WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.600 Please join me in your copy of God's Word in Hebrews chapter 11. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:10.040 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.799 In our study last Lord's Day, the author of this letter to the war-weary Hebrew believers gathered in a home on the outskirts of Rome, 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:48.400 encouraged them by reminding them of their past faithfulness in suffering. 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:56.280 This church had suffered. We know this both historically and we know it from this text itself. 00:00:56.280 --> 00:01:00.880 They had endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 00:01:02.020 --> 00:01:07.659 And I fear in our study of the book of Hebrews that it may become distant for some people. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:15.159 That it's so far removed from your experience that you don't really know exactly how it might speak to you. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:18.159 And in some sense it doesn't. 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:26.099 Many of us don't pursue Christ the way we ought to and therefore don't experience the suffering. 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:27.340 of Christ. 00:01:28.180 --> 00:01:33.939 We've not really wrapped our minds around the fact that the way of Jesus is the way of suffering. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:37.140 That a student is not greater than his teacher. 00:01:37.820 --> 00:01:43.400 That we are meant to be a people who are filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:49.460 That we would suffer well in this world to show people that we have a hope that is beyond this world. 00:01:49.459 --> 00:01:57.359 But I think all of us who are following Jesus will experience discomfort in this place. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:04.459 You know some of you have family that are strongly against your Christian faith. 00:02:04.679 --> 00:02:08.740 Or your devotion to the Bible. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:13.060 Some of us are seen as so weird by other people who profess to follow Christ. 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:15.760 Because we actually take his commands seriously. 00:02:16.480 --> 00:02:20.439 We don't live however we want as the world lives. 00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:24.159 But we live the way we believe God would have us to live. 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:28.460 And we do experience this push back and this discomfort. 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:32.580 So we can find ourselves in this text. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:38.240 And I believe in coming years we're going to find ourselves more and more in this text. 00:02:38.360 --> 00:02:43.300 We're going to relate in higher order to these early Christians. 00:02:44.140 --> 00:02:46.659 So I hope you won't set aside the text. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:50.900 And believe that it doesn't have anything to say for you today. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:55.099 And so this author is writing. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:02:56.500 Last week we looked at. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:01.480 To encourage them to press on in their faith. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:08.099 And he does so by reminding them of the way they had been faithful in the past. 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:10.620 He says beginning in verse 32 of chapter 10. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:14.700 Recall the former days when after you were enlightened. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:17.520 You endured a hard struggle with suffering. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:21.180 Sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction. 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:24.320 And sometimes being partners with those so treated. 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:26.800 For you had compassion on those in prison. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:29.340 And you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property. 00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:34.740 Since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:39.360 Therefore do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:42.840 For you have need of endurance. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:45.480 So that when you have done the will of God. 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:48.079 You may receive what is promised. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:52.739 He's saying in overly simple words of my own. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:54.739 Press on. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:57.219 Keep at it. 00:03:58.019 --> 00:04:03.780 Prove yourself to have placed faith in Christ by remaining faithful. 00:04:05.239 --> 00:04:09.060 And then he cites Habakkuk chapter 2 verses 3 and 4. 00:04:09.579 --> 00:04:12.419 In verses 37 and 38 of Hebrews chapter 10. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:12.919 He says. 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:14.139 Yet a little while. 00:04:14.839 --> 00:04:17.539 And the coming one will come and will not delay. 00:04:18.539 --> 00:04:22.060 But my righteous one shall live by faith. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:23.399 And if he shrinks back. 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:26.819 My soul has no pleasure in him. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:30.779 He speaks of the coming return of Christ. 00:04:30.979 --> 00:04:34.659 That one day future hope for those who are in Christ. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:40.199 And that place of absolute dread for those who are not. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:43.939 And then he declares of them in verse 39. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:48.879 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed. 00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:53.740 But of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:56.819 So pastoral he says to them. 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:58.439 But we are not those. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:04:58.879 Right? 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:03.060 We are those who preserve their souls by faith. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:05.300 And it is in this context. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:06.980 That he speaks. 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:10.740 The words and the beginning of Hebrews chapter 11. 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:11.220 Right? 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:13.899 The need for them and for us. 00:05:14.280 --> 00:05:17.819 To persevere by faith amidst the cruelty of this world. 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:21.899 That he begins the glorious chapter 11. 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:25.779 Where he lays out example after example after example. 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:31.439 Of people who have gone before with persevering faith. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:40.019 He would have them and us unite with the words written in James chapter 1 verse 2 and 3. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.199 Where James writes, 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:45.439 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:53.060 For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:55.939 It produces endurance. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.339 That we would be faithful to the end. 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:04.680 And so he begins this chapter about faith. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:11.740 And all of these examples of faith by defining what he means by faith. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:17.040 So join me in Hebrews chapter 11 verses 1 through 3. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:22.079 Beloved, this is God's word to us written for his glory and our good. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:27.780 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:33.360 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.759 Remember, the conviction of things not seen. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:39.580 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:44.180 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God. 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:48.720 So that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:53.740 If you like to take notes or just like to get some structure in your head. 00:06:54.259 --> 00:06:57.920 The outline, simple outline for this morning is number one, faith's definition. 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:02.100 Number two, faith's commendation. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:03.960 Because I couldn't think of a better word. 00:07:04.900 --> 00:07:07.960 And number three, faith's foundation. 00:07:08.320 --> 00:07:12.600 So faith's definition, commendation, and foundation. 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:17.120 First, faith's definition found in verse 1. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:21.960 Now I think it's important to say that this is not an exhaustive definition. 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:29.099 There is much that can be said concerning the matter of faith and faithfulness. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:32.239 The Bible has a lot to say about this. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:40.659 And I think we can be over-reductionary if we just say this is the full and final definition on what faith is. 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:46.959 But it is certainly meant to be a definition, maybe a description for this context. 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:55.379 What is he talking about when he uses the word faith again and again and again throughout the rest of the chapter? 00:07:55.539 --> 00:07:58.199 By faith, by faith, by faith. 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:01.259 You'll see it over and over and over again. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:09.019 Think of this definition as a description of faith that perseveres to the end. 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:14.539 And he says to us that faith is sure. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.339 It is confident. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:22.759 He says it's the assurance of things hoped for. 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:29.919 Now the word here translated assurance in the ESV translation I think most of us have. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.759 You may have another. 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.720 You may use a different word. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:35.740 It's the Greek word hypostasis. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:41.940 Which is a really tricky word to translate into a single English word. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:51.399 And all of our very Bible translators do really difficult work to make an ancient language readable in the English. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:09:04.340 And so sometimes they're stuck having to pick a word to describe a word that has much deeper meaning than any single English word can accomplish. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:18.379 So some other possibilities you may see in your translation could be substance or foundation or the argument could be made guarantee. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:23.340 Now I like the chosen word assurance. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:27.680 I am not qualified to sit on a Bible translation board. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:31.419 But if I was I think I would have passed my vote here. 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:33.179 It would have been the dumbest vote in the room. 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.379 But I would have said assurance. 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:37.539 I think assurance is a good one in this case. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:40.459 But it isn't entirely adequate. 00:09:41.959 --> 00:09:50.439 You see the faith being referred to here is not what some would call blind faith. 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:53.859 It's not a drummed up faith. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:10:00.519 And this is where I think all of these words don't quite expand out enough. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:02.680 It's a confident faith. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.860 It's an immovable faith. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:08.580 It's got a foundation laid underneath it. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:13.139 When I think of this idea of blind faith. 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:15.519 Abstracted faith. 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:19.720 My mind always goes at this point to the Indiana Jones movie The Last Crusade. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.720 And the phrase that's in his mind. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:24.320 Rainier Jones is going in seeking to get the grail. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.100 The holy grail. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:28.940 And he's got notes that his father wrote down in his journal. 00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:29.540 His studies. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:31.620 And he's got these phrases in his mind. 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:33.920 Like only the penitent man shall pass. 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:37.100 Somehow he survives swinging blades of death. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.080 By kneeling and rolling. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.420 I don't know how that came out of the clue. 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:43.080 But he gets to a spot where there's a chasm. 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:43.680 Right? 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:47.120 And there's no visible way to get across the chasm. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:50.620 And the phrase that's in his mind from these notes is. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:56.299 Only in a leap from the lion's head will he prove his worth. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:00.639 And he's standing on a little precipice that looks like a lion. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.919 And he says it over and over again. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:03.000 And he's not sure what to do. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:03.919 And what does he do? 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:07.060 A very strange leap of faith. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:08.399 He sticks his foot out and he leans. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:12.060 And there happens to be a bridge in this place. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:13.539 And if you've never seen this movie you should see it. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.919 So you understand what I'm talking about. 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:17.360 As I try to. 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:18.879 You're going what is he doing right now? 00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:19.179 Yeah. 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:22.679 No idea. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:23.179 Right? 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:26.000 He has no clue that there's something that will catch him. 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:30.419 And the picture of faith here is this blind kind of faith. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:30.819 Right? 00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:33.099 From a leap from the lion's head. 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.740 He will prove his faithfulness. 00:11:36.219 --> 00:11:39.419 By jumping into nothingness. 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:39.500 Yes. 00:11:40.099 --> 00:11:42.059 And he's caught by this land bridge. 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:47.479 This is not the faith that the writer of Hebrews is describing. 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:51.579 It's a confident assurance. 00:11:52.099 --> 00:11:55.139 It would be as if Indiana knew for a fact there was a bridge there. 00:11:55.199 --> 00:11:56.539 Even though he couldn't see it. 00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:58.539 But he knows that it's there. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:02.000 It has a foundation underneath it. 00:12:02.079 --> 00:12:03.879 There's an undergirding. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:09.559 It's not a feeling or a hunch or some type of sentimentality. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:12.779 The faith of my grandparents. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:13.759 Right? 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:16.200 I have their faith because they had faith. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:17.240 Right? 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.480 It has root. 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:23.360 Something to place the faith in. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:35.000 And the next phrase builds upon this to help us further understand that it's also, in addition, the conviction of things not seen. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:42.100 The absolute certainty of something yet to be beheld. 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:54.379 The author of Hebrews tells us that this faith, this persevering faith he's talking about, all in this previous chapter and through the next, is convinced. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.899 Absolutely convinced. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:59.840 Unshakably convinced. 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.620 But in what? 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.120 But in what? 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:04.600 Right? 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:09.019 The object of this faith is of great importance. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:19.259 That we would actually have faith in something that is a foundation, that is immovable, that is solid, matters immensely. 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:26.439 So, what are the things hoped for and not seen? 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.799 Promises. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:32.159 They're the promises of God. 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:36.659 All that God has said would come to pass. 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:42.740 They are the promises of God that find their yes in Jesus Christ. 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:45.719 This is what we believe in. 00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:51.559 This is the immovable, unshakable object of our faith. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:57.879 Not the way we feel about that, but that it is, in fact, true. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:01.399 Those promises find their yes in Christ. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:05.879 They are sure and worth believing in. 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:15.639 So, persevering faith is certitude, confidence in the promises of God. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:19.279 And this develops out in the rest of the chapter. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.879 What are some of those promises? 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:25.779 What are some of those things that we hope for? 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:29.000 Those things not seen? 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:30.419 There's a couple. 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:33.879 First, Christ's return. 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:40.559 We hope for, as God's people, we hope for Christ's return. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:47.080 Have you ever, or have you ever known someone who would have liked to have seen the return of Christ delayed? 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:52.540 They're either immature in their faith or have no faith at all. 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:56.980 Those who belong to Christ are desperate for His return. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.960 We say, come, Lord Jesus. 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:05.580 Single men and women, don't wait until after you're married for Christ to return. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.320 We want Him to return now. 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:10.160 The glory is far superior. 00:15:11.260 --> 00:15:13.040 Titus chapter 2, verse 13. 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:16.580 We're waiting for our blessed hope. 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:22.200 The appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:15:22.640 --> 00:15:27.920 We are hoping, longing for, believing in Christ's return. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:32.000 And because of that, all the things that come with it. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:35.299 So, secondly, our resurrection bodies. 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:40.039 We are hoping for our resurrection bodies. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:47.740 Praise God, the body that now carries my soul, my spiritual being, will not be my body forever. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:50.379 This body is wasting away. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:55.480 It is failing me at a more rapid pace than I care for. 00:15:56.200 --> 00:16:00.159 But praise God, I'm going to have a resurrection body. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:05.480 Pain, pain, and death will be no more in my resurrection body. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:13.899 Living in the trouble of this world, there will be a more glorious reality for us. 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:17.219 Peter writes in 1 Peter chapter 1, verse 3. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:20.659 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:25.860 According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:29.740 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:35.100 And we know that because Jesus is raised, we will too be raised. 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:41.799 We hope for, as God's people, our future glorification. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:44.919 1 John chapter 3, verse 2 and 3. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.019 John writes, 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:51.060 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared. 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:57.739 But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. 00:16:58.339 --> 00:17:04.339 And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:14.240 We will be set free from the bondage, that bondage that still tugs at us of sin. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:21.819 And having been freed from slavery to sin, we still have our body of flesh. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.220 And we struggle in that. 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:32.839 This week, we of all, Christ followers, struggle to pursue Christ the way we are meant to. 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:37.259 We want to be set free from the body of death. 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:47.439 We want that day to come where we will no longer sin, where we will be righteous in Christ and act righteously forever. 00:17:48.199 --> 00:17:51.279 So we hope for that future glorification. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:57.099 And lastly, for now, our reign with Christ. 00:17:57.299 --> 00:18:01.160 Our reign, our ruling with Christ. 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:04.859 2 Timothy chapter 2, part of verse 12. 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:06.940 Paul writes, 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:11.779 If we endure, we will also reign with Him. 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:15.119 In Revelation chapter 22, verse 5, 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.139 John writes, 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:19.440 And night will be no more. 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:23.000 They will need no light of lamp or sun. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.380 For the Lord God will be their light. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:28.860 And they will reign forever and ever. 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:34.620 So these are some examples of some things that the Christian hopes for. 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:36.400 Those things not seen. 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:40.279 That we have confidence in. 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:46.799 Persevering faith is certitude in the promises of God. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:56.180 It is a confidence so unshakable that we will press on through whatever troubles may come to the very end. 00:18:56.619 --> 00:19:02.279 Those who belong to Christ will persevere to the end. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:06.259 Hebrews chapter 10, verse 38. 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:09.619 Again, according from Habakkuk chapter 2. 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:14.579 My righteous one shall live by faith. 00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:21.000 And we discussed last week how that could also be translated by faithfulness. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:21.619 Right? 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:25.279 By persevering to the end. 00:19:25.479 --> 00:19:25.599 Right? 00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:28.359 And this is a glorious work of God on our behalf. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:32.579 Secondly, those faith definitions. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:35.579 Secondly, faith's commendation. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.039 Verse 2. 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:42.159 For by it, this faith, people of old received their commendation. 00:19:42.479 --> 00:19:44.579 Received their commendation. 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:47.119 They were approved of. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:51.459 What they did accorded a good report. 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:56.200 Or they received divine approval. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:20:00.380 Through ways of understanding what commendation means. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:04.019 They were given a badge of faithfulness. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.420 Right? 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:06.700 This one I approve of. 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.100 Right? 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.779 Because of their faith. 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:16.700 The author of Hebrews is setting us up to receive the list of examples that he is about to give. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.240 Right? 00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:19.980 He's repeating again and again and again. 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:22.220 Like, these people of old. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:26.420 And the commendation they received because of their faithfulness. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:26.700 Right? 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:29.019 And then he'll say in the beginning of chapter 12. 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:32.700 Like, because we have such a great cloud of witnesses, let us press on. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.059 Right? 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:37.420 Let us prove ourselves faithful like they were faithful. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:41.000 One example that he gives is that of Abraham. 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:43.140 And he doesn't say it here in Hebrews. 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.460 But Paul says. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.900 Oh, excuse me. 00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.420 That's not Paul. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.140 I was going to quote from Romans chapter 5. 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:51.500 I wrote down and said Genesis chapter 15 and verse 6. 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:53.420 Which is what Paul quotes in Romans chapter 5. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.580 Referring to Abraham. 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:57.080 And he believed the Lord. 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:01.280 And he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:08.759 He was commended because of his faith in God's covenant promise. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:13.640 And I'd like to give you another biblical example that's not found in chapter 11. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:18.740 Because we're going to spend some time thinking of each of those biblical examples in the coming months. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:25.720 Except maybe in the phrase, verse 34, quenched the power of fire. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:28.279 Maybe we could find this example there. 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:33.960 Gary read to us earlier from Daniel chapter 3. 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:36.220 And I'd like for you to join me there in Daniel chapter 3. 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:41.640 We look a bit at this story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:21:41.640 --> 00:22:00.300 So this is not one of the author of Hebrews' explicit examples. 00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:02.660 Although possibly implicit. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:06.240 But it certainly is an example. 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:06.780 Right? 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:11.360 Of men who had faith in God's goodness and his commands. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:11.940 Right? 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:16.280 They didn't know with certainty what the outcome of their faithfulness would be. 00:22:17.020 --> 00:22:23.020 They didn't have an unmovable confidence in their deliverance from the furnace. 00:22:23.580 --> 00:22:26.980 What they had an unmovable confidence in was that God was God. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:32.060 And that he was good in giving them a command to only follow him. 00:22:33.040 --> 00:22:33.940 And so they did. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:37.380 And we'll see the outcome of this. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:40.360 So I'm going to read a little bit broader than Gary read previously. 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:42.619 I'm beginning in verse 8 of chapter 3. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:48.899 Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has created an altar that's to be worshipped at. 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:51.839 And if people aren't worshipping at it, they're to be thrown into a furnace. 00:22:52.479 --> 00:22:52.579 Okay? 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:54.399 So we pick up in verse 8. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:59.720 Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:03.519 They declared to king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:13.920 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image. 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:18.460 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:25.600 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:28.800 These men, O king, pay no attention to you. 00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:33.160 They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:40.380 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in furious rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:42.880 So they brought these men before the king. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.300 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:51.740 Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:57.779 Now, if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, 00:23:57.779 --> 00:24:03.000 to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:07.519 But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:11.619 And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands? 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:16.039 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:20.099 O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:24.579 If this be so, our god whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:27.019 and he will deliver us out of your hands, O king. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:35.799 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:40.400 Faithfulness. Note here. Faithfulness. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:45.519 They're going to pursue their god, regardless of what may come. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.759 Verse 19. 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:50.379 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:54.700 and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:58.920 He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated, 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:03.220 and he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:05.279 and to cast them into the fiery furnace. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:10.039 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:12.759 and they were thrown into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:16.480 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:22.120 the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:28.900 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:33.099 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.579 He declared to his counselors, 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:37.339 Do we not cast three men bound into the fire? 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:39.019 They answered and said to the king, 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.039 True, O king. 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.379 He answered and said, 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:44.720 But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.720 and they are not hurt, 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:50.259 and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods. 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:54.480 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning, fiery furnace. 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.179 He declared, 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:58.299 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, 00:25:58.379 --> 00:26:00.319 come out and come here. 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:05.139 Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:10.819 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:15.740 gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. 00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:17.839 The hair of their heads were not singed, 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:19.019 their cloaks were not harmed, 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:21.159 and no smell of fire had come upon them. 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:23.299 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:26.700 Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:29.539 who was sent to his angel and delivered his servants, 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:32.680 who trusted in him and set aside the king's command 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.200 and yielded up their bodies, 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:38.259 rather than serve and worship any god except their own god. 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.099 Therefore I make a decree, 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:44.899 any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the god of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:47.799 shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:51.420 for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way. 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:54.480 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:56.779 in the province of Babylon. 00:26:56.779 --> 00:27:00.619 So note the faithfulness, 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:07.160 the extreme, immovable faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:10.740 And God, in his sovereign purpose, 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:13.859 decides to save, spare their lives, 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:17.859 that he would be glorified in Babylon. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:22.700 The king himself declares some astounding things about him. 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:27.400 Blessed be the god of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:33.720 So God uses the suffering of his people for his glory. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:40.299 Faith in God's command and in God's goodness 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:46.619 is what we see here and what we're going to see in the coming months throughout chapter 11. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:52.819 Now, the people of old, they received their commendation, 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:55.839 believing in the promises of God that they would 00:27:55.839 --> 00:28:00.440 someday, somehow, be fulfilled. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:05.299 But the way that would happen, the exact way that it would happen, 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:07.279 was veiled to them. 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:13.299 What was concealed to them has now been revealed to us. 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:17.880 We live in an advantaged age. 00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:22.600 God has revealed himself in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:28.579 We now know how all of God's promises find their yes. 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:31.059 This is a wonderful thing. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:38.059 And because of it, our faith must be placed in Christ. 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:41.459 You cannot believe that God will fulfill his promises 00:28:41.459 --> 00:28:45.339 apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:28:46.199 --> 00:28:51.459 We must plead with modern day Hebrew people, right? 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:54.160 That they would place their faith in Christ. 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:58.000 If they want any of the promises of the Old Testament to be realized, 00:28:58.100 --> 00:29:02.880 for them, it must be by faith in Christ. 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:07.660 Now, we're also going to see in the coming months 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:12.400 that this is a faith that works. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:15.480 Not that our works are saving, 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:19.120 but it is a faith that works. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:22.379 And we see this to be true of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:29:22.739 --> 00:29:26.779 They don't merely give lip service to their belief in their God, 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:30.279 but they're willing to not bow. 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:32.519 This is their activity in that. 00:29:32.679 --> 00:29:37.279 We so believe in our God that we will not bow to your God, 00:29:37.899 --> 00:29:38.579 come what may. 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:42.579 It's a faith that works. 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:47.519 And I hope you're hearing week in and week out here 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:50.419 that for us to be followers of Jesus Christ, 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:53.079 our lives are going to look different. 00:29:53.939 --> 00:29:56.000 We will be changed, right? 00:29:56.099 --> 00:30:01.439 From one status, lost, enemies, rebels, dead, 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:03.879 to a new status, right? 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.799 Alive. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:07.059 Alive to God in Christ. 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:08.899 Having his spirit, right? 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:11.680 Picking up and obeying his commands, 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:14.180 not perfectly, right? 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:16.720 But in pursuit of this. 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:19.600 And you may not realize it, 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:24.560 but we are constantly stating what we're for here, 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:27.240 speaking about what we're against. 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:32.120 And we must be abundantly clear at this point. 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:35.620 We're going to see it all throughout the next chapter. 00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:39.699 Here, our church believes what some will call, 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:42.079 and they're doing it when they're calling it a heresy, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:44.039 lordship theology. 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:49.279 It was a bunch of years ago that a young man at the time, 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.039 member of our church, 00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:52.819 was a college student. 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:54.000 He's now our accountant. 