The just shall live by faith.
00:00:01.36\00:00:03.26
Something tells me we're going
to be hearing a lot of that
00:00:03.30\00:00:05.13
this week on 3ABN
Sabbath School Panel.
00:00:05.17\00:00:07.54
We're making our way
00:00:07.57\00:00:08.90
through the study
of the Book of Hebrews.
00:00:08.94\00:00:10.64
And this week lesson number 11,
00:00:10.67\00:00:12.47
we're going to be talking about
00:00:12.51\00:00:13.84
"Jesus, The Author and
Perfecter of Our Faith."
00:00:13.88\00:00:18.65
That is, He is the
perfecter of our faith.
00:00:18.68\00:00:20.72
We can't make
ourselves perfect, right?
00:00:20.75\00:00:22.38
Only Jesus can.
00:00:22.42\00:00:23.82
In this case, we
want to remind you
00:00:23.85\00:00:25.19
how you can get a
copy of this study
00:00:25.22\00:00:27.09
because it's never
too late to study with us
00:00:27.12\00:00:29.09
and to follow along.
00:00:29.12\00:00:30.46
You need to go to
3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com
00:00:30.49\00:00:34.76
Again,
3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com
00:00:34.80\00:00:38.27
and you can access a
free copy of the study online
00:00:38.30\00:00:41.50
or as always, we
like to encourage you
00:00:41.54\00:00:43.14
to find your local
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:00:43.17\00:00:45.34
and you know,
ask for a free copy
00:00:45.37\00:00:46.98
and study with the brethren.
00:00:47.01\00:00:48.34
That always helps.
00:00:48.38\00:00:49.71
But don't go anywhere,
00:00:49.74\00:00:51.08
we're going to come
back in just a moment,
00:00:51.11\00:00:52.45
and we're going to make our way
00:00:52.48\00:00:53.82
through this exciting study
00:00:53.85\00:00:55.18
in the Book of Hebrews.
00:00:55.22\00:00:56.55
Hello, friends, welcome back
to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel,
00:01:26.18\00:01:29.75
we are in week number 11.
00:01:29.78\00:01:31.95
Wow!
00:01:31.99\00:01:33.59
It's going by quickly,
00:01:33.62\00:01:34.96
but we have been
enjoying the study greatly
00:01:34.99\00:01:36.76
because it points to Jesus.
00:01:36.79\00:01:38.13
Any study about Jesus
is a good study, right?
00:01:38.16\00:01:40.53
A great study,
a fantastic study,
00:01:40.56\00:01:43.16
as our Brother Larry
would say, fantastic.
00:01:43.20\00:01:46.20
But, my friends, it's a blessing
00:01:46.23\00:01:47.57
to have you back each
and every week joining us,
00:01:47.60\00:01:49.70
you're 3ABN family
00:01:49.74\00:01:51.17
and we certainly
appreciate your love,
00:01:51.21\00:01:52.87
your prayers, and
support for the ministry,
00:01:52.91\00:01:54.68
as we're
continuing through our study
00:01:54.71\00:01:56.61
in the Book of Hebrews.
00:01:56.64\00:01:58.65
We're on lesson number
11, which is entitled Jesus,
00:01:58.68\00:02:01.32
Author and
Perfecter of Our Faith.
00:02:01.35\00:02:04.72
We're going to be indeed talking
00:02:04.75\00:02:06.09
a lot about that this week.
00:02:06.12\00:02:07.46
I want to read our memory text
00:02:07.49\00:02:09.49
and then I'm going
to introduce our panel,
00:02:09.52\00:02:10.99
and we're going to pray
and get right into this study.
00:02:11.03\00:02:13.29
I love to read our
memory texts because to me,
00:02:13.33\00:02:15.66
I know we all
have our favorite text
00:02:15.70\00:02:17.07
in the Book of Hebrews.
00:02:17.10\00:02:18.43
But to me, Hebrews 12:2
is no doubt probably for me
00:02:18.47\00:02:23.61
the theme text
of the entire book.
00:02:23.64\00:02:25.51
Hebrews 12:2,
00:02:25.54\00:02:26.88
which has been
quoted many times,
00:02:26.91\00:02:28.24
"Looking unto Jesus, the author,
00:02:28.28\00:02:30.18
and finisher of our faith,
00:02:30.21\00:02:31.88
who for the joy
that was set before Him,
00:02:31.91\00:02:34.25
endured the cross,
despising the shame,
00:02:34.28\00:02:36.99
and has sat down
at the right hand
00:02:37.02\00:02:38.99
of the throne of God."
00:02:39.02\00:02:41.12
What a powerful
text, a powerful truth.
00:02:41.16\00:02:43.32
To my left we have
Miss Shelley Quinn,
00:02:43.36\00:02:44.86
how are you?
00:02:44.89\00:02:46.23
I'm doing very well.
00:02:46.26\00:02:47.60
I get to talk
about Abraham today
00:02:47.63\00:02:49.03
and how he looked unto Jesus.
00:02:49.06\00:02:52.17
Amen. Amen.
00:02:52.20\00:02:53.54
And, of course,
Brother James Rafferty,
00:02:53.57\00:02:55.17
always a blessing to have you.
00:02:55.20\00:02:56.54
Good to be here.
00:02:56.57\00:02:57.91
I'm talking about Moses
today believing in the unseen.
00:02:57.94\00:03:01.28
Oh, nice.
00:03:01.31\00:03:02.91
And, of course,
my brother in Christ,
00:03:02.94\00:03:05.15
Brother Jason Bradley,
00:03:05.18\00:03:06.51
always a blessing to have you.
00:03:06.55\00:03:07.88
It's a blessing to be here.
00:03:07.92\00:03:09.25
I'm really
excited about this lesson
00:03:09.28\00:03:10.62
where I'll be talking
about by faith Rahab and rest.
00:03:10.65\00:03:13.96
All right,
nice. Praise the Lord.
00:03:13.99\00:03:16.02
And last but certainly
not least, Miss Jill Morikone.
00:03:16.06\00:03:19.09
Always a blessing
to have you as well.
00:03:19.13\00:03:20.46
Thank you, Pastor Ryan.
00:03:20.50\00:03:21.83
I'm excited because I
get to talk about Jesus,
00:03:21.86\00:03:23.40
the author and
perfecter of our faith.
00:03:23.43\00:03:24.90
Oh, nice.
00:03:24.93\00:03:26.27
Praise the
Lord. Praise the Lord.
00:03:26.30\00:03:27.64
Well, before we get
right into our study,
00:03:27.67\00:03:29.04
as always, we want to
invite the Holy Spirit
00:03:29.07\00:03:30.94
to lead all of us,
00:03:30.97\00:03:32.31
us and you in our study.
00:03:32.34\00:03:34.28
So if you would,
Jill, have a prayer for us.
00:03:34.31\00:03:36.71
Holy Father, we
just come before You
00:03:36.75\00:03:38.25
in the name of Jesus,
00:03:38.28\00:03:39.61
grateful for the gift of Jesus
00:03:39.65\00:03:41.02
and the gift of Your
Word and the Holy Spirit,
00:03:41.05\00:03:43.22
and that we can come boldly
00:03:43.25\00:03:45.35
before Your throne of grace.
00:03:45.39\00:03:46.96
We do that just now
eagerly anticipating
00:03:46.99\00:03:50.63
what You are going to do in
and through this hour together.
00:03:50.66\00:03:54.36
And we thank You in Jesus' name.
00:03:54.40\00:03:56.67
Amen. Amen.
00:03:56.70\00:03:58.47
Praise the Lord.
00:03:58.50\00:03:59.83
Sabbath afternoon's lesson
brings out that Hebrews 11
00:03:59.87\00:04:02.97
and 12 are probably the
most loved chapters of the book.
00:04:03.00\00:04:07.08
They describe the
Christian life as a race
00:04:07.11\00:04:09.61
in which all participate,
00:04:09.64\00:04:12.55
and in which all
who stay faithful
00:04:12.58\00:04:15.38
will receive the reward.
00:04:15.42\00:04:16.75
I don't know about you,
00:04:16.79\00:04:18.12
but I'm waiting for that reward.
00:04:18.15\00:04:19.49
Looking forward to it.
00:04:19.52\00:04:20.86
They also describe
the drama of redemption
00:04:20.89\00:04:22.86
as a race in which
people of faith from the past,
00:04:22.89\00:04:25.53
preserved despite sufferings,
00:04:25.56\00:04:27.80
but have not yet
received the reward.
00:04:27.83\00:04:31.23
That's because the story ends
with us as well, not just them.
00:04:31.27\00:04:36.74
We are the
concluding act with drama.
00:04:36.77\00:04:40.14
The drama culminates
with our entering and running
00:04:40.18\00:04:43.08
the last part of the race,
00:04:43.11\00:04:45.15
and with Jesus
seated at the goal line,
00:04:45.18\00:04:47.78
at the right hand
of God, I like that,
00:04:47.82\00:04:49.68
at the goal line or
the right hand of God.
00:04:49.72\00:04:51.92
He provides inspiration,
00:04:51.95\00:04:53.69
as well as the ultimate
example of how the race is run.
00:04:53.72\00:04:57.43
He is the ultimate
witness that the reward is true,
00:04:57.46\00:05:00.60
and that He is the forerunner
who opens the way for us.
00:05:00.63\00:05:05.20
Hebrews 11 explains
that faith is confidence
00:05:05.23\00:05:08.37
in God's promises,
00:05:08.40\00:05:10.34
even if we cannot
yet see them ourselves.
00:05:10.37\00:05:13.11
This lesson will
explore what faith is
00:05:16.44\00:05:19.31
and how it is obtained through
the examples of the past,
00:05:19.35\00:05:22.48
but especially and essentially,
00:05:22.52\00:05:25.09
through the example of Jesus,
00:05:25.12\00:05:27.16
the founder and
perfecter of our faith.
00:05:27.19\00:05:29.92
And so,
Sunday's lesson opens up,
00:05:29.96\00:05:31.89
it's entitled The
Righteous Will Live By Faith.
00:05:31.93\00:05:36.03
And it's gonna
start us off right here
00:05:36.06\00:05:37.77
in Hebrews 10:35-39,
00:05:37.80\00:05:40.94
if we want to turn
there in our Bibles.
00:05:40.97\00:05:42.47
Again Hebrews 10:35-39,
00:05:42.50\00:05:46.41
and notice what the Bible says.
00:05:46.44\00:05:48.81
It says, "Therefore do
not cast away your confidence,
00:05:48.84\00:05:52.38
which has great reward.
00:05:52.41\00:05:54.05
For you have need of endurance,
00:05:54.08\00:05:56.95
so that after you
have done the will of God,
00:05:56.99\00:06:00.29
you may receive the promise:
00:06:00.32\00:06:02.66
'For yet a little while,
00:06:02.69\00:06:04.13
and He who is coming
will come and will not tarry.
00:06:04.16\00:06:08.23
Now the just
shall live by faith,
00:06:08.26\00:06:10.87
but if anyone draws back,
00:06:10.90\00:06:12.73
My soul has no pleasure in him.
00:06:12.77\00:06:15.30
But we are not of those
who draw back to perdition,
00:06:15.34\00:06:19.67
but of those who believe
to the saving of the soul."
00:06:19.71\00:06:23.68
My friends, don't draw back,
00:06:23.71\00:06:25.58
but keep pressing
forward with endurance
00:06:25.61\00:06:27.85
in the faith of Christ,
00:06:27.88\00:06:29.38
which is what this entire lesson
00:06:29.42\00:06:30.79
is all about.
00:06:30.82\00:06:32.15
Endurance is a characteristic
of God's end-time people.
00:06:32.19\00:06:36.52
Without it, we
cannot be able to receive
00:06:36.56\00:06:39.66
the promises in that book.
00:06:39.69\00:06:41.03
We're hanging on to
the promises of God's Word,
00:06:41.06\00:06:42.86
where would we be without them?
00:06:42.90\00:06:44.43
And so we can't
receive the promises
00:06:44.47\00:06:45.90
that God has given us
00:06:45.93\00:06:47.27
if we do not
keep fighting forward
00:06:47.30\00:06:48.84
with endurance.
