WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.660 Now the question is, is this really in Hebrews 11, what does it mean to have faith? 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:11.720 ! Everyone believes in something. So for example, someone might say I believe in ghosts. I've 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:16.519 ! I've never seen one but I believe in one. Someone else might say I believe in socialism. I've 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:22.320 never voted socialist but I've found socialist values. What does it mean to believe? Someone 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:28.539 else might say I believe that for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows to prodelvis. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:36.500 And if you believe that, I'm happy for you. Everyone believes in something. So what does 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:41.719 a Christian mean when they say I believe in God? You can believe in ghosts without seeing 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:46.500 one. You can believe in socialism without voting socialist. Is that how we believe in God? 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:53.439 Is it like Mark Twain who said simply believe in what you know ain't so? Many people think 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:57.399 of it like that. Like the White Queen in Alice Through the Looking Glass. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:03.920 She says, I'll tell you something to believe. I'm just 101 years old, five months and a 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:06.560 day. I can't believe that, said Alice. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:09.539 Can't you, dear? The Queen says. 00:01:10.099 --> 00:01:13.980 Shut your eyes, draw a long breath and try again. Alice laughed. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:18.280 No point trying. One can't believe impossible things. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:25.400 Can't you, said the Queen? You've just not had enough practice. When I was your age, I always 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:30.280 did it for one and a half hours every day. Why sometimes I believed as many as six impossible 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:38.340 things before breakfast. Is that what faith is? What does it mean to believe? Is it holding 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:42.939 your breath, shutting your eyes and believing what you know ain't true? Of course not. 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:48.640 That is not believe. That is make-believe, isn't it? And what is faith? Well, here in 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:54.879 this amazing chapter 11 of Hebrews, we have a definition and a demonstration of faith. 00:01:55.640 --> 00:02:00.479 As well as the first three verses give us a definition. It's not a comprehensive definition. 00:02:00.739 --> 00:02:07.939 In some ways, a description. It is more. But then in verse 4, we're given a demonstration 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:12.719 a demonstration of Old Testament believers. People who lived by faith. It starts right 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:19.000 back at the beginning. And it follows God's plan of redemption right the way through as 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:25.900 it nears its climax. And you come to the greatest man of faith, the Lord Jesus, the world has 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:31.680 ever known. And the climax is Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. So first of all, let's 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:33.599 look at faith defined. Look what it says in verse 11. 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:42.099 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:50.780 makes me certain of what God has promised and sure of what I cannot see. If I can put it 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:56.900 this way, it's a little bit like a sixth sense. How do we know? How can we be sure this morning 00:02:56.900 --> 00:03:04.879 of this physical world? How can I be sure that I am here and this world is real? Well, because 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:11.520 I can see and I can hear and I can touch and I can taste and I can smell. Through my five 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:18.480 senses that I experience the world. But we know, don't we, that's not sufficient. That's 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:24.780 not enough. There is more to this world and this life than we can actually see and hear 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:31.360 and smell and touch and taste. I read a definition from a communist textbook and it gave this 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:38.680 definition of a kiss. It said a kiss is the approach of two pairs of lips with a reciprocal 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:46.240 transmission of microbes and carbon dioxide. And you wonder why communism died out. Because 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:51.580 everyone knows, we know there's more to a kiss than that. Scientifically it might be accurate, 00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:57.360 that might be true, but there is more to a kiss, isn't there, than you can measure in a laboratory. 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:04.320 There are things that are invisible, there are things that are not seen. And those are the 00:04:04.320 --> 00:04:11.240 things that make life meaningful and purposeful for us. God is invisible. The spiritual realm 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:20.480 is invisible. There are some things which are unseen because they haven't yet happened. But 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:26.000 we know that they're going to happen. Because God has said they're going to happen. And that 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:29.560 is what this definition is telling us. There are things that you can be certain of, there 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:32.960 are things that you can be sure of, there are things that you and I can build our lives 00:04:32.960 --> 00:04:37.939 upon, foundations that we believe in, and we believe them not because we're whistling in 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:43.060 the dark. Not because we come on Sunday and we strike ourselves up to believe in possible 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:46.500 things. We believe these things because God has spoken to us for these things. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:51.240 What are these things? Now, the very first thing I want you to notice, can you notice the 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:58.939 first word of verse 1? Now? Now faith is, that is a conjunction, it's a joining word. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:03.819 And it joins chapter 11 to chapter 10 on the rest of Hebrews. So if you want to know what 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:10.779 these things are, these things that we hope for but we've not yet seen, well then you need 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:15.199 to go back to chapter 10. And when you do that, you notice that the writer to the Hebrews 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:21.979 is talking to a bunch of people who are suffering. And they're suffering persecution. They are 00:05:21.979 --> 00:05:28.839 Jews for Jesus. They are converts from Judaism. And the authorities are now beginning to turn 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:32.239 their attention to them, towards these people. And they're beginning to suffer. So look at 00:05:32.239 --> 00:05:35.179 verse 34, it's a shocking verse. But chapter 10. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:40.819 For you, compassion on those in prison. And then here, and you joyfully accepted the plundering 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:49.759 of your property. Would we joyfully accept that? If they came to our brand new building. 00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:59.759 It's nearly there, isn't it? Nearly open. And they tore it down. They closed it down. They 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:04.920 raised it to the ground. Would you be happy about that? You, look at verse 34 again. It's shocking, 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:09.819 is that you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property. Joyfully. Why? Why? Well, 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:18.400 because you knew that you yourselves had a better possession. And an abiding one. How did they 00:06:18.400 --> 00:06:24.400 know that? Because they knew that God had told them and God had said it. And so there is a 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:29.540 difference, isn't there, between believing in God and believing God. Lots of people believe in God. 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:36.000 That doesn't make you a Christian. That makes you a theist. Believing in God doesn't demand 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:45.300 anything of you. But believing God means that you take him at his word. Seriously. And reality 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:53.860 is for you framed by what God has spoken. So even those people under persecution can be joyful. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:07:00.319 It's easy being a Christian, isn't it, when nobody's giving you any bother. It's easy being a 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:05.199 Christian when it's tolerated. But when authorities turn their attention to you, and when the church 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:10.780 is driven underground, and when people begin to suffer for their faith, well, that's when 00:07:10.780 --> 00:07:17.280 the hangers on bail out, don't they? And hypocrites disappear. Because only those who have 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:22.259 faith will endure to the end. And this is what we're talking about. The definition we're given. 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:28.939 Notice in verse 36 of chapter 10, he speaks about receiving what God has promised. It's 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:36.959 not there yet. It's unseen. You don't have it yet. It's not substantial yet. But you know 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:41.379 that you're going to receive it because God has promised it to you. And in verse 36, he speaks 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:47.600 about receiving what God has promised. And when you read through the book of Hebrews, you 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:53.879 find out what it is that God has promised, that he's promised an eternal inheritance. A Sabbath 00:07:53.879 --> 00:08:01.860 rest. A heavenly Jerusalem. A world that is to come. An unshakable kingdom. A new creation 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:10.000 which is better and greater. And all of those things constitute what is hoped for but not yet 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:18.740 seen. Faith is the confidence assurance that all of that one day is coming our way. Faith 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:23.939 is the confidence assurance that one day that will come to pass. That the God who spoke the 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:29.779 world into existence from nothing will bring these things to pass through Christ. So there's 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:37.139 your definition of faith. Real faith is a conviction about things that you can't see. And it particularly 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:44.059 involves being certain about the future because God has spoken about it in his word. Let's see what it says 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:52.000 in verse 2. For by it the people of old received their commendation. They demonstrated their faith 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.199 secondly. Who are these people of old? Who are these ancients? Are they the over fifties? Who are the 00:08:57.199 --> 00:09:03.100 ancients? They are the people who lived in ancient times. Who lived before the coming of Christ. They are the 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:12.019 old testament believers. And so he starts in verses 4 to 7 with the antediluvians. The people who lived 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:15.940 before the flood. That's what that means. And we're just going to look at this section this morning. 