WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.500 You may be seated, kiddos. 00:00:02.020 --> 00:00:04.980 You are excused to your King's Kids class. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:10.160 ! And if you would open up your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11. 00:00:11.099 --> 00:00:11.300 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.539 Pastoral position at a church, Parkview Church in Iowa City, Iowa. 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:37.119 And so this morning is their last time with us. 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:41.519 We will pray for the Valentines after the service. 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:48.439 And so if you know them or you want to be part of that, we will close the service and then we'll just gather down here at the front. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:51.219 Caleb, we love you guys. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:52.679 And we will miss you. 00:00:55.120 --> 00:00:57.539 Now, back to God's Word. 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:03.280 We, Hebrews 11 is the hall of faith, the who's who of the faith. 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:06.359 And I'm going to read the whole thing. 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:08.140 But I need your help. 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:09.939 So here's the cue. 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:15.939 When I am reading through Hebrews chapter 11, I'm going to point to you. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:18.759 Either it's a double point or a single point. 00:01:19.259 --> 00:01:22.640 But when I point to you, I need you to say two words. 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:24.280 By faith. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:26.219 Let's practice. 00:01:27.540 --> 00:01:28.380 By faith. 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:29.820 By faith. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:30.940 By faith. 00:01:33.020 --> 00:01:34.860 All right. 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:35.240 Yeah. 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:37.200 All right. 00:01:37.240 --> 00:01:37.560 You ready? 00:01:38.360 --> 00:01:40.900 May God bless the reading of His Word. 00:01:41.860 --> 00:01:46.640 Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:50.079 For by it, the people of old received their commendation. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:58.219 We understand that the universe was created by the Word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:06.239 Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:08.719 God commending him by accepting his gifts. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:12.199 And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:16.739 By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death. 00:02:16.799 --> 00:02:19.079 And he was not found because God had taken him. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:22.359 Now, before he was taken, he was commended as having pleased God. 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:25.899 And without faith, it is impossible to please him. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:33.020 For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 00:02:33.719 --> 00:02:41.840 By faith, Noah, being warned by God concerning events, as yet unseen and reverent fear, constructed an ark for the saving of his household. 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:47.900 By this, he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:55.379 By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:58.379 And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:02.719 By faith, he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:06.400 Living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:13.560 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:22.879 By faith, Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:30.979 Therefore, from one man and him as good as dead were born descendants, as many as the stars of heaven, as many as the innumerable grains of the sand by the seashore. 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:41.960 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:46.280 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:51.919 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have an opportunity to return. 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:56.039 But as it is, they desire a better country that is a heavenly one. 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:58.379 Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:01.060 For he has prepared for them a city. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:05.139 By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. 00:04:05.139 --> 00:04:10.619 And he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, 00:04:11.179 --> 00:04:13.500 Through Isaac, shall your offspring be now? 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:17.259 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:20.300 From which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:25.279 By faith, Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 00:04:25.419 --> 00:04:31.539 By faith, Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:39.360 By faith, Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:44.580 By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents. 00:04:44.960 --> 00:04:46.960 Because they saw that the child was beautiful. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:49.500 And they were not afraid of the king's edict. 00:04:49.900 --> 00:04:54.520 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:05:00.060 Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:04.939 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:06.860 For he was looking to the reward. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:11.199 By faith, he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:16.240 For he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:22.579 By faith, he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:26.340 By faith, the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:29.340 But the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:34.979 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:40.399 And by faith, Rahab, the prostitute, did not perish with those who were disobedient. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:43.919 Because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:46.159 What more shall I say? 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:51.840 For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, and the prophets. 00:05:52.400 --> 00:06:05.720 Who, through faith, conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:08.360 Women received back their dead by resurrection. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:14.540 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:06:14.940 --> 00:06:18.740 Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains in imprisonment. 00:06:19.080 --> 00:06:19.820 They were stoned. 00:06:19.960 --> 00:06:20.840 They were sawn in two. 00:06:20.940 --> 00:06:22.160 They were killed with a sword. 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:28.920 They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy. 00:06:30.260 --> 00:06:34.480 Wandering about in deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:39.200 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised. 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:45.160 Since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:49.980 May God bless the hearing of his word. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:55.980 There are many things I am so grateful for as a citizen of the United States. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:07:01.180 A friend of mine, we were together on July 4th, and he prayed when we were together. 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:07.140 He was so thankful for the freedoms we have to gather in our nation. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:11.980 But not everybody around the world has freedoms to gather. 00:07:14.280 --> 00:07:18.640 There are many Christians who experience this kind of idea of being marginalized, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:25.199 of being social outcasts, of being social exiles because of their faith. 00:07:27.919 --> 00:07:32.139 We're just not citizens of the United States of America. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:36.519 We are citizens of the ultimate promised land. 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:38.800 We are citizens of heaven. 00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:41.899 We are birthright citizens. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:45.099 Second birthright. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:47.680 Citizens of heaven. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:57.319 Hebrews describes this city whose designer and builder is God. 00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:05.240 And if by faith you are living out your heavenly citizenship in this fallen world, 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:06.680 you know what's going to happen to you? 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:09.379 You will be marginalized. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:11.379 To be marginalized. 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.579 To be marginalized is to be made an outsider. 00:08:16.159 --> 00:08:18.519 To become a social outcast. 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:21.259 To be exiled. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:24.219 Maybe you've been marginalized before. 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:27.139 Maybe you've been marginalized for being a woman. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:29.980 Maybe you've been marginalized for being a man. 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:33.659 Maybe you've been marginalized for being young. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.179 Or for being old. 00:08:35.319 --> 00:08:36.960 Or for the color of your skin. 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:39.899 Or for your native tongue. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:42.080 Or for your marital status. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:45.840 Or you've served time in your past. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:50.759 Or maybe it's because of your mental health you've been marginalized. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:59.399 There are all sorts of reasons why people are marginalized today in the United States of America. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:00.700 Here's one more. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:08.540 If you live with Jesus Christ as the controlling center of your life, you will be marginalized by those who don't. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:13.860 Maybe it's because you'll be seen as morally intolerant. 00:09:14.420 --> 00:09:17.400 Because you're committed to a biblical sexual ethic. 00:09:18.280 --> 00:09:21.680 Maybe it's because you'll be seen as intellectually naive. 00:09:21.680 --> 00:09:25.180 Because you hold to God speaking through this book. 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:31.779 Maybe you'll be seen as politically dangerous or religiously arrogant. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:37.419 Because you actually believe that people will not go to heaven apart from Christ. 00:09:39.959 --> 00:09:45.599 Maybe it's you being branded just being spiritually too excited. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:48.259 Taking things too seriously. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:53.079 Have you been marginalized for being a follower of Jesus? 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:55.879 If not, you will be. 00:09:57.180 --> 00:09:58.480 It's just a matter of time. 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:03.060 That's what the original audience of Hebrews was experiencing. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.520 They were suffering for Jesus. 00:10:05.660 --> 00:10:06.540 They were being marginalized. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:07.940 And so the question is, 00:10:08.400 --> 00:10:12.700 what do we do when we experience being marginalized on account of Jesus? 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:13.400 What do we do? 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:16.680 Hebrews 11 answers that question. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:46.659 Hebrews 11, 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:48.019 two things. 00:10:49.459 --> 00:10:51.240 The first is this. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:54.419 By faith we endure. 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:56.839 Let's spend some time talking about faith is. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:58.500 And then secondly, 00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:03.379 we'll look at the faith of those who endured. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:04.959 So, 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.980 the faith that endures, 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.299 and the faith of those 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:13.519 who did endure. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:14.600 The hall of faith. 00:11:14.819 --> 00:11:16.299 The who's who of the faith. 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:17.059 So, 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:18.339 point one. 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:23.480 Let's look at the faith that endures. 00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:26.039 In chapter 10, 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:27.799 at the end of chapter 10, 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:29.719 I preached this a couple weeks ago. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.339 By the way, 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.399 it sounds like Phil Smith served you well. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:35.639 In verse 35, 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.379 chapter 10, 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:36.959 we read this. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:37.240 Therefore, 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:39.279 do not throw away your confidence, 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:40.639 your assurance, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:42.779 which has a great reward. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:44.679 Salvation. 00:11:46.319 --> 00:11:46.720 36, 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.460 for you have need of endurance. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:51.180 A long obedience in the same direction. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:56.600 You have need to build up your endurance faith muscles. 00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:59.940 So that when you have done the will of God, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.279 you may receive what is promised. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.000 So when you endure to the end, 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:04.700 you will hear your king say, 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.700 well done, 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.500 good and faithful servant. 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:09.120 Verse 39, 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.379 but we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.840 We don't drift away. 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:13.720 We don't fall away. 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.000 No, 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.080 we have faith 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:19.080 and preserve our souls. 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:20.240 We endure. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:22.259 And what chapter 11 is, 00:12:22.299 --> 00:12:24.139 is an elaboration of faith. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.960 What's interesting, 00:12:27.319 --> 00:12:28.120 you picked this up 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.000 when we were reading through it 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.699 just moments ago, 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:32.639 the word faith shows up 24 times 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.539 in chapter 11. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.539 And so whenever you have 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:36.100 a word like that 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.559 repeated in one chapter 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:38.899 of your Bible, 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:40.879 it is being emphatic. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:42.879 But it's not just, 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.519 it's repeated. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:46.500 There's a phrase that's repeated 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:48.100 by faith 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:51.939 over and over and over and over again. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.720 By faith, 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.559 by faith, 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.799 by faith. 00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:57.119 And that little, 00:12:57.239 --> 00:12:58.199 that little phrase 00:12:58.199 --> 00:12:59.039 is getting at 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:01.179 how we endure. 00:13:01.599 --> 00:13:02.479 When we're marginalized, 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.599 when things get tough, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.339 we endure 00:13:05.339 --> 00:13:07.679 by faith. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.000 But there's even one more thing 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.779 I want you to notice. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.799 It has to do with the position 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.659 of that phrase. 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:16.639 Did you notice 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.939 where it shows up 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:20.059 in 19 sentences? 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:22.019 It's in pole position. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:24.639 By faith, 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.340 Abel. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:28.079 By faith, 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:28.799 Enoch. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:30.539 By faith, 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.039 Noah. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.139 By faith, 00:13:32.319 --> 00:13:32.759 Abraham. 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.259 By faith, 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:35.620 Isaac and Sarah. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:37.340 By faith. 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:37.540 faith. 00:13:37.540 --> 00:13:38.660 What is faith? 00:13:38.660 --> 00:13:42.639 What is faith? 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.540 Let's get a definition working. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.960 And the good news is 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:50.200 the author gives us a definition. 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.100 In chapter 11, 00:13:51.180 --> 00:13:51.660 verse 1, 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.300 he gives us a definition, 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.840 a working definition of faith, 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.740 and it has two dimensions to it, 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:57.540 two aspects. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.220 They're related, 00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.019 but let's just unpack it a little bit. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.579 First, 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.899 now faith 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:06.000 is the assurance of things hoped for. 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.960 That word assurance 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.860 simply means 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:11.439 an act of confidence. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:14.419 An act of confidence in what? 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:16.980 Of things hoped for. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:20.100 And in the context of the book of Hebrews, 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:21.259 the things hoped for 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.100 are God's promises. 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:26.079 What he has promised. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.079 What he said he will do, 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:30.540 and yet it hasn't been realized yet. 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:32.879 Kind of living in a gap. 00:14:34.920 --> 00:14:37.240 The assurance of things hoped for 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:40.860 is standing on the promises of God. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:43.560 It's a future-oriented faith. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.920 I am looking forward to what God has promised, 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.720 and I am banking on it. 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:49.520 Standing on those promises. 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:52.280 In the book of Hebrews, 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:55.320 we have all sorts of different kinds of promises. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:58.420 A promise that Christ remains. 00:14:58.540 --> 00:14:59.780 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:01.260 We have another kind of promise. 00:15:01.420 --> 00:15:03.220 Christ's return in 928. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.540 But in Hebrews 11, 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:08.280 the promise that gets repeated 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:10.860 is Christ's reward. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:12.760 A city. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.879 A future place. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.280 With God's people. 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:25.240 This hope 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:28.759 is a forward-looking faith 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:32.439 in what the Lord has promised. 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.179 And you know what that does? 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:37.480 It fuels endurance. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.500 When you're marginalized, 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.439 when you're catching heat for Jesus, 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:42.559 you're like, 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:42.939 oh, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:46.759 I'm one day closer to the city. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:50.500 It fuels endurance. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.720 The second aspect of faith 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:56.179 is not only is assurance of things hoped for, 00:15:56.860 --> 00:16:00.179 it's the conviction of things unseen. 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.779 Remember, 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.580 we walk by faith, 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:05.899 not by sight. 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.879 And that word conviction of things unseen, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.240 that word conviction means 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:12.379 it's kind of a settled trust. 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:15.759 It's a confidence in someone's provenness. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.279 Provenness. 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.659 Have you ever delegated 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.179 a responsibility to somebody 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:21.019 and then they don't follow through on it? 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:24.120 The next time you have an opportunity to do that, 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.879 you're not going to be as quick 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.879 to entrust it to them 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.819 because you're not convinced 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:29.939 that they're going to follow through on it. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:32.600 But when you entrust something to someone 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:34.100 and time and time again, 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.340 they follow through on it, 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.299 they do it. 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:38.720 It creates this conviction. 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.919 I'm convinced that this person 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.960 will follow through on what they say. 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:51.740 God always follows through on what he says. 00:16:52.660 --> 00:16:54.840 He always follows through. 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.900 He is faithful to his promises. 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:02.560 Now we're talking about God's character. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:07.660 If the first aspect of faith 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:10.519 is the assurance of things hoped for, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:13.139 it's trusting God's promises. 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.720 When we're talking about 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:17.200 this conviction of things unseen, 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:20.680 we're talking about ultimately God's character. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:23.819 There is a whole unseen spiritual world. 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:26.220 And the greatest of all things, 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.680 whether seen or unseen, 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:29.660 is God. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.180 He is unseen. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.139 He is invisible. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.940 And so we are to exercise 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.120 a conviction 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:39.680 in the character of God. 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.680 And in this passage, 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.460 we have some things 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:47.640 that were pointed to specifically. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:50.240 If you look at 11.6, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.200 we read, 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.640 and without faith, 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.340 it is impossible to please him, 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:57.240 for whoever would draw near to God 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.880 must believe that God exists. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:01.380 That's where it all starts. 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:04.440 To believe and trust God 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.580 to exercise faith 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:08.260 means believing he exists. 00:18:09.540 --> 00:18:11.380 Did you know God is self-existent? 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:14.000 He's always been. 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.460 He's the great I am. 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:18.700 He is dependent on no one or no thing. 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:22.160 All things created are dependent on him. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:27.440 God is the self-existent one. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:29.320 And if you are thinking, 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.900 I'm not sure if God even exists, 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:33.220 Google design argument. 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:38.039 God's not just a God who exists, 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:40.200 and we are to be convinced of that. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:42.299 God is the creator of all. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.640 If you look at 11.3, 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.240 we read this, 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.100 by faith we understand 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:46.259 that the universe was created 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.100 by the word of God, 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.620 so that what is seen 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:50.120 was not made out of things 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:50.980 that are visible. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.580 It's the Latin phrase, 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.240 ex nihilo. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.600 It means out of nothing. 00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:56.980 God created everything 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:59.579 out of nothing with his words. 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.539 And to have a biblical faith 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.519 is to believe that. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:06.259 It's to be convinced of that. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.740 And not only that, 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.380 we read that God 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:13.120 is a powerful God. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.099 Those creative words 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.339 are powerful words. 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:21.720 But if you look at 11.11, 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:24.539 we see by faith Sarah herself 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:27.619 received power to conceive. 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:31.099 So Sarah was 99 years old 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.559 when she heard the promise 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.659 that they're going to be given 00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:35.839 a son, Isaac, 00:19:35.939 --> 00:19:36.639 which means laughter. 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:39.059 And she believed it, 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:41.919 that God was able to do that. 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.980 Any 99-year-olds in the room? 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:46.519 Any 99-year-old women 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:46.900 in the room? 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.660 Are you going to conceive? 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.380 Probably not. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.779 God is powerful. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.759 But we also see God's power 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.700 trusted in 11, 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.440 excuse me, 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.759 in discussing Abraham 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.700 in 11.19. 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.200 Abraham considered 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.180 that God was able 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.279 even to raise Isaac 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:08.880 from the dead. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:11.420 by faith Abraham 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:13.020 was going to sacrifice 00:20:13.020 --> 00:20:14.000 his only son, 00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:14.820 the son, 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:16.480 whom God said, 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:18.100 I am going to carry out 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:19.320 all of the blessings 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:20.360 to the nations through. 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.580 And Abraham decided, 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.900 he considered that God 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.040 was able to raise him 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.540 from the dead 00:20:26.540 --> 00:20:27.740 if he were to sacrifice him. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:30.020 God is powerful. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.120 And we know that God 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:33.160 is able to raise people 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:33.640 from the dead 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.720 because Jesus has been 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.520 raised from the dead. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:39.180 all these aspects 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.460 of God's nature 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:44.039 is things that we trust in, 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.180 we're convinced of. 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.079 And of course, 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.940 in 11.11, 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.960 we go back to Sarah 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.519 and we read, 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.639 even when she was past the age 00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:55.019 since she considered him 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.740 faithful who had promised. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.559 Faithful. 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.259 God always follows through. 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.799 He's completely reliable. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.940 Completely trustworthy. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:10.000 And so this second aspect 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.099 of faith 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:14.299 is an active trust 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:16.619 in God's revealed character. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.379 And so you put them together 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.180 and here's what you got. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.619 We are able 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:24.759 to trust in God's promises 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:28.139 because we know God's character. 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:31.000 We exercise faith. 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:33.779 We trust him that way. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:36.680 And so what faith is 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.759 is actively standing 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.440 on God's promises 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:42.720 because we are convinced 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.799 of God's character. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.819 Faith of the Bible 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:50.039 is not some kind of vague thing. 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.139 Yeah, I believe in God. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.799 There is a God. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.200 That's not biblical faith. 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.180 Biblical faith 00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:59.359 is a trusting 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:01.079 in the concrete character 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.720 of God 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.559 and his promises. 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.759 Let's take a minute 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:12.039 just to assess 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.099 ourselves. 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.079 Let me ask you 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.639 to be honest 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.359 with yourself 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.779 here. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.319 Do you see 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.460 this kind of faith 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:24.039 actively trusting 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.000 in God's character 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.939 and his promises? 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:28.000 Do you see 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.019 this kind of faith 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.759 operating in your life 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.380 right now? 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:34.080 Not five years ago. 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.840 Not one year 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.480 in high school. 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.799 Today. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.100 Is this 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:43.880 functional faith 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.320 in you? 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.140 All of us 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.779 have room to grow. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.460 We can all trust God 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.519 and his promises more. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.700 So be honest 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.299 with yourself 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:54.099 and be storing up 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.720 truth. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.639 Truth about 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.579 God's character. 00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.220 There are just 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.220 wonderful places 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.980 all throughout 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.579 the Bible 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:03.619 that God reveals 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.519 his character 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.379 to us. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.639 Great is thy 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.519 faithfulness. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.460 Lamentations chapter 3. 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.659 There are just 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.779 beautiful passages 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:13.779 that God reveals 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.359 who he is 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.019 and how we can 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.779 trust him. 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:18.680 And if you have 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.180 a book like 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.059 Knowledge of the Holy 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:21.039 by A.W. Tozer 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.960 that will help too. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.139 First chapter 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:25.379 first paragraph 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.139 first sentence 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.059 what comes into 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.680 your mind 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.460 when you think 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:28.940 about God 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.519 is the most 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.139 important thing 00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:30.599 about you. 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:33.039 What you believe 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.500 about God 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.099 matters. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.019 So store up 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.339 truth about God. 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.440 Here's another book. 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.720 It's incomparable. 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.019 It's written by 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.960 Andrew Wilson. 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:43.019 I'm going through 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.619 it right now. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.399 It is just 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:46.019 fueling my faith. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.680 Just great things 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.440 he's unpacking 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.119 about the nature 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:49.740 of God. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:49.799 God. 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.799 So be storing up 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.180 God's truth 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:54.799 about God's 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.180 character 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.579 and be storing up 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.900 truths of God's 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.400 promises. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:00.140 Hebrews 13.5 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:01.039 I will never 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.799 leave you nor 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.500 forsake you. 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:04.160 Revelation 22.20 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.779 Behold I'm coming 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.240 soon. 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.299 We have a kind 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.940 of promise in 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.039 Matthew 25 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.079 in the parable 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.660 of the talents 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.460 where Jesus is 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:12.839 going to come 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.819 back and he's 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.500 going to hold 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.579 us all to 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.079 account. 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:18.079 And for those 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.399 who've been 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.179 faithful to the 00:24:19.179 --> 00:24:20.019 end he will 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.939 say well done 00:24:20.939 --> 00:24:21.500 good and faithful 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.460 servant enter the 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.960 joy of your 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.319 master. 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.579 So be storing 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.179 these up. 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:29.539 Because you'll 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:29.919 need to be 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:31.179 exercising faith. 00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.500 You see when 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.500 you get marginalized 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.399 when you get put 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:36.159 into situations 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.699 where you start 00:24:36.699 --> 00:24:37.720 feeling heat for 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.379 being a Christian 00:24:38.379 --> 00:24:39.799 you will need to 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.799 exercise faith in 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.539 those moments. 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.399 Faith is like a 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.720 muscle. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:45.220 And if you 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.400 don't exercise 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.039 your muscle it 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:49.160 will atrophy. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.579 But if you 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.680 exercise your 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.140 muscles not only 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.660 will there be 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.559 health you'll get 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:54.960 stronger. 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.039 And you will 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.420 endure. 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:04.220 So we need to 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.220 be actively 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:07.100 standing on God's 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.819 promises as we 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.799 trust in God's 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.480 character. 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.180 That's the nature 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:12.660 of faith. 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.799 It's an act of 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.620 trust in God's 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:17.600 character and his 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:19.480 promises and it 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.100 pleases him. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:22.240 And that is what 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.940 has marked the 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.680 saints of old in 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.579 the hall of faith. 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:30.059 This is the faith 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.960 that is commended 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.559 by God. 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.240 Actively trusting in 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.279 his promises and in 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.839 his character. 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.220 So for the balance 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:38.059 of our time let's 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.140 look at the faith of 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.900 those who endured. 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:43.960 Hebrews 11 is the 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.620 hall of faith. 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:46.140 The who's who of 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.720 the faith. 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.580 It's being 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:50.100 pointed. 00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:50.800 The author's 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:51.660 pointing us to 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.360 Old Testament 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:53.400 example after 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.780 example of those 00:25:54.780 --> 00:25:56.100 who were trusting 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:57.259 in God's promises 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.320 because they trusted 00:25:58.320 --> 00:25:59.200 in his character 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.640 even when those 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.700 promises didn't 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.820 come to fruition in 00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:03.500 their lifetimes. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:06.140 And that's why he's 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.759 talking to these 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:10.160 Christians in the 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:10.920 book of Hebrews. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.259 Be like them. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.160 There are examples 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.839 to us. 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.859 This is the heritage 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:20.559 of faith we have 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.980 been brought into 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.079 when we were saved. 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:27.899 There are over 20 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:29.079 individuals and 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.539 groups referenced 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.740 in the hall of 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.019 faith. 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:34.199 And they are laid 00:26:34.199 --> 00:26:36.220 out historically. 00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:38.460 So bear with me 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.899 for a second. 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.319 Let me just help you 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.639 see what's going on 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.299 before you in 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.859 Hebrews 11. 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.939 In chapter 3 we 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.699 have a reference to 00:26:46.699 --> 00:26:47.519 the creation of the 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:49.139 world by the word 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.599 of God. 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.980 And God said and 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.779 it came to be and 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.379 it was good. 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.019 That's Genesis 1. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.779 The reference to 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.379 Abel. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.319 Cain and Abel. 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.660 Abel presenting a 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.099 better sacrifice than 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:04.099 Cain and that act 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.099 of faith being 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.220 commended by God. 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.960 And then Cain 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.619 murdered him. 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:09.759 And now even in 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.480 his death he still 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.980 speaks. 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:11.940 Abel does. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.240 We'll see in a 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.960 couple weeks there 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.759 is even another 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.740 death that speaks a 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.279 better word. 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.539 But that took place 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.399 in Genesis 4. 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:25.500 Enoch Genesis 5. 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.920 Noah Genesis 6. 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:31.680 Abraham Genesis 12. 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.339 And then we start 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.359 making our way down. 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.099 Verse 11. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.680 Sarah. 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.559 That's Genesis 18 and 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.039 22. 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.279 21 excuse me. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.660 Back to Abraham 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.440 verse 17. 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.920 Now we're in Genesis 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.960 chapter 22. 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.539 Jacob. 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:48.019 We see that in 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.819 verse 20. 00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:50.339 Excuse me. 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.879 21. 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.480 That's Genesis 48. 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.900 Joseph in 22 is 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.220 Genesis 50. 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.480 Moses. 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.379 Actually his parents. 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.200 Exodus 2. 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.879 And then Moses in 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:05.400 verse 24 through 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:05.980 28. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.839 We're talking about 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.519 Exodus 2. 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.400 3 and 12. 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:10.079 We get to Israel in 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.819 verse 29. 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.400 That's Exodus 14 and 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:12.799 15. 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:14.099 And then we get into 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:15.639 verse 30 talking about 00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:16.319 Jericho. 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.559 That's Joshua 6. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.500 And then we start 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.419 talking about Rahab 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:21.000 who was like doubly 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.419 marginalized because she 00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:23.419 was a Canaanite 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:24.079 prostitute. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.879 That's Joshua 2 and 6. 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:31.720 And then the author of 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.539 Hebrews is like, hey, if 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:34.879 I had more time, I would 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:36.000 point you to the book of 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.559 Judges. 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.919 Gideon, Barak, Samson, 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.439 Jephthah. 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.519 And then I would point you 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.559 to 1 and 2 Samuel to 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.379 talk about David and 00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:42.539 Samuel. 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.579 And then I'd bring you 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.859 into all sorts of 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.859 different narratives and 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:47.639 prophets to talk about 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.759 the prophets because 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:50.619 they're all examples of 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.099 faith. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:53.719 All examples of men and 00:28:53.719 --> 00:28:57.779 women who stood on God's 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.879 promises because they 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.719 trusted in God's 00:28:59.719 --> 00:29:00.119 character. 00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:03.339 Now we've got to ask a 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.679 question. 00:29:04.979 --> 00:29:05.979 What's going on with 00:29:05.979 --> 00:29:06.240 this? 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:09.000 In the book of Hebrews, 00:29:09.199 --> 00:29:10.399 we have what's called 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.979 discontinuity and 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:12.639 continuity. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:15.060 discontinuity between the 00:29:15.060 --> 00:29:16.640 Old Testament saints and 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:18.040 New Testament saints as 00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:19.300 well as continuity between 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:20.500 the Old Testament saints and 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.380 the New Testament saints. 00:29:22.020 --> 00:29:23.759 And here, we're being 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.180 reminded of the 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:26.280 discontinuity in this 00:29:26.280 --> 00:29:26.580 sense. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.680 Up until this point, the 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.580 book of Hebrews has been 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:31.259 saying, hey, don't go 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:31.840 back. 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.720 Don't go back to the 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.940 sacrificial system of the 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.300 Old Covenant because 00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:38.060 that animal blood, that 00:29:38.060 --> 00:29:39.440 can't do anything for you. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:41.720 Because of the once for all 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:43.140 sacrifice of Christ. 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:46.960 That's old news now. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.620 The New Covenant has come. 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:50.920 And so there's 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.960 discontinuity there. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.980 But here, what the author 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.100 of Hebrews is doing is 00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:57.779 bringing up a continuity. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.720 Because what commended the 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:03.340 faith, what commended the 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.480 Old Testament saints was their 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.860 faith. 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:06.679 faith as with us now. 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:08.679 What we have in common, 00:30:08.959 --> 00:30:11.339 what unites us, what makes 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:13.240 us perfect in the city of 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:15.740 God together, is faith in 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.719 God and His promises, 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:19.319 ultimately realized in Jesus 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.859 Christ. 00:30:22.199 --> 00:30:23.619 He's getting a lot done here. 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.919 And for the balance of the 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:27.000 time, I just want you to 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:30.259 point you to four ways their 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:32.500 faith made a difference in 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.119 their lives. 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:39.140 Number one, their faith 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.180 marginalized them. 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:45.819 In 11.7, Noah, being warned 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:48.099 by God of things yet unseen, 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:50.460 of a coming judgment, of a 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:53.559 flood, he started building an 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:53.720 ark. 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:55.559 It probably took him 55 to 75 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.640 years to build the ark. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:59.480 Could you imagine what his 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:01.599 unbelieving neighbors would be 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.179 saying to him? 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:04.259 What are you doing, Noah? 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:07.439 Why are you wasting all this 00:31:07.439 --> 00:31:07.879 time? 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:12.099 Oh, I'm going to be swept away 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.119 in a big flood. 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.599 Ooh. 00:31:17.919 --> 00:31:18.579 He would have been 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.000 marginalized. 