WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.620 He is the fulfillment of them, and He is better than them. 00:00:04.139 --> 00:00:09.160 And the writer is trying to show his audience that they need to turn to Christ. 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:09.759 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.460 Just hold your hand in Hebrews 11, but look at chapter 6 really quick, and verse 12. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:44.640 And I think this is the reason for why He goes through this long, ongoing list of people. 00:00:45.460 --> 00:00:53.039 But He introduces faith, and He desires His readers to be like what we see in verse 12 of chapter 6, 00:00:53.100 --> 00:00:59.159 to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end. 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:08.879 So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit promises. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:15.459 So He's about to give you like examples of those types of people, which is pretty awesome. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:22.539 So it's great for me to kind of latch on to someone who's real, someone who was broken and fallen like me, 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:27.239 and see how God enabled them to live in this crazy world. 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:30.420 And it says that they went through a lot. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:38.959 They suffered, but they endured through their faith, and they inherited the promises of God. 00:01:39.699 --> 00:01:41.799 So that's what we want to look at today. 00:01:42.419 --> 00:01:51.179 If you go back to Hebrews 11, probably one of the theme verses we see in just the first verse of chapter 11. 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:51.940 It says, 00:01:51.940 --> 00:02:00.320 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:07.560 And so, God used this verse really in a big way in my early Christian life, 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:12.600 as my physical body was fraying away and dying, 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:18.500 and all my hopes that I was really looking forward to, like going to college, 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:23.539 maybe finding a wife, maybe starting a family, maybe going to the military. 00:02:24.299 --> 00:02:25.740 All that just was dying. 00:02:25.859 --> 00:02:27.419 Like it was like it's not going to happen. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:33.819 And so, Lord, use this verse to help me realize that there is another world, 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:37.319 an eternal realm that we need to put our minds on. 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:42.099 And the word we see, assurance, the assurance of things hoped for, 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:45.060 translates confidence, conviction. 00:02:46.419 --> 00:02:51.879 And this means that faith, biblical faith, is not just wishful thinking. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:03:00.479 It's not some sort of really vague, low-key hope that things would just work out the way we want it, 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:03.599 not grounded in imaginary thinking. 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:08.460 Instead, and I gave this definition last week, if you want a definition, 00:03:08.659 --> 00:03:13.719 I think of what really describes what our biblical faith is. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:15.900 It says, it's the definition, 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:22.000 Faith is a settled confidence that something in the future, 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:27.180 something that is not yet seen, but God has promised, 00:03:28.019 --> 00:03:33.039 will actually come to pass because God will bring it to pass. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:35.659 It's a long definition. 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.439 Faith is a settled confidence that something in the future, 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:45.099 something that is not yet seen, but has been promised by God, 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:49.199 will actually come to pass because God will bring it to pass. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:51.299 He delivers upon His word. 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:52.959 He is true to what He says. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:54.459 He never disappoints. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:55.379 He never lets down. 00:03:55.459 --> 00:03:58.500 If He has promised it, then He will bring it to pass. 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:02.439 So thus, biblical faith is not this leap in the dark, 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:06.840 contrary to actual evidence that we see before us. 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:10.419 It's not a blind faith, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:16.779 rather a real confident trust in sovereign Almighty God to deliver upon His word. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:21.059 I hope this is how you view faith. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:24.239 God will never leave us or forsake us. 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:32.679 And He's promised that what He says about these people in this chapter are also true for the new covenant believer. 00:04:33.679 --> 00:04:39.039 The same God that allowed them to endure by their faith, 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:43.700 we now have that confidence as well as we receive Christ. 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:47.260 So, you're going to be happy. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:48.460 Here's the good news. 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:51.000 There's only two points. 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:54.080 The bad news is they're really long points. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:07.439 So, but the first point, number one, is that God gives some faith to triumph. 00:05:08.419 --> 00:05:11.659 God gives some faith to triumph. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:15.079 And we're going to walk through our text. 00:05:15.139 --> 00:05:18.860 Our text, yeah, I failed expository preaching 101 here. 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:20.120 I didn't read the text first, right? 00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:23.699 So, we're going to start in verse 32. 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:24.819 That's where we pick up today. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:28.339 Verse 32. 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:31.939 It says, 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:34.920 And what more shall I say? 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:47.319 For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepheth, of David, of Samuel, the prophets, 00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:58.899 who through their faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:09.300 escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 00:06:09.300 --> 00:06:13.139 Women received back their dead by resurrection. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:22.740 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:29.220 Others suffered mocking, flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:30.980 They were stoned. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.420 They were sawn in two. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:34.939 They were killed with the sword. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:44.000 They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:49.360 They were in the midst of the city, wandering about in the deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:57.620 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised. 00:06:58.220 --> 00:07:05.500 Since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:09.339 So, here's our text. 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:15.179 So, a kind of a turn when we get to verse 35, right? 00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:20.759 But, point number one, God gives some faith to triumph. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:26.139 And we see this in verse 32, through the first part of verse 35. 00:07:27.479 --> 00:07:29.419 Time would fail me, he says. 00:07:29.479 --> 00:07:35.679 In other words, I could go on and on and on, but I would run out of time and I would run out of ink 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:45.959 to tell you of all the examples of people that God used in this temporal realm to accomplish his purpose through their faith. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:53.060 A lot of these men who are listed in the first few verses are judges. 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:58.800 Apart from David, who is the only king, and the prophets. 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:07.139 So, as we walk through this, it says, I think that this is significant that he focuses on the time of the judges. 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:15.019 And any of you who know your Bible know that the theme of that whole dark time in the nation of Israel's history 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:19.740 was in those days, everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:23.120 That was the theme of that whole time period. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:25.800 A very terrible, terrible period. 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:33.100 And God, the cycle began of God's people rebelling against him, looking to idols and sin. 00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:38.799 God sending in a foreign pagan nation to judge them, to rule over them. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:43.259 The people would repent and weep over their sin and turn back to God. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:45.919 God would send a judge to deliver them. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:48.299 And they would be delivered. 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:51.220 That was just the cycle that just kept going and going. 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:58.420 But I think he's trying to say, in the midst of such an unbelieving, idolatrous, rebellious generation, 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.759 these men are remembered. 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:02.620 And so, pay attention to them. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:05.899 They're remembered while many others have been forgotten. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:10.080 The first you see in our text, he mentions Gideon. 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:18.020 Gideon, who trusted God, if you remember, against the Midianites, 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:21.560 he had an army originally of about 32,000. 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:29.320 And God reduced it twice until it was 300 men to face this massive, massive army. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:32.160 And why did God do that? 00:09:32.280 --> 00:09:36.000 That's kind of a crazy military tactic. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:39.600 But in Judges 7, verse 2, this is why. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:42.320 God said to Gideon, 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:48.700 The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into your hand, 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:54.179 lest Israel boast over me, saying, 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:56.500 My own hand has saved me. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:00.620 So God wanted to set the stage that it would be 100% clear 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:02.779 that if they won this battle, it was because of God, 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.980 not because of anything they had. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:08.820 And so, have you lived a life like that? 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:12.240 That is a prayer that I pray with my wife a few times. 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:17.720 Like, God set this up in such a way that there's no other explanation 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:19.960 for what happened apart from you. 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.560 There's none. 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.600 No earthly explanation. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:26.779 Do you pray like that, or do you pray in what is achievable? 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:28.600 What do you think is realistic? 00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:32.100 I'm going to pray in those grounds so that I'm not disappointed. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:38.080 But, as we know, God gave Gideon the victory over the Midianites, 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:40.560 and God took all the credit as he should. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.360 He took tremendous faith. 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:43.440 Can you imagine hearing that? 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:44.600 Like, we're doing something down to 300. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.519 Like, it's a huge, huge feat of faith. 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:49.340 And it wasn't for Gideon. 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:51.180 It was so that God would be glorified. 00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:55.959 Barak, or Barak, is the next one mentioned. 00:10:56.839 --> 00:10:59.759 He obeyed God's word through the judge Deborah, 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:04.959 and likewise defeated another pagan army that was really mighty, 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:09.039 900 chariots of iron, which would have been a big deal back then. 00:11:09.099 --> 00:11:12.519 That would be like saying 900 Abrams tanks coming at you. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:21.360 And so, he chose to trust the Lord, and God gave him victory during the time of the judge Deborah. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:24.100 He was faithful to God's command. 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:26.679 That's Judges 4, verse 6. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:33.860 And then we see Samson mentioned, which most of us don't normally think of Samson as a good example of someone to maybe imitate, 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:37.879 because he was empowered by God, but he frittered away that power. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:45.740 He used it very, at his own leisure, and indulged in some very sinful things that God had forbidden. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:50.120 And his assumption was, God is with me, so it's going to be okay. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:57.100 Until God judged him by pulling that strength from him, right? 00:11:57.800 --> 00:11:59.659 And humbled him, broke him. 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:10.899 And God had promised originally that he was going to give Samson power to defeat the enemies of Israel and the Philistines. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:12.759 And he did for a long time. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:18.699 Until God, again, in judgment, sort of removed that power, Samson is humbled. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:24.179 As one writer said, there's a subterranean substance to Samson's faith. 00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:25.679 I like that. 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:27.299 It's kind of undergirding. 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:30.699 So we just see his mistakes more than anything. 00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:32.479 But that's the point of this. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:37.299 These people aren't supposed to be these conquering heroes that we're supposed to love and worship. 00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:46.059 The point is they're screwed up, broken men that God chose to do something through to accomplish his purpose. 00:12:47.339 --> 00:12:48.679 So, by faith. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.899 Their faith is what remembered. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:54.439 So, remember the last little act, Judges 16. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:13:01.299 God gave Samson one more feat of strength to take down the Philistines. 00:13:01.579 --> 00:13:03.480 And by faith, that was accomplished. 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:06.600 Jephtheth, the next one mentioned. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.720 It's crazy he's mentioned, right? 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:15.899 He's sort of the Hebrew Robin Hood, if you would, who was called back, again, to defend the nation. 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:17.919 And by faith, he did so. 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:19.779 By faith, he conquered. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.179 So, David. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:26.519 Most of us are very familiar with David. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:32.379 The only king mentioned in this list, but he grew up, right, in the time of the Judges. 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:35.139 And then was around for the first king. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:43.240 King Saul mentioned significant man whose name resounds throughout both the Old and New Testament. 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:44.620 David. 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.759 The offspring of David. 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.240 David. 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.659 Tremendous faith. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.419 Trust and confidence in God. 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:55.899 So many of your psalms are written by this man. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.419 So, just hear his heartbeat. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:16.740 And Samuel, who said of David, right, the Lord has sought out, the Lord has seeked out, pursued, desired a man after his own heart. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:28.139 And David's faith screamed at Goliath, so that all people would know that the Lord saves, not with the sword or spear. 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.840 For the battle is the Lord's. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:33.940 And he said to Goliath, he will give you into my hand. 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:38.019 So, what gutsy, gutsy faith. 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:42.899 This man has spat upon the honor and glory of my God. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:44.100 And he's going to die. 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:45.519 Like, poor guy. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:50.720 Like, he was not really confident in his own ability, but in faith in God. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:54.040 Samuel mentioned next in our list. 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:56.100 One of my favorites. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:15:02.180 His entire life from a young boy, he grew up loving and serving the Lord. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.659 What an example. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:11.279 In a time of so much corruption in the priesthood and corruption in the religious establishment, 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:13.519 he stood and was faithful. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.540 By his faith. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:19.019 And he, you might not meet a bolder prophet. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:25.300 He says some really gutsy things to King Saul, who really in power had the power to kill him. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:29.360 But he stood toe to toe and was like, thus says the Lord. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.560 Thus says the Lord. 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:34.279 In a humble and bold way. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:40.360 So, he was faithful in the time of Saul, David, Israel. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:43.139 Then lastly, he mentions the prophets. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:55.419 Refers to either the ones who wrote the prophetic books or men that are mentioned in the narratives like Elijah and Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. 00:15:55.419 --> 00:16:00.479 They're men who clearly live lives of faith. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:05.039 But remember that all these men, if you go back and read about them, they're broken. 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:10.820 They did some stuff that you would just think should not be done by a true follower of God. 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:15.120 But then he goes on in our verse, our text. 00:16:16.020 --> 00:16:19.460 We see that they have this conquering faith. 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:23.680 It says, through their faith, through the lives of these men. 00:16:23.780 --> 00:16:27.580 So, not their status, their authority, or their great deeds. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:30.440 They conquered kingdoms. 00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:31.840 Right? 00:16:32.040 --> 00:16:37.560 Just go back and read the great things that were accomplished for God's purposes. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:42.580 It says that they enforced justice or they worked righteousness. 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:50.300 They, especially during the time of the judges, when so much wickedness and law-breaking and serious stuff was going on, 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:54.840 they enforced the law of God in those places. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:57.960 It says they obtained promises. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.940 You see that in your text? 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:02.759 So, we see that he added some people, right? 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.800 They obtained the promises. 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:08.200 They have the added blessing of seeing the fruit of their faith. 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.600 We're not promised that. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:17.120 Some of you have faith in asking God to do something that you might not really see the result of until the next life. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.840 Are you okay with that? 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.640 Some people obtain those promises. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.400 They see them. 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:27.659 And it says, others stopped the mouths of lions. 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:35.639 Which I would think, maybe like to think, refers to humble Daniel in chapter 6. 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:37.659 Like he was thrown into the lion's den. 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:41.659 And by faith, he trusted the Lord to preserve him. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:44.740 And they stopped the mouths of the lions. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:47.740 Although, Samson and David also faced lions. 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:48.939 Right? 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:53.920 And others by faith, keep reading, quench the power of fire. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:18:03.120 I think, again, this probably refers to the story in Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.240 Are there Hebrew names? 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:08.340 Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:15.980 When they were forced to bow the knee to the idol that the king had set up. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.799 And they refused. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.199 They refused. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:24.959 And they actually said to the king, one of my favorite lines in the Old Testament. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:27.860 Like, this is what faith does. 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:36.059 If it be so, our God, who we serve, is able to deliver us from your hand. 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.019 Like, he has the power. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.480 He is the one who rules right now. 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.640 In this moment. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.059 It sounds like Jesus, right? 00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:44.539 Talking to Pilate like, you don't have any control here. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.960 You're not the ultimate say-so of what happens. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:54.740 Our God is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace. 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:58.880 And he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.519 This is the great part. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:07.819 But, even if he doesn't, know it to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:11.259 Or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:14.100 Daniel 3, 17-18. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:14.700 Right? 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.759 What great faith. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:19.140 Faith says, I know God can do it. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:22.460 But, even if he doesn't, I'm not going to give in. 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:25.900 I'm not going to bow the knee to idols of this world. 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:28.140 Crazy, solid faith. 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:31.660 Some prophets, as we keep reading. 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.700 Now, don't miss this. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.980 This is going to be referred to later. 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.680 Escape the edge of the sword. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:38.839 Right? 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:42.119 God delivered them from immediate peril. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:45.839 And, not in their own power, right? 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.500 They were weak. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.759 They were helpless. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:52.259 But, in faith, made strong out of weakness. 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:56.079 All these men were weak men. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.299 Goes on. 00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:01.939 One more example of faith that's kind of thrown in here. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:03.720 The first part of verse 35. 00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:07.099 Whoever did the number breaks, this irritates me. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:10.359 Because, it seems like it would belong like in this next, the previous run. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:14.659 Chapters and verses are not inspired by God. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.500 Just the text is. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.539 But, helpful. 00:20:16.719 --> 00:20:17.519 Helpful all the less. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:24.680 But, it says, women receive back their dead by resurrection. 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.400 So, did you know that? 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:33.339 I've had some modern day faith here where, say, hey, Jesus came so that we could even be raised from the dead. 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:35.859 Like, Jesus ushered in this idea of being raised from the dead. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:40.299 And, like, God's been doing that way before Lazarus. 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.819 Because, it's God's power. 00:20:42.959 --> 00:20:45.419 Not the faith of the individual. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:46.979 Right? 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:58.000 But, more than likely, referring to Elijah, when he was moved by compassion for the widow, Zarephath, when her son died. 00:20:58.079 --> 00:21:02.319 And, he interceded and prayed in faith that God would restore the boy. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:04.220 And, he was risen from the dead. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.920 From the dead. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.279 And, likewise, very similar, Elisha. 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.900 We get it, Elijah. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.740 Elisha. 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.160 Or, in Ireland, Elisha. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.599 Kind of helps me keep the difference. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:18.759 It's moved by faith. 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:22.819 He raised the dead son of the Shunammite widow. 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:25.379 Brought her son back from the dead. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.980 That's 2 Kings chapter 4. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:30.959 So, we see resurrection from the dead just didn't start with Lazarus. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:36.399 But, God is doing such great acts to bring glory to his name long before that time. 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.259 But, I want to ask a question. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:44.139 So, when you and I think about what we desire to be the outcome of our faith. 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.899 My hope is in this. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.619 I want this. 00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:49.659 This is the result. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.119 I would like my faith to have. 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:53.399 When we think about that. 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:57.059 We want our faith to look like what we just read about. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:58.919 Conquest. 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:02.039 Walking right over trials and hardships. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:06.039 All these great things that are just mentioned. 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:08.960 That's where we want our faith to be most of the time. 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.940 I don't want to suffer. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.799 I want to be delivered. 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.480 I don't want to die. 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.279 I want to be healed. 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.440 Etc. 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:18.700 But, this gets to point number two. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.200 So, remember the point. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.119 Point number one. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.519 God. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.839 There's point number two. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.099 Sorry. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:31.519 God gives some faith to persevere. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:35.799 God gives some faith to persevere. 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:38.659 We see this starting in the first part. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:42.579 Our second part of verse 35 into verse 38. 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:46.119 So, it's almost like the writer saying. 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:55.199 Lest you think that faith in God means that he always will grant you what you want. 00:22:55.639 --> 00:23:00.199 Just in case you think that faith is always going to have a successful worldly outcome. 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.979 So, you're not tempted to think that. 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:04.500 Let me tell you about another list that's going to follow. 00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:07.399 I love this. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:07.899 Turn. 00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:10.779 So, like you're going, yes, yes, yes. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.879 And you go, oh, gosh. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.459 Like right after this. 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:19.640 See in verse, the second part of verse 35. 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:23.900 God gives some faith to persevere in persecution. 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:29.500 Some were tortured, refusing to accept release. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:33.720 Others suffered mocking and flogging, even chains and imprisonment. 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:40.100 Many of God's people, right, suffered greatly because of their faith in him. 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:44.559 In the face of beating and tortures, all sorts of things. 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:48.359 What's very interesting is it says they refused to accept release. 00:23:48.459 --> 00:23:57.899 So, that makes me think that the key to them escaping their pain was to renounce the faith that was putting them in there in the first place. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.619 They refused. 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:02.099 Instead, they were tortured. 00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:05.919 Even in chains, flogging. 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.079 Flogging. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:11.959 They refused to accept release. 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:18.139 So, out on our table, you go out to the hall and turn left and see the little thing right there by the stairs. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:22.019 There's a whole stack of magazines out there from Voices of the Martyrs. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:24.579 It's like, after a day, let them all be gone. 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:25.639 They've been there for a while. 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:34.680 Like, pick one up and read about the hardship and persecution of our brothers and sisters around the world. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:42.680 And see if later on, when you're hungry because you haven't eaten in five hours, if you're, like, considering that true suffering. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:47.060 It's very hard. 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:53.380 I won't even use the word persecution about myself, you know, when I read about their lives. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:57.200 And don't miss this. 00:24:58.220 --> 00:25:02.019 It says that, so that they might rise again to a better life. 00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:05.600 And the literal is obtain a better resurrection. 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:10.120 Meaning that, resurrections in the Old Testament that were just mentioned. 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:17.339 Or just simply having their mortal life restored, which is great. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:21.479 But a better resurrection is the one that we hope in. 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.739 This mortal body is dying. 00:25:23.979 --> 00:25:32.819 Earlier, a brother Caleb read in 1 Corinthians 15 that mortal flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:35.179 This is going to die. 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.959 Because of sin. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:39.440 And I'm kind of glad. 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.259 I hate this body. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:45.220 And it's caused me a lot of trouble. 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.240 But God's used it. 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:49.900 So, a better resurrection. 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.900 A glorified new body. 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:56.160 They died in hopes that they would receive a better resurrection. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.380 Right? 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.100 Going on. 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:00.880 We see that. 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:03.980 God gives some the faith to persevere in death. 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:05.440 Right? 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.600 Listen to this. 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:08.240 They were stoned. 00:26:09.219 --> 00:26:11.359 They were sawn in two. 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:14.500 And they were killed with the sword. 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.359 Wait a minute. 00:26:17.699 --> 00:26:21.299 By faith, they were stoned and sawn in two? 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:24.460 The sawn in two part. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.279 More than likely. 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:30.839 It's thinking about the prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.980 More than likely. 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:37.419 Extra-biblical literature, historical sources say this was what happened to them. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:45.220 Jeremiah, who for decades declared God's word faithfully to a perishing, idolatrous nation. 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.680 Go read Jeremiah. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:50.060 Read Lamentations. 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:52.480 He's called the weeping prophet. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:54.700 Right? 00:26:54.700 --> 00:27:04.519 And so, by some modern-day ways of judging successful ministries, numbers, crowds, statistics. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.759 This guy failed. 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:10.019 Jeremiah, they would have fired him on the spot. 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.379 Like, dude, you are way too bold. 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.379 People are going to run away. 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:17.480 You would say, dude, you're the weeping prophet? 