WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.040 Well, it's good to be here today, good to be able to share God's Word with you from the pulpit this morning. 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:12.460 I do want to encourage you to be partnering with our pastor this week in prayer as he is on sabbatical. 00:00:13.179 --> 00:00:18.179 And just pray that God will speak to him during that time and it will be a season of refreshing. 00:00:18.480 --> 00:00:27.300 And when he gets back that his batteries will be recharged and all the staff is here ready to serve you so that he can have that quiet time away in the next week or two. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:30.140 And so thank you for partnering with him in prayer. 00:00:30.580 --> 00:00:34.399 I want to invite you to turn your Bibles this morning to Hebrews chapter number 11. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:36.579 Hebrews chapter number 11. 00:00:37.659 --> 00:00:44.620 You know, as a child growing up in church, I recall singing this song quite a bit in the children's choir. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:46.679 And it went like this. Maybe you've sung it before. 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:49.679 Father Abraham had many sons. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:52.260 Many sons had Father Abraham. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:55.600 And I am one of them, and so are you. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:58.120 So let's just praise the Lord. 00:00:58.240 --> 00:00:59.679 And then we'd go right arm. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.500 And you'd stick your right arm out there. 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:02.560 You might pump it a little. 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:04.840 And then you'd sing the whole thing again. 00:01:04.980 --> 00:01:06.659 And right on cue, you would add another action. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.859 And it became a spiritualized version of the hokey pokey. 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:11.740 You put your right arm in. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:13.299 You put your left arm in. 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:15.659 You put your right foot in and your left foot in. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:17.079 And you put your chin up. 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:18.219 And you turn around. 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:22.180 And then for the grand finale, what do you do? 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:23.599 You sit down. 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:25.519 Now, that's been a lot of years ago. 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:27.579 And I've given a lot of thought to that since. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:31.859 And I have determined that actually that it's one great big trick. 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:38.000 All those folks wanted to do with us singing that song is to burn a little energy out of us 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:40.259 and then make us sit down and be quiet. 00:01:42.139 --> 00:01:43.419 But I thought of those words. 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:44.959 Father Abraham had many sons. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:48.280 Why on earth do we sing about Father Abraham? 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:48.480 Abraham. 00:01:49.099 --> 00:01:53.379 Adrian Rogers, my favorite preacher of all time, once said this. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:57.760 He said, when you came to Christ, when you were saved by the grace of God, 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:01.240 God enrolled you in the school of faith. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:03.180 Life is the classroom. 00:02:03.540 --> 00:02:04.819 The Bible is the textbook. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:08.060 The prophets and the apostles, well, they're the professors. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:11.979 And Abraham would have to be the dean. 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:20.399 Father Abraham, the father of faith, the father of them that believe, the dean of the school of faith, 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:25.819 whatever you call him, whatever title you give him, don't miss his faith. 00:02:26.079 --> 00:02:27.419 I want you to look with me this morning. 00:02:28.139 --> 00:02:31.299 Hebrews chapter 11, beginning with verse 1. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:38.180 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 00:02:38.820 --> 00:02:43.340 For by it, that is faith, the people of old received their commendation. 00:02:44.120 --> 00:02:48.000 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:51.680 so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 00:02:52.300 --> 00:02:53.360 Go down to verse 8. 00:02:53.820 --> 00:03:00.180 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, 00:03:00.180 --> 00:03:03.180 and he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:08.200 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:12.740 living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:20.780 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.000 Will you join me as we pray? 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:26.360 Father, I pray that in this time this morning, as we open your word, 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:31.780 Lord, just as we have been worshiping you through our singing and our praying and our giving, 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:35.300 Lord, we worship you now through the preaching of your word, 00:03:35.380 --> 00:03:37.880 and Lord, I pray that we be active participants in it, 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:40.320 that we would listen carefully to your word, 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:43.180 that we would listen carefully, what do you have to say to us, 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:48.760 and that we would respond as doers of your word in obedience to your glory and to your honor. 00:03:49.320 --> 00:03:50.960 Lord, thank you for those gathered this morning. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:52.680 You brought us here for this appointed time, 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:54.920 and we give it to you in Jesus' name. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:03:56.719 And all of God's people say it. 00:03:57.340 --> 00:03:57.620 Amen. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:03.840 If you look at Hebrews chapter 10, verse 39 there as it closes out, 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:08.659 it's a reminder that we are not to shrink back, church. 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.800 We are to go forward, and we are to be people of faith. 00:04:13.420 --> 00:04:15.700 In fact, if you go just a little bit further along, 00:04:15.760 --> 00:04:17.600 you find in Hebrews 11, 6, it says, 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:20.620 Without faith, it is impossible to please God. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:23.939 And I bet to a woman, I bet to a man, if I walked around and I said, 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:25.300 Do you want to please God? 00:04:25.340 --> 00:04:27.220 We'd all say, Of course we want to please God. 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:29.740 Well, without faith, it's impossible. 00:04:30.340 --> 00:04:32.939 Going back to Adrian Rogers once more, he said, 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:35.819 If you please God, it doesn't matter who you displease. 00:04:36.780 --> 00:04:40.860 And if you displease God, it frankly doesn't matter who you please. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:43.439 John 3, 18 says this, 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:49.019 Whoever believes in him, that's faith, is not condemned. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:52.480 But whoever does not believe, that's unbelief, 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:58.860 is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:07.819 And throughout Hebrews, we have seen that God has provided that perfect sacrifice for sin in Christ. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:12.699 And even though we're all sinners, and even though we're all deserving of death and hell, 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:15.699 because God has made a sacrifice for sin, 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:19.099 the only thing preventing us is unbelief. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:23.000 We have to trust by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:27.139 who is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.039 Jesus was one time asked, 00:05:29.159 --> 00:05:31.379 What must we do to do the works of God? 00:05:31.539 --> 00:05:34.139 And he had to get them back on course, had to get them back on track. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:36.459 And so Jesus said in John 6, 29, 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:38.180 This is the work of God, 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:42.740 that you believe in him whom he has sent. 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:46.899 We have to place our faith in Jesus Christ. 00:05:46.979 --> 00:05:48.339 But I want to share this with you. 00:05:48.419 --> 00:05:53.000 Not only is it that we have to place our faith in Jesus for salvation, 00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:56.259 but we are then to live by faith, 00:05:56.360 --> 00:05:59.659 and faith becomes the mark of the Christian life. 00:06:00.159 --> 00:06:03.259 This morning as we look at Hebrews, chapter number 11, 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:05.019 just listening in to the text, 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:06.860 looking at the life of Abraham, 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:09.579 seeing this man who is called the father of faith, 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:13.240 there are three pertinent lessons that I believe we need to learn today. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:16.180 And then we can go eat fried chicken or whatever you want to have, okay? 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:18.779 Lesson number one is this. 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:21.879 We must hear what God says. 00:06:22.599 --> 00:06:24.099 We must hear what God says. 00:06:24.560 --> 00:06:27.180 Faith begins with hearing God. 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:30.219 Now it's so much easier for us to want to listen to ourselves, 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:34.480 and what we think and what we feel or what others think and what they feel, 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:37.540 because we maybe want to please them and listen to the world 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:39.880 and do what the world says so we can all get along. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:43.060 But the reality is, if we're going to live by faith, 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:45.260 lives that bring honor and glory to God, 00:06:45.320 --> 00:06:46.480 then the most important thing, 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:50.500 the most important one that we need to hear from is God himself. 00:06:51.200 --> 00:06:53.900 Any other starting point will lead us astray. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:57.879 Therefore, we have to begin with God's word. 00:06:58.299 --> 00:07:01.620 Hebrews 11, 8 simply begins with these two words, 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:03.219 by faith. 00:07:03.799 --> 00:07:07.099 Hebrews 11 has been called the great hall of faith chapter. 00:07:07.479 --> 00:07:09.899 And if you read through there, you'll see 18 transitions 00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:13.479 where it says by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith. 00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:19.679 Clearly, God is wanting to show us something extremely important here about faith. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:22.519 When we speak of the faith of Abraham, 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:25.160 it's a fair question to ask, 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:28.019 when did his faith begin? 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:30.420 And we find that not in Hebrews, 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:34.500 but we have to go all the way back to Genesis chapter number 12. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:36.780 His name at that time was not Abraham, 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:38.199 it was Abram, 00:07:38.280 --> 00:07:41.720 and I'll confess I'll probably refer to him both ways throughout this message. 