00:06:48.87\00:06:50.21
That's why Jesus often reminds
00:06:50.24\00:06:51.57
the seven
churches in Revelation,
00:06:51.61\00:06:53.34
you see and hear this
with each and every church,
00:06:53.38\00:06:54.74
to him who
overcomes, to him who overcomes,
00:06:54.78\00:06:57.15
to him who overcomes,
00:06:57.18\00:06:58.51
well, that communicates
a sense of fighting,
00:06:58.55\00:07:00.05
a sense of enduring to the end,
00:07:00.08\00:07:02.25
as Jesus says in Matthew 24.
00:07:02.28\00:07:04.19
Even in Revelation
13:10, notice what it says,
00:07:04.22\00:07:07.19
"If anyone has an
ear, let him hear,
00:07:07.22\00:07:10.03
he who leads into captivity
shall go into captivity,
00:07:10.06\00:07:12.36
he who kills with the sword
00:07:12.39\00:07:13.80
must be killed with a sword.
00:07:13.83\00:07:15.20
Here is the patience and
the faith of the saints."
00:07:15.23\00:07:19.03
You hear a lot of that
in the Book of Revelation,
00:07:19.07\00:07:20.44
talking about the
patience of the saints,
00:07:20.47\00:07:22.60
right here in our
third angel's message,
00:07:22.64\00:07:24.84
which we're
hanging on to this truth
00:07:24.87\00:07:26.24
and this hope that
we find in Christ Jesus,
00:07:26.27\00:07:28.64
where it says, "Here is
the patience of the saints,"
00:07:28.68\00:07:32.28
right there in Revelation 14:12,
00:07:32.31\00:07:34.32
"here are those who
keep the commandments of God
00:07:34.35\00:07:37.19
and the faith of Jesus."
00:07:37.22\00:07:39.32
And I just want
to highlight there,
00:07:39.35\00:07:40.69
there may be someone
watching for the first time,
00:07:40.72\00:07:42.49
this program right now,
00:07:42.52\00:07:43.86
and you've never
heard this truth.
00:07:43.89\00:07:45.23
But I want to share with you,
00:07:45.26\00:07:46.59
there's a difference
between faith in Jesus
00:07:46.63\00:07:47.96
and the faith of
Jesus, we want both, right?
00:07:48.00\00:07:49.90
We want to
definitely have faith in Jesus
00:07:49.93\00:07:52.00
and put our faith in Christ.
00:07:52.03\00:07:54.07
But Jesus is not
looking for just mere
00:07:54.10\00:07:57.41
cheerleaders on the sideline.
00:07:57.44\00:07:58.87
He wants us to be
in the game, right?
00:07:58.91\00:08:00.58
He wants us to
exercise the very faith
00:08:00.61\00:08:03.28
that Jesus exercised
while He was here on earth
00:08:03.31\00:08:05.51
in His Father.
00:08:05.55\00:08:06.88
So we need to be exercising
the very faith of Jesus,
00:08:06.92\00:08:09.52
and we need to
endure to the end.
00:08:09.55\00:08:11.39
In order to endure, however,
00:08:11.42\00:08:13.25
believers need to
hold fast their faith.
00:08:13.29\00:08:16.22
We see that in Hebrews 10.
00:08:16.26\00:08:17.66
It also goes on to say,
00:08:17.69\00:08:19.03
Paul has shown that
the desert generation
00:08:19.06\00:08:21.13
was not able to
receive the promise
00:08:21.16\00:08:23.00
because they lacked faith.
00:08:23.03\00:08:25.20
Hebrews portrays believers
as also at the threshold
00:08:25.23\00:08:29.00
of the
fulfillment of the promises
00:08:29.04\00:08:30.84
and need to exercise faith
00:08:30.87\00:08:33.31
if they want to
receive the promises.
00:08:33.34\00:08:36.21
We see this in Hebrews 9:28,
00:08:36.24\00:08:39.51
a beautiful
message here which says,
00:08:39.55\00:08:41.08
"So Christ was offered
once to bear the sins of many,
00:08:41.12\00:08:45.82
to those who
eagerly wait for Him
00:08:45.85\00:08:48.79
will appear a second time
apart from sin for salvation."
00:08:48.82\00:08:52.79
Are you eagerly waiting on Him?
00:08:52.83\00:08:54.50
Are you enduring to the end?
00:08:54.53\00:08:55.86
Are you holding
fast to your confession
00:08:55.90\00:08:57.63
and holding fast to
the faith in Jesus Christ?
00:08:57.67\00:08:59.87
Hebrews 10:25, same
message, beautiful message,
00:08:59.90\00:09:03.47
"Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together,
00:09:03.51\00:09:06.34
as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
00:09:06.37\00:09:08.98
and so much the more as
you see the Day approaching."
00:09:09.01\00:09:12.98
We're looking forward.
00:09:13.01\00:09:14.35
We're seeing
the Day approaching.
00:09:14.38\00:09:15.72
We see the signs of the
times unfolding around us.
00:09:15.75\00:09:18.05
We have
heartaches, we have despair,
00:09:18.09\00:09:20.02
we have
troubles, we have trials,
00:09:20.06\00:09:21.89
we have
challenges, but, my friends,
00:09:21.92\00:09:23.39
are you holding
fast to the faith,
00:09:23.43\00:09:25.16
the righteous
shall live by faith,
00:09:25.19\00:09:27.63
the just shall live by faith.
00:09:27.66\00:09:29.66
Hebrews 10:35-39.
00:09:29.70\00:09:32.93
Listen to what the Bible says.
00:09:32.97\00:09:34.30
Hebrews 10:35-39,
00:09:34.34\00:09:37.31
"Therefore, do not
cast away your confidence,
00:09:37.34\00:09:39.71
which has great reward,
for you have need of endurance
00:09:39.74\00:09:44.25
so that after you
have done the will of God,
00:09:44.28\00:09:46.58
you may receive the
promise for yet a little while
00:09:46.61\00:09:49.35
and He who is coming
will come and will not tarry."
00:09:49.38\00:09:51.65
We read this earlier,
00:09:51.69\00:09:53.02
but continue to watch
what it says here in verse 38.
00:09:53.05\00:09:55.06
"Now the just
shall live by faith,
00:09:55.09\00:09:58.39
but if anyone draws back,
00:09:58.43\00:09:59.76
My soul has no pleasure in him.
00:09:59.79\00:10:01.53
But we are not of those
who draw back to perdition,
00:10:01.56\00:10:03.73
but of those who believe
to the saving of the soul."
00:10:03.77\00:10:07.64
My friends. Do
you believe in Christ?
00:10:07.67\00:10:10.27
Have you staked your
faith and grounded it
00:10:10.31\00:10:12.77
in the root of
Jesus Christ, my friends.
00:10:12.81\00:10:14.78
Stay grounded in the faith.
00:10:14.81\00:10:16.14
Paul introduces his
exposition of the faith
00:10:16.18\00:10:18.58
with a quotation
from Habakkuk 2:2-4
00:10:18.61\00:10:22.78
or Habakkuk, I guess
that's how you would say.
00:10:22.82\00:10:24.29
I've heard it said both ways.
00:10:24.32\00:10:28.26
Habakkuk had asked God,
00:10:28.29\00:10:29.72
why He tolerated
the treacherous people
00:10:29.76\00:10:31.83
who oppressed the righteous,
00:10:31.86\00:10:33.29
we see that in Habakkuk 1:12-17,
00:10:33.33\00:10:36.80
the prophet and his
people were suffering.
00:10:36.83\00:10:39.60
Thus, they wanted God to act.
00:10:39.63\00:10:42.24
God answered, however,
00:10:42.27\00:10:43.61
that there was an appointed time
00:10:43.64\00:10:45.87
for the
fulfillment of His promise,
00:10:45.91\00:10:47.31
and they needed to wait.
00:10:47.34\00:10:49.24
We read this in Habakkuk 2:2-4
00:10:49.28\00:10:52.18
and notice what
the Bible says here.
00:10:52.21\00:10:53.55
It says, "The Lord
answered me and said,
00:10:53.58\00:10:55.52
'Write the
vision and make it plain
00:10:55.55\00:10:57.52
on the tablets,
00:10:57.55\00:10:58.89
that he may run who reads it.
00:10:58.92\00:11:00.86
For the vision is yet
for an appointed time,
00:11:00.89\00:11:04.26
but at the end it will
speak, and it will not lie.
00:11:04.29\00:11:08.53
Though it tarries, wait for it,
00:11:08.56\00:11:11.30
because it will surely
come, it will not tarry.
00:11:11.33\00:11:15.70
Behold the proud, his
soul is not upright in Him,
00:11:15.74\00:11:19.14
but the just,"
there it is again,
00:11:19.17\00:11:20.68
"shall live by faith."
00:11:20.71\00:11:22.91
My friends, Jesus
is tarrying for a time,
00:11:22.94\00:11:25.18
but He's not
going to tarry forever.
00:11:25.21\00:11:26.95
Wait for Him.
00:11:26.98\00:11:28.32
That's the purpose of this text.
00:11:28.35\00:11:29.68
Wait for Him, ground your faith
in the root of Jesus Christ.
00:11:29.72\00:11:33.12
Habakkuk and his
people lived like us
00:11:33.15\00:11:36.12
between the time of the promise
00:11:36.16\00:11:37.73
and the time of its fulfillment.
00:11:37.76\00:11:39.73
God's message
continued in Hebrews,
00:11:39.76\00:11:42.96
He who is coming will
come and will not delay.
00:11:43.00\00:11:47.24
The message, of
course, refers to Jesus.
00:11:47.27\00:11:49.50
He, of course, is
the righteous one,
00:11:49.54\00:11:51.07
the embodiment of the faith
00:11:51.11\00:11:52.44
who pleases God
and provides life.
00:11:52.47\00:11:55.18
I just want to take a
few moments here just to,
00:11:55.21\00:11:57.28
kind of, in conclusion,
00:11:57.31\00:11:58.65
just offer up some simple truths
00:11:58.68\00:12:01.32
and principles about faith
00:12:01.35\00:12:03.15
because we know the
just shall live by faith,
00:12:03.18\00:12:05.35
but many people
struggle with that.
00:12:05.39\00:12:07.09
First of all,
notice that Ephesians 2:8
00:12:07.12\00:12:09.52
does tell us the
beautiful promise
00:12:09.56\00:12:11.26
that for by grace you
have been saved through faith.
00:12:11.29\00:12:15.46
We are saved by
grace through faith.
00:12:15.50\00:12:18.57
Of course not of our works,
lest we should boast, right?
00:12:18.60\00:12:21.10
It's not about works,
00:12:21.14\00:12:22.47
but yet we're
judged by our works
00:12:22.50\00:12:23.84
because our works tell
the story of our faith.
00:12:23.87\00:12:26.94
Now, also notice
that in Revelation 12,
00:12:26.98\00:12:28.71
we read this earlier
00:12:28.74\00:12:30.08
that here's the
patience of the saints,
00:12:30.11\00:12:31.45
here are they that
keep the commandments of God
00:12:31.48\00:12:32.81
and have the faith of Jesus.
00:12:32.85\00:12:34.68
So the faith
that we are saved by
00:12:34.72\00:12:36.79
and since we're saved by
grace through this faith,
00:12:36.82\00:12:38.85
it's the faith of Jesus.
00:12:38.89\00:12:40.22
And what was the faith of Jesus?
00:12:40.26\00:12:42.39
Jesus depended solely
upon the Word of His Father.
00:12:42.42\00:12:46.73
He depended upon
the words of His Father,
00:12:46.76\00:12:49.36
He depended on the will
of His Father, not His own.
00:12:49.40\00:12:54.14
It's really what
it comes down to.
00:12:54.17\00:12:55.64
Do you have enough
faith that you trust
00:12:55.67\00:12:57.67
more in God's Word
00:12:57.71\00:12:59.04
than you trust
in your own brain,
00:12:59.07\00:13:00.88
your own
thoughts, your own ideas,
00:13:00.91\00:13:02.48
your own beliefs?
00:13:02.51\00:13:04.25
That's why Romans 10:17, says,
00:13:04.28\00:13:06.28
"So then faith comes by hearing
00:13:06.31\00:13:08.85
and hearing by the Word of God."
00:13:08.88\00:13:12.29
Our faith builds in God
00:13:12.32\00:13:14.19
when we give time to grow
and learn from Him in His Word.
