WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:11.880 Actually, I don't know, page 1,009, 10, something like that, 11, 10, 1,010 or so. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:16.440 And so we're going to be at the very end of chapter 11. 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:21.339 And as you look there, let's go ahead and pray together and ask for the Lord's help 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:23.420 because clearly I need it this morning, don't I? 00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:24.600 So let's pray. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:26.060 Lord, thank you. 00:00:26.740 --> 00:00:29.140 Thank you for your word that speaks to us. 00:00:29.140 --> 00:00:34.859 Thank you for your spirit that helps us to understand what you have said in your word. 00:00:34.980 --> 00:00:41.500 And thank you for Christ, Lord, that all of this word points us to him 00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:47.359 and what you have done in him to display your glory and splendor and majesty, 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:50.560 your goodness and your love to us. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:56.040 God, I pray you would help me this morning, Lord, to speak clearly. 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:02.539 And I pray for all of us that you would give us receptive hearts and keen minds, Lord, 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:09.620 that you would be glorified by our time together, that you would lead us to you through your word. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:11.879 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:01:12.859 --> 00:01:13.099 Amen. 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:14.680 Amen. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:14.800 Amen. 00:01:18.800 --> 00:01:20.280 My heart was broken. 00:01:22.220 --> 00:01:28.740 One of the joys of pastoral ministry is being involved in people's lives and seeing God at work in them. 00:01:29.860 --> 00:01:34.140 But there are times when there are burdens of pastoral ministry as well, 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:39.920 as you see people's lives sometimes crumble around their ears. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:49.780 In this particular instance, my heart was broken as I sat across the table from a young man in a coffee shop years ago. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:56.260 He came to me with a particular struggle in his life. 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:00.060 There was something that he knew that God would want him to give up, 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:05.079 and he just didn't want to do it. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:10.319 He was hoping that I might say it was okay. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:16.500 He was hoping that I would say, God will forgive you, or there's nothing wrong with that. 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:21.639 But I couldn't, because it's not what the scriptures say. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:32.340 He was hoping that God might give him the freedom to pursue his desires and Christ at the same time. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:40.920 But in the end, he chose his desires over Christ. 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:47.439 It was conscious, it was decisive, and it was devastating. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:58.580 He said he didn't want to do it, but you know, in the end, he did what he really wanted to do. 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:02.380 I warned him that he couldn't have both. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:09.820 I warned him that he couldn't have both the life that he wanted and Christ. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:12.880 I affirmed to him that I loved him, 00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:19.939 and that God's grace was never too far for him to turn back to him. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.100 But you know, we went away sad that day. 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:28.460 Both of us went away sad. 00:03:31.900 --> 00:03:36.120 Why is the life of faith so difficult? 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:43.319 Why is it so hard to live a life of faith in Jesus Christ? 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:48.479 You know, the book of Hebrews was written to a group of people who were wrestling with that question. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:50.739 They were facing persecution. 00:03:51.799 --> 00:03:59.579 Likely, they were on the brink of or had heard about the persecution in Rome under the Emperor Nero, 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:10.019 where grotesquely, horrifically, genocidally, the Emperor of Rome set about to eradicate Christians. 00:04:10.020 --> 00:04:13.700 He used them as torches at his parties. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:15.000 People. 00:04:18.400 --> 00:04:24.600 And the people who received the letter to the Hebrews were wondering, 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:27.840 is it worth it to keep going? 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:32.280 How do I keep going in the face of that? 00:04:32.279 --> 00:04:40.459 Now, my guess is that very few of us, if any of us, are facing that kind of thing. 00:04:41.419 --> 00:04:49.379 Very few of us don't make as decisive a decision as the young man that I talked about earlier. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:05:01.019 The life of faith for us is rarely put in this grand stage with the dramatic moment where we decide or don't decide. 00:05:01.019 --> 00:05:16.000 Often our life is full of lots of little things, little disappointments where the life that we want doesn't fit with the life that God gives us. 00:05:17.060 --> 00:05:19.500 And we wonder, is God good? 00:05:19.919 --> 00:05:20.779 Does he care? 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:22.219 Will he provide? 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:27.759 Sometimes it's in a crisis. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:32.800 God, how could you let this happen to me or to the one that I love? 00:05:35.459 --> 00:05:39.399 But sometimes it happens in just the daily life. 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:43.439 Things that we cherished and longed for slip through our fingers. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:48.240 Hopes and dreams are dashed upon the rocks of reality. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:52.800 And in the midst of it, it's hard to keep going. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:54.620 Believing in God. 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:56.220 Believing that he's good. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:59.340 Believing that there is something good for us. 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:04.180 Sometimes it's not even the circumstances of our life. 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:07.500 Sometimes it's simply the fear in our own hearts that well up. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:10.079 What if I lose something that I treasure? 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:14.060 What if I have to give up something that I love? 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:29.659 At the core of all of this thinking, there is a thought process that we rarely ever articulate, 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:32.779 that we rarely ever would state to ourselves. 