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:45.560 But he was living as just a regular guy over there in the Ur of the Chaldees, 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:48.019 and he was going about his business, 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:51.659 going about his life until God sought him out, 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:53.620 until God spoke to him, 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:57.659 and it changed his life's course and his eternity. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:00.419 In the Bible, it says in Genesis 12, 1, 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:04.079 Now the Lord said to Abram, 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:05.560 and don't miss it, 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:06.680 the Lord said to Abram, 00:08:06.919 --> 00:08:08.899 it is God who is speaking to him, 00:08:08.979 --> 00:08:11.139 it is God who sought him out. 00:08:11.719 --> 00:08:13.399 And how many of us here today 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:18.079 understands that the only way that we know that we are a sinner, 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:20.839 the only way that we know that we need salvation, 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:23.639 the only way we know that Jesus is the solution, 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:25.579 and that he will save us, 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:27.759 is that God first speak to our heart. 00:08:28.299 --> 00:08:30.399 He has to show us that in ourselves. 00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.819 And so what does God say to Abram? 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.459 Does God say to Abram, 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.039 you know Abram, 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:36.860 I sure am impressed with you, 00:08:37.439 --> 00:08:39.659 I sure am impressed with all of your accomplishments, 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.600 you have a beautiful wife, 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:43.279 you have a lovely home, 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:45.259 your cattle, they're legit, 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:48.120 you have possessions that are tremendous, 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.019 look at you, Abraham, 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:52.299 you're a handsome guy in spite of your age, 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:54.039 look at those muscles, 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:55.639 look how ripped you are, 00:08:55.719 --> 00:08:57.919 you must be hitting the gym, Mr. Abraham. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:08:59.439 You're the man, 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:00.740 how did you accomplish all of this? 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:03.100 Maybe you need to write a self-help book 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.480 and entitle it, 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.379 Live Ur Best Life Now. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:08.879 Is that what God said? 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:11.819 No, what God said to him is, 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:12.819 you need to get out of town. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.519 Genesis 12, 1-3 says, 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:17.559 Go from your country and your kindred 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:18.620 and your father's house 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:21.039 to the land I will show you, 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:23.120 and I will make you a great nation, 00:09:23.339 --> 00:09:24.539 and I will bless you, 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:26.279 and I will make your name great 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:27.480 so that you'll be a blessing. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:29.740 I will bless those who bless you, 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:31.419 and in him who dishonors you, 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.159 I will curse, 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:34.679 and in you all the families of the earth 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:36.339 will be blessed. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.720 God spoke to Abraham. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:41.279 Abraham heard what God said. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:42.700 In fact, if you listen closely 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:43.580 to what I just read, 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:45.000 you'll hear God saying, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.800 I will, I will, I will. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:47.759 He said, 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:48.759 Go to the land, 00:09:48.920 --> 00:09:49.940 I will show you. 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:52.200 I will make you a great nation. 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:53.540 I will bless you. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.399 I will make your name great. 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.340 I will bless those who bless you. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:59.879 I will curse those who dishonor you. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:02.180 And all the families of the earth 00:10:02.180 --> 00:10:04.160 will be blessed. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:05.319 God's saying, 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:07.819 This is what I will do. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:08.639 So Abraham, 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.679 all you have to do, 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:11.659 I'm going to do this. 00:10:11.719 --> 00:10:12.839 All you have to do is go. 00:10:12.959 --> 00:10:14.219 All you have to do is trust me. 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:15.719 All you have to do is obey. 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:16.980 And spoiler alert, 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:18.879 Genesis 12, 4 simply says, 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:21.219 So Abram went. 00:10:22.219 --> 00:10:22.919 By the way, 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:25.939 when Abraham left Ur 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:28.159 and traveled and obeyed God 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.379 to leave that place, 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:32.700 he was 75 years old. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:33.939 Hear me when I say it. 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:35.980 His journey of faith began 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:38.080 when he was 75 years old. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:40.299 So perhaps there's someone here today, 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:42.519 maybe you're on up in age a little bit, 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:43.939 you've never trusted Christ, 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:44.480 and you'd say, 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.860 It's too late for me. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:47.379 It's just too late for me 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.720 to turn my life around now 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.360 and give it to Jesus. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:49.960 It's too late. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:50.960 Or maybe there's somebody 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:51.919 you're praying for today 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.620 and you've been praying, 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.320 praying, praying 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:54.960 that he or she would be saved. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:56.659 And maybe you're just about ready 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:58.379 to give up on praying for them. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:10:59.299 And I would say to you, 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:01.320 that if Abraham could begin 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:03.019 his journey of faith at 75, 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:05.639 whether you're 5, 75, or 105, 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:07.820 today is the day of salvation. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:09.539 And you can begin 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:11.220 your journey of faith today. 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.799 When our kids were very young, 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:15.100 we wanted to teach them the Bible. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:17.299 And we bought some videos 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:18.019 that was called 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:20.120 What's in the Bible with Buck Denver. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:20.840 I don't know if any of you 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:21.460 have seen those, 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.480 your kids or grandkids. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.360 And we would use that 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.259 to help them remember. 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:26.600 And they would have silly songs 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.399 and things on there. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:29.439 And there was one song written by 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:30.899 and sung by the fabulous 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:31.699 Bentley Brothers. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.299 And they sung this 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:34.259 about the book of Genesis. 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:36.639 Genesis begins it all. 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:38.220 And most appropriately, 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.259 it's at the beginning 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:39.939 of the Bible. 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:43.299 Genesis really means beginning. 00:11:43.939 --> 00:11:45.199 If it were anywhere else 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:45.779 in the Bible, 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:47.959 that would be kind of confusing. 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.480 And from there, 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:50.679 we taught the kids 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.419 the book of Genesis, 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:51.899 the beginning. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:53.299 And when we look at that 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:54.480 book of Genesis, 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.120 even before Abraham, 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.559 even before we meet him, 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.199 what happens? 00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.939 We see creation. 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:01.980 The very first verse 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.459 in the Bible, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.659 Genesis 1-1 says, 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.659 In the beginning, 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:06.459 God created the heavens 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:07.199 and the earth. 00:12:07.579 --> 00:12:08.579 Now, look right here 00:12:08.579 --> 00:12:11.039 at Hebrews 11-3 once again. 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:12.459 See how it fits. 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:13.699 By faith we understand 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:14.500 that the universe 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.740 was created by the word of God 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:18.000 so that what is seen 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:19.579 was not made out of things 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:20.740 that are visible. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:22.379 So Genesis begins 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.460 with creation. 