as the pathway to redemption and deliverance, not only from physical dangers but also from spiritual bondage and eternal separation from Him.

 

TRUTH: Hudson Taylor was a pioneering missionary whose profound impact on Christianity in China during the 19th century is still felt today. Born in Barnsley, England, on May 21, 1832, Taylor experienced a powerful call to missions at the age of 17, after learning about the spiritual conditions in China. In 1853, he traveled to China, where he became known for his unconventional approach of dressing like a Chinese man and immersing himself in the local culture and language. This adaptability set him apart, especially at a time when many Western missionaries clung to their traditional Western ways.

 

In 1865, Taylor founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) with a visionary goal: to reach the inland regions of China where the gospel had yet to be preached. His mission faced significant obstacles, as he encountered a vastly different culture filled with unique customs, languages, and social structures. Overcoming these barriers required immense effort and resilience. Many local authorities viewed foreign missionaries with suspicion, often regarding them as agents of Western imperialism, which heightened tensions and hostility towards their presence.

 

Throughout his life, Taylor faced profound personal challenges, including significant losses and health issues. He married his first wife, Maria Gerrard, in 1858, and they had four children together. Tragically, their first daughter died in infancy. The situation grew even more devastating when, in 1870, Maria fell ill and passed away during a particularly difficult time in China, leaving Taylor with a broken heart.

 

After returning to the UK to care for his children, Taylor married Florence Yates in 1888. They had one daughter together, but Florence also struggled with health issues and died in 1904—a loss that added to Taylor's already heavy burdens. Additionally, his daughter Grace passed away at a young age in the same year, compounding his grief. Despite these hardships, Taylor remained steadfast in his faith, continually pointing to God as his source of strength during life's trials.

 

Taylor's own health was often fragile, as he dealt with frequent bouts of illness, including malaria. The demanding nature of missionary work in such a challenging environment took a significant toll on his physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, the foundation he laid, along with the efforts of those who followed him, played an essential role in the remarkable growth of Christianity in China, leading to the emergence of millions of believers in the decades that followed.

 

Here are some famous quotes by Hudson Taylor about faith.

 

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”

 

“Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into His hands. Then we may be sure that He will use us.”

 

In Hebrews 11:28-29, we see powerful examples of faith demonstrated in the lives of the Israelites and Moses. These verses illustrate key aspects of faith.

 

I.                             Faith Applies the Blood

Explanation: The reference to Passover in verse 28 underscores the need for faith to apply the blood of the lamb to the doorposts. The act of applying the blood of the lamb to the doorposts symbolizes not only physical protection but also the deeper spiritual truth of redemption through sacrifice.

 

This act of faith was essential for the Israelites, as it demonstrated their trust in God’s promise of deliverance from the judgment of death. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood brings salvation to all who believe, offering protection from eternal separation from God. Thus, faith becomes how divine grace is received, highlighting the inseparable connection between belief and God’s redemptive acts throughout redemptive history.

 

The night of the Passover in Egypt unfolded with a palpable tension that gripped the hearts of the Israelites and Egyptians alike. As darkness descended, the air was thick with fear and urgency. God had delivered a final warning through Moses to Pharaoh: If he did not release the Israelites from bondage, the firstborn of every household in Egypt would perish.

 

The requirements are as follows: The lamb had to be without blemish, symbolizing purity and holiness (Ex. 12:5). Families were to choose the lamb on the 10^th day and keep it until the 14^th day, emphasizing careful selection (Ex. 12:3-6). The lamb was to be killed at twilight, requiring family participation and reflecting the seriousness of the act. The blood had to be applied to the doorposts, serving as a sign of faith and obedience to God’s promise of protection (Ex. 12:7). The entire lamb was to be eaten that night with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, symbolizing the internalization of God’s provision. The Israelites were instructed to eat the meat dressed and ready to leave, highlighting the urgency of their deliverance (Ex. 12:11).

 

In each Israelite home, the atmosphere was charged with hope and solemnity. Families gathered, hearts beating in unison, as they prepared to follow God’s commands. They meticulously marked their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb, a sign of their faith and trust in God’s promise of protection.

 

As the night deepened, the chilling sound of walls began to echo through the streets of Egypt. The firstborns -sons, heirs, and even livestock -were struck down, leaving devastation in their wake. The Egyptians awakened in horror, realizing that the divine judgment had come not only upon Pharaoh’s household but upon everyone in the land. Mothers wept for their lost children, fathers cried out in despair, and the once-proud empire trembled in fear.

 

In stark contrast, the homes marked by the blood of the lamb experienced a miraculous stillness, a protective shield wrapped around them. The promise of deliverance had been fulfilled as the angel of death passed over their homes, sparing them from this dreadful fate.