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:19.660 Like, what kind of faith do you have? 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.980 Your faith is weak, man. 00:27:21.780 --> 00:27:25.300 If your faith was stronger, surely the whole nation would turn in repentance. 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.260 But you're screwing it up. 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:27.240 Your faith is too weak. 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:28.680 Not at all. 00:27:30.080 --> 00:27:30.780 Not at all. 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.879 He was bold. 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:34.619 And he suffered because of it. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:40.379 Isaiah, probably my favorite Old Testament book alongside Psalms. 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:49.160 Isaiah faithfully spoke the word of God to kings and to the nations of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:59.339 And no other prophet foresaw as much, I think, of the coming Messiah as Isaiah did. 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:01.819 What a faithful guy. 00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:09.419 700 years before Jesus was describing him in such language that it almost is even better than any description of Jesus in the New Testament. 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:09.779 Almost. 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:20.359 More than likely, faithful Isaiah was sawn in two by the wicked king, Manasseh. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:24.019 According to the scriptures, other prophets were stoned. 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:28.480 We know that Stephen, in the very beginning of the book of Acts, was stoned for his faith. 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:32.000 And I want you to catch this. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:35.299 It says, many by faith were killed with the sword. 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:40.879 Which is astounding is just earlier, if you just look back a few verses, it says some escaped the edge of the sword. 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.939 So what's the difference? 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:54.440 So why did the previous mention of the sword, like in verse 34, was their faith greater than the people's faith in verse 37? 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:57.660 So that's why they escaped the sword, was they had more faith? 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.140 Nope. 00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:03.120 Both faced the sword in faith. 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:12.240 And God, in his own counsel, decided to allow one to live and decided to bring the other one into glory. 00:29:12.320 --> 00:29:13.400 Even better reward. 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:18.360 This is such a punch in the face to the health, prosperity gospel. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:20.880 Right? 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.620 God decides. 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:25.680 So God gives some the faith to persevere. 00:29:25.800 --> 00:29:27.340 And our next part, in deprivation. 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.140 Deprivation. 00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:35.620 They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:41.940 Such were the lifestyles of many of God's faithful, including prophets like Elisha. 00:29:42.800 --> 00:29:46.780 Many of God's faithful who wandered about in the deserts and mountains. 00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:48.380 So wait a minute. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.100 No mansions. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.140 Expensive cars. 00:29:51.520 --> 00:29:52.940 Fine, fine jewelry. 00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:54.280 Fancy clothes. 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.060 Nice toys. 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.500 Nope. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.259 Nope. 00:29:58.679 --> 00:30:02.919 Like what a kick in the midriff of that kind of gospel that goes around. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:10.339 If you just trust God enough, have enough faith, and you do these things, you're going to have all this materialism and all this stuff. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.619 Right? 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:16.819 Such a kick to that kind of prosperity gospel. 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:22.579 It says in Psalm 107, verse 4, talking about God's people. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:25.039 Some wandered in the desert. 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:29.480 Finding no way to a city to dwell in. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:31.559 Hungry and thirsty, they fainted. 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:34.079 Their soul fainted within them. 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:37.519 And we look at our last little part of this. 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:40.599 And this is, if I had a title message, I normally don't. 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:43.159 And usually the title of the message is Hebrews chapter 11. 00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:47.359 So it's men of whom the world is not worthy. 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:49.199 Verse 38. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:57.479 So that these people, these men or women who are mentioned, the world was not worthy of them. 00:30:57.480 --> 00:31:05.180 Their presence, their very presence in this dark world was itself evidence of God's grace. 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:14.019 For their lives and their witness of God to a sinful people was the greatest privilege that those people could have had. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:19.680 God gave this broken world such people to look at. 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:22.680 So that is amazing. 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:26.880 They mentioned that they love God so much, right? 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.840 So some questions for you. 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:40.340 Do you wish that to be said of you, that the world was not worthy of the kind of life you live by faith in the Son of God? 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:45.379 And could you live such a heavenly, eternal mindset? 00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:49.199 When people think about you, that's what they think about. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:51.459 That person was like from a different planet. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:55.419 They didn't really, they weren't concerned about the things of this world. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:58.039 They might have engaged in them. 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:01.039 They might have done some of these things, but they didn't love them. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:03.259 They didn't, they could have just dropped it and moved on. 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:06.259 Chances are I'll probably watch them in the Super Bowl tonight. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:06.819 But you know what? 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:09.399 I'm not going to lose any sleep over who loses and who wins. 00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:13.140 It's just temporal glory, right? 00:32:14.320 --> 00:32:19.700 So if your close friends and family were asked, and they said, 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:25.680 does your lifestyle reveal a great love for this world or for the world to come? 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.780 What would they say? 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:31.880 They may say, does he look like a pilgrim passing through this world? 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:37.519 So he uses the things of this world and he engages in the things of this world. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:42.059 But really his mind and his purpose is in a different direction. 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:46.539 He's setting his place not on the here and now. 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:51.039 Could look in Hebrews 11, chapter 6, or verse 16. 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:53.000 Just rewind a few verses. 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:59.339 And I want you to insert the pronouns you and your in this. 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:04.799 Could it be said of you that you desire a better country? 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:07.079 That is a heavenly one. 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:11.379 And therefore God is not ashamed to be called your God. 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:14.720 For he has prepared for you a city. 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.939 Man. 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:20.439 There's so many things in this world that are just like calling for our attention. 00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.419 Fighting for our affection. 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.980 Like invest here. 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:27.940 Are you able to not invest there? 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:32.560 To keep your mind on the eternal and unseen by faith? 00:33:33.400 --> 00:33:35.039 Scripture says that we are pilgrims. 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:37.740 We are traveling through a foreign land, which is this world. 