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:25.060 And he gives us four examples of people who lived by faith. Four pillars of our faith. And these 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:31.100 are the things that I most surely believed amongst us. And if you believe these four things that 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:35.159 these people believed, you will be called a fundamentalist. I hope you don't mind that. 00:09:36.300 --> 00:09:40.420 What are these things? Number one, creation. That's the first thing they believed. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:48.639 Verse 3. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God. So that what is 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:55.019 seen was not made out of things that are invisible. It's a really important verse. You cannot prove that 00:09:55.019 --> 00:10:01.139 in the laboratory. You can neither prove nor disprove God scientifically. I hope you know that. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:08.299 You cannot prove that this world was created scientifically. You cannot prove that the word 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:14.860 wasn't created scientifically. Science doesn't do that. How do we know? How do we know that 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:19.460 this world, how do we understand that this is rational? This is something that we thought 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:23.720 through. How do we understand that the universe that we live in was formed at God's command? 00:10:25.280 --> 00:10:32.580 The only way we understand that is because we've been told that. God has told us. That is reality. 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:41.879 He spoke this world in existence. Just think for a moment of the imagination of God. Just think 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:51.740 of how wonderful this creation is. God imagined it. God dreamt it. And then he spoke it and it came 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:57.480 into being. Out of nowhere and out of nothing. And that's what the Bible teaches and that's what we 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:07.259 believe. That is the foundation of our faith. We are creatures. We have been created. And so we are 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:15.080 answerable to the one who made us. Second pillar is atonement. Verse 4. I faith Abel offered to God a more 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:24.299 acceptable sacrifice than Cain. Through which he was commended as righteous. It's not true what 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:31.120 pirates of the Caribbean say. Dead men do tell tales. And Abel has been dead for centuries. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:36.980 And yet Abel's got something to say to you this morning. And it's about how you get right with God. 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:42.700 And the point here is that it's not up to us. It's down to him. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:50.919 Third pillar is in verse 5. It's fellowship with God. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:58.060 not see death and he was not found. Because God had taken him. Now before he was taken up he was 00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:05.759 commended as having pleased God. Now here is a man Enoch. He knew God and he was known by God. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:12.859 And that is fundamental. I hope you understand that faith isn't simply mental assent to some 00:12:12.859 --> 00:12:19.239 proposition. Faith is a relationship with the living God through Jesus. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:27.059 Fourth pillar is in verse 7. By faith Noah being warned by God concerning events as he had unseen. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:30.000 In reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. 00:12:30.939 --> 00:12:34.979 And by this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:38.500 What was not yet seen? 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.819 The flood was not yet seen. 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.759 Judgment hadn't happened. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:45.179 But God warned Noah. 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:46.839 And believing 00:12:46.839 --> 00:12:49.299 what was not yet seen 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:51.199 in holy fear 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.419 he built an ark 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.039 to save his family. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:56.319 Now you put those four things together 00:12:56.319 --> 00:12:58.599 and they are the pillars. 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:00.620 They are the foundations of our faith. 00:13:01.719 --> 00:13:02.199 Creation 00:13:02.199 --> 00:13:04.279 Atonement 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.519 Fellowship with God 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.899 And judgment 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:10.579 Think about those things. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:15.659 There is nothing, is there, more confronting and threatening than those four things, is there? 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:18.679 The belief that this world has a beginning 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:20.699 and that this world has an end 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:22.379 Well they are truths, aren't they? 00:13:22.459 --> 00:13:25.839 That the world mocks and mocks and mocks 00:13:25.839 --> 00:13:28.759 If you believe that 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.439 you will be called a fundamentalist 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:33.360 But that is, is it, fundamental 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.980 to how we see reality 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:36.879 The way that we look at the world 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.279 The faith that we have 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:41.220 And the very idea that there is one in heaven 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:43.159 who you and I need to get right with 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:45.139 And that getting right with him 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.559 is down to him and not to us 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:49.779 Well that is like a red rag to a bull in our culture, isn't it? 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.600 And to say that you 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.639 Little old you 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:56.519 can have a relationship with the God of heaven and earth 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:58.279 and know God 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:00.179 and be known by God 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:02.699 Well that is just so arrogant, isn't it? 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.379 And so presumptive. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:08.580 And yet these are the things we most surely believe 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:11.620 And so let's run around and look at them again 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:13.080 First of all, creation, verse 3 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:15.399 Have you ever wondered why there is something that says nothing? 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.080 Here I am in this world 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.120 and everyone else seems to believe 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.519 that this world just sort of happened 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:24.700 That it came into being from pre-existing matter 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:26.679 But we know, don't we 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:29.279 that it was framed by the word of God 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:32.120 And that God spoke it into existence 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:34.460 And that everything was made out of nothing 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:36.240 by a mighty act of his power 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:39.740 That the information stored in our DNA 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.100 did not come from nothing 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:43.960 It is the product of a brilliant mind 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:46.379 and an awesome imagination 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.580 and that governs our whole approach 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.060 to life on this planet 00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.759 or it should 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:55.519 We are not a fortuitous concourse of atoms 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.500 We are the product 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.799 of intelligent design 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.679 How do we know that? 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.319 How do we know that? 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:02.860 By faith 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:05.159 By faith 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:08.059 It would be nice, wouldn't it? 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:10.299 I always say this when I'm speaking evangelistically 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:13.639 It would be nice to have some brilliantly logical argument 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.419 to prove that God exists 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.439 and he made the world 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.299 to kind of go 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:19.059 and unveil it 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.519 But you can't do that 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.159 Can you? 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:25.120 We know these things by faith 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:29.039 The reason we believe in creation 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:31.100 is because God has revealed it to us 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:34.199 By faith we understand that this is God's world 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:35.339 The earth is the Lord's 00:15:35.339 --> 00:15:36.480 and the fullness thereof 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:38.740 That we live in it 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.639 and he made it 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:41.699 And we are his creatures 00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:45.120 But it is a fallen world as well 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:48.139 So secondly 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.879 That second pillar 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.899 We need to face the fact 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.399 that this world has gone seriously wrong 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.799 And anyone with half a brain 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.840 knows that that is true 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:58.740 The first human being born on earth 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.960 in Genesis 4 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.139 turns out to be a murderer 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:03.860 And his victim is his own brother 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:07.360 And the story of Cain and Abel 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.820 raises the question 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:10.519 What on earth has gone wrong? 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:15.699 Of sin and of atonement 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.919 that needs to be made 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:19.720 How can human beings 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:21.699 have murder in their hearts? 