00:06:32.779 --> 00:06:35.879 But I think it goes like this. 00:06:37.299 --> 00:06:42.239 If God is good, then following a good God ought to mean good things for us. 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:45.939 If God loves me, he wants to give good things to me. 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:51.659 If he wants to give to me things that are good, and I see this thing as being good, 00:06:51.859 --> 00:06:54.279 then God must want to give me this thing. 00:06:54.279 --> 00:07:04.419 What that produces in our hearts, however, is a kind of faith that says, 00:07:05.599 --> 00:07:11.199 I will believe in God as long as I get this. 00:07:11.599 --> 00:07:14.879 Or as long as I don't have to give up that. 00:07:15.119 --> 00:07:21.119 I will believe God if he gives me the desires of my heart. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:26.079 If he gives me the good things that I have set my heart on. 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:31.000 And again, these aren't necessarily crisis decisions. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:34.680 Sometimes they are, but often they're not. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.660 Sometimes we may continue to affirm with our mouths that we believe in Jesus, 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:47.079 that we think that the gospel really is the sweetest thing in the world. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:51.539 But our hearts attach themselves to other things, 00:07:51.659 --> 00:07:57.379 and slowly we are weaned from loving Christ. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:06.799 If you've been a Christian here for a while, if you've walked with Christ, 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:08.860 maybe you've felt some of these pressures. 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.319 Maybe you've felt some of these tendencies. 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:15.680 And if you're here and you're exploring Christianity and wondering, 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:18.060 what is this all about? 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.319 Then maybe you've felt some of these fears. 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:23.420 If I have to pursue Christ, what is it going to cost me? 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:24.519 What do I have to give up? 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:26.480 How can God be good if? 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.659 Those are real questions that we wrestle with, isn't it? 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:42.139 Our passage this morning shows us a little more clearly what the life of faith is really meant to look like. 00:08:43.420 --> 00:08:49.480 And it gives us a ringing call, a call to continue on in faith, 00:08:49.800 --> 00:08:54.180 because God has something better for us. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.420 I want you to look at your Bibles. 00:08:57.540 --> 00:08:58.899 Let's read our passage together. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:01.139 We're in Hebrews chapter 11. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:03.620 We're going to start in verse 32. 00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:09.360 And as we look there, just remind you of the flow of the last couple of chapters, 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:10.179 so we know where we are. 00:09:10.459 --> 00:09:13.199 Chapter 10 ended with this ringing warning. 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:14.600 Don't give up. 00:09:15.079 --> 00:09:17.519 Don't stop pursuing this Christ. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:22.679 Don't count yourselves among those who, like my friend years ago, 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:26.799 turned away decisively from Christ. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:31.980 But press on, because the righteous shall live by faith. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:40.199 And then he takes that phrase and he gives us a whole chapter of portraits of different people throughout the Old Testament 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:45.600 and how they had lived by faith, believing in an invisible God 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:52.120 and the reality that that invisible God defines for us about how the world really is 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:56.700 and what is really most important and what is truly eternally valuable. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:04.899 And at the end of this portrait, this series of portraits, in fact, 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:09.419 we come to our passage this morning. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:12.560 So let's read it together, starting in verse 32. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:15.899 And what more shall I say? 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:24.759 For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:30.879 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:36.939 stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:40.779 were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:42.919 and put foreign armies to flight. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:46.500 Women received back their dead by resurrection. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:56.500 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:02.120 Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.579 They were stoned. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:06.220 They were sawn in two. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:08.860 They were killed with the sword. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:16.200 They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:20.200 of whom the world was not worthy, 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:27.259 wandering about in deserts and mountains and dens and in caves of the earth. 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:35.799 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:45.080 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:51.539 There are two basic ideas in this passage. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:56.039 First, the first one is that we are encouraged to continue on in faith. 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:05.500 And the second is that we are encouraged to continue on in faith because God has given us something better. 00:12:06.199 --> 00:12:10.939 So the encouragement and the reason why, let's look at those together in order. 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:22.280 So first, this hall of faith is meant to give us examples over and over again so that we might press on in faith just like they did. 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:28.180 And there are three things that I want you to see from verses 32 through 38. 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:33.580 The first thing is that we can live by faith despite our frailty. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:38.120 He begins by saying, what more can I tell you? 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.740 And then he lists a bunch of names. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:42.660 It's kind of like, do you want me to tell you about America? 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:53.580 Well, think of the lives of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln and FDR and JFK. 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:56.540 And some of you are like, huh? 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.560 I don't get that. 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.379 I've been brainstorming all week. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:01.340 What's the list that everyone's going to get? 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.620 And there isn't one in this church. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:08.720 But what he's trying to refer to is a list of names that most of his audience would understand. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:15.519 And it's meant to arise stories of heroism, of great faith in each of these men. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:25.759 And yet one of the remarkable things is if you go back to Judges for the first four guys and then into Samuel and David, 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:34.059 you realize that none of these men were particularly pure or perfect in their faith. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.939 All of them struggled. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:41.240 Gideon had to be wooed out of his hiding place by the Lord. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:43.279 The Lord said, I'm going to do this for you. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.679 And Gideon said, really? 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:47.000 Can you give me a sign? 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.799 And then the Lord gave him a sign. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.539 He said, actually, can you give me another one? 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:53.959 And he was not a great man of faith. 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:59.819 He was a coward that God overcame with his spirit to enable him to do something. 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:06.519 Barak wouldn't go out onto the field of battle until the prophetess went with him, 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:10.659 even though the Lord had said, go, I will give you the victory. 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:17.559 Samson betrayed his people and allowed himself to be seduced by a foreign woman, 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:20.819 ended up in chains for heaven's sake. 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.659 Jephthah made a terrible vow. 00:14:27.219 --> 00:14:28.679 A terrible vow. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:34.139 It's a terrible story of faithlessness, of rash arrogance. 00:14:37.579 --> 00:14:39.939 Resulted in the sacrifice of his own daughter. 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:45.319 David committed adultery and then murder to cover it up. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:57.379 Even Samuel raised his boys in a way that dishonored the Lord. 00:14:58.439 --> 00:15:01.539 None of these men are paragons of faith. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.579 And you know what? 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.799 When you look back in the chapter, neither was Noah. 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.179 Neither was Moses. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.559 Neither was Abraham. 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:14.799 I hope this is encouraging to you. 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:24.299 Because the writer of the Hebrews wants you to see that those who are held up as examples of faith 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:26.839 are not examples of faith because they're perfect. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:31.540 It is not because they always believed perfectly. 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:36.540 It is not because they believed so much that they are held up. 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.780 But it is because they believed a little. 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:48.179 And their faith like a mustard seed, as Jesus refers to it, like a mustard seed, was all that God asked for them. 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:51.679 To live in light of what they knew about God. 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:56.259 And to act in risky, trusting ways. 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:58.860 And seeing God honor that. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:03.860 And glorify himself and use them in remarkable ways. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:09.059 Sometimes I think we read the Bible and we exempt ourselves. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:16.779 We think, well, this is like, you know, this is like the NBA All-Star game, you know, of the people of faith. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.700 You know, and I'm not LeBron James. 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.720 I can't dunk. 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.700 I can barely dribble, you know. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:27.980 So, like, I don't have to emulate or try to live the kind of faith that we see in the Bible. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.020 But you know what? 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:33.040 That's because we haven't read our Bible carefully enough. 00:16:34.640 --> 00:16:37.980 God's grace is for every human being. 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:41.800 And he wants, in his grace, he levels the playing field. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:49.179 He says, you don't have to be great to be great in my kingdom. 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:52.240 Because greatness is something that God bestows. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:57.039 Faith is simply the act of saying, I can't do this on my own. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:00.399 God, I can't do anything on my own. 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:03.079 And I need to live trusting in you. 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:08.619 That is what faith means. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:21.139 So, that's the first point, is that we can live a life of faith despite the frailty of our own faith. 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.680 It doesn't have to be perfect. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:29.680 The second thing is that we can live by faith, expecting and seeing God to do extraordinary things. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:33.419 Look with me in verses 33 through 35a. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:36.240 Do you see what they're saying? 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:46.700 Through faith, that is, God, in response to and using people's expressions of faith, did incredible things. 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:48.240 Supernatural things. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.559 Extraordinary things. 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:52.720 Things that have no human explanation. 00:17:53.220 --> 00:18:00.359 And have no credibility apart from the belief in an invisible and all-powerful God. 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:05.559 Think of the stories. 00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:17.240 Gideon took not 10,000 men that he started with, but 300 men and routed an army that was multiple times the size of it. 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:27.079 Or if you think about King Hezekiah later, Jerusalem is surrounded by an army much larger. 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:29.359 And they are done. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.960 They will simply stay in Jerusalem and starve to death. 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.960 But God intervenes. 