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:57.379 He would be part of our church if he didn't live far away. 00:30:57.939 --> 00:30:59.000 He came to me and he said, 00:30:59.139 --> 00:31:03.199 my father accused you of being a heretic. 00:31:03.479 --> 00:31:05.019 I went, oh, really? 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.079 And he said, yeah. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:08.299 He said, you believe in lordship theology. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:11.200 And I said, I don't know what that is. 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:14.460 I'll have to go do some research on that. 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:17.619 So I went to Google and I typed in lordship theology. 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:20.099 And within about 30 seconds, I went, yep. 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.559 That's what I believe. 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.039 That's what I believe. 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.500 And it's simply this. 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:28.519 I've stated it and we say it again and again and again, right? 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:31.460 We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and Christ alone, right? 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:35.680 But having been saved, we evidence our salvation. 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:41.640 There are ways you can observe whether or not somebody is in Christ. 00:31:41.840 --> 00:31:43.900 Good trees bear good fruit, right? 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.920 This happens. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:47.279 It's the necessary outcome of that. 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:50.740 We should make our calling and election sure, right? 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:52.720 1 John chapter 5, verse 4 and 5. 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:55.539 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:59.240 And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:01.000 Who is it that overcomes the world? 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:04.900 Except the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God, right? 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:07.400 There will be a change. 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:11.480 Not merely a mental ascent. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:15.920 Not merely someone saying, yeah, sure. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:18.680 Jesus died for my sin. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:22.580 And then there's nothing that comes from that. 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:24.960 There's no proof. 00:32:25.080 --> 00:32:28.600 There's no evidencing of regeneration. 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:31.960 And I think it's really, really harmful. 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:34.340 Even damning, right? 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:36.460 That we would teach in that way. 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:40.240 And I'll let you know that it's called free grace theology. 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:42.740 Free grace theology. 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:46.220 Which, I believe in free grace. 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:50.680 So, you must understand that this title comes together. 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.960 I put it in quotation marks. 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.380 Free grace theology. 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.299 In my notes. 00:32:56.980 --> 00:33:01.579 I think it comes from a misunderstanding of what the Protestant Reformers meant by faith alone. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.259 Right? 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.339 Right? 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:08.259 They were not saying, faith alone plus works. 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:14.639 They were saying, it is by faith we are saved, which is evidenced by our works. 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:17.019 But they reduced that down. 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:27.259 And try to explain, I think, how the many myriads who come and respond to invitations given on Sunday mornings are, in fact, Christians. 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:29.920 Even though we're just not kind of sure what's going on with their lives. 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.420 Right? 00:33:30.420 --> 00:33:37.660 We would call them backslidden or some other unbiblical term to try to explain such a thing. 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:44.860 Beloved, saving faith is a faith that works. 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:45.600 Right? 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:47.240 Not saved by it. 00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:48.680 But it does. 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:50.880 Because we are changed. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:54.220 Because God is working in us by His Spirit. 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:57.799 We will be able to take a survey of our lives. 00:33:58.320 --> 00:33:58.340 Right? 00:33:58.420 --> 00:34:00.960 And this is a work of the church that we do this together. 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:03.560 That we help each other in this. 00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:07.519 And say, am I on the path of Christ? 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:10.139 Am I on the narrow way or am I on the broad way? 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.920 There's two options here. 00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:16.119 And it's evidenced by our fruit. 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:18.159 So you'll hear that. 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.839 And you'll hear that again and again and again. 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:22.819 Because it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:27.119 Thomas Brooks is on your bulletin. 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:29.679 A 17th century English non-conformist pastor. 00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:32.639 I'd like to be called a non-conformist pastor. 00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:44.259 Said, till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins. 00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:51.640 Those who have not been delivered by Christ cannot do anything to earn God's favor. 00:34:52.400 --> 00:35:00.540 But having placed our faith in Christ, our works are the evidence of said faith. 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:00.940 Right? 00:35:01.120 --> 00:35:02.700 And again and again and again. 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:04.700 We'll see this in Hebrews chapter 11. 00:35:05.140 --> 00:35:05.700 Okay, finally. 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:07.100 And I'm going to speed way up here. 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:09.679 Faith's foundation. 00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:10.659 And this is verse 3. 00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:15.519 I think verse 3 is so strangely placed on first reading. 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:18.880 It is interesting that he has defined it for us now. 00:35:19.339 --> 00:35:20.659 He said in verse 2, 00:35:20.819 --> 00:35:24.119 For by it, this faith, the people of old received their commendation. 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:28.519 And it just feels to me like at this point he should launch right into verse 4. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:30.800 Talking about the people of old. 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:33.860 Just go ahead and jump in on Abel. 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:38.480 And how it was that Abel was commended before God. 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:40.219 But there's verse 3. 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:44.639 And he's talking again, the people of old's faith. 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.179 But he says, 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:49.960 By faith we understand. 00:35:51.320 --> 00:35:52.400 By faith we. 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:55.360 He's including his original audience as well as us. 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:57.099 Those who are in Christ now. 00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:59.900 By faith we understand. 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:03.199 That the universe was created by the word of God. 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:06.139 So that what is seen was not made out of things. 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:08.039 That are visible. 00:36:09.299 --> 00:36:12.059 And this, I'll say, is still a bit of a head scratcher for me. 00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:14.739 I don't know that I've fully sorted out why. 00:36:15.759 --> 00:36:17.880 He doesn't say the people of old. 00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:20.500 He's starting at the very beginning of the Bible. 00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:24.579 And you're going to see him walk through the timeline of scripture. 00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:27.960 As he's bringing out these examples in chapter 11. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:31.219 But why he says we. 00:36:32.340 --> 00:36:33.659 By faith we. 00:36:34.699 --> 00:36:37.259 Understand that the universe was created by the word of God. 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:40.079 So that what is seen was not made out of things. 00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.659 That are visible. 00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:44.699 Now I do think he's beginning at the beginning. 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:48.219 And that's why I titled this point Faith's Foundation. 00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:54.119 Starts with understanding that our God is the creator of the world. 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:57.159 And therefore has the right to rule over the world. 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:59.299 This is foundational to faith. 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:02.679 Good gospel presentations begin at this point. 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:05.679 That we believe that there is a creator God. 00:37:06.279 --> 00:37:07.579 We're created. 