00:13:14.22\00:13:19.16
That's why Jesus
said in John 17:17,
00:13:19.19\00:13:22.06
"Sanctify them by thy truth,
thy word is truth," my friends.
00:13:22.10\00:13:27.34
The truth shall what?
00:13:27.37\00:13:29.24
Shall make you free.
00:13:29.27\00:13:30.81
That's what Jesus
said, it shall set you free,
00:13:30.84\00:13:32.61
it shall make you free.
00:13:32.64\00:13:34.34
We are set free by
what Christ has done
00:13:34.38\00:13:36.91
and it's our faith in
the promises of God's Word
00:13:36.95\00:13:39.31
and what Christ has done for us,
00:13:39.35\00:13:41.25
that sets us up to be able
to inherit the kingdom of God,
00:13:41.28\00:13:44.19
but, my friends,
we have to endure,
00:13:44.22\00:13:45.92
we have to finish that's
why Galatians 6:9-10 says this,
00:13:45.95\00:13:50.69
it says, "And
let us not grow weary
00:13:50.73\00:13:52.16
while doing good,
00:13:52.19\00:13:54.03
for in due season we shall
reap if we do not lose heart.
00:13:54.06\00:13:57.03
Therefore, as we
have the opportunity,
00:13:57.07\00:13:58.93
let us do good to all,
00:13:58.97\00:14:00.30
especially to those
00:14:00.34\00:14:01.80
who are of the
household of faith."
00:14:01.84\00:14:04.64
Are you of the
household of faith?
00:14:04.67\00:14:06.34
Have you grounded yourself
in the rock of Jesus Christ?
00:14:06.37\00:14:09.38
Do you base your
faith in your life
00:14:09.41\00:14:11.28
upon the Word of
God or do you trust more
00:14:11.31\00:14:13.48
in what's in between
this head right here,
00:14:13.52\00:14:16.38
this brain of your own?
00:14:16.42\00:14:17.75
There is a way which
seemeth right into a man
00:14:17.79\00:14:19.42
but the end thereof
are the ways of death.
00:14:19.45\00:14:21.42
My friends, that's why
Matthew 24:13 Jesus says,
00:14:21.46\00:14:24.16
"But he who endures to
the end shall be saved."
00:14:24.19\00:14:28.16
Keep pressing forward,
keep waiting on Christ.
00:14:28.20\00:14:31.13
He won't tarry for long.
00:14:31.17\00:14:33.40
Thank you for
that foundation, Ryan.
00:14:33.44\00:14:36.64
So I have
Monday, By Faith Abraham.
00:14:36.67\00:14:40.91
Let's read one of
my favorite verses,
00:14:40.94\00:14:44.08
Hebrews 11:1-3,
00:14:44.11\00:14:50.05
and the Bible says,
"Now faith is the substance,"
00:14:50.09\00:14:55.72
the hypostasis,
00:14:55.76\00:14:57.96
the title deed is
what this means in Greek.
00:14:57.99\00:15:02.96
See, faith...
00:15:03.00\00:15:04.40
We can claim God's
promises, we have a title deed,
00:15:04.43\00:15:09.04
because the Bible
says in 2 Corinthians 1:20,
00:15:09.07\00:15:11.57
"That all of
His promises are yes
00:15:11.61\00:15:15.04
and amen in Christ Jesus."
00:15:15.08\00:15:17.18
So if you're in Christ,
you've got these promises.
00:15:17.21\00:15:21.05
And then He says in
verse 2, "For by faith,
00:15:21.08\00:15:25.59
the elders
obtained a good testimony.
00:15:25.62\00:15:28.32
By faith, we understand
the worlds were framed
00:15:28.36\00:15:32.33
by the Word of God.
00:15:32.36\00:15:34.70
They were framed
by the Word of God,
00:15:34.73\00:15:38.20
so that the
things which are seen
00:15:38.23\00:15:43.14
were not made of the
things which are visible."
00:15:43.17\00:15:47.81
Only God can speak
something into existence,
00:15:47.84\00:15:52.08
only God's Word has the power
00:15:52.11\00:15:56.85
to create
something out of nothing.
00:15:56.89\00:15:59.99
And as you referred to
Ephesians 2:8 says that
00:16:00.02\00:16:04.33
by faith we are
saved by grace through...
00:16:04.36\00:16:09.30
We are saved by grace
through faith but it says,
00:16:09.33\00:16:12.43
but not of yourselves.
00:16:12.47\00:16:14.04
See, faith is a gift from God
00:16:14.07\00:16:17.47
and the Bible
says each one of us,
00:16:17.51\00:16:19.07
when we come to God,
00:16:19.11\00:16:20.44
we've been given
this measure of faith.
00:16:20.48\00:16:23.28
It goes on to say, salvation
is God's gift, hallelujah.
00:16:23.31\00:16:28.78
So now let's
jump down to verse 6.
00:16:28.82\00:16:32.25
Hebrews 11:6,
because this is critical,
00:16:32.29\00:16:35.89
"Without faith,
00:16:35.92\00:16:39.96
it is impossible to please Him,
00:16:40.00\00:16:43.60
for he who comes
to God must believe
00:16:43.63\00:16:47.44
that He is and
that He is a rewarder
00:16:47.47\00:16:52.07
of those who
diligently seek Him."
00:16:52.11\00:16:56.24
See, why is it
that without faith,
00:16:56.28\00:17:00.95
I remember reading
this and going to the Lord,
00:17:00.98\00:17:03.55
sometimes I
don't always feel like
00:17:03.59\00:17:06.02
my faith is what it should be,
00:17:06.05\00:17:07.56
you know, why can't I
please You without faith?
00:17:07.59\00:17:11.89
Well, the next day He took me
00:17:11.93\00:17:14.33
to 1 John 5:10-13.
00:17:14.36\00:17:18.27
See, when we don't have
faith in the Word of God,
00:17:18.30\00:17:23.00
it's like we are
calling Him a liar.
00:17:23.04\00:17:27.31
Wow!
00:17:27.34\00:17:28.68
That's eye-opening.
00:17:28.71\00:17:30.05
Let's look at 1 John
00:17:30.08\00:17:32.55
5:10-13,
00:17:32.58\00:17:36.72
then we'll understand
00:17:36.75\00:17:38.09
why we can't
please God without faith.
00:17:38.12\00:17:40.06
"He who believes
in the Son of God
00:17:40.09\00:17:42.09
has the witness in himself,
00:17:42.12\00:17:44.49
he who does not believe God
00:17:44.53\00:17:48.30
has made Him a liar."
00:17:48.33\00:17:49.86
Oh! Mercy. Faith is important.
00:17:49.90\00:17:52.97
I mean, if you
don't have faith in God,
00:17:53.00\00:17:54.64
you're saying, God,
I don't believe You,
00:17:54.67\00:17:56.04
You're a liar.
00:17:56.07\00:17:57.41
"Because he's not
believed the testimony
00:17:57.44\00:17:59.51
that God has given up His Son.
00:17:59.54\00:18:01.44
And this is the testimony that
God has given us eternal life
00:18:01.48\00:18:06.82
and this life is in His Son.
00:18:06.85\00:18:08.92
He who has the Son has life,
00:18:08.95\00:18:11.92
he who does not have
the Son does not have life."
00:18:11.95\00:18:15.62
Sometimes people write and say,
00:18:15.66\00:18:17.56
"How can you say that
you know you're saved."
00:18:17.59\00:18:20.10
That's presumptuous.
00:18:20.13\00:18:21.46
I said, "No, as
long as I'm in Christ,
00:18:21.50\00:18:24.43
as long as I have Christ,
00:18:24.47\00:18:26.27
I have confidence in
my eternal salvation."
00:18:26.30\00:18:30.64
Now if I have to do a test,
00:18:30.67\00:18:33.07
because take heed lest
you think you should you stand
00:18:33.11\00:18:35.84
you fall, Paul said,
but as long as I know
00:18:35.88\00:18:39.21
that I am
depending on Jesus Christ,
00:18:39.25\00:18:41.15
for His righteousness,
for Him to work in me
00:18:41.18\00:18:44.55
to will and to do
His good pleasure,
00:18:44.59\00:18:46.19
I know that I have
assurance of salvation.
00:18:46.22\00:18:49.19
And he goes on in John in
verse 13, 1 John 5:13 says,
00:18:49.22\00:18:52.79
"These things
I've written to you,
00:18:52.83\00:18:54.63
who believe in the
name of the Son of God,
00:18:54.66\00:18:57.37
that you may know," what?
00:18:57.40\00:19:00.04
"That you have eternal life,
00:19:00.07\00:19:01.84
and you may continue
to believe in the name
00:19:01.87\00:19:06.31
of the Son of God."
00:19:06.34\00:19:08.01
So without faith,
we can't please God
00:19:08.04\00:19:10.25
because we're
regarding Him as a liar.
00:19:10.28\00:19:12.71
Now, if we go on
in Hebrews Chapter 11,
00:19:12.75\00:19:17.19
this is a great chapter.
00:19:17.22\00:19:18.55
It's the saint's
hall of faith if you will.
00:19:18.59\00:19:22.59
It's the Hall of Fame
00:19:22.62\00:19:26.56
but it lists the people
who were faithful to God,
00:19:26.59\00:19:30.13
they trusted God,
they believed in God,
00:19:30.17\00:19:33.03
and I want to point out
they walked in obedience.
00:19:33.07\00:19:36.67
See, trust is the
foundation for our faith.
00:19:36.71\00:19:40.04
We've got to believe
in God but James says,
00:19:40.08\00:19:42.68
"Faith without
actions is stillborn.
00:19:42.71\00:19:45.35
It's dead."
00:19:45.38\00:19:46.72
So it is actions,
00:19:46.75\00:19:49.18
walking in obedience
00:19:49.22\00:19:52.45
is how we really
experience faith.
00:19:52.49\00:19:54.99
So this chapter goes
on. Abel acted in faith.
00:19:55.02\00:19:58.49
He obeyed God's
requirement for sacrifice,
00:19:58.53\00:20:01.20
God accepted his sacrifice
00:20:01.23\00:20:03.23
and credited it
to him as righteous.
00:20:03.26\00:20:05.73
It talks about Enoch,
how he walked with God,
00:20:05.77\00:20:09.40
he pleased God
through his obedience.
00:20:09.44\00:20:12.97
When you walk with God,
00:20:13.01\00:20:14.34
that means you're
walking in obedience,
00:20:14.38\00:20:16.34
and he was miraculously
taken to heaven without dying.
00:20:16.38\00:20:19.75
He talks about Noah
who had never seen rain,
00:20:19.78\00:20:22.75
had never seen the
fountains of the deep open up
00:20:22.78\00:20:26.52
and break up.
00:20:26.55\00:20:27.89
So here he works for
120 years building an ark
00:20:27.92\00:20:31.66
according to God's directions
00:20:31.69\00:20:33.46
and he was a
preacher of righteousness.
00:20:33.50\00:20:36.36
And let me tell you something,
that preacher of righteousness
00:20:36.40\00:20:39.13
ended up becoming the
heir of righteousness.
00:20:39.17\00:20:42.97
Abraham left his home
in the Ur of the Chaldees,
00:20:43.00\00:20:47.04
not even knowing
where he was going.
00:20:47.08\00:20:49.04
He was just
following God's directions.
00:20:49.08\00:20:52.75
And then Hebrews 11
goes on to talk about Sarah,
00:20:52.78\00:20:55.75
who is so far
beyond childbearing.
00:20:55.78\00:20:58.59
She's 90 years old,
00:20:58.62\00:21:00.22
but she had
faith in God's promise.
00:21:00.26\00:21:02.69
And then Abraham
believed God's promise
00:21:02.72\00:21:07.13
that his
descendants would number more
00:21:07.16\00:21:10.53
than the stars in the sky
or the sands of the shore.
00:21:10.57\00:21:14.50
And you know what?
00:21:14.54\00:21:15.87
God credited that to
him as righteousness.
00:21:15.90\00:21:18.87
And Abraham proved his
faith in the most amazing way.
00:21:18.91\00:21:22.44
He was willing
to give back to God,
00:21:22.48\00:21:25.95
His only begotten son.
