Faith in the Face of Death

Faith in the Face of Death

Hebrews 11:21

MIS: We can face death full of faith by resting in the grace of God.  

I. Dying by Faith (Hebrews 11:21, Genesis 47:29-30, 48:3,15)

  1. Cropping God into His Past (48:3,15)

  2. Recognizes God in the Present (47:29-30)

  3. Cropping God into His Future (47:30, 48:21)

2. Blessing by Faith (Genesis 48:8-20)

1. Jacob’s Low Position (47:3-6)

2. Joseph’s High Position (48:1)

“Faith prefers grace to talent, and piety to cleverness; she lays her right hand where God lays it, and not where beauty of person or quickness of intellect would suggest. Our best child is that which God calls best; faith corrects reason and accepts the divine verdict.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exultation, and the rich in his humiliation.” (James 1:9)

3. God’s Riches (48:15-16)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:3)

3. Worshipping by Faith

  1. Jacob’s Gratitude (48:11)

  2. Jacob’s Dependence (48:15)

  3. Jacob’s Testimony (48:3-4)

  4. Jacob’s Posture (48:12)

How does the heal grabbing, selfish, lying, manipulating, hollow, cowardly, shallow, vain, hedonistic, calculating … man Jacob die, bless, and worship by faith? 

By grace, through faith. (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 9:11-23)

“By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” Hebrews 11:21

“24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” (Genesis 32:24–30)

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)