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:24.679 Abraham, 11.8, called by God 00:31:24.679 --> 00:31:26.159 to leave Haran and go into the 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:26.699 promised land. 00:31:26.959 --> 00:31:27.879 Could you imagine what his 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:29.539 fellow Haranians would have 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:29.759 said? 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.599 Well, we're not good for you. 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:35.000 God called you to something, 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.720 and then he gets to Canaan, 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.940 and then the Canaanites are, 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.700 what are you doing here? 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.579 You're not one of us. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:40.900 Marginalized. 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:47.460 Moses, 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:54.160 purposefully denied being 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:57.039 called the son of Pharaoh's 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.980 daughter. 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.319 Verse 24. 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:02.059 I don't think that went over well. 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:06.659 He incurred the wrath of the 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.079 Pharaoh. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:08.879 Marginalized. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:13.159 Rahab, double outcast. 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:17.159 She was a Canaanite in Jericho, 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.319 but she was a prostitute. 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:21.240 Talk about being marginalized. 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:23.579 And then, in the eyes of the 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:25.639 Israelites, she would have been 00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.780 seen as a Canaanite, which 00:32:26.780 --> 00:32:27.259 would have been further 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.060 marginalization. 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:30.480 But boy, did she exercise a 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:30.840 faith. 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:36.300 And then, when we get down to 00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:39.100 this list of these people whom 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:40.140 the world was not worthy, 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:43.660 we're brought to verse 38, 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:45.520 and we're shown they were 00:32:45.520 --> 00:32:47.080 wandering about in deserts and 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:48.580 mountains and dens and caves on 00:32:48.580 --> 00:32:48.940 the earth. 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.500 They were marginalized. 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:53.460 Abraham living in tents. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.059 Here's the point I want you to 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.279 see. 00:32:58.740 --> 00:33:01.339 If they were marginalized for 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:04.799 exercising a faith in God and 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:07.920 his promises, and without the 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:09.240 kind of promises we've been given 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.759 in Jesus, if they were 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:12.960 marginalized for that, certainly we 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:15.500 will be marginalized for putting 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:17.319 faith in God, trusting in the 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:18.539 promises that are ours in the new 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:18.799 covenant. 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:21.519 We will be marginalized too. 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:23.879 You've got to realize, even 00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.920 though we live in a wonderful 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:28.819 country, we will suffer for being 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.920 serious about Jesus. 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.019 We'll be marginalized. 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.000 You'll need to endure. 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.980 Their faith marginalized them. 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:42.420 Second, their faith sustained them. 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:46.000 What do you think sustained Noah for 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:48.539 those 55 to 75 years he was 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.980 building the ark and catching heat 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.100 from those people around him? 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:53.580 I'm guessing he's rehearsing in his 00:33:53.580 --> 00:33:54.600 mind something like this. 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.560 God spoke this to me. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:59.480 God revealed himself to me. 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:02.360 I can trust him, and I'm going to 00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:04.019 faithful, and I'm going to do it. 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:07.060 And in his faithfulness, God 00:34:07.060 --> 00:34:08.880 delivered his household and brought 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:11.400 judgment on all of the naysayers. 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:16.539 What do you think sustained Abraham 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:19.280 as he entered into the land of 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:19.920 promise? 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:26.099 What do you think sustained Rahab as 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:28.200 she's waiting for Israel to walk 00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:31.099 around Jericho to be brought to 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.500 nothing? 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:35.300 Their faith. 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.720 Their trust. 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:43.679 In fact, when it comes to Abraham, 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:47.399 I just want you to notice this. 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:50.579 Verse 10, for he was looking forward 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:52.319 to the city that has foundations, 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:54.599 whose designer and builder is God. 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:57.319 Even then, he had the sense that there 00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:59.619 is a greater promised land. 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:02.539 And then in verse 13 through 16, we 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.099 read this. 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.739 These all died by faith, not having 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.940 received the things promised, but 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:08.019 having seen them and greeted them 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.679 from afar. 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.839 Having acknowledged that they were 00:35:10.839 --> 00:35:12.119 strangers and exiles on earth. 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:14.440 For people speak thus, make it clear 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.960 that they are seeking a homeland. 00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:20.039 If they had been thinking of that 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:21.179 land from which they had gone out, 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:22.699 they would have had opportunity to 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:22.980 return. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:24.639 But as it is, they desire a better 00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.099 country. 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.779 A heavenly one. 00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:28.799 For God has prepared for them a city. 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:33.620 What is sustaining Abraham is the 00:35:33.620 --> 00:35:34.900 promise of the reward. 00:35:37.140 --> 00:35:38.620 That there's something better coming 00:35:38.620 --> 00:35:39.600 prepared by God. 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:45.220 And then when we look at the life of 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:49.620 Moses, what was sustaining him as he 00:35:49.620 --> 00:35:53.620 let go of all the wealth promised to 00:35:53.620 --> 00:35:54.720 him in Egypt? 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:56.420 All of those treasures and fleeting 00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:56.800 pleasures. 00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:57.420 Pleasures. 00:35:57.580 --> 00:35:58.800 He let them go. 00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.800 He gave them up. 00:36:00.140 --> 00:36:02.120 He released them. 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.480 Why? 00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:08.980 By faith he left Egypt, verse 27, not 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.760 being afraid of the anger of the king, 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:14.039 for he endured as seeing him who is 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.519 invisible. 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.580 He knew God's character. 00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:20.060 Seeing him who is invisible is a way 00:36:20.060 --> 00:36:21.300 of talking about faith. 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:23.060 Trusting in God's character. 00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:25.779 And so Abraham was trusting in God's 00:36:25.779 --> 00:36:26.900 promised reward. 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:29.199 We see Moses trusting in God's 00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:29.759 character. 