00:21:25.98\00:21:27.62
Now, Isaac wasn't his only son
00:21:27.65\00:21:31.55
but the word only
begotten son is a covenant term.
00:21:31.59\00:21:36.02
We know that Isaac had
an older brother, right?
00:21:36.06\00:21:39.83
But only Isaac was
the son of promise.
00:21:39.86\00:21:43.20
And let's look
at Hebrews 11:17-19
00:21:43.23\00:21:47.00
because I want to
point something out.
00:21:47.04\00:21:48.40
"By faith Abraham,
when he was tested,
00:21:48.44\00:21:51.37
he offered up Isaac,
00:21:51.41\00:21:52.97
and he who received the promises
00:21:53.01\00:21:55.38
offered up his
only begotten son."
00:21:55.41\00:21:58.05
That's a unique
covenant son of promise.
00:21:58.08\00:22:01.55
And it says, "Of
whom it was said,
00:22:01.58\00:22:03.89
'In Isaac your
seed shall be called,'"
00:22:03.92\00:22:06.79
and then this is what
it says, why he did it,
00:22:06.82\00:22:09.52
"concluding that God
00:22:09.56\00:22:11.89
was able to raise him up,
00:22:11.93\00:22:15.66
even from the dead,
00:22:15.70\00:22:18.03
from which he also received him
00:22:18.07\00:22:20.84
in a figurative sense."
00:22:20.87\00:22:22.97
Now, what does it mean?
00:22:23.00\00:22:25.31
You know, Abraham so
believed God's promise.
00:22:25.34\00:22:29.04
He knew that God said
Isaac would be the seed
00:22:29.08\00:22:33.28
through which all of
these descendants came,
00:22:33.31\00:22:36.45
but I have a personal belief,
I'm gonna share it with you,
00:22:36.48\00:22:41.02
you can decide if
I'm right, or I'm wrong.
00:22:41.06\00:22:43.56
In John 8:56.
00:22:43.59\00:22:46.59
Jesus said,
00:22:46.63\00:22:48.26
"Your father Abraham saw My day,
00:22:48.30\00:22:53.23
and was glad."
00:22:53.27\00:22:55.44
Abraham knew
00:22:55.47\00:22:58.54
that God was going to
give His unique one of a kind,
00:22:58.57\00:23:02.88
son of promise,
the only begotten Son,
00:23:02.91\00:23:06.58
the Covenant Son.
00:23:06.61\00:23:08.55
He knew that He was going
to be the sacrifice for mankind
00:23:08.58\00:23:12.75
and that He
would be resurrected.
00:23:12.79\00:23:15.02
That's what Jesus is saying,
00:23:15.06\00:23:17.13
Abraham, rejoice to
see My day and he was glad.
00:23:17.16\00:23:20.53
I believe in Genesis 15,
00:23:20.56\00:23:22.80
when God cut
covenant with Abraham,
00:23:22.83\00:23:25.67
remember, Abraham cut
all the pieces in half,
00:23:25.70\00:23:28.34
then God put
Abraham in deep sleep
00:23:28.37\00:23:31.37
and God alone
walked through the pieces
00:23:31.41\00:23:34.91
to confirm the covenant.
00:23:34.94\00:23:36.51
And Abraham was
having visions and dreams.
00:23:36.54\00:23:39.68
I believe that's
when God showed Abraham,
00:23:39.71\00:23:44.22
the day of our Lord.
00:23:44.25\00:23:46.35
So when he asked
Abraham, bring up Isaac,
00:23:46.39\00:23:49.59
He's sitting
there, Abraham is saying,
00:23:49.62\00:23:51.63
well, he's the promised son,
00:23:51.66\00:23:53.96
you're going to let
your son be sacrificed,
00:23:54.00\00:23:56.80
you're going to resurrect him,
00:23:56.83\00:23:58.40
so I reckon you can
resurrect Isaac too.
00:23:58.43\00:24:02.60
See, when we think about
Abraham coming to give this,
00:24:02.64\00:24:05.47
some people are
like, "Oh, how could he?"
00:24:05.51\00:24:08.34
He knew God would resurrect him.
00:24:08.38\00:24:10.95
You know, when we
have fiery trials,
00:24:10.98\00:24:15.55
right now, I'm
walking through a fiery trial,
00:24:15.58\00:24:18.85
but it's the
crucible of our faith.
00:24:18.89\00:24:21.62
In 1 Peter 1:6-7 says this,
00:24:21.66\00:24:25.33
"In your trials greatly rejoice.
00:24:25.36\00:24:27.33
So now for a little while,
00:24:27.36\00:24:28.70
you've been
grieved by various trials,
00:24:28.73\00:24:30.97
that the
genuineness of your faith being
00:24:31.00\00:24:32.97
much more precious
than golden that perishes,
00:24:33.00\00:24:36.87
though it is tested by the fire,
00:24:36.91\00:24:38.84
may be found to praise honor
00:24:38.87\00:24:40.28
and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ."
00:24:40.31\00:24:42.94
The just shall walk about faith.
00:24:42.98\00:24:46.11
Amen. Praise the Lord.
00:24:46.15\00:24:47.48
Thank you, Shelley, for that.
00:24:47.52\00:24:48.85
Well, my friends, we're
gonna take a short break,
00:24:48.88\00:24:50.55
so don't go
anywhere. We'll be right back.
00:24:50.59\00:24:52.35
Ever wish you could watch
00:24:57.39\00:24:58.73
a 3ABN Sabbath
School Panel again,
00:24:58.76\00:25:00.76
or share it on
Facebook, Instagram or Twitter?
00:25:00.80\00:25:04.03
Well, you can by visiting
3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com
00:25:04.07\00:25:09.04
A clean design makes it easy
00:25:09.07\00:25:11.44
to find the
program you're looking for.
00:25:11.47\00:25:13.61
There are also links to
the Adult Bible Study Guide
00:25:13.64\00:25:17.05
so you can follow along.
00:25:17.08\00:25:18.85
Sharing is easy.
00:25:18.88\00:25:20.22
Just click share and choose
your favorite social media.
00:25:20.25\00:25:23.42
Share a link, save
a life for eternity.
00:25:23.45\00:25:27.52
Hello, friends, welcome back
to 3ABN Sabbath School Panel,
00:25:27.56\00:25:30.66
and we're going to pass
it to Pastor James Rafferty
00:25:30.69\00:25:32.53
for Tuesday's lesson.
00:25:32.56\00:25:33.90
Okay, thank you. I
have Tuesday's lesson.
00:25:33.93\00:25:36.33
My name is James Rafferty,
and we are studying Moses,
00:25:36.36\00:25:40.44
Believing in the Unseen.
00:25:40.47\00:25:42.94
And our quarterly is
taking us to Hebrews 10:20,
00:25:42.97\00:25:47.01
right where Shelley left off
00:25:47.04\00:25:48.38
with that wonderful
exposition on Abraham.
00:25:48.41\00:25:52.15
And the belief that he had that
00:25:52.18\00:25:54.52
the Father could raise his son
00:25:54.55\00:25:56.18
just like He raised His own Son,
00:25:56.22\00:25:58.39
raise Abraham's son,
00:25:58.42\00:25:59.75
just like He raised His own son.
00:25:59.79\00:26:01.12
Hebrews 11:20
picks up here with Isaac,
00:26:01.16\00:26:04.59
the faith of
Isaac blessing Jacob
00:26:04.63\00:26:06.29
and Esau
concerning things to come.
00:26:06.33\00:26:08.60
Then it says in
verse 21, "By faith,
00:26:08.63\00:26:10.97
Jacob when he was dying,
00:26:11.00\00:26:12.77
blessed both the sons
of Joseph and worshiped,
00:26:12.80\00:26:15.97
leaning on the
top of his staff."
00:26:16.00\00:26:18.77
"By faith, "verse
22, "Joseph, when died,
00:26:18.81\00:26:22.68
made mention of the departing
of the children of Israel,
00:26:22.71\00:26:25.01
and gave commandment
concerning his bones."
00:26:25.05\00:26:27.65
"By faith," verse 23,
"Moses, when he was born,
00:26:27.68\00:26:30.39
was hid three
months of his parents,
00:26:30.42\00:26:32.25
because they saw
he was a proper child,
00:26:32.29\00:26:34.62
and they were not afraid
of the king's commandment."
00:26:34.66\00:26:37.83
Verse 24, "By faith
Moses, when he come to years,
00:26:37.86\00:26:40.93
refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter,
00:26:40.96\00:26:43.70
choosing rather
to suffer affliction
00:26:43.73\00:26:45.80
with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures
00:26:45.83\00:26:48.44
of sin for a season."
00:26:48.47\00:26:50.54
And then verse 26, says,
00:26:50.57\00:26:53.07
"Esteeming the reproach
of Christ greater riches
00:26:53.11\00:26:56.75
than the treasures in Egypt:
00:26:56.78\00:26:58.11
for he had respect unto
the recompense of the reward."
00:26:58.15\00:27:00.58
Verse 27, "By
faith he forsook Egypt,
00:27:00.62\00:27:03.39
not fearing the
wrath of the king:
00:27:03.42\00:27:05.59
for he endured, as
seeing him who is invisible.
00:27:05.62\00:27:08.76
Through faith he
kept the passover,
00:27:08.79\00:27:11.66
and the sprinkling of
blood, lest he that destroyed
00:27:11.69\00:27:14.70
the firstborn
should touch them."
00:27:14.73\00:27:17.47
By faith, by faith,
by faith, it's beautiful
00:27:17.50\00:27:21.00
when you think
about it, in fact,
00:27:21.04\00:27:22.37
just going all the way
back here to verses 20 and 21.
00:27:22.40\00:27:25.97
By faith, we have this blessing
00:27:26.01\00:27:29.11
that Isaac places upon Esau
00:27:29.14\00:27:33.82
and Jacob and we have
Jacob when he was dying,
00:27:33.85\00:27:38.35
blessing both
the sons of Joseph,
00:27:38.39\00:27:40.49
when he's
worshiping on top of his staff.
00:27:40.52\00:27:42.72
You know what that tells me?
00:27:42.76\00:27:44.09
That tells me
we're never too old
00:27:44.13\00:27:47.16
to be a blessing
to somebody else.
00:27:47.20\00:27:50.33
I mean, these
guys are ready to die.
00:27:50.37\00:27:52.23
These guys leaning on the cane.
00:27:52.27\00:27:53.80
I'm not looking
forward to the time
00:27:53.84\00:27:55.64
when I'm leaning
on a cane or walking
00:27:55.67\00:27:57.27
with a walker, you
know, what I'm saying,
00:27:57.31\00:27:58.91
but when that time comes,
00:27:58.94\00:28:00.98
I think I still need to
look for the opportunity
00:28:01.01\00:28:03.85
to be a blessing.
00:28:03.88\00:28:05.21
That's what the
Bible is telling me.
00:28:05.25\00:28:06.58
By faith, I've got
to pass my achy bones,
00:28:06.61\00:28:08.88
I will to pass my dying joints,
00:28:08.92\00:28:11.12
I will to past my demise side,
00:28:11.15\00:28:12.92
I've got to look
past all of that stuff
00:28:12.95\00:28:14.32
because they
weren't sure what hand was
00:28:14.36\00:28:15.69
what when he's
putting those hands down.
00:28:15.72\00:28:17.69
I'll got to
look past all of that
00:28:17.73\00:28:19.23
and what that takes is
a little bit of humility,
00:28:19.26\00:28:20.93
because as we get
older, we forget things,
00:28:20.96\00:28:23.97
we don't speak as
well as we used to.
00:28:24.00\00:28:25.93
We don't do as
well as we used to.
00:28:25.97\00:28:27.60
These young guys come along,
00:28:27.64\00:28:29.24
like Ryan and Jason and Jill,
00:28:29.27\00:28:31.57
and they just kind of blah-blah,
00:28:31.61\00:28:33.04
and we're like,
whoa, whoa, right, Shelley.
00:28:33.07\00:28:36.14
That's right. It's humbling.
00:28:36.18\00:28:37.61
But by faith, we
can still be a blessing
00:28:37.65\00:28:40.72
and give a blessing and
I'm speaking not so much
00:28:40.75\00:28:43.35
to us as to the audience,
00:28:43.39\00:28:44.72
because I know there
are people out there today
00:28:44.75\00:28:46.72
who are
listening who are thinking
00:28:46.76\00:28:48.09
what can I do for God?