00:37:08.339 --> 00:37:10.599 He can demand things of us. 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:12.039 He gets to make the rules. 00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:18.380 This is extremely important to what our faith builds to. 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:22.819 To say that God created the world. 00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:24.699 We find out in Colossians chapter 1. 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.619 That Christ. 00:37:25.839 --> 00:37:27.819 Christ created the world. 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:29.219 That's part of the Godhead. 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:32.119 And it was by his word. 00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:33.319 Powerful words. 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.460 Mighty words. 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:36.659 He spoke it into existence. 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.619 Right? 00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:41.079 He didn't need to spin it into existence from some other matter. 00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:43.059 He spoke and it was. 00:37:44.179 --> 00:37:44.199 Right? 00:37:44.619 --> 00:37:50.799 So that what is seen would be known to not be made out of things that are visible. 00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:54.719 The visible created from the invisible. 00:37:55.379 --> 00:37:55.480 Right? 00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.799 So a very foundation. 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:59.440 A very beginning point for that. 00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:02.039 But he says we. 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:05.279 By faith we understand. 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:07.719 So on my sabbatical. 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:10.639 With a number of matters in mind. 00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:12.159 If you're new to the scene. 00:38:12.259 --> 00:38:14.460 I took a sabbatical some weeks ago. 00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.519 For about a month. 00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:19.099 I've been reading through the entirety of the Bible. 00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:20.639 With a couple of themes in mind. 00:38:20.699 --> 00:38:22.619 And so I started in the book of Genesis. 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:22.779 Genesis. 00:38:23.259 --> 00:38:27.319 And I spent a long time in Genesis chapter 1. 00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:31.219 Things stood out to me that just hadn't before. 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.900 And guys. 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:34.480 I study the Bible a lot. 00:38:34.679 --> 00:38:35.859 Maybe not Genesis 1. 00:38:35.960 --> 00:38:38.279 Nearly as much as I should have. 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:38.559 Right? 00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:40.639 As both the introduction to our scripture. 00:38:40.759 --> 00:38:43.359 As well as the Hebrew scriptures. 00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:45.359 It's astounding. 00:38:45.900 --> 00:38:48.620 It's an incredible introduction. 00:38:49.260 --> 00:38:52.539 To all of the historical narrative. 00:38:53.140 --> 00:38:53.900 And beyond. 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:58.180 There's a lot that's established in that very beginning. 00:38:58.660 --> 00:38:59.400 In the narrative. 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:00.380 Right? 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:02.440 So I'm going to take a stab at why. 00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:04.840 I think he says by faith we understand. 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:07.820 I think it's a far reaching thing that he's saying. 00:39:08.200 --> 00:39:09.340 And I could be wrong. 00:39:09.340 --> 00:39:10.760 So I will tell you that. 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:13.539 I hope that I'm not going too far out of bounds. 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:15.000 But from time to time. 00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:18.579 I think text requires to have a little bit of theological imagination. 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:20.820 And be willing to say. 00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:23.440 Maybe this is where he is headed. 00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:24.760 With this. 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:26.620 Remember his original audience. 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:26.960 Right? 00:39:27.039 --> 00:39:28.220 These are Jewish people. 00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:30.120 But they're Greek speaking Jewish people. 00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:32.539 But would have been much much more familiar. 00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:35.539 Both I think with the Hebrew text. 00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:37.079 As well as the Greek version of it. 00:39:37.180 --> 00:39:38.120 The Septuagint. 00:39:38.120 --> 00:39:40.120 And we are so far removed from this. 00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:40.300 Right? 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:43.120 Remember we're always studying an ancient ancient text. 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:43.679 Text. 00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:44.119 So. 00:39:44.359 --> 00:39:45.400 Sentence structure. 00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:46.500 The language itself. 00:39:46.599 --> 00:39:46.819 We're just. 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:48.779 It's very lost on us. 00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:51.900 And it takes some digging around for our minds. 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:54.400 To fully comprehend what could be meant. 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.279 For them. 00:39:55.339 --> 00:39:57.639 I don't think it would have been quite as hard. 00:39:58.279 --> 00:39:59.779 Where would their minds have gone? 00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:01.179 His original readers. 00:40:01.319 --> 00:40:02.960 What would they have thought when he says. 00:40:03.339 --> 00:40:05.099 By faith we understand. 00:40:05.779 --> 00:40:07.940 Would they have been as confused as myself? 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:09.760 I don't think so. 00:40:10.840 --> 00:40:12.679 And here's a stab at why. 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:14.000 So if you will. 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:15.019 Turn to Genesis chapter 1. 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:19.380 We read in Genesis chapter 1 and verse 1. 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:20.720 You're likely familiar with. 00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:21.720 In the beginning. 00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:25.179 God created the heavens. 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.599 And the earth. 00:40:28.220 --> 00:40:30.840 God created the firmament. 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:31.599 Right? 00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:33.139 And the sky. 00:40:33.260 --> 00:40:34.840 And everything above it. 00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:36.000 In the beginning. 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:38.420 God created the heavens. 00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:39.880 And the earth. 00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:41.140 And then we see the. 00:40:41.700 --> 00:40:42.260 Six. 00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:43.440 Day. 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.360 Creation. 00:40:44.700 --> 00:40:45.019 Plus. 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.220 The seventh day. 00:40:46.360 --> 00:40:47.460 Where God rests. 00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.980 And that goes through chapter 2. 00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:50.840 And verse 3. 00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:53.400 In our very first. 00:40:53.600 --> 00:40:55.280 Two pages of our Bibles. 00:40:55.480 --> 00:40:56.640 The chapter breaks. 00:40:56.700 --> 00:40:57.440 Already screwed up. 00:40:57.800 --> 00:40:59.480 I think it should have come after. 00:40:59.820 --> 00:41:00.440 Chapter 2. 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:01.860 And verse 3. 00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:03.059 But here we have it. 00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:03.300 So. 00:41:03.840 --> 00:41:04.820 Genesis chapter 1. 00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:06.539 Through Genesis chapter 2. 00:41:06.700 --> 00:41:07.640 And verse 3. 00:41:08.640 --> 00:41:10.140 Is this initial telling. 00:41:10.140 --> 00:41:11.100 Of how it is. 00:41:11.960 --> 00:41:13.380 That God created the world. 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.480 Ex nihilo. 00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.500 Out of nothing. 00:41:15.800 --> 00:41:15.980 Right? 00:41:16.019 --> 00:41:16.920 He spoke it. 00:41:17.760 --> 00:41:18.400 Into existence. 00:41:18.960 --> 00:41:19.860 And it has. 00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:21.860 A really cool. 00:41:22.220 --> 00:41:22.620 Hebrew. 00:41:22.840 --> 00:41:23.559 Literary structure. 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.039 That. 00:41:24.539 --> 00:41:25.680 We just don't see on our. 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.280 English. 00:41:27.220 --> 00:41:27.700 Page. 00:41:28.180 --> 00:41:29.720 And what's extremely significant. 00:41:29.720 --> 00:41:30.820 In its structure. 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:31.740 Is the number. 00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:32.740 Seven. 00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.360 Now I don't have the time. 00:41:34.360 --> 00:41:35.059 And I'm going to spare you. 00:41:35.059 --> 00:41:36.200 The boredom. 00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:37.579 Of hearing all about. 00:41:37.740 --> 00:41:38.240 All the sevens. 00:41:38.240 --> 00:41:38.960 All throughout this. 00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.660 Very beginning. 00:41:40.140 --> 00:41:40.800 Intro here. 00:41:41.120 --> 00:41:41.820 But on the surface. 00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:42.340 You can see. 00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:43.019 The first seven. 00:41:43.539 --> 00:41:43.900 Being. 00:41:44.160 --> 00:41:45.240 That there's seven days. 00:41:46.539 --> 00:41:47.300 That the. 00:41:47.860 --> 00:41:48.820 World was ordered. 