The Faith That Fell Walls Hebrews 11:30
The Faith That Fell Walls We are given OT examples to learn from (Rom. 15:4) We are told about faith to learn what kind of faith is necessary to be saved (Heb. 11) What can we learn from the fall of Jericho (Josh. 6)? –Many years have passed since the promise to Abraham (Gen. 15:16) –Jericho was a large fortified city with thick walls
Faith In God God had already demonstrated his power to outsiders (Josh. 2); God had already demonstrated his power to his own people (Josh. 3-4) The faith fell walls was a faith in God’s power (Heb. 11:6) True faith in God is trust in his (not our) power to save (Rom. 1:16)
Faith With God’s Grace God gave Israel the city of Jericho by his grace (Josh. 6:2-3, 15-16) The faith that fell walls acted in conjunction with God’s grace (Eph. 2:8); we cannot be saved without God’s grace (Eph. 2:5) True faith will act in conjunction with God’s grace (Rom. 5:2; Tit. 2:11-12): hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, live faithfully
Faith In God’s Way God’s ways are not man’s ways … he told Israel to march around the city, shout, and blow the trumpet … God’s way works (Josh. 6:3ff; 6:18) The faith that fell walls followed the plain instructions of God (Rom. 10:17; Eph. 5:17) True faith will follow God’s instructions without question and regardless of how they may sound (Jer. 10:23; Isa. 55:8-9; 1 Cor. 1:26ff): passover, brazen serpent, Naaman, plan of salvation, work and worship of the church, church unity, etc.
Faith That Obeys God God’s gift of Jericho was conditioned upon the obedience of the Israelites (Josh. 6:12-14) The faith that fell walls obeyed the instructions (conditions) of God (Jas. 1:25; 2:21-26) True faith obeys and it obeys all the instructions (Mt. 7:21-23; 28:20; Lk. 6:46; Rom. 6:17; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Jn. 2:3-5): plan of salvation, life of a Christian
Faith Rewarded By God God destroy Jericho … God kept his promise … God does not lie (Josh. 6:20-21) The faith that fell walls was rewarded (Heb. 5:9) True faith will be rewarded because God keeps his word … God’s way works (Col. 3:24; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:11ff; Jas. 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:4-5; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; Rev. 2:10)
The Walls Came Tumbling Down Faith in God Faith With God’s Grace Faith in God’s Way Faith That Obeys God Faith Rewarded By God