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:25.139 How can you and I 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.340 who've got murder in our hearts 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:28.639 which is so offensive to hear isn't it? 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:30.039 How can we get right with God? 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:33.600 You see the Bible is very very realistic 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:36.439 It's realistic about human nature 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.840 It really does tie in 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:39.620 with what you see and hear 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:41.299 in our society 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:42.419 How can people like us 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.879 we know what we're capable of 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.919 Don't you? 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.659 We see perhaps 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:49.679 maybe the tip of the iceberg in us 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.860 How can people like us 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:52.480 have anything to do with a God 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:54.340 who is of purer eyes 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.740 than to even look on iniquity 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.639 to look on sin? 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.519 How can you approach him 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.620 after what you've done this week? 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.720 How can we get right with him? 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.680 The answer of course is 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:09.400 the only way God 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:11.200 can have anything to do with us 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.100 is on his terms 00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:12.960 and not on ours 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.180 And that's the meaning 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.200 of the story of Cain and Abel 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.360 That if we want God 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.259 to accept us 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.200 and not reject us 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.240 then we need to listen to him 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.160 and listen to his word 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:25.380 And we need God 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:26.180 to tell us 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.779 how we can approach him 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:30.940 It's not up to us 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.779 It's down to him 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:35.119 You see that's the difference 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.259 between Cain and Abel 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:36.799 the brothers 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.420 It wasn't just that Cain was a farmer 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.519 and Abel was a shepherd 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:42.220 So Cain brought his fruit and veg 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.079 and Abel brought his sheep 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:45.059 Even though it's significant 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.180 that Abel brought a lamb 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.079 in the light of the rest 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.639 of the Bible 00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:49.920 We see with animal sacrifices 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.359 there can be no forgiveness 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.480 without the shedding of blood 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:55.019 But the point of the story 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.559 is this 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.759 It's not up to us 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.819 to decide how we can 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.559 approach God 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.240 That's so humbling isn't it 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.980 for some of us 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.720 for all of us 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:04.859 That we have to listen 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:05.799 to his word 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:07.759 We have to hear from him 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.919 and we have to allow him 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:09.960 to tell us 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:12.740 And that's the difference 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.519 between Cain and Abel 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.839 That's why Abel's sacrifice 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.980 was a better sacrifice 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:17.819 whether he had fully understood 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.519 the implications 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:20.079 of what he was doing 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.440 But God told him you see 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.919 It's the difference between 00:18:23.919 --> 00:18:26.059 religion and revelation 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:30.059 Why are there so many religions? 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.339 Did you ask that question? 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.460 Well it's very simple 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.899 It's us making up the rules 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:37.220 It's us deciding 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.740 We have a God consciousness 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:40.419 We know in every culture 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.659 there is a God who's there 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:44.240 We have this sense 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.679 Every culture has this sense 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.440 No matter where you're from 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.379 that things are not right 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.519 between us and God 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.980 It's a universal phenomenon 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:53.480 And so we have to find a way 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.019 that we can approach God 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.879 How can I get on the right side 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.379 of this God? 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:59.079 How can I placate this God? 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.519 And so we come up with religion 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.119 and we have practices 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:03.879 and rituals 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:06.039 and we hope that somehow 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.400 religion is going to put us 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.139 right with God 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:09.460 But it won't 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.180 It won't 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:13.319 The only way that we can get 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.500 right with God 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:16.139 is by doing what he says 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:18.680 and bringing the offering 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.579 that he tells us 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:23.119 Which is why Jesus says 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.779 I am the way 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.639 the truth and the life 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.920 And no one 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:27.800 no one 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.560 comes to the Father 00:19:28.560 --> 00:19:29.300 except through me 00:19:29.300 --> 00:19:31.620 And that is so hugely 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.440 offensive isn't it? 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.580 So here are the fundamentals 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.180 of our faith 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.500 The ABC of our faith 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.980 God exists 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.680 And he spoke the world 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.220 out of nothing 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.940 He's spoken into existence 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.259 of something 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.980 that's gone wrong 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.780 And you and I 00:19:42.780 --> 00:19:43.500 have lost touch 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.140 with our maker 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.080 And there's only 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:46.120 one way back 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.780 And that is the way 00:19:47.780 --> 00:19:48.600 he has revealed 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:52.179 right from the very beginning 00:19:52.179 --> 00:19:53.299 that without the shedding 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.000 of blood 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.319 the offering of sacrifice 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.519 there can be no forgiveness 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.939 of sins 00:19:56.939 --> 00:19:57.899 Is that what you believe? 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.619 It is fundamental 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.459 to the Christian faith 00:20:02.459 --> 00:20:04.139 In verses 5 and 6 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:05.459 he tells us about Enoch 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:07.759 There are those 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.719 who want to tell us 00:20:08.719 --> 00:20:09.919 that this world 00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:10.899 is a closed system 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:12.659 and you've got to make 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.199 the most of it 00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:14.059 you kind of get on 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.359 with life 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.240 the best you can 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.980 we call them materialists 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:19.299 It takes on different guises 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:20.019 Some people 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.440 think that matter 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.559 is all that there is 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.500 Others believe 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:24.980 that matter 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.160 is all that matters 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:27.859 In the end 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.400 it doesn't matter 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:31.059 And the idea is 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.720 that this world 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.180 is all there is 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.980 there's nothing outside 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:35.140 There's nothing beyond it 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:37.079 And people live their lives 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.819 on the basis of that 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.059 don't they 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.519 in our city 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:43.740 It's a faith position 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.559 I'd want to argue 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.679 But on the other hand 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.259 there are those 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:49.419 like here in chapter 11 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.379 whom life is really 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:51.419 simply an apprenticeship 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:54.179 It's a training ground 00:20:54.179 --> 00:20:54.899 for the world to come 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:57.359 And the most important 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.539 lesson for you and I 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.159 to hear 00:20:59.159 --> 00:20:59.919 is how 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.779 do you and I 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.779 prepare for eternity 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.480 because eternity 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.480 is a very long time 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.460 to spend in the wrong place 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.679 isn't it? 