00:41:49.660 --> 00:41:50.000 In. 00:41:50.660 --> 00:41:51.480 Seven days. 00:41:52.740 --> 00:41:53.720 But more than that. 00:41:53.800 --> 00:41:54.340 A couple others. 00:41:54.420 --> 00:41:55.140 I shouldn't say more than that. 00:41:55.260 --> 00:41:55.599 Others. 00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:56.280 In addition. 00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:58.019 The very first verse. 00:41:58.320 --> 00:41:58.820 In the beginning. 00:41:58.820 --> 00:41:59.680 God created. 00:41:59.680 --> 00:42:00.260 The heavens. 00:42:00.260 --> 00:42:00.760 And. 00:42:00.760 --> 00:42:01.860 The earth. 00:42:02.200 --> 00:42:03.100 In Hebrew. 00:42:04.220 --> 00:42:05.260 Is seven words. 00:42:06.240 --> 00:42:07.220 So it starts out that way. 00:42:08.400 --> 00:42:08.880 Verse two. 00:42:09.000 --> 00:42:09.880 Of Genesis chapter one. 00:42:10.019 --> 00:42:10.320 Is. 00:42:10.900 --> 00:42:11.700 Fourteen words. 00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:12.100 So. 00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:12.960 Two times. 00:42:13.200 --> 00:42:13.460 Seven. 00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:14.440 There's some. 00:42:14.600 --> 00:42:15.580 Things happening with. 00:42:15.900 --> 00:42:16.400 Sevens. 00:42:16.880 --> 00:42:17.740 In the text here. 00:42:18.559 --> 00:42:18.840 The. 00:42:19.280 --> 00:42:19.840 Words. 00:42:20.220 --> 00:42:20.559 In. 00:42:20.800 --> 00:42:21.360 Verse one. 00:42:22.000 --> 00:42:22.340 God. 00:42:23.240 --> 00:42:23.900 Heavens and earth. 00:42:24.360 --> 00:42:24.800 Appear. 00:42:25.059 --> 00:42:25.600 Throughout that. 00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:26.279 Passage. 00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:27.299 In multiples. 00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:27.839 Of. 00:42:28.619 --> 00:42:29.259 Sevens. 00:42:29.779 --> 00:42:30.599 And there are many other words. 00:42:30.679 --> 00:42:31.719 That do the very same thing. 00:42:31.779 --> 00:42:32.839 There's something significant. 00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:33.639 Happening here. 00:42:33.980 --> 00:42:35.880 In this very wonderfully crafted. 00:42:36.079 --> 00:42:36.219 Right. 00:42:36.299 --> 00:42:37.480 God inspired text. 00:42:37.559 --> 00:42:38.440 Telling about the creation. 00:42:39.079 --> 00:42:39.799 Of the world. 00:42:40.039 --> 00:42:40.239 Right. 00:42:40.259 --> 00:42:41.199 We pick up the facts. 00:42:41.299 --> 00:42:41.519 Yes. 00:42:41.599 --> 00:42:42.319 God created it. 00:42:42.339 --> 00:42:43.400 And here's how he created it. 00:42:43.400 --> 00:42:44.719 This is the order in which it was. 00:42:45.099 --> 00:42:45.539 Created. 00:42:45.599 --> 00:42:45.900 But there's. 00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:47.380 Something else going on. 00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:47.779 In. 00:42:48.099 --> 00:42:49.039 The text itself. 00:42:49.940 --> 00:42:50.099 Right. 00:42:50.279 --> 00:42:51.579 They're moving us along. 00:42:51.719 --> 00:42:52.900 In an understanding. 00:42:53.819 --> 00:42:54.719 Of what's happening. 00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:56.639 And I think that it's this. 00:42:57.439 --> 00:42:58.419 On the seventh day. 00:42:58.859 --> 00:42:59.379 God. 00:42:59.699 --> 00:43:01.099 Who is infinite in power. 00:43:01.439 --> 00:43:02.899 Does not get tired. 00:43:03.819 --> 00:43:04.879 He rests. 00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:06.539 On that day. 00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:08.519 He ceases from his working. 00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:10.119 And he. 00:43:11.239 --> 00:43:11.719 Rests. 00:43:12.059 --> 00:43:12.179 Right. 00:43:12.259 --> 00:43:13.439 And that word rest. 00:43:13.559 --> 00:43:14.199 In Hebrew. 00:43:14.439 --> 00:43:14.559 Can. 00:43:14.779 --> 00:43:15.500 Can mean a bit more. 00:43:15.579 --> 00:43:16.939 Than what we think of as resting. 00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:17.500 But it's a. 00:43:17.779 --> 00:43:19.219 It's a settling in. 00:43:19.319 --> 00:43:19.779 It's a. 00:43:20.439 --> 00:43:20.879 Completing. 00:43:21.719 --> 00:43:22.299 Of the work. 00:43:22.299 --> 00:43:23.459 So he both stops. 00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.500 And completes. 00:43:25.379 --> 00:43:26.879 So this original narrative. 00:43:26.879 --> 00:43:27.639 Is moving us. 00:43:27.759 --> 00:43:28.539 To an idea. 00:43:28.759 --> 00:43:29.239 Of. 00:43:30.019 --> 00:43:30.519 Completion. 00:43:31.019 --> 00:43:32.019 God creating. 00:43:32.179 --> 00:43:33.039 Out of nothing. 00:43:34.339 --> 00:43:34.859 Void. 00:43:35.480 --> 00:43:35.699 Right. 00:43:35.779 --> 00:43:36.399 The world. 00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:37.579 In which we live. 00:43:38.359 --> 00:43:39.019 Completing it. 00:43:39.159 --> 00:43:40.319 Bringing it to this. 00:43:40.699 --> 00:43:42.199 Place of stasis. 00:43:43.079 --> 00:43:43.299 Right. 00:43:44.379 --> 00:43:45.559 And if we're reading it. 00:43:45.599 --> 00:43:46.299 And understanding it. 00:43:46.339 --> 00:43:47.019 In this way. 00:43:47.619 --> 00:43:48.039 God. 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:48.919 Finished. 00:43:49.239 --> 00:43:49.399 Right. 00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:49.659 He. 00:43:50.059 --> 00:43:50.459 Rested. 00:43:50.459 --> 00:43:51.339 It was done. 00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:52.339 And he had declared it. 00:43:52.340 --> 00:43:53.480 Very good. 00:43:53.579 --> 00:43:54.240 Over and over. 00:43:54.360 --> 00:43:54.860 And over again. 00:43:55.160 --> 00:43:55.480 This. 00:43:55.820 --> 00:43:56.140 Is. 00:43:56.840 --> 00:43:57.160 Good. 00:43:58.280 --> 00:43:59.700 Then we ought to be in anticipation. 00:44:00.059 --> 00:44:00.600 And why. 00:44:00.700 --> 00:44:01.000 There's a. 00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:01.920 The rest of the book. 00:44:02.100 --> 00:44:02.240 What. 00:44:02.400 --> 00:44:03.240 What happened. 00:44:03.440 --> 00:44:03.640 Right. 00:44:04.200 --> 00:44:05.460 Why does the story go on. 00:44:05.500 --> 00:44:07.079 It would seem that it was completed. 00:44:07.579 --> 00:44:07.860 Well. 00:44:08.000 --> 00:44:08.380 We can. 00:44:08.740 --> 00:44:09.120 Read in. 00:44:09.340 --> 00:44:09.920 Chapter three. 00:44:10.180 --> 00:44:10.579 Exactly. 00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:12.079 What happened. 00:44:12.740 --> 00:44:12.920 Right. 00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:13.660 That. 00:44:14.380 --> 00:44:15.160 That completion. 00:44:15.320 --> 00:44:16.000 That rest. 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:16.519 Right. 00:44:16.640 --> 00:44:17.480 Was ruined. 00:44:17.480 --> 00:44:20.179 But this original telling. 00:44:20.500 --> 00:44:21.380 Sets up for us. 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:22.800 What he intends to do. 00:44:22.860 --> 00:44:24.800 Across the entire historical. 00:44:25.460 --> 00:44:25.940 Narrative. 00:44:26.099 --> 00:44:27.320 To bring it all. 00:44:27.519 --> 00:44:27.900 To a. 00:44:28.260 --> 00:44:28.699 Complete. 00:44:29.400 --> 00:44:30.260 And final rest. 00:44:32.639 --> 00:44:33.980 And he sets up. 00:44:34.260 --> 00:44:34.460 A. 00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:35.719 System. 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.519 Right. 00:44:36.920 --> 00:44:37.579 That's picked up. 00:44:37.659 --> 00:44:38.300 In other places. 00:44:38.420 --> 00:44:39.380 In other parts of. 00:44:39.800 --> 00:44:40.820 The historical narrative. 00:44:41.260 --> 00:44:42.420 For how God's people. 00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:44.000 Were supposed to remember. 00:44:44.539 --> 00:44:44.780 This. 00:44:45.420 --> 00:44:46.699 Coming to completion. 00:44:46.699 --> 00:44:48.139 Process. 00:44:48.739 --> 00:44:48.899 Right. 00:44:49.159 --> 00:44:49.539 So. 00:44:49.739 --> 00:44:50.199 He models. 00:44:50.599 --> 00:44:50.799 Right. 00:44:50.879 --> 00:44:51.859 On the seventh day. 00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:52.980 Rest. 00:44:53.239 --> 00:44:53.539 And then. 00:44:53.980 --> 00:44:54.379 Commands. 00:44:54.779 --> 00:44:55.419 Exodus 20. 00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:56.899 That people would remember. 00:44:57.000 --> 00:44:57.619 The Sabbath day. 00:44:57.739 --> 00:44:57.819 And. 00:44:58.279 --> 00:44:58.759 Keep it holy. 00:44:58.859 --> 00:44:59.980 For on that day. 00:45:00.899 --> 00:45:01.219 Who. 00:45:01.500 --> 00:45:01.779 Somebody. 00:45:02.679 --> 00:45:03.119 Rested. 00:45:03.359 --> 00:45:03.539 Right. 00:45:03.839 --> 00:45:04.679 That we would have built. 00:45:04.739 --> 00:45:06.179 Into our regular rhythms. 00:45:06.859 --> 00:45:07.659 A recognition. 00:45:07.659 --> 00:45:08.000 Of. 00:45:08.439 --> 00:45:09.239 Who God is. 00:45:09.480 --> 00:45:10.259 And what he's done. 00:45:10.399 --> 00:45:11.819 And what he is going to fully. 00:45:12.079 --> 00:45:12.779 And finally. 00:45:14.099 --> 00:45:14.419 Do. 00:45:15.299 --> 00:45:16.219 There are other. 00:45:16.219 --> 00:45:17.500 Times. 00:45:17.699 --> 00:45:17.759 And. 00:45:18.439 --> 00:45:18.719 Things. 00:45:18.839 --> 00:45:19.739 Set into place. 00:45:19.899 --> 00:45:20.619 In the Old Testament. 00:45:21.079 --> 00:45:21.480 Narrative. 00:45:21.799 --> 00:45:21.959 That. 00:45:22.379 --> 00:45:22.959 Refer to. 00:45:23.559 --> 00:45:23.879 Seven. 00:45:24.179 --> 00:45:25.159 Like in Deuteronomy chapter. 00:45:25.500 --> 00:45:26.059 Fifteen. 00:45:26.519 --> 00:45:28.219 You can read about the year of. 00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.419 Release. 00:45:29.959 --> 00:45:30.099 Right. 00:45:30.179 --> 00:45:30.539 Every. 00:45:30.879 --> 00:45:31.859 Seven years. 00:45:32.179 --> 00:45:32.359 Right. 00:45:32.759 --> 00:45:33.579 Deaths were forgiven. 00:45:33.799 --> 00:45:34.719 Slaves were set free. 00:45:34.799 --> 00:45:35.500 The land. 00:45:35.819 --> 00:45:36.799 Was to rest. 00:45:37.199 --> 00:45:37.439 Right. 00:45:37.500 --> 00:45:38.359 So that it would be. 00:45:38.879 --> 00:45:39.439 Productive. 00:45:40.239 --> 00:45:41.219 And Leviticus 25. 00:45:41.480 --> 00:45:42.559 You can read about the year of. 00:45:42.959 --> 00:45:43.399 Jubilee. 00:45:43.539 --> 00:45:44.099 Which happened every. 00:45:44.259 --> 00:45:45.159 Forty nine years. 00:45:45.159 --> 00:45:45.679 Which is what? 00:45:46.379 --> 00:45:47.379 Seven times. 00:45:48.259 --> 00:45:48.619 Seven. 00:45:49.000 --> 00:45:49.159 Right. 00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:50.319 Building into. 00:45:50.500 --> 00:45:51.339 Our psyche. 00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:52.440 And our understanding. 00:45:52.440 --> 00:45:54.299 That God is going to bring. 00:45:54.519 --> 00:45:55.420 Everything to. 00:45:56.619 --> 00:45:57.139 Completion. 00:45:58.500 --> 00:45:58.940 Now. 00:45:59.079 --> 00:45:59.239 If. 00:45:59.639 --> 00:45:59.759 You. 00:46:00.279 --> 00:46:01.259 Want to get more familiar. 00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:01.899 As I'm. 00:46:02.319 --> 00:46:03.739 In the process of doing right now. 00:46:03.839 --> 00:46:05.379 With this idea of sevens. 