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:23.960 But I don't know 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:25.000 if you've ever noticed this, 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:27.299 but the very last verse 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:28.120 in the book of Genesis, 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.080 this will bless your heart, 00:12:29.700 --> 00:12:30.899 Genesis 50-26, 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:31.799 what does it say? 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:32.960 It says, 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:35.180 So Joseph died, 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:37.500 being 110 years old, 00:12:37.940 --> 00:12:39.100 and they embalmed him, 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.600 and he was put in a coffin 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:42.240 in Egypt. 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:44.139 So think about it. 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:45.820 Genesis begins with creation. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:47.580 It ends with a coffin. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.539 It begins with life, 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.299 and it ends with death, 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:52.139 and we can all agree 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.899 something has gone wrong in there. 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:55.379 And what's gone wrong 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.179 is in the book of Genesis 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:57.139 we see creation, 00:12:57.459 --> 00:12:59.139 and then we see the fall. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.319 We see sin entering 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:01.159 into the world, 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.699 and the penalty of sin 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:03.379 following it, 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:05.259 and death comes into the world. 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:06.919 And we follow that on down, 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:08.379 and we see the flood, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.480 and then we see 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.819 the Tower of Babel. 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.699 Remember, God said, 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.240 I will, I will, I will. 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:14.959 If you listen in 00:13:14.959 --> 00:13:15.459 to what was said 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:16.399 at the Tower of Babel, 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.740 here's what you would have heard. 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:20.080 Come, let us make bricks 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.659 and burn them thoroughly. 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:24.019 Come, let us build 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.700 a city and a tower 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.120 with its tops in the heavens. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:29.299 Let us make a name 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.139 for ourselves, 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.980 lest we be dispersed 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:34.620 over the face of the earth. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.820 And the contrast 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:37.560 could not be more striking. 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:39.659 We hear mankind here saying, 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:42.120 let us, let us, let us. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.600 It's all about us. 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.860 It's all about our name. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.360 It's all about our glory. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.600 It's all about our kingdom. 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.419 It's all about 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.600 what we can accomplish 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.379 on our own. 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.899 Do you hear the pride in there? 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.899 Who needs God? 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.539 Who needs it? 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.539 We've got this. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.360 And so mankind chooses then 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:01.120 to worship and serve 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.820 the creature 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.480 and the created thing 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.060 rather than the creator. 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.620 But on the other hand, 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.159 in contrast, 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.820 that's Genesis 11. 00:14:08.960 --> 00:14:09.639 Genesis 12, 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.560 right next door to it, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.379 not by accident. 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:12.940 God says to Abram, 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.659 not what can you do, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:16.100 not this let us business, 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:18.259 but God says to Abram, 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.360 I will, 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:20.460 I will, 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.120 I will. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.620 Genesis 11 and 12 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:25.540 is a contrasting picture 00:14:25.540 --> 00:14:27.060 of works apart from God 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:27.720 that are futile 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:29.680 and faith in the God 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.680 who is faithful, 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.639 who does a good work in us, 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:34.279 who produces those good works 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.480 in our lives. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.000 Abram 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.440 hears God. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.600 That's where faith begins. 00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:41.440 It begins with hearing God. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.300 I ask you this morning, 00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:43.480 do you hear God? 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:46.159 Do you hear God's voice 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:46.820 in your life? 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:48.300 You know, 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.039 I believe sometimes 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.440 we think, 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:49.920 my goodness, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.440 if I could have experienced 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.779 what Abram could experience, 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.480 that'd be awesome. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.259 It'd be great 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.220 if God would speak to me 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:55.620 like that. 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.240 He would just appear 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.480 before me and say, 00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:57.800 Jason, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.000 this is what I want you to do. 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.200 This is what I want you to hear. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.800 We may think it'd be great 00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:02.940 if we could have an experience 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.940 like Moses 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:05.740 in front of the burning bush 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.480 or like Saul 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.300 on the road to Damascus 00:15:08.300 --> 00:15:09.800 when Jesus intercepted him. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.039 Maybe we would not 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.860 want that experience, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.959 but we look at it 00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:13.439 and we say, 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:13.839 you know, 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:15.740 I just wish that God 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.879 would speak to me that way. 00:15:17.599 --> 00:15:18.459 And if we're not careful, 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:19.539 we'll begin to think 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.679 like we're at a disadvantage 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:22.339 in comparison to those guys. 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.519 But brothers and sisters, 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.019 be reminded of what it says 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.599 in Hebrews 1, 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.299 1 through 2, 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:28.980 the very beginning 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.399 of the book 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.279 that we've been studying. 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.639 Long ago, 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.639 at many times, 00:15:32.719 --> 00:15:33.519 and in many ways, 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:35.539 God spoke to our fathers 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.439 by the prophets, 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:39.640 but in these last days, 00:15:40.140 --> 00:15:41.600 he has spoken to us 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:43.040 by his son. 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.340 Church, 00:15:44.380 --> 00:15:45.060 I want to tell you today, 00:15:45.160 --> 00:15:46.300 we're not at a disadvantage. 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.020 We're at an advantage 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:48.900 and I'll tell you why. 00:15:49.260 --> 00:15:51.400 We have the whole counsel 00:15:51.400 --> 00:15:52.680 of God's word. 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.680 We have the whole Bible 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.760 in our hands, 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.200 the very word of God. 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:59.200 These Old Testament characters 00:15:59.200 --> 00:15:59.660 and Saul, 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.400 they had to wait 00:16:00.400 --> 00:16:01.360 for a visitation. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.180 They had to wait 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.400 for God to break through. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.680 But we can open 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.360 the word of God 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.800 and hear from him today, 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.759 right now. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:10.080 We can have the mind of Christ. 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.220 God gives us his spirit 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.980 who lives within us. 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:14.960 You see, 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:16.480 the reality is 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.320 we don't have to wait 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:17.899 to hear 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:19.500 or have a visitation. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:20.860 The reality is 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.820 we can blow the dust 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.560 off our Bible 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:24.060 and open it up 00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:25.240 and read it 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.259 and have confidence 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.419 that we are hearing 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:29.100 the very voice of God 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.080 speaking to us 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.060 through his word. 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:32.279 Faith begins with hearing. 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:33.740 But the second lesson 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:35.200 is that having heard, 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.480 we have to believe. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.280 We have to believe 00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:38.300 what God says. 00:16:38.900 --> 00:16:40.280 Our problem most of the time 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:41.600 is not that God's not speaking, 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:43.080 it's that we don't believe 00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:44.200 and we don't do 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.180 what God is saying. 00:16:46.400 --> 00:16:47.860 We may say that we do, 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.740 but our actions, 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.640 our disobedience 00:16:49.640 --> 00:16:50.379 betray us. 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:51.980 Dr. Mark Lederbach, 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:52.980 one of my professors 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:54.220 at Southeastern Seminary, 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.100 would always say, 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.740 stated belief 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:59.460 plus actual practice 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.360 is actually 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.560 what you really believe. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:02.920 Well, 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.720 what was Abraham's 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.500 actual practice? 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:06.319 He heard what God said. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:06.940 I will, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.500 I will, 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.000 I will. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.720 He took God 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.420 at his word 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.779 and he believed. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.279 Romans 10, 17 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.059 says that 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.720 faith comes by hearing 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.259 and hearing 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.559 by the word of God. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.940 Abraham heard God. 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:19.420 He believed God. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.160 And Hebrews 11, 8 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:21.660 says that 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.440 he was called 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.400 to go out 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:24.059 to a place 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:24.980 that he would receive 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.720 as an inheritance. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.519 And he went out 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.319 not knowing 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:30.079 where he was going. 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:32.180 Where Abraham lived, 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.819 quite frankly, 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.559 he had it made. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.359 A lot like us. 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.720 He had all that he needed. 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.059 He didn't have children yet. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.079 That would be a different story. 00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:40.319 He had a wife. 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:41.359 He had extended family. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.099 He had servants. 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:43.379 He had wealth. 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.220 He had fame. 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.339 He was in a place 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:45.960 of comfort 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.659 and familiarity. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.259 He had no reason 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.379 to leave all that behind. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.279 In fact, 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:50.720 logically, 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.599 it wouldn't make sense 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.639 for him to leave Ur. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.200 But, 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.319 except for God 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:54.859 called him 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.679 to go. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.679 Abraham could have said, 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.339 I have everything 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.179 that I need 00:17:59.179 --> 00:17:59.759 right here. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.079 But the Bible says 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.700 he did go. 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.380 He went out 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.059 not knowing 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:05.039 where he was going. 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.940 Pastor John Phillips, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.640 a great British preacher, 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.360 told a story here 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:10.940 about Abraham 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.100 that has stuck with me 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:12.799 through the years. 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:13.700 He said, 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.420 if you would sanctify 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.259 your imagination, 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.720 and just think of this, 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.240 that Abraham was 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.080 a very wealthy man. 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.539 He had a lot of possessions. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.200 Can you imagine Abraham 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.120 walking up into 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.559 the National Bank of Ur? 00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.200 And he walks up 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.799 to the teller 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.240 and he says, 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.920 I would like to see 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.980 the president of the bank. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.019 And she says to him, 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:29.779 well, 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.900 he's a very busy man. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.759 Do you have an appointment? 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:32.759 He said, 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:32.900 no, 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.319 I don't, 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.039 but just tell him 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.220 that Abraham is here. 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.720 So she calls 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.400 the bank president 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:37.920 and sure enough, 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.519 immediately, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:40.039 he comes rushing out 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.620 because he's one 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.700 of the richest men in town. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:42.579 He said, 00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:42.799 oh, 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.420 Mr. Abram, 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.240 it's so good to see you, 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.779 Mr. Abram. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.480 What can I do for you today, 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.059 Mr. Abram? 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.400 He said, 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:47.620 well, 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.440 I'm actually here 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.720 to make a withdrawal. 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.160 Oh, 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.480 yes, 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:51.740 sir, 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.299 Mr. Abram, 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:52.799 that's great. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.880 How much did you want 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.599 to take out? 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:55.900 And Abram said, 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:57.240 I want to take all of it out. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.980 And he said, 00:18:59.040 --> 00:18:59.560 say what? 00:19:00.300 --> 00:19:00.759 He said, 00:19:00.780 --> 00:19:02.080 I want to take all of it out. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:02.280 Well, 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:02.519 why, 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.220 Mr. Abram? 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.480 Did we do something wrong 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.440 if we not served you well? 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.080 Why would you want to 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.780 take it all out? 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.000 He said, 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.140 oh, 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.340 no. 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:07.759 He said, 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:08.960 actually, 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.180 I'm leaving town. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.740 I'm moving. 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.100 You're moving? 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.400 Well, 00:19:12.780 --> 00:19:13.560 where are you going, 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:14.220 Mr. Abram? 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.060 I don't know. 00:19:15.300 --> 00:19:15.980 He said back, 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.540 you mean you want to 00:19:17.540 --> 00:19:18.500 take out all of your money 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.280 and you don't even know 00:19:19.280 --> 00:19:20.019 where you're going? 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.640 That's right. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.580 What? 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:23.240 He said, 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:23.480 well, 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.780 God told me 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.339 to get up and go out. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.720 Not knowing where, 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:28.559 but he said that 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.700 he will show me the land 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.359 to promise 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:31.639 he'll take me there. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.180 The bank president said, 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.440 Mr. Abram, 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.519 are you feeling well? 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.200 Do you need to see a doctor? 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.000 What is going on? 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.819 Do you need a counselor? 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.779 How about a psychologist? 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.879 What's going on, 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.160 Abram? 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.519 And Abram said, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.180 I'll take it all in cash, 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.619 please. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.799 And off he went 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.220 and he left behind 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.579 everything that was familiar. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.920 Years ago, 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.079 I was a missions pastor. 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:55.240 I led teams all over the world 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.139 to do mission trips 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:59.159 and when I would take a team out, 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.720 everybody wanted to know 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.819 the answers to all the questions 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.639 before you'd go. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.099 Where are we going? 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.539 When are we going? 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.799 What are we going to do 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.720 when we get there? 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.759 Who can go? 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.019 What is the cost? 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.039 What is the weather? 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.539 Is there indoor plumbing? 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.399 Is there hot water? 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.319 Can I get a shower? 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:16.019 Is there fried chicken there 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.960 because we're Baptists? 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.419 All the questions. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.359 And the reality is, 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.659 no matter how many 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.919 frequently asked questions, 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.019 flyers I put together, 00:20:24.219 --> 00:20:25.579 I couldn't answer every question. 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.259 There were some things 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.959 that were unknown. 00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:28.659 And I would teach my team. 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.039 I would say, 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.319 listen, 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.240 you know the song 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.959 Trust and Obey? 00:20:31.199 --> 00:20:32.099 We're going to make it this, 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.119 Flex and Obey. 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.539 For there's no other way 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.379 to be happy in Jesus 00:20:35.379 --> 00:20:36.579 but to flex and obey 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.419 because if you've ever 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:38.019 been on a mission trip, 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.899 nothing ever goes 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.639 according to plan. 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.319 And here's the deal. 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.779 Abraham was called to go. 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.379 And two things are clear. 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:47.299 God called Abraham to go, 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.019 but he didn't provide 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.879 the itinerary. 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.519 I want to ask you something. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:53.480 Would you go on a mission trip 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.399 with Evan Alexander 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.539 if he didn't tell you 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.460 where you were going? 00:20:59.159 --> 00:20:59.879 And yet, 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.460 that's exactly what 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.859 Abraham is facing here. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.759 God called him to step out 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.879 towards the invisible. 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:08.180 We're back to Hebrews 11, 1 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.599 which says, 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.000 Now faith is the assurance 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.940 of things hoped for, 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:13.180 the conviction of things not seen. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.440 For by it the people of old 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.720 received their commendation. 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.259 By faith we understand 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.680 that the universe was created 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.640 by the word of God 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:22.019 so that what is seen 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.519 was not made out of things 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:25.279 that are visible. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:28.160 From Genesis to Revelation, 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:30.019 it's all been about Jesus Christ. 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:32.120 Today, on this side of the cross, 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.660 we look back by faith 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.640 on the finished work 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:35.440 of Jesus Christ 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.839 and what he has done. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.420 And if we put our faith in him, 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.299 we are saved. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:41.019 But in the Old Testament days, 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.100 what about Abel? 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.860 What about Enoch? 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.220 What about Noah and Sarah 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:45.240 and Isaac and Jacob 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.259 and Joseph and Moses? 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.740 And Abraham and the rest? 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.879 What about all of them? 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.180 Well, they too were commended 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:51.900 by faith, 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.740 looking forward to the cross, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.859 looking forward to the promises of God, 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.539 looking at it from afar off, 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.319 but by faith, 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.059 trusting and believing. 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.180 You see, 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.079 we're either commended 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.759 or condemned. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.920 Unbelief condemns us. 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.400 But belief, 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.180 faith, 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.200 through that, 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.339 we are saved 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.319 and we are commended. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.980 Hebrews 11, 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.439 8 and 10 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.259 just reminds us 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.119 that Abraham 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.399 was justified 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.579 by faith, 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:19.319 not works. 00:22:19.459 --> 00:22:20.799 But having been justified 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.439 by faith, 00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:23.919 we see his works. 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.699 If we add Hebrews 11, 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.279 1 through 3, 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.399 end with Hebrews 11, 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.480 8 through 10, 00:22:28.679 --> 00:22:29.439 it tells us 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.759 Abraham went out. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:31.939 He didn't know 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:32.559 where he was going, 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.679 but he did so 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.419 with assurance 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.920 of things hoped for. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.000 He did so, 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.800 he possessed a conviction 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:40.700 of things not seen. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.759 He trusted in the one 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.779 who called him 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:45.360 more than he trusted 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.700 in his own eyes. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.180 Can I just pause right there 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.019 and say in this day 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.279 of artificial intelligence, 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.400 AI and all the bit, 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.860 it would help us 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.380 to remember 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.580 that we need to trust 00:22:55.580 --> 00:22:56.860 what God says. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.080 We need to trust 00:22:58.080 --> 00:22:59.400 what God shows us 00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.019 in his word 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.779 even more 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.759 than what our eyes 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.360 may see. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:04.259 Because our eyes 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.839 will deceive us. 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.420 We have to hold 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.200 to God's word. 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.220 We have to hear 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.279 and we have to believe. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:12.599 Even when we're believing 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:14.059 in that which we cannot see. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.859 There was a man 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.539 who came to visit 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.059 the doctor 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.680 and he was frantically 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.440 running around 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.200 in that waiting room 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.559 making the staff nervous 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:23.279 and they finally 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.640 went back 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.059 and told the doctor, 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.400 you've got to see this man. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:25.740 We don't know 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.400 what to do with him. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.359 He's here. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.259 He didn't have an appointment 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.859 but he wants to see you 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.920 and he says 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.980 that he is invisible 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:33.599 and he needs help. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.259 Can you imagine 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.220 a guy showing up 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.299 saying he's invisible? 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.059 What do we do doctor? 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.819 The doctor said 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.480 well it's easy. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.519 Tell him we cannot see him. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.400 In the same way 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.379 Abraham could have said 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.379 I don't see it Lord. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.619 It's invisible. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.019 I can't see what you're describing. 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.279 There's no proof 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.920 but instead 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.960 God spoke 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.619 and by faith 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.440 Abraham believed. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.379 His confidence 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.339 was in the one 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.460 whom he heard 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.340 who is faithful 00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:03.220 who is worthy 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.860 to be followed 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.840 more than even 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.779 what he could see 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.980 with his own eyes. 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.259 Why? 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.620 He was looking forward 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.200 to the city 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.200 that has foundations 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.460 whose designer 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.380 and builder 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:13.100 is God 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:14.279 and in that moment 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.340 his priorities 00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:16.759 were completely changed. 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.940 He realized 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.660 he was no longer 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.880 a citizen of this world 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:21.420 but a citizen of heaven 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.680 and Romans 12 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.380 2 tells us 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:23.640 therefore 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:25.059 do not be conformed 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.840 to this world 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:27.140 but be transformed 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.299 by the renewing 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.799 of your mind 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.759 so that by testing 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.799 you may discern 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.859 what is the will of God 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:33.059 what is the good 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.859 and acceptable 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:35.660 and perfect will. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.920 So we must hear from God. 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.400 We must believe God 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.119 and there's one more 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.940 to finish it out. 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.259 We must obey God. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.960 We must do. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.319 We hear. 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.940 We believe. 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.379 We do. 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:48.799 We hear. 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.279 We believe. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.940 We obey. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.039 Isn't that so simple? 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.539 By faith 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.160 Abraham 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.519 obeyed. 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.900 Again to quote 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.660 Adrian Rogers 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.859 my favorite preacher 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.879 he said 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.559 now don't tell me 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.159 you have faith 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:02.099 if you do not obey 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:04.299 and you have to obey 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.599 even when you don't understand 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.500 Noah had not seen a flood 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.399 but he had a word 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.500 and he obeyed 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.819 faith and works 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.459 are power 00:25:11.459 --> 00:25:13.039 faith without works 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.679 is dead 00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:14.939 true faith 00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:15.519 is more than 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.859 intellectual belief 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.139 it's belief 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.119 with legs on it 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:20.419 it's not just 00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:21.279 what you preach 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:23.000 it's what you practice 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.819 that counts 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.219 and so 00:25:25.219 --> 00:25:26.279 I ask you 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.519 are you living 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.579 by what you already 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.819 know in the Bible 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.960 I mean 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.639 God has spoken 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.359 to us right 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.139 are we taking 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:34.879 what we've heard 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.599 and believe it 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.279 and are we 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.519 are we doing it 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.319 we must obey 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.399 what we already know 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.700 and by faith 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.519 Abraham obeyed 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.039 and he went out 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.440 not knowing 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.379 where he was going 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:44.619 and he could have 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.119 asked God 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:45.579 he could have said 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.599 hey what's the itinerary 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.720 where is the facts page 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.879 I want to look at all 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.579 the answers 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.379 to all the questions 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.160 and God could have said 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:52.079 it's none of your 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:53.119 of your business Abram 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.960 what you need to do 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.440 is you need to trust me 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:57.079 and you need to go 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:58.539 and you need to follow 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.200 you know it's not 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.900 our responsibility 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.960 to understand everything 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.620 it's not our responsibility 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.680 to have all the answers 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.700 it's our responsibility 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:06.660 to trust God 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:08.319 and to obey him 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:10.460 even when we can't see 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:12.200 Abraham stepped out 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.440 into the promises of God 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.480 even into the unknown 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:16.440 some of you know our story 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.180 some of you don't 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.180 but back in 2012 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:21.200 I was pastoring a church 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:23.480 and I was leading our church 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.120 through a time 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:26.100 of praying Luke 10 2 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:27.380 along with others 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:28.360 all across this country 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.299 it was a prayer initiative 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:31.160 praying for workers 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.720 in the harvest 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.840 and we were focusing 00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:33.819 on the cities 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.880 across North America 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:36.200 and how there needed 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.220 to be churches planted 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.900 in these cities 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:39.360 and how there were churches 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.019 already there 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.279 that needed to be revitalized 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.299 and so we went through 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.279 a whole month long 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.080 season of prayer 