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:08.000 Enoch learnt this lesson 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.700 Soon after the birth 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.919 of his son Methuselah 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:12.759 they told him 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.079 that he began 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.799 to walk with God 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.399 until one day 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.159 God said to him 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:16.519 Enoch 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.480 it's hardly worth you 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:17.919 going home 00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:19.379 you may as well 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.059 come home with me 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.680 And he disappeared 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.599 off the face of the planet 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:25.000 He was now seen again 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.980 they put posters up 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.980 for him 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.519 they sent out 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.099 search parties 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.559 for him 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.079 but he'd gone 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.559 because God 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.240 had taken him 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:32.639 And of course 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.539 the Bible teaches 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.039 that one day 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.839 a whole generation 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.180 of people 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.220 will be taken like that 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.099 They will be translated 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.700 from this world 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.279 into the next 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:40.000 when Jesus comes back 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.279 a whole generation 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.960 will experience 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.859 what it's going to be like 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.759 to not experience 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.559 physical death 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:46.740 and if you and I 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.279 are still alive 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.819 when that happens 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.460 well it will be us 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:50.460 but if I'm not going to live 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:52.319 long enough 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.920 until that day 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.839 when Jesus returns 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.559 nevertheless 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.639 if we are believers 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.180 you and I 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:57.079 will still go home 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.940 to live with him forever 00:21:57.940 --> 00:22:00.599 Do you remember 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.480 what Jesus said 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.099 to his disciples 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.539 he said 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.139 I'm going to prepare 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.960 a place for you 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:06.700 I'm going to the cross 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.740 to prepare a place for you 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:09.079 I'm going to die on the cross 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.340 to prepare a place for you 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:11.120 and I'm going to 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.880 prepare that place 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.720 I will come again 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:14.319 and I will take you with me 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:17.259 so that you will be 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.180 where I am 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:20.059 because in my Father's house 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.299 there's plenty of room 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:24.059 and the only way 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:25.059 that you can get there 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.880 is through me 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:27.840 I'm the way 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:29.759 and I'm going to prepare 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.660 a place for you 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.680 and if you trust in me 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.539 you will be with me 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.359 and so we shall be 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.379 forever with the Lord 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:36.319 that is what Christians believe 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:36.859 that is one of the 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.920 fundamentals of faith 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:40.019 and that is the hope 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.519 of the gospel 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.519 now let me ask you 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.180 do you have it? 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.299 have you seen that 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.159 faith is not something 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.420 that simply happens 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.759 momentarily in a meeting 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:50.200 it is a lifestyle 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.379 it is intimacy with God 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:54.599 it's not simply 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:56.019 nod and mental assent 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.859 on a Sunday morning 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:58.079 to the truth of the creed 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.200 it is Enoch 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.480 walking with God 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:00.819 and so 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.079 I'm not asking you 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:02.980 if you've made the decision 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.059 I couldn't care less 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:06.259 I'm asking 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.359 do you know the Lord? 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:11.039 not do you believe this 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.179 or do you believe that 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:13.379 but do you know the Lord 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.139 and have a relationship 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.720 with him? 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.559 Enoch did 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:18.419 and then verse 7 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.199 the witness of Noah 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:22.559 it's not an easy thing 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.699 is it to build a boat 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:25.240 the size of a football stadium 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.799 it took 120 years 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.859 and all the while 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.179 Noah was working 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:29.779 on his ark 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:31.019 he was urging people 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.619 all around him 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.299 to trust the Lord 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.779 he was a preacher 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.339 of righteousness 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.619 that's our task 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:35.940 isn't it? 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.720 to be a witness 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.379 to the world 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:39.539 you can imagine 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.500 the sort of conversations 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.879 that Noah would have had 00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.899 as he was building his ark 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:44.879 what are you doing Noah? 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.680 building an ark 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.740 in fact what is an ark? 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.700 it's the Lord's provision 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:51.180 for you to escape 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.859 the flood 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.480 it's a place 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.819 where you can be safe 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:55.000 in fact it's the only place 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.779 where you can be safe 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.599 from the judgment of God 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:59.399 that is inevitably coming 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:01.740 you go to your office 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.419 tomorrow morning 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.339 and somebody says 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.119 do you have a good weekend? 