Journey of Faith Sermon 2

Transcription

1 Journey of Faith Sermon 2

2 Habbakkuk: The Gospel Prophet Sermon Title - Habbakkuk: The Gospel Prophet

3 Abraham Francisco My friend Abraham was at home with his family when armed robbers entered and shot him in the heart. Over a year ago, he was discharged and continues his ministry for the Lord. Why do these things happen to God s faithful people?

4 Habbakkuk 1:1-4 Pew Bible pg. 826 The prophet Habakkuk has an intense dialogue with God about fairness, justice and peace. Age-old question: Where is God when troubles come? Habakkuk is a little book among the minor prophets after Nahum.

5 Enemies of Judah ASB Notes: The ministry of Habakkuk, which anticipates the coming judgment of Judah at the hand of Babylon, can probably be placed either sometime during the later years of Josiah s reign ( B.C.) or in the reign of Jehoiakim ( B.C.).

6 Outline of Habbakkuk Dialogue one: Habakkuk s first complaint and God s response Habakkuk complains about injustice God s response: judgment is coming from the Babylonians Dialogue two: Habakkuk s second complaint and God s response Habakkuk complains about the injustice of God s plan God s response: a call to trust and judgment on the wicked Habakkuk s psalm: petition, reflection, and trust The book is composed as a dialogue between the prophet and God.

7 These verses are most quoted of the entire book. Key Verses: Habakkuk 2:4; 14

8 Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) A helpful translation of Hab. 2:4: The evil nation is very proud of itself; it is not living as it should. But those who are right with God will live by faith. [New Century Version]

9 Tzaddiq be-emunat yichyeh literal translation = Literally: and the righteous one lives by his faithfulness

10 This verse makes a fitting summary because it contrasts the proud and selfsufficient Babylonians, who are headed for destruction, with those among Judah who have an abiding trust in the Lord while they live lives of integrity. - Andrews Study Bible The contrast exists directly within the book of Revelation where two worship groups, as cities, are described as Jerusalem and Babylon.

11 Jerusalem / Babylon Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12) To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning. (Revelation 18:7) Revelation compares the people of God with the proud as described in Habakkuk in these two verses.

12 Babylon is fallen For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV) Here Habakkuk reiterates a thought previously expressed by Isaiah (Isa. 11:9). The overthrow of Babylon is a type of the destruction of all the wicked at the last day. See Revelation 14:8 and 18:2

13 Key points within 2:4: Pride, synonymous with presumption, is contrasted with faith, trust, steadfastness. Key element in Lucifer s fall was pride.

14 Isaiah 14:12-15 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. (Isaiah 14:12 15 NKJV)

15 Lucifer intended to pass on a sense of pride unto the creatures of God.

16 But their pride turned to shame at their nakedness and they hid from God.

17 God promised to renew His presence with His people so that they wouldn t have to hide from His presence. That presence would be available as His Son.

18 1. The Just Illustration: I Versus God Court cases sometimes are labeled: Stevenson vs. The People or Jones vs. Texas, and I sometimes wonder what great sin the person did to be against by so many persons. But at the Last Judgment, every case will be labeled (I) vs. God!

19 Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

20 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV)

21 Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1 2 NKJV)

22 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NKJV)

23 The Just Definition of Righteous from the gospel perspective: So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:18) For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face. (Psalms 11:7) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8) Description of those at peace with God

24 Shall live Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful. (Isaiah 26:2) Quote: Before the just shall live by his faith (2:4b) became the battle cry for Martin Luther and the Reformation, it served as the central theme of the book of Habakkuk and as a summary of the biblical discussion of justification by faith that had begun with God s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:6. One can hardly overstate the importance of this theme for the history of both Israel and the Church. So central to the whole of Jewish thought was Habakkuk 2:4b that the Talmud records this famous remark made by Rabbi Simlai: Moses gave Israel 613 commandments. David reduced them to eleven [Psalm 15], Micah to 3 [Micah 6:8], Isaiah to 2 [Isaiah 56:1], but Habakkuk to 1 the righteous shall live by his faith [Hab. 2:4]. 9 Jewish scholars felt that these words only three words in the Hebrew text fairly summarized the message of the whole Bible. - Preachers Commentary Series Vol. 23

25 William Arthur Dunkerley A Poem by John Oxenham (William Arthur Dunkerley) Is your place a small place? Tend it with care! He set you there. Is your place a large place? Guard it with care! He set you there. Whate er your place, it is Not yours alone, but His Who set you there.*

26 Speaking prophetically of Jesus: Jeremiah 23:5 When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.

27 How do we receive this judgment of righteous in this life? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 5:6; 6:33; NAS95)

28 by his faith I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8 NKJV)

29 by his faith So Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20 NKJV) SDABC-Most assuredly Jesus never intended that His disciples should go about the country moving literal mountains. Nevertheless He promised that no difficulties, however great they may seem, can hinder the accomplishment of His divine purpose to save sinners (see Isa. 45:18; 55:8 11).

30 Old Faithful Illustration: Old Faithful Old Faithful is not the largest geyser in Yellowstone National Park, nor does it reach the greatest height. But it is by far the most popular one. Why? It is regular and dependable, hence its name, Old Faithful.

31 Lamentations 3:22-24 The LORD S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I have hope in Him. (Lamentations 3:22 24)

32 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV) Ultimate outcome of God s justice

33 Gospel Prophet But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 2:20 NKJV) That is, not presume to question the wisdom of God in guiding the destiny of nations, as Habakkuk has done (chs. 1:13; 2:1).

34 Paul s Usage of Habbakkuk 2:4 SDABC - More than once Paul employs this OT declaration as the theme of a dissertation on righteousness by faith (see Rom. 1:16, 17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38, 39). SDABC - More than once Paul employs this OT declaration as the theme of a dissertation on righteousness by faith (see Rom. 1:16, 17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38, 39).

35 Illustration: Spurgeon on Faith Look at the faith of the master mariner! He looses his cable, he streams away from the land. For days, weeks, even months, he sees neither sail nor shore, yet on he goes day and night without fear, till one morning he finds himself exactly upon the desired haven toward which he has been steering. How has he found his way over the trackless deep? He has trusted his compass, his nautical almanac, his glasses, and the heavenly bodies; and obeying their guidance, without sighting land, he has steered so accurately that he has not changed a point to enter port. It is a wonderful thing. It is glorious to be so far out on the ocean of Divine love, believing in God, and steering for Heaven straight away, by the direction of the Word of God.*

36 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.i am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. (Revelation 22:12 13 NKJV)

37 Benediction You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For the salvation of Your anointed. You struck the head of the house of the evil To lay him open from thigh to neck. (Habakkuk 3:13) Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18)