Living by Faith: Embracing God's Righteousness

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that "the righteous will live by faith," a principle emphasized repeatedly in the New Testament. This is not a call to self-righteousness but an invitation to embrace the righteousness of God, revealed through the gospel. As we witness the baptism of new believers, we are reminded that this act symbolizes an appeal to God for a good conscience, a commitment to live by faith, and a rejection of self-reliance.

The essence of living by faith is not about adhering to the law or performing religious duties but about trusting in God's promises and His righteousness. This faith is a journey from faith to faith, as described in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. It is a call to reject pride and self-righteousness, to embrace humility, and to rely on God's grace. The righteous person, therefore, is one who confesses Jesus as Lord and believes in the resurrection, resulting in a life of righteousness and salvation.

Living by faith also means choosing to walk not by sight but by trust in God's unseen promises. This is exemplified in the life of Abraham, who believed in God's ability to bring into existence things that do not yet exist. Such faith requires a good conscience, maintained by the Holy Spirit, and a life free from dead works—actions done without faith or love.

Moreover, living by faith transforms us into true worshipers of God. Like the blind man healed by Jesus, who worshiped Him after receiving sight, our faith journey should lead us to worship God in spirit and truth. This is the ultimate goal of our faith: to become worshipers who lean on God, as Jacob did, blessing others and living a life of devotion.

As we reflect on these truths, let us be encouraged by God's promise in Isaiah 43: He is with us, He has redeemed us, and He calls us His own. In every trial and challenge, we are assured of His presence and love. May we all strive to live by faith, maintaining a good conscience, and ending our lives as worshipers of God, blessing others along the way.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The righteous live by faith, not by self-righteousness or adherence to the law. This faith is a journey from faith to faith, as revealed in the gospel, and it requires humility and reliance on God's grace. [03:47]
• 2. Living by faith means trusting in God's promises, even when they are unseen. Like Abraham, we are called to believe in God's ability to bring into existence things that do not yet exist, holding onto His promises despite circumstances. [13:18]
• 3. A good conscience is essential for living by faith. It is maintained by the Holy Spirit and involves repentance from dead works—actions done without faith or love. This is crucial for a life of righteousness. [16:02]
• 4. True faith transforms us into worshipers of God. Our journey should lead us to worship Him in spirit and truth, as exemplified by the blind man healed by Jesus, who worshiped after receiving sight. [32:18]
• 5. God's promise in Isaiah 43 assures us of His presence and love. In every trial, we are reminded that He is with us, He has redeemed us, and He calls us His own. This assurance encourages us to live by faith and end our lives as worshipers. [38:48]
  ** [38:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:40] - Introduction to Living by Faith
• [01:23] - Habakkuk's Vision and Faith
• [02:27] - The Righteous Will Live by Faith
• [03:08] - Righteousness Revealed in the Gospel
• [04:03] - Rejecting Self-Righteousness
• [05:29] - Confession and Belief
• [06:17] - Faith in the Last Days
• [07:11] - Justification by Faith
• [08:41] - Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
• [09:50] - The Blessedness of Blind Faith
• [11:45] - Abraham's Example of Faith
• [13:56] - Faith and a Good Conscience
• [16:57] - Baptism and the Holy Spirit
• [20:18] - Appeal for a Good Conscience
• [25:10] - Repentance from Dead Works
• [27:25] - The Blind Man's Testimony
• [31:27] - Jesus Seeks True Worshipers
• [33:15] - Jacob's Journey of Faith
• [37:51] - God's Promise in Isaiah 43

1. Habakkuk 2:4 - "Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith."
2. Romans 1:16-17 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith.'"
3. Hebrews 10:38 - "But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

1. What does Habakkuk 2:4 say about the proud and the righteous? How does this relate to the theme of living by faith? [02:03]
2. According to Romans 1:16-17, what is revealed in the gospel, and how is it connected to living by faith? [03:29]
3. In Hebrews 10:38, what warning is given to those who shrink back from living by faith? [07:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of a good conscience in living by faith? [16:02]

1. How does the concept of living by faith challenge the idea of self-righteousness, as discussed in the sermon? [04:03]
2. What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight, and how is this exemplified in the life of Abraham? [13:18]
3. How does maintaining a good conscience relate to the Holy Spirit's role in a believer's life, according to the sermon? [16:57]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living by faith transforms us into true worshipers of God? [32:18]

1. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own righteousness rather than God's. How can you shift your focus to living by faith in God's righteousness this week? [04:03]
2. Abraham believed in God's promises despite his circumstances. Identify a promise of God that you find challenging to trust. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in this promise? [13:18]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a good conscience. Is there an area in your life where you feel your conscience is not clear? What actions can you take to address this? [16:02]
4. Consider how living by faith can transform your worship. How can you incorporate more genuine worship into your daily routine? [32:18]
5. The sermon mentions the assurance of God's presence in trials. Recall a recent challenge you faced. How did you experience God's presence, and how can this assurance encourage you in future trials? [38:48]
6. The sermon encourages believers to end their lives as worshipers, blessing others. What practical steps can you take to bless someone in your life this week? [36:56]
7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in maintaining a good conscience. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance more actively in your daily decisions? [16:57]