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.980 you're at the school gate 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.480 and they say 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.539 what did you do yesterday? 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.599 and you say 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.299 well I went to church 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:12.839 you went to church 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.539 why did you go to church? 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:13.939 and you say 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:15.139 well I learned about Jesus there 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:17.019 how he took the wrath 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:18.000 of God upon himself 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.139 to save me from judgment 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:20.599 it's that sort of conversation 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.259 you have at work 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:24.219 what an inspiration 00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:24.759 Noah is 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.059 isn't it? 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.379 to persevere 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.500 in witnessing to the world 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:30.640 you can imagine 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.039 can't you 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.980 that year after year 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.119 as Noah worked on that ark 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:36.539 laughter would turn to scorn 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.460 and then to hatred 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.599 and then to anger 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:40.359 so we're going to be judged 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:40.759 aren't we? 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:43.059 you believe in judgment 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.539 do you? 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.359 who says so? 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.559 when's it going to happen? 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.980 it's a long time coming Noah 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:50.940 but when it comes 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.940 only Noah and his family 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.519 were saved 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:54.960 and we sing 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.619 in family worship 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.160 sometimes 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:58.360 Mr. Noah built an ark 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.880 Mr. Noah built an ark 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:01.400 people thought it was a ark 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:03.840 Mr. Noah pleaded so 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.740 but into the ark 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.660 they would not go 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.700 down in the rain 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.620 in torrents 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.500 down in the rain 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.400 in torrents 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.180 down in the rain 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.000 in torrents 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.800 and only 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:12.759 eight were saved 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:16.540 it's horrific 00:25:16.540 --> 00:25:20.000 it's horrific 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:24.140 I'm in Auschwitz 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.140 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.579 I'm in the room 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.039 for my dad 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.440 and my brother 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.940 and you go into a room 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:28.500 and there's a room 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.839 of names 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.640 and things 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:34.059 about five million names 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.819 written on paper 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.680 of people who died 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.319 in the holocaust 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:40.299 the flood is worse 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.039 than the holocaust 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:43.500 more people died in the flood 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.160 than the holocaust 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:46.940 it's devastating 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:50.580 how hard it must have been 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.600 for Noah to live like that 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:53.779 for Noah to continue 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.700 year after year 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.160 after year 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:56.279 lovingly and faithfully 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.720 warning people 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.500 to flee the wrath 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.920 to come 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:01.860 and it's such an 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.440 inspirational step 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:02.759 for us 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.700 to keep doing the same 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:06.440 you see we live 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.240 in a moral universe 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.279 and judgment 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.240 even though it's delayed 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.080 it is inevitable 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:12.320 and judgment will come 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.079 and this world will not 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.339 continue forever as it is 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:16.059 and people hope don't they 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.079 that God will never judge 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.939 and things will continue 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:19.179 as they have always been 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:20.460 and they take the fact 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.500 that he's not yet broken 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.200 in upon us 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.859 that he never will 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.460 but one day 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.139 the Lord will come 00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:25.839 to judge the living 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.339 and the dead 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:29.079 and the only place 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.740 you can be safe 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.240 on that day 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.779 is not by getting 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.259 into a boat 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.099 but it is by 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.279 getting into the Lord Jesus 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.240 by trusting in him 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:37.000 and taking him 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.639 as your Lord 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.359 and Saviour 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.139 who has actually 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.839 taken the judgment 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.740 of God upon himself 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:43.220 and so the writer 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.779 of Hebrews says 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.299 to you this morning 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.180 fix your eyes 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.700 on him 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.299 keep trusting him 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:50.259 and keep pointing to him 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.000 and keep saying 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.880 salvation from judgment 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.400 is in him 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.900 in him 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.799 they are the fundamentals 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.440 of our faith 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:56.019 they are the things 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.019 most surely believed 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.740 amongst us 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.620 and they are all 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.519 fulfilled in Jesus 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:02.920 Jesus is our creator 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.559 our saviour 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.059 our friend 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.660 and our judgment 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:06.400 we could almost 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.440 put it into a creed 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.059 I thought this week 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.960 of writing my own creed 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.620 and then realised 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.559 how ridiculous that was 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.539 the Paul Levy Creed 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:13.159 but let me give you 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:13.940 the Paul Levy Creed 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.599 of Hebrews 11 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:16.559 I believe that Jesus 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.559 created the world 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.519 by the word of his power 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:20.519 I believe that Jesus 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.619 offered himself 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:23.000 as the perfect sacrifice 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.639 for my sins 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:25.759 I believe that Jesus 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.539 has gone to prepare 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.279 a place for me 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.480 and he will come again 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.559 to take me to himself 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.759 to live with him 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.659 in his father's house 00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:33.240 and I believe that 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.000 God has set a day 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.679 when he will judge 00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:35.740 the world with justice 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.919 through this man 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.720 whom he has raised 