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:45.840 that culminated 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:47.360 with a final prayer service 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:50.319 and throughout that process 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.639 and into that last night 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:53.000 when we were praying 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:55.339 I heard the voice of God 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.959 speaking to me 00:26:56.959 --> 00:26:58.439 throughout that whole process 00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:59.259 as we prayed 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.139 and it was as if God 00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:01.299 just whispered in my ear 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:03.679 well you're willing to pray 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:06.279 are you willing to go 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:09.219 you're willing to pray 00:27:09.219 --> 00:27:10.659 that God would raise up workers 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.299 for the harvest 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.479 are you willing to be one 00:27:12.479 --> 00:27:14.359 are you willing to be an answer 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.219 to that prayer 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:17.900 and with fear and trepidation 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:20.759 we put our yes on the table 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:23.180 God whatever you'd have us to do 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.779 we're your servants 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.900 now I want to tell you something 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.460 that I believe 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.680 with all my heart this morning 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:30.500 it doesn't matter who you are 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.720 doesn't matter what your situation is 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.559 if you know Jesus 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.860 doesn't matter your age 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.799 doesn't matter anything 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.799 what matters is 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:39.240 are we living our lives 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.500 with our yes on the table 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:42.279 you see the Christian 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.940 ought to live his or her life 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.799 with the yes on the table 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.519 all the time 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.619 because if our yes 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.460 is not on the table 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.399 it means we're unwilling 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:50.279 to obey what God may call us to do 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:52.680 and so we put our yes on the table 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.619 and what wound up happening 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.899 is God called us 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.039 to what might as well 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.139 have been a foreign land 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:59.379 he called us to Utah 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.859 to pastor 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.759 in the middle of LDS country 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:04.940 and God put a love 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.559 in our heart 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.319 for those people 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.919 in fact I just returned 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.879 as Evan alluded to 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.980 I just returned from Utah 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.759 and I spent a good bit of time 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.220 out there 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.799 meeting church planters 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.619 meeting those 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.319 who are doing the work 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.379 seeing what God is doing 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.319 and there's some exciting 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.539 stories to tell 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:19.180 and I did that 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:21.180 as the associational missionary 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:23.639 also on behalf of our church 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:25.139 because when God is doing 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.700 this great work 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.240 what a privilege 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:26.940 we might have 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:28.200 to be a part in that 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:30.359 but it all begins 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.619 with our yes 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.740 being on the table 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.799 trust and obey 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:35.700 where there's no other way 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.519 to be happy in Jesus 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:39.279 but to trust and obey 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:41.420 sometimes we think 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.819 we have a faith problem 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.920 could it be that really 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:45.420 what we have 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:47.000 is an obedience problem 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:49.299 let me close out with this 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.299 verse 13 says 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.500 these all died in faith 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.319 having seen the promises 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.180 of far off 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:56.180 how blessed are we 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:58.000 these all 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.839 all these folks 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.579 that we're reading about 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.460 in Hebrews 11 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.000 by faith 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.920 we're looking forward 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.779 to the promises of God 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.660 and here we are 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:06.820 and we are looking back 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.860 at the finished work 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.740 of Christ 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.880 and anticipating 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:11.880 the coming of the Lord 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.220 what an exciting day 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.779 that we can live 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.759 Colossians 3 1 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.340 tells us 00:29:17.340 --> 00:29:18.580 as we live out these days 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.800 if you then 00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:21.040 have been raised with Christ 00:29:21.040 --> 00:29:21.840 seek the things 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:22.440 that are above 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.420 where Christ is 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:25.140 seated at the right hand 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.680 of God 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:27.000 set your mind 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.840 on things above 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.540 not on things 00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:29.300 that are on the earth 00:29:29.300 --> 00:29:30.940 for you have died 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:32.000 and your life 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.180 is hidden with Christ 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:33.920 in God 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.200 when Christ 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.220 who is your life 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.640 appears 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:38.039 then you will also 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.200 appear with him 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.880 in glory 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:41.800 without faith 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.480 it's impossible 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.400 to please God 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:45.240 without faith 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.000 it's impossible 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.440 to experience 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.120 experience 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:49.340 victory 00:29:49.340 --> 00:29:50.940 so we 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.820 have to turn 00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:52.620 our eyes 00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:53.400 upon Jesus 00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:55.080 and look full 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:56.460 in his wonderful face 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.800 and the things 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:58.279 of earth 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.440 will grow strangely 00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.920 dim 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:01.300 in the light 00:30:01.300 --> 00:30:02.019 of his glory 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.700 and grace 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.819 I would tell you 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.360 this morning 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:06.480 if you have not yet 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.500 begun your journey 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.100 of faith 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:10.299 if 75 year old 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.900 Abraham 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.299 or Abram 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:12.900 as it were 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:14.279 could begin 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.000 a new life 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.720 and a new walk 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.160 in Christ 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.299 then so can 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:18.140 we 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:19.200 if you're here 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.720 this morning 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.319 and you have 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.860 the assurance 00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.779 that you know 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.880 that you are saved 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.900 you know the Lord 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:25.039 you know that 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.819 you know your 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.759 eternal destination 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.160 is set 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.900 praise God 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:29.060 I would invite 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:29.600 