00:33:37.800 --> 00:33:40.860 And we're going to a sacred place, to Zion. 00:33:42.060 --> 00:33:43.380 We are strangers. 00:33:43.600 --> 00:33:46.700 We are neither friend or acquaintance of this world. 00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:50.640 We're meant to not, though we live in this world, we're not to befriend it. 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:53.980 We are aliens in this world. 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:59.040 Our true home and family and allegiance lies somewhere else other than here. 00:34:01.020 --> 00:34:02.040 We're ambassadors. 00:34:02.320 --> 00:34:05.820 We represent another king to this other world. 00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:06.900 Right? 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:09.840 We are ambassadors for Christ in this foreign land. 00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:12.140 So the concluding verses. 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:15.059 Man, running out of time. 00:34:15.140 --> 00:34:16.720 This may be one of those times we go over a little bit. 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.740 So, sorry. 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:20.440 Verse 39 and 40. 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:23.139 And of all these, the concluding verse, 00:34:23.879 --> 00:34:27.339 though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:31.119 since God had provided something better for us, 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:35.519 that apart from us, they should not be made perfect. 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:38.879 So all these people, as great as their lives were, 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:43.400 they only received preliminary glimpses of what was promised. 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.579 See that in verse 13. 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:50.840 And at the same time, they anticipated something greater that was going to come. 00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.639 Something greater. 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.579 Something better. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:59.519 Referring to the new covenant realities that we have by faith in the Son of God. 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:04.199 And though we're waiting for our eternal perfection, 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:08.400 it was like they hoped in that eternal perfection. 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:11.539 But now that Christ has come, he's ushered in this time, 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:16.880 and we both are going to be made perfect together in the life to come. 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.099 Right? 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:30.719 We look back to Christ, and they look forward to Christ. 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:33.539 And all that is united together in Christ. 00:35:34.819 --> 00:35:38.279 So, a lot of other really things I'd like to say, 00:35:38.399 --> 00:35:40.980 but remember our definition of faith. 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:44.219 And I would like to just sort of clear up a few things. 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:48.879 I have a few statements here that I will try to run through as fast as I can. 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:53.880 So, the first statement is, 00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:58.820 through our faith, God can and does work miracles 00:35:58.820 --> 00:36:05.340 to bring practical help and deliverance to his people. 00:36:06.680 --> 00:36:07.700 So, he can. 00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:08.300 He does. 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:11.000 He works miracles still, even today. 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:11.440 Right? 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:17.180 I have a man who discipled me when I was 18, 19 years old. 00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:20.099 And when I first became a believer, his name was Lee, 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:22.379 and he had a wife named Dina. 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:25.599 And when she was pregnant with her first child, 00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:29.219 in the first good many number of months of her pregnancy, 00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:33.359 the child had a lot of disorders. 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:35.319 Spina bifida was one of them, 00:36:35.399 --> 00:36:41.039 and some other things that were going to really hurt the child when she was born. 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:44.940 And they were recommending abortion, like, in her life, 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:46.179 because she's just going to be a vegetable. 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:50.199 And so, they went and saw a specialist, 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.859 and, like, the specialist confirmed, like, 00:36:51.879 --> 00:36:54.319 yep, all these things are going to happen. 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:55.879 Like, I'm seeing it on the screen. 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.259 Do you see? 00:36:56.339 --> 00:36:57.639 I'll draw you a picture. 00:36:58.559 --> 00:37:01.219 And they didn't know what to do. 00:37:01.319 --> 00:37:02.099 They just said, Lord, 00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:05.239 we don't believe in any of this child's life. 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:05.879 Like, let's just, 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:08.319 we know that you are powerful, 00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:12.519 and we know that you can do as you wish. 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:16.559 So, we're going to ask that you heal our baby in the womb. 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:20.779 And they said, though, 00:37:20.779 --> 00:37:21.619 even if you don't, 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:23.380 we're not going to abort this child. 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:25.559 We're going to trust you to provide in the future. 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:29.440 And the next doctor's appointment, 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.679 it all had gone away. 00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.699 No spina bifida, 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:36.019 no serious things that would lead to 00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:39.320 a mental disruptive state when they were born. 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:41.580 And they were shocked. 00:37:41.680 --> 00:37:42.280 The doctor was like, 00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:43.240 this is unexplainable. 00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:44.840 They said it's a miracle. 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:46.160 And they said, yeah, it is a miracle. 00:37:46.320 --> 00:37:47.100 And they went to, like, 00:37:47.140 --> 00:37:49.680 share the gospel with these doctors. 00:37:50.600 --> 00:37:51.539 And she was born. 00:37:51.680 --> 00:37:52.200 Her name's Allison. 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:55.120 I think she's probably a young teenager at this point. 00:37:56.240 --> 00:37:57.900 So, God sometimes does that. 00:37:58.900 --> 00:37:59.680 So, number two, 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:03.019 this is what we read about today a lot. 00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:05.180 God does not always work miracles 00:38:05.180 --> 00:38:07.960 for our deliverance from suffering. 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:13.800 Instead, sometimes, by faith, 00:38:14.720 --> 00:38:18.300 God sustains His people through suffering. 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:21.780 God does not always work miracles 00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:23.220 for our deliverance from suffering. 00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:25.860 But instead, sometimes, by faith, 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:27.940 sustains His people through suffering. 00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.780 Through it all. 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:32.780 Many people that I look up to, 00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:33.680 and I know, 00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:37.740 have had a big impact in how I think about this. 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:39.039 I mean, most of you know, 00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:40.519 I'm not going to bore you with details, 00:38:40.719 --> 00:38:42.980 but cystic fibrosis, 00:38:43.079 --> 00:38:45.500 was dying in my early 20s, 00:38:46.279 --> 00:38:48.820 and was in the hospital. 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:50.440 God was my only hope. 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.860 I was like, I'm ready to die, 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.579 I'm ready to live, 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.460 whatever you want to do. 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.259 But I know that you can, 00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:56.539 I trust you to make the right decision. 00:38:57.279 --> 00:38:58.679 And I had a person, 00:38:59.259 --> 00:39:00.179 a hospital worker, 00:39:00.179 --> 00:39:01.360 who also was a believer, 00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:04.279 but a part of the Word of Faith movement. 00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:05.240 And she told me, 00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:07.720 and my mom particularly, 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:09.220 that I was not healed 00:39:09.220 --> 00:39:10.600 because of our lack of faith. 