00:28:48.12\00:28:50.79
There's so much
that you can do for God,
00:28:50.83\00:28:52.49
we'd love you to
join the 3ABN prayer team
00:28:52.53\00:28:54.63
and be praying
for us and for others.
00:28:54.66\00:28:57.43
There are so many times
that we can be a blessing
00:28:57.47\00:28:59.43
to others as we look by
faith to what God has for us.
00:28:59.47\00:29:03.84
And then it says in
verse 23, I love this,
00:29:03.87\00:29:07.01
"He did not fear
the king's commandment."
00:29:07.04\00:29:11.21
And again, that's
emphasized in verse 27,
00:29:11.25\00:29:14.48
that Moses by
faith forsook Egypt,
00:29:14.52\00:29:16.42
not fearing the
wrath of the king.
00:29:16.45\00:29:18.05
I think that
there's a connection here.
00:29:18.09\00:29:20.19
In verse 23, "Moses was hid
three months off his parents,
00:29:20.22\00:29:23.19
because they didn't
fear the king's commandment."
00:29:23.22\00:29:25.96
And Moses
inherited that lack of fear.
00:29:25.99\00:29:28.83
He inherited that, he got that
from his posterity, you know?
00:29:28.86\00:29:31.63
And so when he got older,
00:29:31.67\00:29:33.27
he didn't fear the
wrath of the king either.
00:29:33.30\00:29:35.90
And we have a powerful
00:29:35.94\00:29:37.91
and important job
as parents, don't we?
00:29:37.94\00:29:40.28
To pass on to our
children, the fear of God,
00:29:40.31\00:29:44.85
and not the fear of men.
00:29:44.88\00:29:46.38
And so, parents,
I think, are here.
00:29:46.41\00:29:48.02
I mean, all
through these verses,
00:29:48.05\00:29:49.38
we see the parental blessing
being passed on to posterity,
00:29:49.42\00:29:52.25
the parents
blessing their children,
00:29:52.29\00:29:54.62
and part of the
blessing that we're to pass on
00:29:54.66\00:29:56.96
is a fear of God,
rather than fear of men.
00:29:56.99\00:30:00.26
We're to respect men,
we're to respect the king
00:30:00.30\00:30:02.53
and pray for the
king but our number one,
00:30:02.56\00:30:05.17
reverence and respect
is to be to God in heaven.
00:30:05.20\00:30:10.07
And then there's the
need, there's the key,
00:30:10.11\00:30:12.14
there's the
center of all of this,
00:30:12.17\00:30:14.38
and that's in verses 24 and 25.
00:30:14.41\00:30:16.31
By faith, Moses,
when he was come of years,
00:30:16.34\00:30:18.75
refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter.
00:30:18.78\00:30:23.82
I liked the way it says that
00:30:23.85\00:30:25.55
because it suggests to me
that there was some pressure,
00:30:25.59\00:30:29.32
whether there was
some pressure on him.
00:30:29.36\00:30:30.99
It's one thing to say no,
00:30:31.03\00:30:32.39
and it's another thing
to say, no, I refuse that.
00:30:32.43\00:30:34.76
I'm refusing that, right?
00:30:34.80\00:30:36.80
It's being urged.
00:30:36.83\00:30:38.63
I don't even
think it's being urged
00:30:38.67\00:30:40.70
necessarily by the
others by those around him.
00:30:40.74\00:30:44.07
But maybe even
by his own nature,
00:30:44.11\00:30:45.51
you know, it's just
coming on and like, oh,
00:30:45.54\00:30:48.31
have you ever
been in a situation
00:30:48.34\00:30:49.84
where you have been hit
so many times by the devil?
00:30:49.88\00:30:52.85
He just, he knows
the button to push,
00:30:52.88\00:30:54.75
he knows where to get you
00:30:54.78\00:30:56.28
and you're like, no,
I refuse to go there.
00:30:56.32\00:30:59.29
I'm not going
there this time, right.
00:30:59.32\00:31:01.52
I'm not going there.
00:31:01.56\00:31:03.12
I don't think it
was easy for Moses.
00:31:03.16\00:31:05.49
You know, think about,
put yourself in his situation.
00:31:05.53\00:31:07.73
We have to put
ourselves in his situation.
00:31:07.76\00:31:09.30
We have to.
00:31:09.33\00:31:10.67
Friends, we are
facing Moses' situation
00:31:10.70\00:31:13.50
because in
Revelation Chapter 13,
00:31:13.54\00:31:16.17
it talks about a time
00:31:16.20\00:31:17.84
when we are going to be pressed,
00:31:17.87\00:31:19.67
when we're going to
be as Matthew 24:9 says
00:31:19.71\00:31:22.21
afflicted or pressured,
00:31:22.24\00:31:24.01
when we're
going to face the loss
00:31:24.05\00:31:26.11
of the ability to buy and sell
00:31:26.15\00:31:28.95
because of the
king's commandment, right?
00:31:28.98\00:31:31.49
And in that
time, we've got to look
00:31:31.52\00:31:33.92
and see what did
Moses do in this situation?
00:31:33.96\00:31:36.46
Moses had faith.
00:31:36.49\00:31:37.83
Why did he have this faith?
00:31:37.86\00:31:39.19
Why was he able to
refuse the pressure of Pharaoh
00:31:39.23\00:31:44.67
and Pharaoh's
court and the riches
00:31:44.70\00:31:46.50
and it says here,
00:31:46.53\00:31:48.00
the pleasure of
sin for a season?
00:31:48.04\00:31:51.17
Well, the key in the context
of these verses is verse 26.
00:31:51.21\00:31:54.64
"He esteemed the reproaches
of Christ greater riches
00:31:54.68\00:31:56.98
than the treasure in Egypt,"
00:31:57.01\00:31:58.35
hold on, "for he had respect
00:31:58.38\00:32:00.75
under the
recompense of the reward."
00:32:00.78\00:32:02.65
It even says in
other translations
00:32:02.68\00:32:04.62
he was looking to.
00:32:04.65\00:32:08.42
I don't know if
you remember, friends,
00:32:08.46\00:32:09.92
but Ryan Day
said it several times,
00:32:09.96\00:32:11.83
his favorite verse,
in the Book of Hebrews
00:32:11.86\00:32:15.16
is Hebrews 12:2,
00:32:15.20\00:32:17.03
"Looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith."
00:32:17.07\00:32:20.17
He was looking to,
he was looking ahead.
00:32:20.20\00:32:23.17
"Eyes haven't seen and ear heard
00:32:23.20\00:32:25.17
or even entered
into the imagination
00:32:25.21\00:32:27.18
of what God has
prepared for us."
00:32:27.21\00:32:28.54
But the next verse says,
00:32:28.58\00:32:30.98
"But God has revealed
them to us by His Spirit."
00:32:31.01\00:32:35.08
So God is giving us a glimpse,
God is giving us a taste
00:32:35.12\00:32:38.35
of that reward and
Moses got this taste,
00:32:38.39\00:32:41.06
he got this glimpse
and he looked to it,
00:32:41.09\00:32:43.06
he focused on it,
he thought about it.
00:32:43.09\00:32:45.43
And I'm sure he might
have thought of the idea
00:32:45.46\00:32:48.16
that's revealed
to us in Psalm 16:11
00:32:48.20\00:32:51.63
and compare it with us
00:32:51.67\00:32:53.00
because this tells us
00:32:53.03\00:32:54.64
that he refused the
pleasure of sin for a season.
00:32:54.67\00:32:58.64
That's the problem with sin.
00:32:58.67\00:33:00.38
It's kind of like the weather,
it's seasonal, you know?
00:33:00.41\00:33:03.98
When I got here,
it was 70 degrees.
00:33:04.01\00:33:07.98
Yesterday, it
didn't even get up to 30.
00:33:08.02\00:33:11.62
It's seasonal.
Pleasure of sin for a season.
00:33:11.65\00:33:15.06
It doesn't last long.
00:33:15.09\00:33:16.46
But in Psalm
16:11, powerful here
00:33:16.49\00:33:20.00
and Moses is
thinking about this principle.
00:33:20.03\00:33:22.33
He's thinking, do I
want the pleasure of sin
00:33:22.36\00:33:24.67
for a season
00:33:24.70\00:33:26.03
or Psalm 16:11, says,
00:33:26.07\00:33:29.44
thou will show
me the path of life
00:33:29.47\00:33:31.11
Moses have been
shown the path of life,
00:33:31.14\00:33:33.44
in thy presence
is fullness of joy.
00:33:33.48\00:33:35.21
I ought to be in
the presence of God.
00:33:35.24\00:33:36.78
At thy right hand,
00:33:36.81\00:33:38.61
there are pleasures forevermore.
00:33:38.65\00:33:42.02
Okay, what do I want?
00:33:42.05\00:33:43.39
Do I want seasonal
or do I want Hawaii?
00:33:43.42\00:33:47.52
Which one do I want?
00:33:47.56\00:33:49.29
Do I want it to be
warm some of the time
00:33:49.32\00:33:51.56
and cold the rest of the time
00:33:51.59\00:33:52.93
or, you know Alaska
00:33:52.96\00:33:54.30
or do I want just constant
continual pleasurable weather?
00:33:54.33\00:33:58.27
Now, of course, I'm using
illustrations in the weather,
00:33:58.30\00:34:00.64
but this is what
Moses is understanding.
00:34:00.67\00:34:03.37
He's recognizing that
00:34:03.41\00:34:05.47
this world and its
treasures are seasonal,
00:34:05.51\00:34:07.94
they come and they go.
00:34:07.98\00:34:09.64
And for Moses,
they're long gone.
00:34:09.68\00:34:11.75
We could say that
00:34:11.78\00:34:13.11
Moses would have been a pharaoh,
00:34:13.15\00:34:14.62
he would have lived
for that threescore and 10
00:34:14.65\00:34:17.09
and then he would have died,
00:34:17.12\00:34:18.45
and he would have been in a tomb
00:34:18.49\00:34:19.82
probably in a mummy's tomb,
00:34:19.85\00:34:21.19
and perhaps you
would have discovered him
00:34:21.22\00:34:22.56
like Tutankhamun and
we would have thought,
00:34:22.59\00:34:23.93
wow, look at Moses stuff
but where is Moses today?
00:34:23.96\00:34:27.26
Moses is in heaven.
00:34:27.30\00:34:29.40
And I believe that
00:34:29.43\00:34:30.87
he was resurrected for
this very specific point
00:34:30.90\00:34:34.00
and that is to
help us to realize
00:34:34.04\00:34:36.57
that he made a good choice.
00:34:36.60\00:34:37.97
Moses made a good choice.
00:34:38.01\00:34:40.44
And God says, you know,
I'm going to resurrect Moses
00:34:40.48\00:34:42.71
because he made a
choice that was amazing
00:34:42.74\00:34:45.81
and this is going to help
others to make the same choice.
00:34:45.85\00:34:49.55
The rest of our lesson
compares Hebrews 11:24-27,
00:34:49.58\00:34:52.95
with Hebrews 10:32-35.
00:34:52.99\00:34:54.79
It basically says the
same thing we've learned
00:34:54.82\00:34:56.99
in Revelation Chapter 13,
00:34:57.03\00:34:58.49
the same thing that Job learned.
00:34:58.53\00:35:00.10
All of us are going to
have to come to a place
00:35:00.13\00:35:02.53
where the things of this world
are insignificant in comparison
00:35:02.56\00:35:06.50
with the things
that God has for us,
00:35:06.53\00:35:08.30
and God is the only one
that can do that for us.
00:35:08.34\00:35:10.91
Our job is to
keep our eyes on Jesus.
00:35:10.94\00:35:13.78
And if there's
somewhat of bitterness,
00:35:13.81\00:35:15.54
Hebrews 12:15,
00:35:15.58\00:35:17.51
which is a supplement to
Ryan Day's favorite verse
00:35:17.55\00:35:20.85
says,
considering Him diligently.
00:35:20.88\00:35:26.86
So Revelation
14:4 says, this way,
00:35:26.89\00:35:30.06
following the
Lamb wherever he goes.
00:35:30.09\00:35:32.26
Our only hope is to
keep our eyes on Jesus.