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.359 from the dead 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.939 Jesus 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:40.379 fix your eyes 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.459 on Jesus 00:27:41.459 --> 00:27:44.079 and so is that 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.639 the kind of faith 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.079 you have 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:47.479 you're trusting in him 00:27:47.479 --> 00:27:48.639 and looking to him 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:51.019 do you remember 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.000 Jesus said 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.379 to me 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:52.899 he said 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.740 when the son of man 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.399 comes 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:56.479 not if the son of man 00:27:56.479 --> 00:27:56.740 comes 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.059 he says 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.759 when the son of man 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.000 comes 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.639 will he find 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.799 faith on the earth 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.859 and it's 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.839 a question 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.439 not a statement 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:02.979 there are some 00:28:02.979 --> 00:28:04.099 miserable Christians 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:05.139 I think Jesus 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.459 is saying 00:28:05.459 --> 00:28:06.059 the Christian faith 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.419 is going to 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.139 dwindle down 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:08.519 and disappear 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.439 Jesus is not 00:28:09.439 --> 00:28:11.079 making a statement 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.719 he's throwing out 00:28:11.719 --> 00:28:12.119 a challenge 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:12.659 for you and I 00:28:12.659 --> 00:28:13.319 and he's asking 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.059 us a question 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:16.859 when I come back 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.639 will you be believing 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:19.819 will there be 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.059 faithful 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:20.799 there might not 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.519 be church buildings 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:23.799 might not be 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.299 denominations 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.859 like the IBC 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.279 there might not 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.819 be the trappings 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.319 of religion 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.839 but there will 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.279 be faith 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.079 this kind of faith 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:30.639 because we know 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:30.859 don't we 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.439 from this passage 00:28:31.439 --> 00:28:32.079 that without faith 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.619 it's impossible 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:33.379 to please God 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:37.780 and so 00:28:37.780 --> 00:28:38.580 this is my third point 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.060 the third point 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:39.520 is what faith 00:28:39.520 --> 00:28:40.040 demands 00:28:40.040 --> 00:28:42.380 you see what it 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.080 says in verse 6 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.960 it is a shocking 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.160 verse 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.440 we're going to 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:44.820 learn this 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.400 with the children 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.100 before the service 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:46.640 and Sunday school 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.060 it would be a great 00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.860 verse for you to learn 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:49.260 because without faith 00:28:49.260 --> 00:28:49.880 it is impossible 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.620 to please him 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:54.280 it is not difficult 00:28:54.280 --> 00:28:57.160 it's impossible 00:28:57.160 --> 00:29:00.300 and people think 00:29:00.300 --> 00:29:01.040 today don't they 00:29:01.040 --> 00:29:01.940 that it doesn't 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.400 matter what you 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.140 believe as long 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.320 as you 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.619 good 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:05.359 but what this 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.059 actually is saying 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.519 it doesn't matter 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.220 how good you are 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:07.519 if you don't 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:07.859 believe 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:10.139 and without faith 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.879 it is impossible 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:11.539 to please God 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.240 so let me challenge 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.419 you 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:12.799 do you have 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.519 authentic faith 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.240 is your faith 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.019 a living faith 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:16.839 not just a mental 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.220 ascent 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.099 are you living out 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.659 these truths 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:20.200 of creation 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.480 and judgment 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:21.939 to come 00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:24.240 and walking 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.099 with God 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.779 like the people 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.460 in this chapter 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.299 and trusting 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.119 in the atonement 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:28.879 of Jesus Christ 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.839 there's no such 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.579 thing as inanimate 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:30.819 faith 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.480 just faith in an 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.019 object 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:34.059 it's an oxymoron 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:37.299 it's like going to 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:37.639 the butchers 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:37.900 and buying 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.480 boneless roots 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.160 you can't do it 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:41.639 the devils have 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.039 got that kind 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.259 of faith 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.839 they believe in 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.119 God 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:45.099 now all these 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.539 people in this 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.759 chapter 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.400 as you read it 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:46.900 over the next 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.420 three weeks 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:47.879 you'll see 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.259 Abel 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.660 Enoch 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:48.940 Noah 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.619 all the others 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:49.900 they are 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.339 commanded 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.980 by God 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.119 as righteous 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.940 because faith 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.099 was the 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.740 animating 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.079 principle 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.359 in their 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:55.819 lives 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:58.119 and God 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.700 took delight 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.200 in what he 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.940 saw there 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:01.400 and he took 00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:01.920 delight in 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.319 the faith 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.579 of these 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:03.799 people 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.079 as they 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.440 lived it 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.740 out day 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.079 by day 00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:05.279 in the 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.640 decisions 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:05.920 that they 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.259 made 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.900 in the 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.319 priorities 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:07.579 they 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:07.879 set 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:09.740 and God 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.500 saw that 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:10.839 that they 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.480 lived on the 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:11.940 basis of 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.319 their faith 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.720 and he bears 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.359 witness to that 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.579 and he 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:13.900 commends 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.140 them 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:17.480 and he 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:17.700 says 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.120 each and 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.480 every one 