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:46.179 And the scriptures say that the Assyrian commander went home ashamed and in a shambles. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:52.039 His army was ruined and in the end he himself was murdered by his own sons in a palace coup. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:59.220 Not because Hezekiah had done anything, but that he had trusted God in that moment. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.500 Hezekiah is another great example. 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:04.440 He didn't always trust God very well, but he did in that moment. 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:07.859 And God did extraordinary things to deliver him. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.039 The book of Daniel. 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:12.559 If you don't know it, go read it. 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.839 They're great stories. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:17.859 Daniel walked by faith and God did remarkable things. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:21.420 He saved Daniel from a pit of lions. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:34.299 He saved his three men, his three friends who were thrown into a fire that was so hot that the soldiers that threw them in themselves were consumed by that fire. 00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:38.319 And it feels like it's a comic book. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:49.059 It feels like it's one of our, you know, superhero movies today that we just sort of, maybe these things have been dulled in our hearts, but God actually did this. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:55.440 And he's still doing it. 00:19:57.659 --> 00:20:01.019 Friends, the God of the Bible can do whatever he wants to. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:06.420 There is nothing that he cannot provide for you. 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:11.220 There is no relationship that he cannot restore. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:16.440 There is no disease that he cannot heal. 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:22.099 There is no suffering that he does not see. 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:28.099 There is no trial that you are facing that he cannot stop. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:31.079 Simply by speaking his word. 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:33.419 Simply by snapping his fingers. 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:36.279 The God of the universe can do anything. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:46.980 And that's what this part of the passage is meant to remind us, is that you are putting your faith in the God who created everything and can do anything. 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:52.279 I have a confession to make. 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:53.299 This is hard for me. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.720 I hate to be disappointed. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:21:03.079 I live my life managing my expectations so that I won't get disappointed in life. 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.079 That's my default mode. 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.559 I'm learning. 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.059 I'm growing. 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:08.779 But that's my default mode about how I work. 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:23.839 And it's really hard for me to believe in a God who will provide abundantly, who will provide supernaturally, who will provide spectacularly for me in my life. 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:31.899 Many of you know that my wife is going through a battle with cancer. 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.539 I've had to wrestle with it. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.259 Can God heal her? 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.439 I mean, yes, of course he can. 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.480 I just said he could. 00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:44.579 I know he can. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.559 But do I think that he will? 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.579 Do I hope that he might? 00:21:53.839 --> 00:22:00.759 It's easy for me to fall into resignation and self-preservation so I don't get disappointed. 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:03.779 And I've been convicted of that. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:07.740 I've been convicted that that's not the life of faith. 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:25.299 To believe God is to believe that he who raised his son from the dead is able to heal and is able to bring life where there is death. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:37.460 So the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to be confident, to set our eyes on this God and to see, look, God can do anything. 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:46.980 But, and this is one of the most important parts of this passage, isn't it, for us. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:49.399 Look at verse 35 with me. 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:52.519 It's a remarkable transition. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:57.160 Verse 35, women receive back their dead by resurrection. 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:59.680 The great enemy death is defeated. 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:04.540 No one will ever have to die again because God can do that. 00:23:06.280 --> 00:23:08.100 At least that's what you would think. 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:12.139 But it doesn't crescendo towards that. 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:16.019 In fact, he turns on a dime. 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:26.079 Instead, he says, some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:23:26.719 --> 00:23:28.179 And it goes on from there. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:35.819 Others suffered mocking, flogging, chains, imprisonment. 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:37.519 They were stoned. 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.980 They were sawn in two. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.740 They were killed with a sword. 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.559 And so on. 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:57.919 This probably describes the life of many of the prophets. 00:23:57.919 --> 00:24:04.200 By tradition, Isaiah was sawn in two with a wooden saw. 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.939 Which means it probably wasn't very sharp. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.639 It's pretty gruesome. 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:13.240 It's pretty terrible. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:25.980 And it's pretty hard for us to figure out how this fits with what I just told you about God. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:28.940 Because God can do everything. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:31.599 And yet all of these died in faith. 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:34.640 They endured great persecution. 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.299 And they faced death. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:45.259 And God chose not to exercise the power that he has to deliver them from those trials. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:52.819 We're going to get to the why in a minute. 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:56.519 But friends, can I just blatantly put it out there for you? 00:24:56.740 --> 00:25:03.099 This is why the health and wealth gospel that is preached in parts of our country today is just foolishness. 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.220 Okay? 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:11.220 We need, and maybe in our congregation, we need more of the point that I just gave us. 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:16.180 We need to believe in a supernatural God who can do amazing things because he is doing it. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:18.640 And you know, he's even doing it in our congregation. 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:22.600 It may not be as spectacular, but we are seeing it happen even in our congregation. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:25.180 But we probably need more of that encouragement. 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:30.560 But friends, the health and wealth gospel is just wrong. 00:25:31.560 --> 00:25:39.320 You cannot read the Bible honestly and believe that God is going to make everyone's life more prosperous, more easy, more happy. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:43.519 That God is going to heal every disease and raise everyone from the dead. 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:47.759 It's just silly when you take it to that logical extreme. 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:53.700 And so you can't then extrapolate, you can't take it and extrapolate it back to your individual and say, 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:57.100 Well, I don't know, God can't do it for everyone, but he's going to do it for me. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.380 I know he will. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.840 He has to do it for me. 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.620 He doesn't. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.240 He doesn't in the Bible. 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.120 He hasn't through church history. 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:13.319 Not all diseases are healed. 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.759 We bury loved ones. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.580 Some of us live with chronic pain. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.740 Not all things are provided. 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.740 We go through financial ruin. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:25.400 We have a deserting spouse who doesn't come back. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:29.019 We have children who walk away. 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:34.440 And friends, this is in our world, here in America. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:37.160 In other places, pastors are imprisoned. 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:40.579 They are publicly exposed to ridicule. 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:43.880 And in places, they are killed. 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:49.019 There are churches whose buildings are burned or razed to the ground. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:53.339 Friends, even think of the book of Acts. 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:58.420 Eutychius is raised from the dead, but Stephen is stoned. 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:08.220 Paul is delivered over and over again, but he also is stoned, flogged, shipwrecked. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:13.460 Go and read 1 and 2 Corinthians to see all that he suffered. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:16.840 God did not save him from those things. 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:21.539 Most of the disciples, by tradition, died under persecution. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.019 Crucified. 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:36.120 A few weeks ago, my wife and I, celebrating our anniversary, went up to the outlet malls. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.279 Hey, that's a great celebration, right? 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:44.700 And, you know, in the Joseph Banks store, we met a guy who was working at Joseph Banks. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.619 And he told us a story. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:50.019 He found out I was a pastor, and we had a long conversation. 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:58.779 He had been an elder and, in fact, a pastor at a church for a while. 00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:05.339 He'd also had a very lucrative job at a local company that, if I mention it, you would know it. 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:07.039 He was doing very well in it. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:12.019 But one day, he had a conflict with his boss because he was in quality control, 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:15.579 and he needed to say, this is not up to standard. 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:20.000 And in his integrity, he chose to do that. 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.839 And he's working at Joseph Banks. 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:29.899 He said he lost his career. 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:34.839 He lost all of the financial security that came with that. 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:43.559 There's a woman I know from my time in campus ministry who moved overseas. 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.099 She longed to be married. 00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:52.619 She knew that going to the mission field was not a particularly strategic move towards finding a husband. 00:28:52.619 --> 00:29:01.459 If you don't know, the ratio is like somewhere between 3 to 1 and 5 to 1 unmarried women and unmarried men. 00:29:01.739 --> 00:29:04.659 It's because unmarried men can't last on the mission field for the most part. 00:29:04.959 --> 00:29:06.059 They really need a wife. 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:09.599 Anyway, that was a pastoral side note. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:15.199 And you know what? 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:18.139 She lived there for the next 25 years. 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:21.219 She served the Lord. 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.880 She loved the Lord. 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.740 She's now in her mid-50s. 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.319 She's single. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.620 She doesn't know she'll ever get married. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:34.920 You can think of stories of history. 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:38.700 Some of the great preachers and missionary heroes, 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:42.360 like Charles Spurgeon and David Brainerd, 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:48.200 suffered at times from debilitating depression or other physical ailments. 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:57.220 Think of another woman I know from my days in campus ministry staff who's a widow. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:01.519 Her husband passed away with three little kids, 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:06.400 both of them serving the Lord. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:13.740 All of them lived their lives by faith, 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:22.440 not because God saved them from these difficult circumstances. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:28.060 But through faith, they persevered in believing in God. 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:34.319 We ask, how can they do this? 00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:38.579 If this is a God we're to believe in, is it worth it? 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:43.399 Friends, there are lots of things I hope you go away with today, 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:46.599 but I want you to hear this very clearly. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:52.740 God's faithfulness is not measured by his deliverance from trials of this life. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:56.220 It's just not. 00:30:57.120 --> 00:31:02.859 God's faithfulness is not measured in whether he gives you the career that you want 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:06.299 or the spouse that you want or the children that you want. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:11.120 God's faithfulness is not shown because he keeps you from suffering, 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:16.420 from feeling like you've been abandoned. 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:26.900 Friends, his providence in our circumstances, both good and bad, 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:32.519 are so that we might know what the writer of Hebrews in the next two verses says, 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.800 that there is a better thing. 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:44.259 We are not called to live a life of faith as long as God takes care of us. 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:52.039 The Bible says we are to live a life of faith because God has done something for us. 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.140 So let's look at that. 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:56.140 Look at me in verses 39 and 40. 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:07.759 These all, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:11.000 since God had provided something better for us, 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:14.319 that apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.859 You know, I don't know. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:20.019 I've read this chapter hundreds of times, 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:22.819 and the first 99 times that I read this, 00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:24.380 I looked at the these all, 00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:27.799 and I thought especially of those who suffered, 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:31.039 of the 35 through 38 list. 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:34.440 And I thought, these people didn't receive what was promised. 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.200 But you know what? 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:39.620 When you read it, that's not what these all encompasses. 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:42.700 These all goes all the way back to verse 32. 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:49.160 In fact, I think these all goes all the way back to verse 3 of the chapter, 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.880 and it encompasses the whole chapter. 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.620 And it says, 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:56.559 all of these people who walked by faith in the Old Testament, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:33:00.779 all of these people did not receive what was promised, 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:03.740 even when they saw God do amazing things, 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:07.000 and even when they suffered the most terrible things, 00:33:07.399 --> 00:33:13.839 neither of them received what they were longing to see 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:17.240 and what had been promised to them. 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:22.160 God saw their faith, and he commended it. 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:25.379 That is, he looked at it, and he approved of them 00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:28.139 because they continued to believe in him, 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:30.099 even though they didn't see it. 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:36.399 Friends, for us to believe in God rightly 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:38.799 is to make sure that our expectations 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:43.240 of what we are to believe about him and from him, 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:45.899 we have to get this right. 00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:49.519 If we get it wrong, 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:53.539 then we will be crushed by disappointment. 00:33:53.539 --> 00:34:02.220 Noah was saved by the flood. 00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:07.460 Abraham saw a child born when he was as good as dead, 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:12.259 and a ram provided so that his son wouldn't be killed. 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:15.039 Moses saw goodness. 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.759 The Red Sea parted. 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.960 The army defeated. 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:22.860 The people led by Joshua entered into the promised land, 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:25.000 flowing with milk and honey. 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:28.380 The king saw God deliver them again and again and again. 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:33.340 And yet they, these were not the things 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:35.900 that they had fixed their hope on. 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:41.740 These were not the things that they had believed God for. 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:46.079 They are, instead, in the words of C.S. Lewis, 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:49.300 the scent of a flower we have not found, 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:52.860 the echo of a tune we have not heard, 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:56.599 the news from a country that we have never visited. 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:59.039 These are signposts. 00:34:59.099 --> 00:35:01.699 They are tastes of something that is yet to come. 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:03.480 And the greatest deliverance 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:06.299 and the greatest blessings of God in this world 00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:09.059 are meant only to whet our appetite. 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:17.360 This is particularly true for the Old Testament believers. 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:22.119 They were commended for their faith. 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:26.819 They did not receive what was promised. 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:29.159 Verse 40, 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:32.099 Since God has provided something better for them. 00:35:34.819 --> 00:35:36.039 Wait, look at it again. 