00:35:32.29\00:35:34.93
Amen.
00:35:34.96\00:35:36.33
Amen, that's
powerful, Pastor Rafferty.
00:35:36.36\00:35:38.33
I do feel like
these years are flying by
00:35:38.37\00:35:40.54
so this young age
is gonna disappear
00:35:40.57\00:35:42.90
rather quickly.
00:35:42.94\00:35:44.47
Hey, I'm Jason Bradley,
and I have Wednesday's lesson.
00:35:44.51\00:35:46.98
And it's entitled By
Faith Rahab and the Rest.
00:35:47.01\00:35:51.18
You know, it's
interesting how God allows us
00:35:51.21\00:35:53.72
to experience things
00:35:53.75\00:35:55.08
that will be beneficial
for His service in the future.
00:35:55.12\00:35:58.85
One of my uncle's
used to always say
00:35:58.89\00:36:00.86
that you don't
lead where you don't go,
00:36:00.89\00:36:02.69
and you don't teach
what you don't know.
00:36:02.72\00:36:04.39
And that's
something that stuck with me
00:36:04.43\00:36:06.46
throughout the years.
00:36:06.49\00:36:08.26
As I peruse the
powerful story of Rahab,
00:36:08.30\00:36:11.77
God started to share
some spiritual gems with me.
00:36:11.80\00:36:16.44
And you may want to write
down some of these verses,
00:36:16.47\00:36:19.47
as we journey
through the Word of God.
00:36:19.51\00:36:22.21
We'll begin in Numbers 13:1-2,
00:36:22.24\00:36:27.55
"And the Lord
spoke to Moses saying,
00:36:27.58\00:36:29.45
'Send men to spy
out the land of Canaan,
00:36:29.48\00:36:33.22
which I am giving to
the children of Israel,
00:36:33.25\00:36:35.92
from each tribe of their fathers
00:36:35.96\00:36:37.73
you shall send a man,
00:36:37.76\00:36:39.16
every one a leader among them.'"
00:36:39.19\00:36:41.90
Now let's jump down
to verses 16 and 17.
00:36:41.93\00:36:45.97
"These are the names of the men
00:36:46.00\00:36:48.30
whom Moses sent
to spy out the land.
00:36:48.34\00:36:51.04
And Moses called Hoshea,"
00:36:51.07\00:36:52.87
I'm horrible with
these names, by the way,
00:36:52.91\00:36:54.91
"Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.
00:36:54.94\00:36:58.11
Then Moses sent them to
spy out the land of Canaan,
00:36:58.15\00:37:01.62
and said to them, 'Go
up this way into the South,
00:37:01.65\00:37:04.69
and go up to the mountains."
00:37:04.72\00:37:07.32
I find it very interesting
00:37:07.36\00:37:08.82
that out of the 12
spies that were sent out,
00:37:08.86\00:37:11.96
only two of them
came back faithful,
00:37:11.99\00:37:15.30
they were faithful.
00:37:15.33\00:37:16.67
The two spies that were faithful
00:37:16.70\00:37:18.03
were Joshua and Caleb.
00:37:18.07\00:37:20.24
Now, when we fast
forward through Scripture
00:37:20.27\00:37:22.90
to the Book of Joshua, or
specifically in Chapter 2,
00:37:22.94\00:37:26.34
we see that
Joshua sent two spies,
00:37:26.37\00:37:30.88
the same number of spies
00:37:30.91\00:37:32.25
that were faithful
during his spy mission.
00:37:32.28\00:37:35.02
Joshua had
proved himself faithful
00:37:35.05\00:37:38.05
during preparation time,
00:37:38.09\00:37:39.42
and God placed him in
a position of leadership.
00:37:39.45\00:37:43.53
All throughout
Scripture, we see examples
00:37:43.56\00:37:45.63
of God using people
00:37:45.66\00:37:47.23
who have a
willing heart for service.
00:37:47.26\00:37:50.47
And as the lesson points out,
00:37:50.50\00:37:52.03
Rahab is probably the
most unexpected character,
00:37:52.07\00:37:57.34
whom we find in
Hebrews Chapter 11.
00:37:57.37\00:38:00.28
Rahab is one of two
women mentioned by name.
00:38:00.31\00:38:03.95
She is the 10th in the list,
00:38:03.98\00:38:05.91
the first being forefathers
and patriarchs of Israel,
00:38:05.95\00:38:09.22
and each one was
regarded as being righteous.
00:38:09.25\00:38:12.55
When we come to her,
00:38:12.59\00:38:13.92
we find that she
is not only a woman
00:38:13.96\00:38:16.29
but a Gentile prostitute.
00:38:16.32\00:38:19.56
That brings us to the
next logical question.
00:38:19.59\00:38:22.46
What was Rahab known for?
00:38:22.50\00:38:25.07
Rahab was known
00:38:25.10\00:38:26.43
for her incredible act of faith.
00:38:26.47\00:38:29.10
She stood up for the Lord
00:38:29.14\00:38:30.61
in the most
trying of circumstances,
00:38:30.64\00:38:33.54
even though she didn't
witness all that God had done.
00:38:33.58\00:38:38.01
She believed what she heard
00:38:38.05\00:38:39.71
about how God
protected his children.
00:38:39.75\00:38:42.95
And Joshua 2:8-11,
00:38:42.98\00:38:48.06
"Now before they lay down,
00:38:48.09\00:38:50.16
she came up to them on the roof,
00:38:50.19\00:38:52.33
and said to the men:
00:38:52.36\00:38:54.00
'I know that the Lord
has given you the land,
00:38:54.03\00:38:57.47
that the terror of
you has fallen on us,
00:38:57.50\00:38:59.97
and that all the
inhabitants of the land
00:39:00.00\00:39:02.20
are fainthearted because of you.
00:39:02.24\00:39:04.51
For we have heard how
the Lord dried up the water
00:39:04.54\00:39:07.31
of the Red Sea for you
when you came out of Egypt,
00:39:07.34\00:39:10.41
and what you did
00:39:10.45\00:39:11.78
to the two kings of the Amorites
00:39:11.81\00:39:13.28
who were on the
other side of the Jordan,
00:39:13.31\00:39:15.65
Sihon and Og, whom
you utterly destroyed.
00:39:15.68\00:39:20.42
And as soon as we
heard these things,
00:39:20.46\00:39:21.99
our hearts melted,
00:39:22.02\00:39:23.53
neither did there remain
any more courage in anyone
00:39:23.56\00:39:27.10
because of you,
for the Lord your God,
00:39:27.13\00:39:30.07
He is God in heaven
above and on earth beneath.'"
00:39:30.10\00:39:35.40
I want us to
look at verse 9 again,
00:39:35.44\00:39:40.31
"And said to the men,
00:39:40.34\00:39:41.68
'I know that the Lord
has given you the land,
00:39:41.71\00:39:45.75
that the terror of
you has fallen on us,
00:39:45.78\00:39:48.35
and that all the inhabitants
of the land are fainthearted
00:39:48.38\00:39:51.62
because of you."
00:39:51.65\00:39:53.76
Did you notice
that faith statement?
00:39:53.79\00:39:56.79
Did you notice that?
00:39:56.83\00:39:58.16
Rahab spoke on something
that hadn't happened yet
00:39:58.19\00:40:01.23
with confidence that
it would come to pass
00:40:01.26\00:40:04.40
because of the one true God
00:40:04.43\00:40:07.54
that's getting spies
whom the spies serve.
00:40:07.57\00:40:10.97
Now, in subsequent verses,
00:40:11.01\00:40:13.14
we see Rahab interceding
on her family's behalf,
00:40:13.17\00:40:16.98
and making a covenant
with God's chosen spies.
00:40:17.01\00:40:20.52
They establish the conditions
00:40:20.55\00:40:22.65
and instructed her of
the sign needed for her
00:40:22.68\00:40:26.25
and her family to be
saved from destruction.
00:40:26.29\00:40:30.73
Look at Joshua 2:17-19,
00:40:30.76\00:40:36.60
"So the men said to
her, we will be blameless,
00:40:36.63\00:40:39.80
of this oath of yours,
which you have made us swear
00:40:39.83\00:40:43.00
unless when we
come into the land,
00:40:43.04\00:40:45.81
you bind this
line of scarlet cord
00:40:45.84\00:40:48.84
and the window
through which you lead us down
00:40:48.88\00:40:51.01
and unless you
bring your father,
00:40:51.05\00:40:53.38
your mother, your brothers,
00:40:53.42\00:40:55.12
and all your father's household,
00:40:55.15\00:40:57.55
to your own home.
00:40:57.59\00:40:59.25
So it shall be that
00:40:59.29\00:41:00.62
whoever goes outside the doors
of your house into the street,
00:41:00.66\00:41:04.76
his blood shall
be on his own head,
00:41:04.79\00:41:07.30
and we will be guiltless
00:41:07.33\00:41:09.10
and whoever is
with you in the house,
00:41:09.13\00:41:11.17
his blood shall be on our head
00:41:11.20\00:41:14.10
if a hand is laid on him."
00:41:14.14\00:41:17.67
The scarlet cord or the red cord
00:41:17.71\00:41:21.11
that was hanging
out of the window
00:41:21.14\00:41:22.94
as a mark for the
preservation of life
00:41:22.98\00:41:26.11
within Rahab's home
reminds me of the Passover.
00:41:26.15\00:41:30.42
In Exodus 12:12-13,
00:41:30.45\00:41:34.16
the Lord was speaking to
Moses and Aaron and he said,
00:41:34.19\00:41:37.63
"And they shall
take some of the blood
00:41:37.66\00:41:40.13
and put it on the two doorposts
00:41:40.16\00:41:42.26
and on the lintel of the houses,
00:41:42.30\00:41:44.93
where they eateth.
00:41:44.97\00:41:47.80
Now the blood shall be a sign
00:41:47.84\00:41:49.74
for you on the
houses where you are
00:41:49.77\00:41:52.77
and when I see the
blood, I will pass over you,
00:41:52.81\00:41:54.98
and the plague
shall not be on you
00:41:55.01\00:41:57.45
to destroy you
00:41:57.48\00:41:58.81
when I strike
the land of Egypt."
00:41:58.85\00:42:02.42
Notice the sign of
blood used during the Passover
00:42:02.45\00:42:06.65
and the sign of
the scarlet or red cord
00:42:06.69\00:42:11.33
that was hanging
from Rahab's window.
00:42:11.36\00:42:13.76
Now, in both cases,
occupants of those homes
00:42:13.80\00:42:17.57
were sealed and
shielded from destruction.
00:42:17.60\00:42:22.64
Hebrews 11:31, says, "By faith,
00:42:22.67\00:42:27.41
the harlot Rahab did not perish
with those who did not believe
00:42:27.44\00:42:32.91
when she had received
the spies with peace."
00:42:32.95\00:42:36.38
Here are a few takeaways
00:42:36.42\00:42:37.99
from this
powerful story of faith.
00:42:38.02\00:42:41.69
Number one, Jill,
you always have a list.
00:42:41.72\00:42:44.63
So we'll start the list here.
00:42:44.66\00:42:46.26
Number one, if we
want to please God,
00:42:46.29\00:42:49.06
we have to have faith.
00:42:49.10\00:42:50.70
You heard Shelley
share this verse earlier,
00:42:50.73\00:42:53.13
Hebrews 11:6,
00:42:53.17\00:42:55.64
"But without faith, it
is impossible to please Him,
00:42:55.67\00:42:58.74
for he who comes to God
00:42:58.77\00:43:00.31
must believe that He is
00:43:00.34\00:43:02.28
and that He is a
rewarder of those
00:43:02.31\00:43:04.28
who diligently seek him."
00:43:04.31\00:43:06.31
Let's take it one step
further and go to James 2:17-18.
00:43:06.35\00:43:11.85
"Thus also faith by itself
00:43:11.89\00:43:14.06
if it does not
have works is dead,
00:43:14.09\00:43:16.29
but someone will
say you have faith
00:43:16.32\00:43:18.93
and I have works.
00:43:18.96\00:43:20.30
Show me your
faith without your work
00:43:20.33\00:43:22.23
and I will show you
my faith by my work."
00:43:22.26\00:43:25.83
Number two, your
past is irrelevant
00:43:25.87\00:43:28.70
when it comes to your future.