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.720 of these 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:18.940 people 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.420 well done 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:19.740 good and 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:19.980 faithful 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:22.100 and 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:22.340 through to 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:22.720 the joy 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.000 of your 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.259 Lord 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.780 now do 00:30:23.780 --> 00:30:24.000 you have 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.320 that kind 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:24.700 of faith 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:26.540 and you 00:30:26.540 --> 00:30:26.900 say to me 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.200 but I 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.460 thought you 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:27.720 were saved 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.080 by faith 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:28.320 alone 00:30:28.320 --> 00:30:30.780 isn't that 00:30:30.780 --> 00:30:31.040 true 00:30:31.040 --> 00:30:32.660 is it 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.160 faith alone 00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.600 in Christ 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:33.800 alone 00:30:33.800 --> 00:30:34.100 and yes 00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.460 of course 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.720 it is 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:34.960 true 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.420 but the 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:35.820 faith 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.460 that saves 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.620 you 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.340 is never 00:30:37.340 --> 00:30:37.860 alone 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:40.640 you're 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:40.960 not 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.380 saved 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.060 by faith 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:42.620 plus 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.860 works 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:44.559 but you 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.079 are saved 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.439 by a 00:30:45.439 --> 00:30:45.839 faith 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.339 that 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.059 works 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:49.259 this is 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:49.719 how Martin 00:30:49.719 --> 00:30:50.099 Luther 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.559 puts it 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.599 he says 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.240 faith is a 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.519 living 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:52.959 busy 00:30:52.959 --> 00:30:53.539 active 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.059 powerful 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.419 thing 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:55.039 it is 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.679 impossible 00:30:55.679 --> 00:30:56.439 for it 00:30:56.439 --> 00:30:56.939 not to 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:57.199 do us 00:30:57.199 --> 00:30:57.459 good 00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:57.979 continually 00:30:57.979 --> 00:30:59.500 it never 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.119 asks what 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.599 good works 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:00.919 are to be 00:31:00.919 --> 00:31:01.179 done 00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:02.359 and whether 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:02.899 good works 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.399 are to be 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.639 done 00:31:03.639 --> 00:31:04.219 but it's 00:31:04.219 --> 00:31:04.539 done them 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:04.939 before there's 00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.339 time to ask 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:05.819 the question 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.399 and it's 00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:06.919 always doing 00:31:06.919 --> 00:31:07.179 them 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:08.399 faith works 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:08.919 faith acts 00:31:08.919 --> 00:31:09.439 faith evades 00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:10.039 faith endures 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.839 it's not 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.279 merely the 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.719 acknowledgement 00:31:11.719 --> 00:31:12.479 of truths 00:31:12.479 --> 00:31:13.019 that is 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.539 Christian 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.420 it is the 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.940 means by 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.319 which we 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.559 live 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.240 Christianly 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:18.639 listen to 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.019 that again 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.460 what is 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:19.899 faith it is 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.259 not merely 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.460 the 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.899 acknowledgement 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.680 of truths 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:21.960 that is 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.339 Christian 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.859 it is the 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.440 means by 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.000 which we 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.279 live 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.000 Christianly 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.759 that's the 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.139 message of 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:26.639 this chapter 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:29.099 all these 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:29.559 people they 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.480 lived out 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.159 their faith 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:32.180 because of 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.579 what God 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.079 had promised 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:34.599 they didn't 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.119 just believe 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.460 in God 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.099 they believed 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.700 God 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.519 and belief 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.619 in God 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:38.980 demands 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.440 absolutely 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.740 nothing 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.519 from you 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:42.099 believing 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.700 God 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.220 demands 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.700 radical 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.139 obedience 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:44.440 from you 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:44.720 and I 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.299 if you 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.700 believe 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:47.259 God 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.779 you'll act 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.220 in certain 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.579 ways 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:48.879 and your 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:49.220 life will 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.779 be shaped 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.220 by his 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:50.680 word 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.440 and your 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.859 decisions 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.279 will be 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.539 governed 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:52.960 by his 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.639 good news 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:57.580 and so 00:31:57.580 --> 00:31:57.800 is that 00:31:57.800 --> 00:31:58.040 you 00:31:58.040 --> 00:31:59.940 would 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.180 anyone 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.720 know 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:02.080 that is 00:32:02.080 --> 00:32:02.360 who you 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:02.720 are 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:04.560 your 00:32:04.560 --> 00:32:04.780 friends 00:32:04.780 --> 00:32:05.000 at the 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.140 school 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.340 gate 00:32:05.340 --> 00:32:05.500 your 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:05.720 friends 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:05.900 in 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.180 school 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:06.360 your 00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:06.680 neighbours 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:06.920 your 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.620 colleagues 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:09.500 would 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:09.660 they 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:09.940 know 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.180 that 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.120 you 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:12.000 are 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.100 a 00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:12.259 Christian 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.560 if 00:32:12.560 --> 00:32:12.720 you 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.160 came 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:13.600 out 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.240 as 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.380 a 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:14.740 Christian 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.900 tomorrow 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.280 morning 00:32:16.280 --> 00:32:17.500 would 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:17.600 they 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:17.700 be 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.140 surprised 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:20.700 what 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:20.880 are we 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.000 to 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.200 think 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.300 of 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.560 somebody 00:32:21.560 --> 00:32:21.700 who 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.560 professes 