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:39.920 This is one of the most remarkable changes in pronouns 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:40.819 in the whole Bible. 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.639 It isn't about them. 00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:48.159 The promise wasn't that God was going to do something for them 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:51.219 because the writer of Hebrews isn't writing to them. 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:52.239 And he's writing to us. 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:54.559 And he's writing to the church today. 00:35:57.859 --> 00:35:59.980 And remember, this whole hall of faith 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.379 is meant to give portraits 00:36:01.379 --> 00:36:04.759 to encourage us to press on in faith. 00:36:04.939 --> 00:36:05.319 Why? 00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:10.699 Because God had provided something better for us 00:36:10.699 --> 00:36:12.019 that apart from us, 00:36:12.419 --> 00:36:14.239 they should not be made perfect. 00:36:15.879 --> 00:36:17.379 Friends, this is the little key 00:36:17.379 --> 00:36:19.239 to putting your Bible together. 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:22.799 All of the Old Testament saints looked forward. 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:24.819 Peter says that the prophets, 00:36:25.059 --> 00:36:28.939 they looked forward to see what God was going to do 00:36:28.939 --> 00:36:31.819 because they knew that there was a greater thing coming, 00:36:32.459 --> 00:36:35.639 that God was going to bring to fulfillment 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:38.099 all the things that he had hinted at 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:40.379 and given signposts for 00:36:40.379 --> 00:36:42.399 and even promised that he was going to do. 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:47.119 The passage that we read earlier in Isaiah 61 00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:48.700 about God coming 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:51.960 and sending the captives free 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:56.240 and taking ashes and making them beautiful 00:36:56.240 --> 00:36:58.840 and bringing us into everlasting joy. 00:36:59.840 --> 00:37:02.740 All of these things are pointing forward 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:06.660 to something that you and I now have. 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:13.659 Because there's something better 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:17.179 that the writer of the Hebrews is talking about 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:17.899 is Christ. 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:22.739 It is the work of God in Christ for us. 00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:26.420 And I want to send you all home 00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:28.039 to read chapters 1 through 10 00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:30.879 so you remember everything that that means. 00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:34.519 Christ who is the final word of God to us 00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:37.980 so that we know what he is about in the world. 00:37:38.440 --> 00:37:41.980 Christ who was the perfect sacrifice, 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:44.140 who alone was able to come 00:37:44.140 --> 00:37:46.119 and deal with the problem of sin 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:47.519 that had alienated us 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:49.500 and all of the world from God. 00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:53.380 Christ who came and gave himself up for us, 00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:56.660 taking upon himself all the punishment for sin 00:37:56.659 --> 00:37:58.599 so that we might be forgiven, 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:01.980 so that our rap sheet might be made clean. 00:38:02.299 --> 00:38:04.599 Not only that our rap sheet might be made clean, 00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:06.279 but that our hearts would be made clean 00:38:06.279 --> 00:38:09.759 and made new that our consciences would be purified 00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:12.779 so that we could draw near to this holy God 00:38:12.779 --> 00:38:14.219 and not be burned up 00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:17.019 by his absolutely glorious perfection, 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:18.659 but so that we could actually fellowship 00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:20.539 with the living God 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:22.559 who created the heavens and the earth. 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:28.179 This is the Christ who created a Sabbath rest 00:38:28.179 --> 00:38:31.400 for us to enter from our vain strivings 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:33.019 to please God on our own. 00:38:33.279 --> 00:38:35.799 This is the Christ who is a high priest 00:38:35.799 --> 00:38:38.539 who can sympathize with us in all of our weakness 00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:40.279 and yet was without sin 00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:44.159 so that he might be the mediator between us and God 00:38:44.159 --> 00:38:47.659 and so that in him we might approach the throne of grace 00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:50.059 with confidence in our time of need 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:51.299 and find help. 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:55.599 This is the Christ who has, 00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:57.860 by his death on the cross 00:38:57.860 --> 00:38:59.259 and by his resurrection, 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:02.900 defeated the powers of sin and death 00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:05.380 and promised us that one day 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:07.340 he will make all things new. 00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:09.599 He will punish evil. 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:13.559 He will cleanse the world from its ugliness, 00:39:13.699 --> 00:39:16.400 from the stink and the stain of sin. 00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:20.019 He will do it in the hearts of his believers. 00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:23.240 He will punish wrongdoers and call them to account 00:39:23.240 --> 00:39:25.960 and he will one day make all things new. 00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:30.079 And the beauty of our created world 00:39:30.079 --> 00:39:34.539 and the loveliness of music and art and culture 00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:37.400 and the love that we experience, 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:42.820 we will see are just dry milk toast 00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:47.780 compared to the feast of what he has given us, 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:51.400 what he has secured for us in Christ. 00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:55.460 We are never alone. 00:39:55.600 --> 00:39:56.660 We are never abandoned. 00:39:56.880 --> 00:39:58.140 We are never ashamed. 00:39:58.140 --> 00:39:59.780 We are never condemned. 00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:03.320 We are secure in Christ. 00:40:04.200 --> 00:40:06.420 And this is something better. 