00:46:05.699 --> 00:46:05.799 Right. 00:46:05.920 --> 00:46:07.440 We see all throughout the biblical narrative. 00:46:07.559 --> 00:46:08.420 That when sevens are used. 00:46:08.500 --> 00:46:09.559 There's typically a. 00:46:10.500 --> 00:46:11.319 Symmetrical structure. 00:46:11.320 --> 00:46:12.720 And it's supposed to draw our attention. 00:46:13.160 --> 00:46:13.900 To the beginning. 00:46:14.300 --> 00:46:14.800 The end. 00:46:14.920 --> 00:46:15.880 And the middle. 00:46:16.100 --> 00:46:17.680 Something significant is happening in. 00:46:18.160 --> 00:46:18.680 The middle. 00:46:18.780 --> 00:46:20.480 And this was where my brain got going on this. 00:46:20.539 --> 00:46:21.700 Because I was confused. 00:46:21.840 --> 00:46:22.680 Over my sabbatical. 00:46:23.039 --> 00:46:23.360 About. 00:46:23.840 --> 00:46:24.280 The fourth. 00:46:24.820 --> 00:46:25.140 Day. 00:46:26.000 --> 00:46:26.180 Okay. 00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:27.500 On the fourth day. 00:46:28.160 --> 00:46:29.019 God creates. 00:46:29.940 --> 00:46:30.400 The sun. 00:46:30.480 --> 00:46:30.820 The moon. 00:46:31.160 --> 00:46:31.700 And the stars. 00:46:32.100 --> 00:46:33.120 On the first day. 00:46:33.180 --> 00:46:34.340 He's created light and dark. 00:46:34.600 --> 00:46:35.340 This is what got me. 00:46:35.400 --> 00:46:35.539 I went. 00:46:35.600 --> 00:46:36.100 Wait a second. 00:46:36.420 --> 00:46:37.480 God created light and day. 00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:38.400 Like. 00:46:38.660 --> 00:46:38.880 Yeah. 00:46:39.039 --> 00:46:39.320 Excuse me. 00:46:39.700 --> 00:46:40.300 Light and dark. 00:46:40.720 --> 00:46:41.360 Night and day. 00:46:41.740 --> 00:46:43.599 On the first day. 00:46:44.039 --> 00:46:45.119 But then he created the sun. 00:46:45.180 --> 00:46:45.360 The moon. 00:46:45.400 --> 00:46:45.840 And the stars. 00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:47.280 On the fourth. 00:46:48.000 --> 00:46:48.320 Day. 00:46:48.760 --> 00:46:49.320 It's odd. 00:46:49.599 --> 00:46:49.720 Right. 00:46:49.760 --> 00:46:50.440 So there's your first. 00:46:50.579 --> 00:46:51.119 There's your middle. 00:46:51.640 --> 00:46:53.059 And then your seventh day. 00:46:53.579 --> 00:46:53.820 He. 00:46:54.460 --> 00:46:54.820 Rests. 00:46:55.400 --> 00:46:55.539 Right. 00:46:55.680 --> 00:46:56.720 So all of those. 00:46:56.940 --> 00:46:58.539 Have something to do with time. 00:46:59.099 --> 00:46:59.240 Right. 00:46:59.440 --> 00:47:01.000 And those things are given. 00:47:01.240 --> 00:47:02.240 Are ordered. 00:47:02.940 --> 00:47:04.240 Helping us understand. 00:47:04.539 --> 00:47:05.119 This rhythm. 00:47:05.280 --> 00:47:06.380 That he intends for our life. 00:47:06.820 --> 00:47:07.300 To have. 00:47:07.500 --> 00:47:08.260 When you look in. 00:47:08.260 --> 00:47:09.920 Genesis chapter 1. 00:47:10.040 --> 00:47:11.240 Verse 14. 00:47:12.500 --> 00:47:12.860 Says. 00:47:12.960 --> 00:47:13.480 And God said. 00:47:13.640 --> 00:47:15.240 Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens. 00:47:15.300 --> 00:47:16.860 To separate the day from the night. 00:47:16.980 --> 00:47:18.800 And let them be for signs. 00:47:19.360 --> 00:47:21.460 And for seasons. 00:47:22.120 --> 00:47:22.900 And for days. 00:47:23.480 --> 00:47:24.040 And years. 00:47:24.140 --> 00:47:25.360 And we think immediately. 00:47:25.360 --> 00:47:26.860 When we read seasons. 00:47:27.460 --> 00:47:27.840 Of. 00:47:28.520 --> 00:47:28.960 Fall. 00:47:29.840 --> 00:47:30.160 Spring. 00:47:30.520 --> 00:47:30.760 Summer. 00:47:31.200 --> 00:47:31.520 Etc. 00:47:31.700 --> 00:47:31.840 Right. 00:47:31.860 --> 00:47:34.040 Isn't this exactly where our minds go? 00:47:34.340 --> 00:47:35.140 But it could be. 00:47:35.139 --> 00:47:36.480 And would be better translated. 00:47:37.199 --> 00:47:38.179 Before signs. 00:47:38.179 --> 00:47:39.000 And for. 00:47:39.799 --> 00:47:40.199 Feasts. 00:47:40.980 --> 00:47:42.699 So in Leviticus chapter 23. 00:47:42.879 --> 00:47:43.699 There are seven. 00:47:44.319 --> 00:47:44.719 Feasts. 00:47:45.339 --> 00:47:45.480 Right. 00:47:45.539 --> 00:47:46.579 And they all take place. 00:47:47.579 --> 00:47:48.079 Multiples of. 00:47:48.480 --> 00:47:48.859 Seven. 00:47:49.239 --> 00:47:49.440 Right. 00:47:49.799 --> 00:47:51.900 That God's people would be thinking. 00:47:52.239 --> 00:47:52.839 Toward. 00:47:52.840 --> 00:47:53.840 Remembering. 00:47:54.059 --> 00:47:54.920 And thinking toward. 00:47:55.059 --> 00:47:56.200 The final completion. 00:47:56.680 --> 00:47:57.500 That will. 00:47:57.920 --> 00:47:58.440 One day. 00:47:59.240 --> 00:47:59.559 Occur. 00:48:00.559 --> 00:48:01.059 Now. 00:48:01.140 --> 00:48:01.800 Because I'm afraid. 00:48:02.019 --> 00:48:02.720 That I may. 00:48:02.840 --> 00:48:03.640 I've totally lost you. 00:48:03.700 --> 00:48:04.079 Or made you go. 00:48:04.160 --> 00:48:05.460 What is he talking about? 00:48:05.820 --> 00:48:07.039 What is he talking about? 00:48:07.280 --> 00:48:08.220 I think. 00:48:09.120 --> 00:48:10.380 That that's what's happening. 00:48:10.620 --> 00:48:11.240 In Hebrews. 00:48:11.760 --> 00:48:12.640 Chapter 11. 00:48:13.079 --> 00:48:13.920 That the author. 00:48:14.579 --> 00:48:15.519 Has been talking about. 00:48:15.620 --> 00:48:17.000 This enduring faith. 00:48:18.000 --> 00:48:19.700 The persevering faith. 00:48:19.699 --> 00:48:20.739 Through struggle. 00:48:20.939 --> 00:48:21.859 Through trial. 00:48:21.960 --> 00:48:23.119 Then he defines it as. 00:48:23.259 --> 00:48:24.679 The assurance of things. 00:48:25.099 --> 00:48:26.039 Hoped for. 00:48:26.500 --> 00:48:27.199 The conviction. 00:48:27.559 --> 00:48:28.219 Of things. 00:48:28.519 --> 00:48:28.839 Not. 00:48:29.480 --> 00:48:29.859 Seen. 00:48:31.099 --> 00:48:31.419 That. 00:48:31.779 --> 00:48:32.739 Full final day. 00:48:32.879 --> 00:48:33.039 When. 00:48:33.259 --> 00:48:33.879 Everything will. 00:48:34.139 --> 00:48:34.419 Come. 00:48:34.839 --> 00:48:35.079 To. 00:48:35.599 --> 00:48:36.159 Completion. 00:48:36.539 --> 00:48:37.019 Completion. 00:48:37.279 --> 00:48:37.559 He says. 00:48:37.619 --> 00:48:38.460 Provide the people of old. 00:48:38.519 --> 00:48:39.519 Receive their commendation. 00:48:39.859 --> 00:48:40.500 By faith. 00:48:40.739 --> 00:48:41.139 We. 00:48:41.659 --> 00:48:42.059 Understand. 00:48:42.379 --> 00:48:42.939 That the universe. 00:48:43.079 --> 00:48:43.419 Was created. 00:48:43.519 --> 00:48:44.139 By the word of God. 00:48:44.239 --> 00:48:44.980 So that what is seen. 00:48:45.019 --> 00:48:45.759 Was not made. 00:48:46.119 --> 00:48:46.899 Out of things. 00:48:47.739 --> 00:48:48.279 That are visible. 00:48:48.280 --> 00:48:50.240 I think that's what he's doing. 00:48:50.340 --> 00:48:51.740 He's ushering their minds. 00:48:52.080 --> 00:48:53.780 Into the meta narrative. 00:48:54.740 --> 00:48:56.680 Of God's enduring faithfulness. 00:48:56.760 --> 00:48:58.380 And his plan to bring all things to completion. 00:48:59.000 --> 00:48:59.600 And then. 00:48:59.840 --> 00:49:00.560 He's going to step. 00:49:00.940 --> 00:49:01.380 Back. 00:49:01.519 --> 00:49:02.240 In verse four. 00:49:02.840 --> 00:49:03.019 To. 00:49:03.160 --> 00:49:04.060 To talk about. 00:49:04.740 --> 00:49:05.060 Abel. 00:49:05.120 --> 00:49:06.680 And he's going to keep walking through. 00:49:07.560 --> 00:49:08.400 The biblical narrative. 00:49:08.640 --> 00:49:09.140 In that way. 00:49:09.200 --> 00:49:10.100 He's setting up like. 00:49:10.300 --> 00:49:11.740 The thematic element. 00:49:12.040 --> 00:49:12.560 Of the. 00:49:12.880 --> 00:49:13.320 Entirety. 00:49:13.320 --> 00:49:13.920 Of the Bible. 00:49:14.340 --> 00:49:15.680 Before he starts talking about. 00:49:16.320 --> 00:49:17.280 The people of old. 00:49:17.280 --> 00:49:18.260 And the commendation. 00:49:19.019 --> 00:49:19.760 That they received. 00:49:21.500 --> 00:49:21.860 Or. 00:49:22.800 --> 00:49:23.620 He's just talking about. 00:49:23.700 --> 00:49:24.460 The foundation being. 00:49:24.780 --> 00:49:25.180 We should believe. 00:49:25.240 --> 00:49:25.800 That God's a creator. 00:49:27.260 --> 00:49:27.980 Certainly that. 00:49:28.240 --> 00:49:28.460 Maybe. 00:49:29.240 --> 00:49:29.820 The other. 00:49:30.000 --> 00:49:30.300 The other. 00:49:30.820 --> 00:49:31.180 So. 00:49:31.360 --> 00:49:31.480 I'm. 00:49:31.720 --> 00:49:32.640 Putting forth to you. 00:49:32.940 --> 00:49:33.960 Seven represents completion. 00:49:34.680 --> 00:49:35.840 And this introduction. 00:49:36.120 --> 00:49:36.820 To our Bibles. 00:49:37.620 --> 00:49:38.980 And the telling of the creation story. 00:49:39.080 --> 00:49:40.480 Gives us an outline. 00:49:41.120 --> 00:49:42.480 For how we're going to move forward. 00:49:42.680 --> 00:49:42.920 To. 00:49:43.740 --> 00:49:44.260 Completion. 00:49:44.580 --> 00:49:44.780 Right. 00:49:44.780 --> 00:49:45.800 So they would have. 00:49:46.060 --> 00:49:47.140 Had the significance. 00:49:48.040 --> 00:49:48.880 In mind. 00:49:49.440 --> 00:49:50.400 As they picked it up. 00:49:50.400 --> 00:49:51.420 And read. 00:49:51.740 --> 00:49:52.480 This letter. 00:49:53.360 --> 00:49:53.760 To them. 00:49:54.320 --> 00:49:55.460 They may have had. 00:49:55.600 --> 00:49:56.420 The words of Christ. 00:49:56.600 --> 00:49:57.019 In their mind. 00:49:57.120 --> 00:49:57.800 Matthew 11. 00:49:58.019 --> 00:49:58.440 28. 00:49:58.560 --> 00:49:59.019 And following. 00:49:59.280 --> 00:49:59.920 Where he says. 00:50:00.440 --> 00:50:01.060 Come to me. 00:50:01.380 --> 00:50:02.300 All who labor. 00:50:02.480 --> 00:50:03.340 And are heavy laden. 00:50:03.700 --> 00:50:04.860 And I will give you. 00:50:05.460 --> 00:50:05.780 Rest. 00:50:06.720 --> 00:50:07.960 Take my yoke upon you. 00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:08.660 And learn from me. 00:50:08.680 --> 00:50:09.320 For I am gentle. 00:50:09.440 --> 00:50:10.220 And lonely in heart. 00:50:10.300 --> 00:50:11.540 And you will find rest. 00:50:12.360 --> 00:50:13.160 For your souls. 00:50:13.159 --> 00:50:15.000 For my yoke is easy. 00:50:15.679 --> 00:50:16.500 And my burden. 00:50:17.179 --> 00:50:17.940 Is light. 00:50:18.940 --> 00:50:21.259 Can you see that reading into it? 00:50:21.480 --> 00:50:21.619 Like. 00:50:22.179 --> 00:50:23.059 You have suffered. 00:50:23.339 --> 00:50:24.359 You are tired. 00:50:26.059 --> 00:50:27.119 Bear up. 00:50:27.359 --> 00:50:27.500 Right. 00:50:27.779 --> 00:50:28.659 Have faith. 00:50:29.059 --> 00:50:30.279 Show yourself faithful. 00:50:30.960 --> 00:50:33.299 Look to the things that are to come. 00:50:33.659 --> 00:50:33.739 Right. 00:50:34.079 --> 00:50:35.819 They are worth awaiting. 00:50:36.839 --> 00:50:38.379 Find your rest. 00:50:38.899 --> 00:50:40.000 In the surety. 00:50:40.539 --> 00:50:42.480 That all of this will come to pass. 00:50:43.440 --> 00:50:44.240 In Christ. 00:50:45.280 --> 00:50:46.240 And my prayer for us today. 00:50:46.360 --> 00:50:47.539 Is that we would be a people. 00:50:47.679 --> 00:50:48.119 Who would do. 00:50:48.559 --> 00:50:49.300 The very same. 00:50:49.940 --> 00:50:50.579 Let's pray together. 00:50:50.579 --> 00:50:51.579 Let's pray together. 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579 00:50:51.579 --> 00:50:51.579