00:43:28.74\00:43:30.47
What matters is the
decision that you make today.
00:43:30.51\00:43:33.78
Rahab was a
prostitute at one point,
00:43:33.81\00:43:36.24
but she ended up having
00:43:36.28\00:43:37.61
a tremendous
amount of faith in God.
00:43:37.65\00:43:40.82
She and her family
were spared from destruction
00:43:40.85\00:43:44.22
and she ended up in the
faith book Hall of Fame.
00:43:44.25\00:43:49.36
Number three, Rahab
opened up her heart to God
00:43:49.39\00:43:53.70
and opened up her
home to God's servants.
00:43:53.73\00:43:56.13
Revelation 3:20 says,
00:43:56.16\00:43:58.63
"Behold, I stand at
the door and knock,"
00:43:58.67\00:44:01.74
this is Jesus speaking.
00:44:01.77\00:44:03.30
"If anyone hears My
voice and opens the door,
00:44:03.34\00:44:06.27
I will come into
him and dine with him
00:44:06.31\00:44:09.61
and he with Me."
00:44:09.64\00:44:11.31
Rahab made a decision.
00:44:11.35\00:44:12.75
This is point number
four, Rahab made a decision
00:44:12.78\00:44:15.25
not to allow her culture
to trump her devotion to God.
00:44:15.28\00:44:21.12
So I leave you with
this question to ponder,
00:44:21.16\00:44:24.43
do you have enough faith
to choose God over culture?
00:44:24.46\00:44:30.20
Think about it.
00:44:30.23\00:44:31.57
Amen. Thank you so much, Jason,
00:44:31.60\00:44:34.04
Pastor James,
Shelley, Pastor Ryan.
00:44:34.07\00:44:36.30
I think is one of my
favorite sections of Hebrews,
00:44:36.34\00:44:39.57
Hebrews Chapter 11.
00:44:39.61\00:44:40.94
I love that, the hall of faith.
00:44:40.98\00:44:42.84
I have Thursday's lesson,
which is Ryan's favorite verse,
00:44:42.88\00:44:47.45
Hebrews 12, I have verses 1-3,
00:44:47.48\00:44:51.09
Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith.
00:44:51.12\00:44:54.89
So we were in Hebrews 11.
00:44:54.92\00:44:56.46
Just turn over a chapter
00:44:56.49\00:44:57.83
and let's pick it
up with Hebrews 12.
00:44:57.86\00:44:59.93
And what does
Hebrews 12 start with?
00:44:59.96\00:45:02.00
Therefore.
00:45:02.03\00:45:03.63
What does that mean?
00:45:03.67\00:45:05.00
What has come
before. Faith chapter.
00:45:05.03\00:45:08.44
The faith
chapter, the hall of faith,
00:45:08.47\00:45:10.51
because of what has come before
00:45:10.54\00:45:12.47
because of Abel
and Enoch and Noah,
00:45:12.51\00:45:15.54
because of Abraham
as Shelley talked about
00:45:15.58\00:45:17.81
and Sarah, because of Isaac,
and Jacob and Joseph and Moses,
00:45:17.85\00:45:22.65
because of Rahab
00:45:22.68\00:45:24.02
because of Gideon, and
Barak, and Samson and Jephthah,
00:45:24.05\00:45:26.76
and David and
Samuel and the prophets
00:45:26.79\00:45:28.76
because of that,
therefore, we also,
00:45:28.79\00:45:32.69
since we are surrounded by
so great a cloud of witnesses,
00:45:32.73\00:45:36.70
these are those
heroes of faith let us.
00:45:36.73\00:45:40.67
We see the shift
here from the past,
00:45:40.70\00:45:43.34
the heroes of faith,
00:45:43.37\00:45:45.01
the Saints Hall
of Fame to us today,
00:45:45.04\00:45:48.91
what are we supposed to do?
00:45:48.94\00:45:50.35
Let us lay aside every weight
00:45:50.38\00:45:54.22
and the sin which
so easily ensnares us,
00:45:54.25\00:45:57.32
or besets us and let
us run with endurance,
00:45:57.35\00:46:01.69
the race that is set before us.
00:46:01.72\00:46:03.56
What is the race for?
00:46:03.59\00:46:04.99
We are racing for eternal life.
00:46:05.03\00:46:08.73
The struggle is fierce.
00:46:08.76\00:46:10.10
It's not against other runners,
00:46:10.13\00:46:11.70
the struggle is not
against flesh and blood,
00:46:11.73\00:46:15.14
but principalities and powers
00:46:15.17\00:46:17.01
and the rulers of
wickedness in these high places.
00:46:17.04\00:46:20.08
The struggle is against self.
00:46:20.11\00:46:21.84
The struggle is against sin,
00:46:21.88\00:46:23.98
the race, it involves pain,
00:46:24.01\00:46:25.95
persecution, shame,
it might involve death.
00:46:25.98\00:46:29.72
But what is the reward?
00:46:29.75\00:46:31.09
We studied in Hebrews 3:4,
00:46:31.12\00:46:33.49
the reward is
entering God's rest.
00:46:33.52\00:46:35.69
What is the reward?
00:46:35.72\00:46:37.06
We studied Hebrews 5-10,
00:46:37.09\00:46:39.16
the reward is having
access behind the veil
00:46:39.19\00:46:41.83
into God's presence.
00:46:41.86\00:46:43.50
What is the reward?
00:46:43.53\00:46:44.87
We see that in Hebrews 11,
00:46:44.90\00:46:46.37
it is the heavenly
homeland that is eternal life.
00:46:46.40\00:46:52.07
But it doesn't stop there.
00:46:52.11\00:46:53.44
What's the next verse 2,
00:46:53.48\00:46:55.98
looking unto Jesus.
00:46:56.01\00:46:59.58
Jesus is the climax of
the saints' hall of faith.
00:46:59.61\00:47:03.42
Jesus is the climax of
the heroes' hall of faith.
00:47:03.45\00:47:06.25
Hebrews Chapter 11.
00:47:06.29\00:47:07.62
Jesus is the pinnacle.
00:47:07.66\00:47:08.99
Do you look at Jesus
00:47:09.02\00:47:10.69
or do you look at your problems?
00:47:10.73\00:47:12.63
Do you look at Jesus or
do you look at your pain?
00:47:12.66\00:47:16.16
Do you look at Jesus or
do you look at your shame
00:47:16.20\00:47:19.20
or your spouse
or your neighbors,
00:47:19.23\00:47:22.20
or your children
or your co-workers?
00:47:22.24\00:47:25.47
Do you look at Jesus or
do you look at your pastor?
00:47:25.51\00:47:28.38
Do you look at your boss?
Do you look at your friend?
00:47:28.41\00:47:32.41
Do you look at Jesus or
do you look at yourself?
00:47:32.45\00:47:37.12
Looking unto Jesus,
00:47:37.15\00:47:40.32
Jacob looked unto Jesus
from the ground at Bethel.
00:47:40.36\00:47:43.86
He saw his rock.
00:47:43.89\00:47:45.73
Joseph looked unto
Jesus as a captive slave.
00:47:45.76\00:47:49.86
He saw his Liberator.
00:47:49.90\00:47:52.50
Daniel looked unto Jesus
00:47:52.53\00:47:54.24
from the depths
of the lions' den,
00:47:54.27\00:47:56.97
he saw his protector.
00:47:57.01\00:48:00.14
Samson looked unto Jesus
00:48:00.18\00:48:01.88
from an arena
of the Philistines.
00:48:01.91\00:48:03.91
He saw his helper.
00:48:03.95\00:48:06.65
The shepherds,
00:48:06.68\00:48:08.02
they looked unto
Jesus from the fields,
00:48:08.05\00:48:09.85
they saw their Savior.
00:48:09.88\00:48:12.32
Simeon looked unto
Jesus from the temple
00:48:12.35\00:48:15.22
and saw his Messiah.
00:48:15.26\00:48:18.03
Zacchaeus looked unto
Jesus from the treetops,
00:48:18.06\00:48:21.13
he saw his restorer.
00:48:21.16\00:48:24.33
Nicodemus looked unto
Jesus from the dark of night
00:48:24.37\00:48:28.07
and saw his recreator.
00:48:28.10\00:48:31.41
Blind Bartimaeus
looked unto Jesus
00:48:31.44\00:48:33.17
from the road,
and he saw his light.
00:48:33.21\00:48:36.95
The demoniacs
they looked unto Jesus
00:48:36.98\00:48:38.81
from their imprisoned minds,
00:48:38.85\00:48:41.02
they saw their deliverer.
00:48:41.05\00:48:43.82
Peter looked unto
Jesus from the angry ways
00:48:43.85\00:48:46.25
he saw his rescuer.
00:48:46.29\00:48:48.42
The woman looked unto Jesus
00:48:48.46\00:48:49.92
from where she had
been cast in the dirt,
00:48:49.96\00:48:53.70
and she saw the pure one.
00:48:53.73\00:48:56.60
Peter looked unto
Jesus from the judgments hall
00:48:56.63\00:48:59.20
and saw his forgiveness.
00:48:59.23\00:49:02.17
Saul looked unto
Jesus on the way to Damascus
00:49:02.20\00:49:04.97
and saw the Crucified One.
00:49:05.01\00:49:07.48
And the thief looked unto
Jesus hanging on the cross
00:49:07.51\00:49:11.15
and he saw His Redeemer.
00:49:11.18\00:49:13.58
Who do you see,
when you look unto Jesus?
00:49:13.62\00:49:17.59
Looking unto Jesus,
why do we look under Jesus?
00:49:17.62\00:49:21.16
Number one, we look unto Jesus
because it brings us salvation.
00:49:21.19\00:49:25.63
Isaiah 45:22,
00:49:25.66\00:49:28.66
"Look to me and be saved,
00:49:28.70\00:49:32.30
all you ends of the earth,
00:49:32.33\00:49:34.27
for I am God and
there is no other."
00:49:34.30\00:49:37.81
We look unto
Jesus for salvation,
00:49:37.84\00:49:39.81
and because He is
the only true God.
00:49:39.84\00:49:43.65
Why do we look unto Jesus?
00:49:43.68\00:49:45.41
Number two, we look unto
Jesus because it changes us.
00:49:45.45\00:49:48.95
2 Corinthians 3:18,
00:49:48.98\00:49:51.55
"But we all with open
face beholding as in a glass,
00:49:51.59\00:49:55.02
the glory of the Lord are
changed into the same image
00:49:55.06\00:49:58.36
from glory to glory."
00:49:58.39\00:49:59.73
We look unto Jesus,
because looking at Jesus,
00:49:59.76\00:50:03.53
it has a way of changing you.
00:50:03.57\00:50:05.93
Number three, why
do we look unto Jesus?
00:50:05.97\00:50:07.70
Because when we look unto Jesus,
00:50:07.74\00:50:09.07
we receive mercy.
00:50:09.10\00:50:11.01
Psalm 123:1-2,
00:50:11.04\00:50:14.41
"Unto you," that's
unto God, "I lift my eyes,
00:50:14.44\00:50:17.88
O you who dwell in the heavens,
00:50:17.91\00:50:20.35
behold, as the
eyes of the servants
00:50:20.38\00:50:22.35
look to the hand
of their masters,
00:50:22.38\00:50:24.19
as the eyes of a maid
00:50:24.22\00:50:25.55
look to the
hand of her mistress,
00:50:25.59\00:50:27.42
so our eyes look
to the Lord our God,
00:50:27.46\00:50:30.99
until He has mercy on us."
00:50:31.03\00:50:35.03
Looking unto Jesus,
do you want salvation?
00:50:35.06\00:50:38.57
Look at Jesus.
00:50:38.60\00:50:40.37
Do you want to be
changed into the image of Jesus?
00:50:40.40\00:50:43.71
Look at Jesus.
00:50:43.74\00:50:45.94
Do you need mercy in your life?
00:50:45.97\00:50:48.48
Look unto Jesus.
00:50:48.51\00:50:51.38
But the verse doesn't end there.
00:50:51.41\00:50:52.75
What does it say?
00:50:52.78\00:50:54.12
Looking into Jesus,
00:50:54.15\00:50:55.48
the author and
finisher of our faith.