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.480 This is faith. 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.799 This is sustaining them. 00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:35.599 And it must sustain you. 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:41.019 What's sustaining you, Christian? 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:45.219 How are you getting by? 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:51.119 We have this greater revelation in the 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.859 person of Jesus. 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:54.519 We have these better promises of the 00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:55.039 new covenant. 00:36:55.859 --> 00:36:57.599 Blood bought, spirit indwelt. 00:36:58.279 --> 00:37:00.459 God writing his law on our hearts. 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.619 What is getting you through? 00:37:04.279 --> 00:37:07.279 What will sustain you when you experience 00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:11.099 marginalization is God's character and 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.799 his promise. 00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:13.600 You got to be storing it up. 00:37:17.180 --> 00:37:18.840 The third thing I want you to notice, 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:21.019 the difference that their faith made is 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.400 this. 00:37:22.680 --> 00:37:24.600 Their faith defined them. 00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:26.720 And here's what I mean by that. 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:31.360 They saw themselves differently because 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:31.920 of their faith. 00:37:33.220 --> 00:37:36.039 They viewed themselves a certain way in 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:37.960 relationship to the rest of the world, 00:37:38.220 --> 00:37:39.000 rest of the earth. 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.900 Let me try to help you see that. 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:44.840 In 11.9, we read this. 00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:47.180 By faith, Abraham went to live in the 00:37:47.180 --> 00:37:49.200 land of promise as in a foreign land. 00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:53.800 I'm sure you saw this in verse 13. 00:37:54.720 --> 00:37:57.740 These all died in faith, having 00:37:57.740 --> 00:37:59.600 acknowledged that they were strangers 00:37:59.600 --> 00:38:02.600 and exiles on the earth. 00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:05.180 They were wanderers. 00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:09.139 They were instigators. 00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:14.879 They viewed themselves as strangers and exiles 00:38:14.879 --> 00:38:18.879 as this is not my home. 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:22.199 Abraham. 00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:22.339 Abraham. 00:38:25.199 --> 00:38:26.439 Haran was no longer his home. 00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:26.859 Moses. 00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:28.319 Egypt was no longer his home. 00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.239 Rahab. 00:38:30.019 --> 00:38:31.500 Jericho was no longer her home. 00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:35.759 Brothers and sisters, we need to understand 00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:36.480 something. 00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:39.659 That the USA, no matter how wonderful of a 00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:42.379 country it is, it's not our ultimate home. 00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:45.039 It's not our homeland. 00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:50.099 Our true home is the city whose designer and builder is God. 00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:55.380 And that heavenly place is unshakable. 00:38:56.839 --> 00:38:58.219 God preparing it. 00:38:58.599 --> 00:39:03.539 Eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love him. 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:06.579 So let me ask you this, Christian. 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:15.599 Have you acknowledged recently that you are a stranger in exile in this world? 00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:18.579 Have you acknowledged that? 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:21.319 Do you see yourself that way? 00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:25.059 Are you seeking your heavenly homeland? 00:39:27.139 --> 00:39:30.000 If you're saying, no, it's been a while. 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:34.819 Just open up Revelation 21 and 22 this afternoon. 00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:40.980 Get a big dose of the new Jerusalem which will descend upon the new earth. 00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:44.179 And what it will mean is this. 00:39:44.179 --> 00:39:55.059 As you tighten your grip by faith on God and his promises, it will loosen your grip on this world. 00:39:55.839 --> 00:39:58.839 And it will loosen the world's grip on you. 00:39:59.859 --> 00:40:00.879 That's what happened with Moses. 00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:05.179 It will change the way that you look at your finances. 00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:07.119 It will change the way you steward your time. 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:10.719 It will change the way that you use your talents that God has given you. 00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:15.599 You will start thinking more and more about how can I use these things for God's glory. 00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:24.339 The sanctuary right now is full of people living in the United States. 00:40:24.340 --> 00:40:36.400 But this sanctuary is full of people who are citizens, birthright citizens, second birth, blood-bought citizens of heaven. 00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:38.400 We're all heaven-bound. 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:43.960 We're all making our way through as strangers and exiles together following Jesus. 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:53.820 The fourth difference that this makes is that their faith commended them. 00:40:54.840 --> 00:40:57.980 God commended their faith. 00:40:58.679 --> 00:41:05.619 In 11.16, by faith, God, their faith made God say, I'm not ashamed to be called their God. 00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:08.440 It's God calling them as his own. 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.119 They're mine. 00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:17.299 Noah was an heir of righteousness that comes by faith. 00:41:17.759 --> 00:41:22.699 He's been justified by his faith in the work that Christ would do on the Christ. 00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:29.119 These are people of faith whom the world was not worthy. 00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:31.539 This is God commending them. 00:41:31.539 --> 00:41:36.380 In verse 2, we see this commendation for it. 00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:38.539 By the people of old received their commendation. 00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.480 Abel was commended. 00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:42.019 Enoch was commended. 00:41:42.139 --> 00:41:43.719 And if you look at verse 39, 00:41:43.880 --> 00:41:47.500 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised. 00:41:48.779 --> 00:41:51.880 Faith pleases God. 00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:59.099 In fact, it's impossible to please God, verse 6, without this kind of faith. 00:42:00.340 --> 00:42:03.519 Trusting God's character and his promises. 00:42:06.160 --> 00:42:08.619 So here's what that means for us. 00:42:09.660 --> 00:42:13.800 We've been justified by our faith in Christ's finished work. 00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:16.720 But we must endure by faith all the way to the end. 00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:18.340 Until our last breath. 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:27.140 And so what this should do is, it should aim you at attuning your ear to a certain commendation from the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:29.920 When you stand before him and you hear him say, 00:42:30.400 --> 00:42:32.800 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:42:33.640 --> 00:42:35.120 Enter the joy of your master. 00:42:35.260 --> 00:42:36.900 Come into the city that I have prepared for you. 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:41.380 The commendation of faith. 00:42:41.380 --> 00:42:49.940 It's what unites us to these Old Testament saints. 00:42:52.840 --> 00:43:00.660 Christian, we've looked at what a faith that endures looked like. 00:43:00.840 --> 00:43:03.380 We've looked at the faith of those who endured. 00:43:03.380 --> 00:43:10.619 And if you're a follower of Jesus and you're taking Jesus seriously, you will be marginalized. 00:43:13.579 --> 00:43:16.260 But like the saints of old, we must endure by faith. 00:43:17.840 --> 00:43:19.220 Till our last breath. 00:43:20.220 --> 00:43:21.220 Would you repeat after me? 00:43:22.500 --> 00:43:23.360 Christ is my. 00:43:25.360 --> 00:43:26.320 Risen and reigning. 00:43:28.059 --> 00:43:28.840 Priest and king. 00:43:28.840 --> 00:43:31.660 The anchor of my soul. 00:43:33.600 --> 00:43:35.200 The object of my faith. 00:43:37.200 --> 00:43:37.860 Let's pray. 00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:43.220 Lord Jesus, we do want to be faithful to the end. 00:43:43.340 --> 00:43:47.700 We thank you that you have given yourself for us so that we would remain faithful. 00:43:49.320 --> 00:43:50.600 You are so worthy. 00:43:50.599 --> 00:44:00.799 Would you, Lord Jesus, sustain us as we experience different kinds of marginalization from the world that we're in. 00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.480 That we're in the world. 00:44:02.559 --> 00:44:03.960 You've called us out of this world. 00:44:04.099 --> 00:44:06.380 That we would bear witness to you in the world. 00:44:06.519 --> 00:44:08.139 God, would you use us? 00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:12.440 God, would you strengthen us? 00:44:14.099 --> 00:44:17.500 Lord, would you cause your word to bubble up into our hearts? 00:44:17.500 --> 00:44:22.420 That we would, by faith, stand upon your promises. 00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:27.780 Because by faith, we are convinced of your character. 00:44:29.239 --> 00:44:30.679 In the name of Jesus we pray. 00:44:31.460 --> 00:44:31.760 Amen.