00:40:06.900 --> 00:40:08.200 This is something better 00:40:08.200 --> 00:40:11.220 than anything you will ever get in this world. 00:40:12.820 --> 00:40:16.920 And we still are called to live by faith. 00:40:17.660 --> 00:40:20.039 We don't have all of that now. 00:40:21.640 --> 00:40:23.539 Like the saints of the Old Testament 00:40:23.539 --> 00:40:26.900 who were looking forward to what God would do, 00:40:27.240 --> 00:40:30.740 we too look forward to the final consummation of it. 00:40:31.640 --> 00:40:35.340 But we have the ability to look back 00:40:35.340 --> 00:40:37.600 and see that God has accomplished it, 00:40:37.740 --> 00:40:40.380 that he has done what he needed to do in Christ, 00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:43.320 and it's all simply working itself out. 00:40:44.079 --> 00:40:46.119 There are no more uncertainties. 00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:50.780 There is no more doubt about what God is doing in the world. 00:40:54.500 --> 00:40:58.640 And so, friends, we have something better 00:40:58.640 --> 00:41:02.460 that allows us to live by faith. 00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:05.039 We can press on in faith, 00:41:05.260 --> 00:41:08.079 not if God does this or does that. 00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:09.819 In fact, because we have Christ, 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:12.960 we can face the absolutely worst circumstances 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:14.179 in the whole world 00:41:14.179 --> 00:41:16.079 with hope 00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:17.900 and with joy 00:41:17.900 --> 00:41:21.019 and with worship to our God. 00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:25.659 Because when we have Christ, 00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:29.099 we have something better 00:41:29.099 --> 00:41:31.340 than anything this life can give us 00:41:31.340 --> 00:41:34.880 and something greater than anything death 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:36.140 can take away from us. 00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:43.420 So, friends, 00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:46.640 the writer of the Hebrews wants to encourage us 00:41:46.640 --> 00:41:48.019 to press on in faith 00:41:48.019 --> 00:41:52.519 because we have Christ, 00:41:52.920 --> 00:41:53.620 something better. 00:41:55.160 --> 00:41:56.220 Don't lose heart. 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:58.240 Don't lose sight of these things. 00:41:58.239 --> 00:42:00.859 If you, like my friend, 00:42:01.719 --> 00:42:04.239 are wrestling and battling with it, 00:42:05.559 --> 00:42:07.819 set your eyes on Christ again 00:42:07.819 --> 00:42:09.899 to see that he truly is better 00:42:09.899 --> 00:42:11.879 than anything. 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:16.619 And so, 00:42:17.779 --> 00:42:21.039 Hebrews 12, 1 through 3, 00:42:21.699 --> 00:42:23.259 as I close, 00:42:23.260 --> 00:42:23.820 therefore, 00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:25.420 since we are surrounded 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:27.280 by so great a cloud of witnesses, 00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:29.600 let us also lay aside 00:42:29.600 --> 00:42:30.320 every weight 00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:31.140 and the sin 00:42:31.140 --> 00:42:33.460 which clings so closely. 00:42:34.340 --> 00:42:35.980 Let us run with endurance 00:42:35.980 --> 00:42:38.140 the race that is set before us, 00:42:39.560 --> 00:42:40.960 looking to Jesus, 00:42:42.040 --> 00:42:42.780 the author, 00:42:43.140 --> 00:42:44.320 the one who has started it, 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:45.320 and the perfecter, 00:42:45.660 --> 00:42:47.300 the one who will bring it to completion 00:42:47.300 --> 00:42:48.040 in the end 00:42:48.040 --> 00:42:49.860 of our faith, 00:42:49.860 --> 00:42:51.160 who, 00:42:51.420 --> 00:42:53.340 for the joy set before us, 00:42:53.900 --> 00:42:54.160 before, 00:42:54.820 --> 00:42:57.120 for the joy that was set before him, 00:42:57.760 --> 00:42:58.900 endured the cross, 00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:00.740 despising the shame, 00:43:01.900 --> 00:43:04.220 and is seated at the right hand 00:43:04.220 --> 00:43:06.000 of the throne of God. 00:43:06.640 --> 00:43:08.400 Consider him who endured 00:43:08.400 --> 00:43:09.760 from sinners 00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:11.860 such hostility against himself 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:13.700 so that you may not grow weary 00:43:13.700 --> 00:43:15.519 or faint-hearted. 00:43:17.380 --> 00:43:18.660 Press on, friends. 00:43:18.659 --> 00:43:22.399 It really is something better. 00:43:23.440 --> 00:43:24.119 Let's pray. 00:43:32.779 --> 00:43:34.719 Lord, I pray this morning, 00:43:35.500 --> 00:43:38.119 Lord, that you would encourage our hearts. 00:43:38.539 --> 00:43:40.159 Lord, for those of us who are here 00:43:40.159 --> 00:43:41.379 and who are wavering, 00:43:41.859 --> 00:43:42.839 Lord, who are wondering 00:43:42.839 --> 00:43:43.799 if it is worth it, 00:43:43.859 --> 00:43:44.539 who struggle, 00:43:45.539 --> 00:43:47.379 God, I pray that you would help us 00:43:47.379 --> 00:43:48.500 to look to Jesus 00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:50.280 to consider him 00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:52.239 and see him 00:43:52.239 --> 00:43:54.119 as a greater treasure 00:43:54.119 --> 00:43:55.840 than all 00:43:55.840 --> 00:43:58.579 that our hearts might long for. 00:43:59.860 --> 00:44:01.780 God, I pray that you would be gracious 00:44:01.780 --> 00:44:02.579 and patient 00:44:02.579 --> 00:44:04.260 with us, 00:44:04.659 --> 00:44:04.900 Lord. 00:44:05.059 --> 00:44:05.659 Turn us, 00:44:06.199 --> 00:44:07.860 turn our hearts back to you, 00:44:08.320 --> 00:44:08.960 we pray. 00:44:10.960 --> 00:44:11.460 God, 00:44:11.659 --> 00:44:13.559 will you show us your glory 00:44:13.559 --> 00:44:17.880 so that we might be reminded 00:44:17.880 --> 00:44:20.199 of what a great God 00:44:20.199 --> 00:44:21.799 and a great Savior you are. 00:44:22.840 --> 00:44:24.639 Lord, help us to run the race 00:44:24.639 --> 00:44:25.460 with perseverance. 00:44:25.980 --> 00:44:27.239 Help us not to give up, 00:44:27.420 --> 00:44:27.539 Lord. 00:44:27.619 --> 00:44:28.519 Help us in the face 00:44:28.519 --> 00:44:30.340 of the little disappointments 00:44:30.340 --> 00:44:32.119 and the big crisis decisions 00:44:32.119 --> 00:44:34.059 to look to you. 00:44:34.059 --> 00:44:39.440 We pray these things 00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:40.340 in Jesus' name. 00:44:41.539 --> 00:44:41.820 Amen. 00:44:46.460 --> 00:44:48.199 As the music team comes forward, 00:44:49.400 --> 00:44:54.019 I said it earlier, 00:44:54.119 --> 00:44:54.960 but I do mean it. 00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:56.059 If you are wrestling, 00:44:56.199 --> 00:44:57.079 go back and read 00:44:57.079 --> 00:44:58.980 Hebrews 1 through 10 00:44:58.980 --> 00:45:00.340 sometime this week. 00:45:00.340 --> 00:45:02.420 spend some time meditating 00:45:02.420 --> 00:45:03.960 on all that God has done 00:45:03.960 --> 00:45:04.960 for us in Christ. 00:45:05.800 --> 00:45:06.680 Heed the warnings 00:45:06.680 --> 00:45:08.260 that the writer gives you 00:45:08.260 --> 00:45:12.059 in light of this 00:45:12.059 --> 00:45:13.720 great treasure of Christ 00:45:13.720 --> 00:45:14.620 that he's given us. 00:45:15.380 --> 00:45:15.539 So, 00:45:15.920 --> 00:45:17.120 let's worship God together. 00:45:27.700 --> 00:45:28.900 Please stand with us. 00:45:30.340 --> 00:45:31.340 Amen. 00:45:31.340 --> 00:45:32.340 Amen. 00:45:32.340 --> 00:45:33.340 Amen. 00:45:33.340 --> 00:45:34.340 Amen. 00:45:34.340 --> 00:45:34.840 Amen.