 

With the dawn no breaking, Pharaoh, shaken by the calamity and driven to the brink, finally relented. He summoned Moses, his voice trembling with urgency, and commanded the Israelites to leave. This air, I’m sure, was charged with a mix of joy and relief as the Israelites prepared to flee, having witnessed God’s mighty hand at work.

 

The Passover marked the beginning of their liberation and a journey toward a promised land, forever etched in their hearts as the night they were delivered from bondage through faith, obedience, and the blood of the lamb. This pivotal event would not only change the course of their history but also become a powerful symbol of redemption for generations to come.

 

In our world today, filled with fear and uncertainty, we must cling to this promise: the blood of the Lamb provides protection not just from physical threats, but also from the spiritual battles, waged against our souls. As we encounter trials, we must remember that applying the blood of Christ means walking in the light of His grace and love, secure in our identity as children of God.

 

First, the blood is applied by the Spirit: inward persuasion of the soul. Second, the blood is applied by faith: Faith is the hand of the soul that receives all spiritual benefits.

 

1.        Salvation: The foundational benefit of faith.

2.        Forgiveness: Faith restores our relationship to God.

3.        Redemption: Believers are redeemed from the bondage of sin.

4.        Righteousness: Faith leads to righteousness being accredited to believers.

5.        Peace: Faith provides a sense of peace that transcends circumstances.

6.        Joy: A deep-seated joy is cultivated within believers through their relationship with God.

7.        Community: Being a part of a larger family.

8.        Purpose and direction: Faith gives believers a sense of purpose.

9.        Hope: Believers can cling to God’s promises.

10.  Eternal Security: Our salvation in Jesus Christ is eternally secure.

11.  Spiritual Gifts: Believers are equipped with spiritual gifts enabling them to serve others.

 

II.                         Faith Relies Upon Divine Power

Explanation: Verse 29 talks about the crossing of the Red Sea, a miraculous event where the Israelites walked on dry land. This incident exemplifies faith that depends on divine power. The Israelites couldn’t have crossed the sea on their own; it was only through God’s divine intervention that they could cross.

 

The Israelites found themselves trapped between the roaring waves of the Red Sea and the fierce chariots of Pharaoh, closing in like a storm. Fear gripped their hearts, but amid the chaos, Moses stood still, a beacon of faith.

 

With eyes fixed on the impossible, he cried out to the Lord, “What do I do?”  The answer came like a whisper in the wind: “Lift your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea.” Without hesitation, Moses obeyed. He raised his staff high, and the atmosphere thickened with divine anticipation.

 

Suddenly, the water began to stir. Thunderous waves pulled back, creating an astonishing scene and pathway through the sea – a dry road where once there was only tumult. The sight was breathtaking: towering walls of water on either side, shimmering like giant mirrors catching the sunlight.

 

The dry land signifies God’s provision and deliverance, reinforcing the belief that salvation is not achieved through human effort but through trusting in God’s omnipotent power. The event serves as a typological foreshadowing of baptism in the NT, in which believers are saved by faith in Christ, marking a new beginning. Thus, the crossing of the Red Sea encapsulates the essence of faith -relying on God’s promises and power that saves.

 

III.                      Faith Delivers from Death

Explanation: The crossing of the Red Sea serves as a profound symbol of deliverance, not only from physical death but also from spiritual bondage and the second death. The Israelites faced the Egyptian army -a representation of sin and death -yet through their faith, they experienced divine salvation. This event foreshadows Christ’s ultimate deliverance through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

 

As the Israelites passed safely through the waters, the chariots and soldiers pursuing them were swallowed up. This act not only represented the spiritual victory over sin and death. The destruction of the Egyptian army reinforces the message that those who oppose God’s will ultimately face judgment, highlighting the importance of faith and trust in divine protection.

 

The second death mentioned in Revelation 20:14-15 states, “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” The second death refers to the eternal separation from God, which is the ultimate consequence for those who reject His salvation. While the first death experienced is the physical death experienced by all humans, the second death symbolizes spiritual death and eternal punishment. As God delivered the Israelites through Moses, God delivers us from the second death through faith in Christ.

 

TAKE-AWAY: In the story of the Red Sea, the Israelites followed the pillar of cloud and fire as closely as possible, thrilled with their newfound freedom and full of excitement about the future. Yet as they followed Him, God deliberately led them into a cul-de-sac between hostile hills, to the edge of a sea too deep to be forded and too wide to be crossed. The Lord occasionally does the same with us, testing our faith, leading us into hardship, teaching us wisdom, and showing us His ways. Our first reaction may be a surge of panic and alarm, but we must learn to consult the scriptures for guidance and to follow Christ.  And remember, wherever God leads you, He will also lead you out. -Robert Morgan (The Red Sea Rules).

 

1.        Apply the blood of the lamb.

2.        Trust in God’s divine power.

3.        And be delivered from the second death.

 

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