00:39:10.660 --> 00:39:12.519 Our faith was not strong enough, right, 00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:14.800 for me to be healed, 00:39:14.860 --> 00:39:15.360 or otherwise, 00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:17.140 I would have been. 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:19.240 Not true. 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.960 Number three, 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.560 getting to this, 00:39:23.620 --> 00:39:25.560 let me just talk about this. 00:39:25.660 --> 00:39:27.780 God sustains people in their suffering, right? 00:39:27.780 --> 00:39:29.160 Number three, 00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:31.500 this is a key one, 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.160 don't miss this one. 00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:34.340 Having enough faith 00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:36.280 is not 00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:39.160 the ultimate determining factor 00:39:39.160 --> 00:39:41.320 on whether or not 00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:42.540 you escape suffering. 00:39:44.700 --> 00:39:45.260 Rather, 00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:46.300 God 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:49.580 and His sovereign wisdom and love, 00:39:50.320 --> 00:39:51.440 He's the determining factor. 00:39:52.580 --> 00:39:53.080 He is. 00:39:54.180 --> 00:39:54.860 T.D. Jakes, 00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:56.480 a teacher that I would encourage you 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.600 to stay away from, 00:39:58.260 --> 00:39:59.019 he said, 00:39:59.140 --> 00:40:00.480 the devil is a liar. 00:40:01.040 --> 00:40:01.640 True statement. 00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:02.760 Healing 00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:04.340 is the children's bread. 00:40:05.200 --> 00:40:07.000 It's promised to us 00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:08.060 by the Word of God, 00:40:08.140 --> 00:40:08.580 and God 00:40:08.580 --> 00:40:09.500 can do 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:11.000 much better things 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:12.019 than medicine can do. 00:40:12.620 --> 00:40:13.660 I had one guy tell me, 00:40:13.720 --> 00:40:14.780 quit taking my medicine. 00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:16.140 Like, stop. 00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:17.860 That's displaying lack of faith 00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:18.620 for you to take 00:40:18.620 --> 00:40:19.600 medicine. 00:40:20.580 --> 00:40:21.580 He told the same thing 00:40:21.580 --> 00:40:22.700 to a good brother of ours 00:40:22.700 --> 00:40:23.220 in the faith, 00:40:23.300 --> 00:40:24.260 my friend Joseph, 00:40:24.680 --> 00:40:25.000 who really 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:26.200 knows the Lord. 00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:28.480 He quit taking his medicine 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:29.239 and he almost died. 00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.500 And, 00:40:31.579 --> 00:40:33.039 and he was later on like, 00:40:33.119 --> 00:40:33.379 you know, 00:40:34.179 --> 00:40:35.000 that wasn't really 00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:35.859 a display of faith. 00:40:35.939 --> 00:40:36.319 That was kind of 00:40:36.319 --> 00:40:37.319 a display of foolishness, 00:40:37.419 --> 00:40:38.519 but he actually 00:40:38.519 --> 00:40:39.559 had the transplant now 00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:40.579 and is doing well. 00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.859 And, 00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:44.260 but, 00:40:44.400 --> 00:40:45.460 I want to read you 00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.760 a quote from 00:40:46.760 --> 00:40:47.880 one of my heroes. 00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:50.480 Pick up this woman's books 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.920 and read all of them. 00:40:52.300 --> 00:40:52.539 But, 00:40:53.160 --> 00:40:53.760 her name is 00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:55.400 Joni Erickson-Tada. 00:40:56.120 --> 00:40:56.740 She is a 00:40:56.740 --> 00:40:57.660 quadriplegic. 00:40:58.180 --> 00:40:59.280 Had a diving accident 00:40:59.280 --> 00:41:00.420 when she was a young teenager. 00:41:00.660 --> 00:41:01.700 Has been in a wheelchair 00:41:01.700 --> 00:41:03.200 her entire life. 00:41:04.019 --> 00:41:04.500 And, 00:41:04.599 --> 00:41:05.880 she ministers to people 00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:07.800 ceaselessly 00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:08.539 in her weakness. 00:41:08.539 --> 00:41:10.179 But, 00:41:10.259 --> 00:41:10.880 I love this. 00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:12.239 Something she said. 00:41:12.820 --> 00:41:14.039 She was on a TV show. 00:41:15.659 --> 00:41:16.360 I won't, 00:41:16.360 --> 00:41:17.440 I won't bash the network 00:41:17.440 --> 00:41:18.099 because you probably know 00:41:18.099 --> 00:41:18.759 which one it is 00:41:18.759 --> 00:41:19.219 on TV. 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.279 But, 00:41:20.340 --> 00:41:21.659 she was on that TV show 00:41:21.659 --> 00:41:24.000 and she shared her story 00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:25.500 like how God was using her 00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:26.500 and her brokenness 00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:27.219 and her suffering 00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:28.679 to display 00:41:28.679 --> 00:41:30.099 like how the next life 00:41:30.099 --> 00:41:30.619 is better 00:41:30.619 --> 00:41:31.420 and that her hope 00:41:31.420 --> 00:41:32.400 and trust 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:33.219 is in the Lord. 00:41:33.219 --> 00:41:34.879 and then she said, 00:41:35.779 --> 00:41:36.639 the TV host 00:41:36.639 --> 00:41:37.779 did not seem impressed. 00:41:38.859 --> 00:41:39.439 He listened 00:41:39.439 --> 00:41:40.419 until the interview 00:41:40.419 --> 00:41:41.379 drew to a close 00:41:41.379 --> 00:41:42.759 and then 00:41:42.759 --> 00:41:43.319 he turned 00:41:43.319 --> 00:41:44.059 to address 00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:45.579 the small studio audience 00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.619 as well as the cameras 00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:48.959 which was a window 00:41:48.959 --> 00:41:50.399 to who knows 00:41:50.399 --> 00:41:51.019 how many people 00:41:51.019 --> 00:41:51.539 were watching 00:41:51.539 --> 00:41:52.219 at that moment. 00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.759 He explained 00:41:53.759 --> 00:41:54.439 to his viewers 00:41:54.439 --> 00:41:56.099 that it was obvious 00:41:56.099 --> 00:41:58.139 that I had not been healed 00:41:58.139 --> 00:41:59.500 but they could. 00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:01.179 The viewers 00:42:01.179 --> 00:42:01.859 could be healed 00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:03.340 even though 00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:04.220 I had not been. 00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:05.940 He said, 00:42:06.099 --> 00:42:07.539 with confession of sin 00:42:07.539 --> 00:42:08.440 and enough faith 00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:09.160 to believe 00:42:09.160 --> 00:42:10.640 they could know 00:42:10.640 --> 00:42:12.840 what I was not able 00:42:12.840 --> 00:42:13.380 to know. 00:42:16.320 --> 00:42:16.840 Yeah. 00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:19.360 And he goes on, 00:42:20.120 --> 00:42:20.780 the people 00:42:20.780 --> 00:42:21.820 in the television audience 00:42:21.820 --> 00:42:22.519 who obeyed 00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:23.180 this person's 00:42:23.180 --> 00:42:23.880 magic formula 00:42:23.880 --> 00:42:24.700 could be healed. 00:42:25.220 --> 00:42:26.660 Before I could jump in 00:42:26.660 --> 00:42:27.680 and like say something, 00:42:28.160 --> 00:42:28.880 the cameras 00:42:28.880 --> 00:42:30.099 turned down 00:42:30.099 --> 00:42:30.820 and another segment 00:42:30.820 --> 00:42:31.360 started 00:42:31.360 --> 00:42:32.599 I could hardly 00:42:32.599 --> 00:42:33.240 believe it. 00:42:34.220 --> 00:42:34.860 He had never 00:42:34.860 --> 00:42:35.300 read, 00:42:35.360 --> 00:42:36.320 has he ever read 00:42:36.320 --> 00:42:37.180 all the times 00:42:37.180 --> 00:42:38.059 that God specifically 00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:39.079 tells his followers 00:42:39.079 --> 00:42:40.740 even followers 00:42:40.740 --> 00:42:41.640 of great faith 00:42:41.640 --> 00:42:42.579 that they will expect 00:42:42.579 --> 00:42:43.160 hardship 00:42:43.160 --> 00:42:43.940 and suffering 00:42:43.940 --> 00:42:44.760 in this world 00:42:44.760 --> 00:42:47.180 and how the sufferings 00:42:47.180 --> 00:42:47.660 of Christ 00:42:47.660 --> 00:42:48.440 are supposed to 00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:49.039 overflow 00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:50.700 into our lives 00:42:50.700 --> 00:42:52.539 and how has he 00:42:52.539 --> 00:42:53.260 ever read 00:42:53.260 --> 00:42:54.079 Acts 14 00:42:54.079 --> 00:42:55.079 that we must 00:42:55.079 --> 00:42:55.440 go through 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:56.300 many hardships 00:42:56.300 --> 00:42:57.260 and trials 00:42:57.260 --> 00:42:58.320 to enter 00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:58.980 the kingdom 00:42:58.980 --> 00:42:59.720 of God. 00:43:01.020 --> 00:43:01.740 And that's just 00:43:01.740 --> 00:43:02.640 scratching the surface. 00:43:02.800 --> 00:43:03.280 Now I don't mean 00:43:03.280 --> 00:43:03.880 to be critical 00:43:03.880 --> 00:43:04.720 but I'm sorry 00:43:04.720 --> 00:43:05.760 this man was wrong. 