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.659 faith in 00:32:23.659 --> 00:32:23.879 Jesus 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:24.279 and never 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:24.599 lives it 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:24.799 out 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.099 never 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.500 demonstrates 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:25.980 it 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:27.339 shows 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.240 no evidence 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.579 of faith 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:28.819 in their 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.240 lives 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.839 somebody 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.179 has said 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:31.559 if it 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:31.859 looks like 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:32.179 a duck 00:32:32.179 --> 00:32:33.220 and it 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.460 quacks 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.759 like a 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:33.940 duck 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.659 and it 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:34.960 walks 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.259 like a 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:35.399 duck 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:35.720 what is 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:35.940 it 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.859 it's 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.139 a 00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:38.339 duck 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:40.539 and if 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:40.779 you talk 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.059 like an 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.379 unbeliever 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:41.799 and walk 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.059 like an 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.480 unbeliever 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:42.839 and live 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.139 like an 00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:43.440 unbeliever 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:43.779 what are 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.000 you 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.639 most likely 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:44.779 you're 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:44.859 an 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.319 unbeliever 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:47.599 you like 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.039 believe in 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.259 God 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.720 big deal 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.460 but you 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:49.799 don't believe 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.099 God 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.379 in a way 00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:50.639 that makes 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:51.119 a difference 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:53.299 and if 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.539 you're not 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.019 living by 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.579 his word 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:54.859 and by 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.279 his warning 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:55.479 and by 00:32:55.479 --> 00:32:56.519 his promises 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:59.099 do you know 00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.339 when you're 00:32:59.339 --> 00:32:59.779 in school 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.179 sorry 00:33:00.179 --> 00:33:02.759 when exams 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.379 came around 00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:03.979 hopefully it's a few 00:33:03.979 --> 00:33:04.779 months before they do 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.099 but what our teachers 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.839 used to say to me 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.919 and I would ignore 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.279 is that 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.359 when you go into 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.139 the exam hall 00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:10.719 and you sit down 00:33:10.719 --> 00:33:11.239 and you're told 00:33:11.239 --> 00:33:11.639 to open your 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:11.819 paper 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.679 the thing you've 00:33:12.679 --> 00:33:13.139 got to do 00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:14.059 is read the 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:15.079 questions carefully 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.399 do you know 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:15.799 I've been told 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.019 that 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:18.920 don't just go in 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.440 there and 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.059 start 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:21.180 writing 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:23.539 read the 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:23.940 questions 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.440 carefully 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:26.700 because time 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:26.960 and time 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.440 again 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.240 there are 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.519 people out 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.700 there who 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:28.940 give a 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.259 perfect 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.639 answer 00:33:29.639 --> 00:33:30.160 to what 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:30.420 was not 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:30.759 actually 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.420 on the 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:31.720 paper 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:33.539 people do 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:33.859 that all 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.299 the time 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:34.599 don't they 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.079 I hear 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.440 that all 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:35.920 the time 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:38.039 people think 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.359 that they 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:39.059 know what 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:39.480 God is 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.160 asking of 00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:40.400 them 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:42.720 they think 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.119 they know 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.579 what God 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.339 requires of 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:44.500 them 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.299 I live a 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:45.779 good life 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.339 I do my 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:46.700 best 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.180 I do my 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.420 bit 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:47.920 I go to 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.440 church 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.980 some of 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.220 them are 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.799 good 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.339 living 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:51.920 people 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.799 and they 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.220 do try to 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.720 live up to 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.299 those standards 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:55.879 but it's not 00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:56.279 what God 00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:56.879 requires of 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.000 you 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:58.700 because 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:58.960 without 00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.359 faith 00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:01.299 without this 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:01.599 kind of 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:01.899 faith that 00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:02.160 we see 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.420 in Hebrews 00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:02.819 11 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.960 this faith 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.160 that is 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.500 not just 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.000 intellectual 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.359 scent 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:05.759 but the 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.299 animating 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:06.779 principle 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.259 of your 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:07.639 life 00:34:07.639 --> 00:34:08.420 without 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:08.880 this sort 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.199 of faith 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:09.719 it is 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:10.320 impossible 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:10.860 to please 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.179 God 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:13.440 it is 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:13.759 impossible 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.079 to get 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.440 through that 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.059 final exam 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:17.299 and that 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:17.599 is a great 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.059 challenge to 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.380 you and I 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.039 isn't it 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.960 a challenge 00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.920 to us to 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.599 understand what 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:23.279 real faith 00:34:23.279 --> 00:34:23.639 is 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:25.380 and to put 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:25.880 our trust in 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.099 the Lord 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.679 Jesus Christ 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:28.559 let's pray 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.000 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:58.980 Thank you.