00:50:55.52\00:51:00.52
In Greek, the word author
does not strictly mean author,
00:51:00.56\00:51:04.06
it means a person
who's the originator
00:51:04.09\00:51:06.09
or a leader of a movement,
00:51:06.13\00:51:07.90
but who continues as the leader.
00:51:07.93\00:51:11.43
I love that.
00:51:11.47\00:51:12.80
He didn't just start the
race and go off somewhere else.
00:51:12.83\00:51:16.30
He continues as our leader.
00:51:16.34\00:51:18.91
Why is Jesus the author
of our race, of our faith?
00:51:18.94\00:51:23.08
Why is He the founder?
00:51:23.11\00:51:24.58
Why is He the
pioneer of our faith?
00:51:24.61\00:51:27.98
Because number one,
00:51:28.02\00:51:29.35
He is the only
author of the race.
00:51:29.38\00:51:32.25
Nobody else opened the
way for us to be saved,
00:51:32.29\00:51:35.46
all the sacrificial system
00:51:35.49\00:51:36.93
we've been studying all quarter,
00:51:36.96\00:51:38.39
the Levitical sacrificial
system was set in place
00:51:38.43\00:51:40.80
looking unto Jesus.
00:51:40.83\00:51:42.56
If Jesus had not come,
00:51:42.60\00:51:44.17
there would be no
way for us to be saved.
00:51:44.20\00:51:46.87
He opened the way
for us to be saved
00:51:46.90\00:51:48.67
for us to enter
the race of salvation
00:51:48.70\00:51:51.31
through His sacrifice.
00:51:51.34\00:51:53.91
If He had not come,
00:51:53.94\00:51:55.28
we'd be running in vain,
00:51:55.31\00:51:56.64
there'd be no
purpose even in the race.
00:51:56.68\00:51:59.51
John 1:29,
"Behold the Lamb of God
00:51:59.55\00:52:02.18
who takes away
the sin of the world."
00:52:02.22\00:52:05.25
Reason number two,
00:52:05.29\00:52:06.62
why Jesus is the
author of our faith.
00:52:06.65\00:52:09.26
Not only is He the
author of the race,
00:52:09.29\00:52:11.03
reason number
two, He's the only one
00:52:11.06\00:52:12.93
who actually ran
the race perfectly.
00:52:12.96\00:52:14.96
He's the only one.
00:52:15.00\00:52:16.33
His life was perfect,
00:52:16.36\00:52:18.07
as we've already established
through this quarter,
00:52:18.10\00:52:20.47
and His death was
the perfect sacrifice.
00:52:20.50\00:52:23.91
Hebrews 10:14, "By one offering,
00:52:23.94\00:52:27.01
He has perfected forever,
00:52:27.04\00:52:29.64
those who are being sanctified."
00:52:29.68\00:52:33.18
Hebrews 9:14.
00:52:33.21\00:52:34.55
We've read this too,
00:52:34.58\00:52:35.92
how much more
shall the blood of Christ
00:52:35.95\00:52:37.82
instead of the
blood of bulls and goats.
00:52:37.85\00:52:39.55
"How much more
shall the blood of Christ
00:52:39.59\00:52:42.22
who through the eternal Spirit
00:52:42.26\00:52:43.66
offered Himself
without spot to God,
00:52:43.69\00:52:46.13
cleanse your
conscience from dead works
00:52:46.16\00:52:48.76
to serve the living God?"
00:52:48.80\00:52:50.43
And reason number three,
He's the author of our faith.
00:52:50.47\00:52:53.03
He is the reason we have faith.
00:52:53.07\00:52:55.80
You see, our faith
is actually a response
00:52:55.84\00:52:58.97
to His faithfulness.
00:52:59.01\00:53:00.51
Our faith is a response to Him.
00:53:00.54\00:53:02.94
2 Timothy 2:13 says,
00:53:02.98\00:53:05.05
"If we are faithless
He remains faithful."
00:53:05.08\00:53:09.08
He cannot deny
himself because He's faithful.
00:53:09.12\00:53:12.42
He draws you
and I in repentance,
00:53:12.45\00:53:14.62
He forgives us and cleanses us.
00:53:14.66\00:53:16.42
He redeems us and restores us.
00:53:16.46\00:53:18.36
He transforms
us, and remakes us,
00:53:18.39\00:53:20.30
and encourages us to
keep running the race.
00:53:20.33\00:53:22.76
But He's not just the author
or the beginner of the race.
00:53:22.80\00:53:25.33
He is the finisher.
He is the perfecter.
00:53:25.37\00:53:28.24
He is the completer of the race
00:53:28.27\00:53:30.31
because He finished the race.
00:53:30.34\00:53:32.17
You and I have hope
00:53:32.21\00:53:33.78
that we can finish the race too.
00:53:33.81\00:53:37.05
The heroes, the
saints' hall of faith,
00:53:37.08\00:53:39.45
Hebrews 11, how does it end?
00:53:39.48\00:53:41.48
They all died not
having received the promise
00:53:41.52\00:53:44.32
but receiving it
by faith, afar off
00:53:44.35\00:53:48.56
but Jesus finished the race.
00:53:48.59\00:53:50.99
He's seated even right now
at the right hand of the Father
00:53:51.03\00:53:54.93
and because He finished,
you and I have courage,
00:53:54.96\00:53:58.23
we can have joy
to continue the race
00:53:58.27\00:54:01.80
that is set before us.
00:54:01.84\00:54:03.94
How did He do it?
00:54:03.97\00:54:05.31
We do it looking unto Jesus
00:54:05.34\00:54:07.74
who for the joy
that was set before Him,
00:54:07.78\00:54:11.05
endured the cross,
despising the shame.
00:54:11.08\00:54:13.78
Because of you and I,
00:54:13.82\00:54:15.15
He looked down
through the stream of time
00:54:15.18\00:54:16.52
and saw the
people who would be saved
00:54:16.55\00:54:19.92
as a result of His sacrifice.
00:54:19.95\00:54:22.62
You and I, looking
at Jesus can endure.
00:54:22.66\00:54:26.76
You and I looking at Jesus
can continue to run the race,
00:54:26.80\00:54:31.97
and know that we can be
saved in His kingdom at last.
00:54:32.00\00:54:36.00
I wanna encourage
you today and every day.
00:54:36.04\00:54:39.07
Look unto Jesus
for when you do that,
00:54:39.11\00:54:42.38
you will be saved.
00:54:42.41\00:54:44.15
Amen.
00:54:44.18\00:54:45.51
Praise the Lord. All right.
00:54:45.55\00:54:46.88
Well, let's get
some final thoughts.
00:54:46.92\00:54:48.85
I'm just thinking
again, once again,
00:54:48.88\00:54:51.45
Hebrews 11:19 says
00:54:51.49\00:54:55.09
that when God asked
Abraham to sacrifice Isaac,
00:54:55.12\00:54:58.89
Abraham had so
much faith in God,
00:54:58.93\00:55:01.40
he knew that Jesus
Christ was going to die
00:55:01.43\00:55:04.90
and be resurrected.
00:55:04.93\00:55:06.27
So it just says he concluded
00:55:06.30\00:55:08.74
that God was
able to raise him up
00:55:08.77\00:55:10.57
even from the dead.
00:55:10.61\00:55:11.94
That's faith.
00:55:11.97\00:55:13.31
Amen. Amen.
00:55:13.34\00:55:14.68
Yeah, just a thought here
that I missed in the quarterly,
00:55:14.71\00:55:16.64
it says the greatness of Moses
00:55:16.68\00:55:19.35
was that he was able to see
00:55:19.38\00:55:20.92
beyond the promises
of the king of Egypt,
00:55:20.95\00:55:24.55
and look toward
the unseen, namely,
00:55:24.59\00:55:26.89
the promises of God,
00:55:26.92\00:55:28.32
and may his
experience be our experience.
00:55:28.36\00:55:30.73
That's good.
00:55:30.76\00:55:32.09
Amen. Amen.
00:55:32.13\00:55:33.46
You know, I just
want to point out
00:55:33.50\00:55:34.83
the fact that, you
know, with our faith,
00:55:34.86\00:55:36.43
sometimes we pray, and
we ask God for something,
00:55:36.46\00:55:39.23
but He's waiting
on us to take action,
00:55:39.27\00:55:41.74
and put our feet in the water.
00:55:41.77\00:55:43.17
And so we need to
press forward in faith,
00:55:43.20\00:55:46.68
have that faith in God.
00:55:46.71\00:55:48.04
Rahab had so much faith,
00:55:48.08\00:55:49.88
things hadn't even happened yet,
00:55:49.91\00:55:51.38
but she knew that
00:55:51.41\00:55:52.75
it was going to come to fruition
00:55:52.78\00:55:54.78
because of how faithful God is.
00:55:54.82\00:55:57.69
Amen.
00:55:57.72\00:55:59.09
I did not read verse 3,
00:55:59.12\00:56:00.46
because the lack of
time so let's read it.
00:56:00.49\00:56:02.22
Hebrew 12:3,
00:56:02.26\00:56:04.13
"For consider Him who
endured such hostility
00:56:04.16\00:56:07.76
from sinners against himself,
00:56:07.80\00:56:09.86
lest you become weary and
discouraged in your souls."
00:56:09.90\00:56:14.50
This journey, this
life that we live in
00:56:14.54\00:56:17.44
is sometimes difficult
00:56:17.47\00:56:18.81
but do not become discouraged.
00:56:18.84\00:56:21.21
Do not be
disheartened, do not give up,
00:56:21.24\00:56:24.71
because Jesus is
walking right beside you.
00:56:24.75\00:56:27.42
Amen.
00:56:27.45\00:56:28.78
All of these
lessons were so great.
00:56:28.82\00:56:30.55
And you know me,
I'm a musical person.
00:56:30.59\00:56:32.55
So James, as
you're going through
00:56:32.59\00:56:34.36
talking about
Moses seeing the unseen,
00:56:34.39\00:56:36.59
the song that came to my mind
was that song never part again.
00:56:36.62\00:56:39.73
The last verses...
00:56:39.76\00:56:41.10
Could we but
stand where Moses stood
00:56:41.13\00:56:46.53
And view the landscapeo'er
00:56:46.57\00:56:50.91
Not all this
world's pretended good
00:56:50.94\00:56:55.71
Could ever charm us more
00:56:55.74\00:56:58.85
And I love the verse.
00:56:58.88\00:57:00.22
We're trav'ling
to Immanuel's land
00:57:00.25\00:57:04.35
We soon shall
hear the trumpet sound
00:57:04.39\00:57:09.06
And soon we shall
00:57:09.09\00:57:12.16
With Jesus reign
00:57:12.19\00:57:15.80
And never, never part again
00:57:15.83\00:57:20.64
I cannot wait for
that, looking unto Jesus,
00:57:20.67\00:57:23.47
the author and
finisher of our faith,
00:57:23.51\00:57:25.54
for the joy that
was set before Him.
00:57:25.57\00:57:27.44
He endured the
cross despising the shame,
00:57:27.48\00:57:29.11
but is now seated
00:57:29.14\00:57:30.55
at the right hand
of God, my friends.
00:57:30.58\00:57:32.48
This is what it's all about.
00:57:32.51\00:57:34.25
It's all about Christ.
00:57:34.28\00:57:35.62
It's all about
what He has done for us
00:57:35.65\00:57:37.75
if we would
just humble ourselves
00:57:37.79\00:57:39.95
and receive that
free, beautiful, wonderful,
00:57:39.99\00:57:43.19
life-changing salvation today.
00:57:43.22\00:57:46.09
Let me just close right
here and looking at the time,
00:57:46.13\00:57:48.86
and I just saw the clock.
00:57:48.90\00:57:50.53
You want to be with us next week
00:57:50.57\00:57:51.90
because we're talking
next week in lesson number 12,
00:57:51.93\00:57:55.00
Receiving an Unshakable Kingdom.
00:57:55.04\00:57:58.27
So don't miss it.
00:57:58.31\00:57:59.64
Get your friends together,
get your Bible, your notepads,
00:57:59.67\00:58:01.74
all of that stuff,
and meet us back here
00:58:01.78\00:58:03.35
at 3ABN Sabbath
School Panel next week.
00:58:03.38\00:58:05.61
God bless.
00:58:05.65\00:58:06.98