00:43:06.760 --> 00:43:07.520 I love this part. 00:43:07.640 --> 00:43:08.860 God is God 00:43:08.860 --> 00:43:10.220 and it is he 00:43:10.220 --> 00:43:11.060 and he alone 00:43:11.060 --> 00:43:12.580 who decides 00:43:12.580 --> 00:43:13.360 who will be healed 00:43:13.360 --> 00:43:14.360 and who will not be. 00:43:15.160 --> 00:43:15.600 Yes, 00:43:16.100 --> 00:43:16.560 faith 00:43:16.560 --> 00:43:17.580 is vital 00:43:17.580 --> 00:43:18.360 to everything. 00:43:18.900 --> 00:43:19.480 Without faith 00:43:19.480 --> 00:43:20.220 it is impossible 00:43:20.220 --> 00:43:21.100 to please him. 00:43:21.260 --> 00:43:21.760 And this is it. 00:43:21.980 --> 00:43:22.520 Underline this. 00:43:22.580 --> 00:43:23.180 I underline this. 00:43:23.179 --> 00:43:24.639 Big bold letters. 00:43:25.779 --> 00:43:27.159 But faith's focus 00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:29.019 must always be 00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:29.659 Jesus. 00:43:31.440 --> 00:43:32.539 You see that? 00:43:32.679 --> 00:43:33.399 Faith's focus 00:43:33.399 --> 00:43:34.759 must always be 00:43:34.759 --> 00:43:35.299 Jesus. 00:43:36.199 --> 00:43:36.960 No one draws 00:43:36.960 --> 00:43:37.899 close to Christ 00:43:37.899 --> 00:43:38.739 who doesn't first 00:43:38.739 --> 00:43:39.919 share in Christ's 00:43:39.919 --> 00:43:40.419 sufferings. 00:43:42.399 --> 00:43:43.079 Good. 00:43:44.259 --> 00:43:44.659 So, 00:43:44.919 --> 00:43:46.579 so what I saw 00:43:46.579 --> 00:43:48.460 and these people 00:43:48.460 --> 00:43:49.480 who told me this 00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:51.079 even though 00:43:51.079 --> 00:43:51.739 I'd have more 00:43:51.739 --> 00:43:52.859 oil dumped on me 00:43:52.860 --> 00:43:53.539 than McDonald's 00:43:53.539 --> 00:43:54.140 French fries 00:43:54.140 --> 00:43:55.140 and had like 00:43:55.140 --> 00:43:56.500 elders from 00:43:56.500 --> 00:43:57.480 all over the world 00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.180 praying for me 00:43:58.180 --> 00:43:58.660 in three different 00:43:58.660 --> 00:43:59.160 continents. 00:44:01.680 --> 00:44:02.900 I fully believe 00:44:02.900 --> 00:44:03.620 God could do it. 00:44:03.700 --> 00:44:04.240 I really did. 00:44:06.640 --> 00:44:07.680 What I learned 00:44:07.680 --> 00:44:08.740 is that their faith 00:44:08.740 --> 00:44:10.180 is in their faith. 00:44:11.039 --> 00:44:12.099 Not their faith 00:44:12.099 --> 00:44:13.539 was in Christ. 00:44:15.079 --> 00:44:16.800 Can you quantify faith? 00:44:16.900 --> 00:44:17.740 Like as a believer 00:44:17.740 --> 00:44:19.160 you have faith 00:44:19.160 --> 00:44:20.099 ignited in you 00:44:20.099 --> 00:44:21.059 when you are born again 00:44:21.059 --> 00:44:21.699 and your faith 00:44:21.699 --> 00:44:23.119 may do this 00:44:23.119 --> 00:44:23.619 at times 00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:24.079 but it never 00:44:24.079 --> 00:44:24.739 goes away. 00:44:25.980 --> 00:44:26.659 Jesus said 00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.799 duh 00:44:27.799 --> 00:44:29.400 faith the side 00:44:29.400 --> 00:44:30.259 of a tiny 00:44:30.259 --> 00:44:31.099 mustard seed 00:44:31.099 --> 00:44:32.759 can move a mountain. 00:44:33.799 --> 00:44:34.340 But what really 00:44:34.340 --> 00:44:34.880 moves the mountain? 00:44:34.960 --> 00:44:35.380 Your faith 00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:36.279 or is it really God? 00:44:36.340 --> 00:44:36.699 The God 00:44:36.699 --> 00:44:37.219 the object 00:44:37.219 --> 00:44:38.159 of your faith. 00:44:38.299 --> 00:44:39.059 God is the one 00:44:39.059 --> 00:44:40.380 who moves 00:44:40.380 --> 00:44:41.119 the mountain 00:44:41.119 --> 00:44:43.340 not your faith. 00:44:44.239 --> 00:44:44.940 Jesus isn't saying 00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:45.559 that like you have 00:44:45.559 --> 00:44:46.739 this omnipotent power 00:44:46.739 --> 00:44:47.179 to like 00:44:47.179 --> 00:44:48.179 do as you will 00:44:48.179 --> 00:44:49.480 and wield 00:44:49.480 --> 00:44:50.299 God's power 00:44:50.299 --> 00:44:50.980 for your own 00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:52.099 desires and purposes. 00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:53.419 Right? 00:44:54.259 --> 00:44:55.639 Not our naked faith 00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:56.179 but rather 00:44:56.179 --> 00:44:57.259 the object 00:44:57.259 --> 00:44:58.279 of our faith 00:44:58.279 --> 00:44:59.039 is powerful. 00:44:59.839 --> 00:45:00.719 At the end of the day 00:45:00.719 --> 00:45:01.839 it's not the amount 00:45:01.839 --> 00:45:02.379 of faith 00:45:02.379 --> 00:45:02.940 that heals 00:45:02.940 --> 00:45:03.980 but rather 00:45:03.980 --> 00:45:04.539 the God 00:45:04.539 --> 00:45:05.799 of our faith. 00:45:06.679 --> 00:45:07.799 It's only as good 00:45:07.799 --> 00:45:08.559 as the object. 00:45:10.139 --> 00:45:10.440 Right? 00:45:11.239 --> 00:45:12.319 And so I don't hate 00:45:12.319 --> 00:45:12.980 people like this. 00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:13.819 I feel sorry for them. 00:45:13.819 --> 00:45:14.500 I had a lot of talks 00:45:14.500 --> 00:45:14.940 with that woman 00:45:14.940 --> 00:45:15.699 who told me that. 00:45:15.699 --> 00:45:16.759 I never like 00:45:16.759 --> 00:45:17.639 threw my tray at her 00:45:17.639 --> 00:45:18.039 and told her not 00:45:18.039 --> 00:45:18.439 to come back 00:45:18.439 --> 00:45:19.139 in my room again. 00:45:20.119 --> 00:45:21.279 But we had a lot 00:45:21.279 --> 00:45:21.739 of talks. 00:45:23.619 --> 00:45:24.419 You know what? 00:45:24.759 --> 00:45:25.379 One day 00:45:25.379 --> 00:45:26.439 she's going to get sick 00:45:26.439 --> 00:45:27.259 and she's going to die. 00:45:27.319 --> 00:45:27.719 What happened? 00:45:27.859 --> 00:45:29.000 Did her faith run out? 00:45:30.159 --> 00:45:31.199 We're all going to die. 00:45:31.379 --> 00:45:32.199 So at some point 00:45:32.199 --> 00:45:33.719 I'm not going to 00:45:33.719 --> 00:45:34.219 keep going. 00:45:34.919 --> 00:45:35.279 Anyway 00:45:35.279 --> 00:45:36.119 point number four 00:45:36.119 --> 00:45:39.119 and lastly 00:45:39.119 --> 00:45:39.419 you know 00:45:39.419 --> 00:45:39.939 I promise 00:45:39.939 --> 00:45:41.819 wrapping it up. 00:45:42.859 --> 00:45:43.879 So here's the deal. 00:45:43.960 --> 00:45:45.119 The common feature 00:45:45.119 --> 00:45:47.500 of the faith 00:45:47.500 --> 00:45:49.719 that escapes suffering 00:45:49.719 --> 00:45:53.359 and endures suffering 00:45:53.359 --> 00:45:54.759 is this. 00:45:55.119 --> 00:45:56.239 So what determines 00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:56.679 in other words 00:45:56.679 --> 00:45:57.380 whether you escape 00:45:57.380 --> 00:45:58.940 or whether you don't escape 00:45:58.940 --> 00:46:01.639 both involve believing 00:46:01.639 --> 00:46:03.480 that God himself 00:46:03.480 --> 00:46:04.440 is better 00:46:04.440 --> 00:46:05.639 than what 00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:06.960 this present life 00:46:06.960 --> 00:46:07.500 can offer. 00:46:08.559 --> 00:46:09.579 God is better 00:46:09.579 --> 00:46:10.839 than what this present life 00:46:10.839 --> 00:46:11.619 can offer. 00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:13.380 That's the common feature. 00:46:13.380 --> 00:46:15.400 And then lastly 00:46:15.400 --> 00:46:17.960 those who love God 00:46:17.960 --> 00:46:19.500 more than life 00:46:19.500 --> 00:46:22.000 will suffer 00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:23.300 willingly 00:46:23.300 --> 00:46:25.960 awaiting something better 00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:27.860 than what this world has. 00:46:29.660 --> 00:46:29.840 Right? 00:46:30.559 --> 00:46:31.480 The love of God 00:46:31.480 --> 00:46:32.700 those who love God 00:46:32.700 --> 00:46:33.920 more than life 00:46:33.920 --> 00:46:36.099 will suffer willingly 00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:38.340 awaiting something better 00:46:38.340 --> 00:46:39.720 than this world can offer. 00:46:39.719 --> 00:46:42.419 your thoughts 00:46:42.419 --> 00:46:43.059 is on 00:46:43.059 --> 00:46:43.879 the eternal 00:46:43.879 --> 00:46:45.619 the eternal 00:46:45.619 --> 00:46:46.359 and we're going to close 00:46:46.359 --> 00:46:47.099 look at 1 John 00:46:47.099 --> 00:46:47.599 real quick 00:46:47.599 --> 00:46:48.839 1 John chapter 5 00:46:48.839 --> 00:46:56.980 1 John chapter 5 00:46:56.980 --> 00:46:57.539 I want to read 00:46:57.539 --> 00:46:57.839 just 00:46:57.839 --> 00:46:59.239 two verses 00:46:59.239 --> 00:47:00.059 and we'll close 00:47:00.059 --> 00:47:04.439 1 John chapter 5 00:47:04.439 --> 00:47:05.959 verse 4 00:47:05.960 --> 00:47:08.079 for everyone 00:47:08.079 --> 00:47:08.820 who has been 00:47:08.820 --> 00:47:09.740 born of God 00:47:09.740 --> 00:47:10.659 true believers 00:47:10.659 --> 00:47:12.360 overcomes 00:47:12.360 --> 00:47:13.300 the world 00:47:13.300 --> 00:47:14.920 and this 00:47:14.920 --> 00:47:16.000 is the victory 00:47:16.000 --> 00:47:17.179 that has overcome 00:47:17.179 --> 00:47:17.740 the world 00:47:17.740 --> 00:47:19.320 our faith 00:47:19.320 --> 00:47:21.139 who is it 00:47:21.139 --> 00:47:21.659 that overcomes 00:47:21.659 --> 00:47:22.099 the world 00:47:22.099 --> 00:47:22.720 except the one 00:47:22.720 --> 00:47:23.420 who believes 00:47:23.420 --> 00:47:23.860 that Jesus 00:47:23.860 --> 00:47:24.820 is the son 00:47:24.820 --> 00:47:25.460 of God 00:47:25.460 --> 00:47:27.240 so you may be 00:47:27.240 --> 00:47:28.280 tempted in verse 4 00:47:28.280 --> 00:47:28.639 to think 00:47:28.639 --> 00:47:29.760 oh that's our faith 00:47:29.760 --> 00:47:30.579 our faith is overcoming 00:47:30.579 --> 00:47:31.019 the world 00:47:31.019 --> 00:47:32.500 then it ties you 00:47:32.500 --> 00:47:33.420 into the object 00:47:33.420 --> 00:47:34.780 of faith 00:47:34.780 --> 00:47:35.619 in the next verse 00:47:35.619 --> 00:47:38.420 those who believe 00:47:38.420 --> 00:47:39.460 your faith is in 00:47:39.460 --> 00:47:39.960 Jesus 00:47:39.960 --> 00:47:40.619 the son 00:47:40.619 --> 00:47:41.839 of God 00:47:41.839 --> 00:47:42.779 we will overcome 00:47:42.779 --> 00:47:44.159 all things 00:47:44.159 --> 00:47:44.699 until 00:47:44.699 --> 00:47:46.219 he returns 00:47:46.219 --> 00:47:46.779 yeah let's 00:47:46.779 --> 00:47:47.440 let's pray together