you to pray 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.160 right now 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.340 because in this 00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:31.980 room there's 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.420 somebody 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:32.960 there's some 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.740 probably multiple 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.140 people 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.940 who are here 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.640 and you've 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:37.180 never trusted 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.680 in Christ 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.460 for salvation 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.160 now notice 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:40.700 what I'm saying 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.360 and what I'm not 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:43.040 I'm not saying 00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:44.080 you haven't been 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:44.740 a church member 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:46.660 I'm not saying 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.280 you haven't served 00:30:47.280 --> 00:30:47.960 in the church 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:49.200 I'm not saying 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.940 those things 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.800 I'm saying 00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:51.759 there's never 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.259 been a time 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.840 in your life 00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.440 where you said 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:55.280 I need a savior 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.339 and that you 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.000 called on the 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.619 Lord Jesus 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:59.200 to save you 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:01.059 would you bow 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:02.279 your head with me 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:08.359 journey of faith 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:10.180 begins with a 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.079 small step of 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.420 faith 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:15.460 God your word 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.160 says to us 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.680 that we've all 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.200 sinned and 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.819 fallen short 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.559 of your glory 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:20.519 but it also 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.660 says the 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:22.359 gift of God 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:22.859 is eternal 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.460 life through 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.259 Jesus Christ 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.839 our Lord 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:26.119 today within 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.519 the sound 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.179 of my voice 00:31:27.179 --> 00:31:27.720 maybe there's 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.119 a man 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:28.439 woman 00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:28.720 boy 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.119 girl 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:30.059 who's here 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.339 today 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.919 and the reality 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.759 is even though 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.159 we talked 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:32.939 about faith 00:31:32.939 --> 00:31:34.099 they've never 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.899 placed their 00:31:34.899 --> 00:31:35.720 faith in you 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:37.299 Lord I thank 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:37.799 you that you 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.579 died for our 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.000 sins 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:40.139 I thank you 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:40.599 that you were 00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:41.059 buried 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.899 and that on the 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.539 third day you 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.179 rose again 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.059 and I thank you 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.959 that today we 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.480 can have the 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.299 confident assurance 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.500 that we will be 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:47.959 with you for 00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:48.399 eternity 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:50.220 if we trust 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:50.779 in you by 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.399 faith 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.579 and call on 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.119 you to save 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.399 us 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:54.399 confess with 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.880 our mouth 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.700 believe in 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.240 our heart 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.300 and we 00:31:57.300 --> 00:31:57.600 will be 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.060 saved 00:31:58.060 --> 00:31:59.460 Lord for 00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.920 whomever it 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.440 is today that 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.960 needs to pray 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.480 this I pray 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:01.759 that they would 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.340 just pray something 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:02.820 like this 00:32:02.820 --> 00:32:03.400 Lord Jesus 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:05.580 I realize that 00:32:05.580 --> 00:32:06.180 I'm a sinner 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:08.700 and I realize 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.460 that sin 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:11.300 condemns me 00:32:11.300 --> 00:32:11.860 to death 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:12.300 and hell 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:14.360 but Jesus 00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:15.220 thank you so 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.880 much that you 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.500 died in my 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.040 place 00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:18.580 and I ask you 00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.460 today to forgive 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:19.860 me 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.259 I want to 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.699 turn from 00:32:21.699 --> 00:32:22.139 my sin 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.579 to you 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:24.000 make me 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.619 a new 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:24.919 creature 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:25.319 Lord 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.559 from this 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.079 point forward 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.459 I want to 00:32:27.459 --> 00:32:27.919 begin my 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.439 walk with 00:32:28.439 --> 00:32:28.559 you 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.199 my journey 00:32:29.199 --> 00:32:30.240 of faith 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.859 and thank you 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:32.479 Jesus for 00:32:32.479 --> 00:32:32.959 saving me 00:32:32.959 --> 00:32:33.359 and if you 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.219 prayed that 00:32:34.219 --> 00:32:34.699 prayer this 00:32:34.699 --> 00:32:35.119 morning and 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.519 you believed 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:35.759 in your 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.339 heart that 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.500 Jesus died 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:37.839 for you 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.240 that he was 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.479 buried 00:32:38.479 --> 00:32:38.939 that he rose 00:32:38.939 --> 00:32:39.339 again 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.559 and that he 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.179 will save 00:32:41.179 --> 00:32:42.559 then you can 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.159 know for certain 00:32:43.159 --> 00:32:43.559 that you're a 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.339 child of God 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:46.339 for all of us 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:46.759 here Lord 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.500 I pray that 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.159 we would live 00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:48.859 by faith 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:50.519 that we would 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.159 die to self 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:51.559 daily 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.679 and take up 00:32:52.679 --> 00:32:53.220 our cross 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.099 and follow you 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.319 so that we 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:55.779 might bring 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:57.039 honor and 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.259 glory to 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.799 your name 00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.619 and now as we 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.199 have this time 00:33:00.199 --> 00:33:00.980 of response 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:02.259 Lord may we 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.779 respond in 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.139 worship 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:05.839 may we respond 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.240 to whatever 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.799 you're saying 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.539 to us 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:09.299 as we hear 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.699 you 00:33:09.699 --> 00:33:10.679 may we 00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:11.359 believe 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:13.039 and may we 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.599 do 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.399 may we 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:14.779 obey 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:16.099 in Jesus 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.659 name we 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.039 pray 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.779 amen 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.599 let's stand 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.099 as we have 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:20.519 a time of 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.059 response