WEBVTT 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:06.190 I got a question to ask you. 00:00:06.190 --> 00:00:08.610 I always have questions. 00:00:10.350 --> 00:00:12.670 If somebody were to give you a good example of something, 00:00:12.670 --> 00:00:14.320 what do they normally do? 00:00:18.270 --> 00:00:19.270 Show you. 00:00:19.430 --> 00:00:20.222 Show you something, 00:00:20.222 --> 00:00:21.446 right? If I say, 00:00:21.446 --> 00:00:24.702 give me an example of a good basketball player, 00:00:24.766 --> 00:00:27.416 you would point to somebody else, 00:00:27.488 --> 00:00:30.280 or if you thought you were good at basketball, 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:31.248 you'd show them, 00:00:31.248 --> 00:00:36.704 right? Somebody give me a good example of whatever. 00:00:36.752 --> 00:00:37.512 Fill in the blank, 00:00:37.512 --> 00:00:38.100 right? 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:42.488 You normally show somebody or tell about somebody else, 00:00:42.544 --> 00:00:47.720 right? So we've been in the book of Hebrews all year. 00:00:47.880 --> 00:00:49.472 The object of our faith, 00:00:49.472 --> 00:00:52.112 right? What is the object of our faith? 00:00:52.570 --> 00:00:53.790 Jesus, right? 00:00:55.170 --> 00:00:58.030 And in the Old Testament, 00:00:58.810 --> 00:01:00.562 God displayed his faith, 00:01:00.626 --> 00:01:03.034 mercy and grace through signs, 00:01:03.082 --> 00:01:08.690 miracles, people that led up to the ultimate object of our faith, 00:01:08.730 --> 00:01:11.562 right? In Hebrews, 00:01:11.586 --> 00:01:12.314 chapter eleven, 00:01:12.402 --> 00:01:15.372 which we've been in for a couple of weeks, 00:01:16.740 --> 00:01:18.812 been talking about great examples of faith, 00:01:18.812 --> 00:01:20.692 right? The hall of faith, 00:01:20.756 --> 00:01:27.036 heroes of the faith we're going to pick up in verse 30. 00:01:27.188 --> 00:01:30.708 And this is kind of part two of by faith, 00:01:30.844 --> 00:01:32.580 right? Probably part three, 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:33.332 I think, 00:01:33.476 --> 00:01:34.400 by now. 00:01:36.100 --> 00:01:39.356 And it's been really cool to be reminded. 00:01:39.468 --> 00:01:42.036 But a lot of times when somebody gives you an example, 00:01:42.036 --> 00:01:47.870 if I give you all the reasons or examples why I smoking is bad for you. 00:01:49.610 --> 00:01:50.578 I used to smoke, 00:01:50.578 --> 00:01:51.474 by the way, 00:01:51.474 --> 00:01:54.444 and people would tell me there's tar in it, 00:01:54.466 --> 00:01:58.230 there's chemicals and damages your lungs. 00:01:59.290 --> 00:02:00.194 I didn't stop, 00:02:00.194 --> 00:02:01.184 though, did I? 00:02:01.730 --> 00:02:04.410 A lot of times when people give you examples, 00:02:04.410 --> 00:02:06.026 it's supposed to motivate you, 00:02:06.026 --> 00:02:07.082 to stir you up, 00:02:07.082 --> 00:02:09.602 to get you to change or to make a decision, 00:02:09.602 --> 00:02:10.230 right? 00:02:11.100 --> 00:02:15.200 But a lot of times you don't decide to change until what? 00:02:17.300 --> 00:02:19.644 Until it's too late sometimes, 00:02:19.812 --> 00:02:24.620 or until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain to 00:02:24.660 --> 00:02:25.640 change, right? 00:02:27.660 --> 00:02:29.332 I got to hear that a couple of weeks ago. 00:02:29.332 --> 00:02:30.228 And I was reminded, 00:02:30.228 --> 00:02:30.772 you know, 00:02:30.772 --> 00:02:38.276 a lot of times I didn't change until it got so bad that I didn't have any 00:02:38.308 --> 00:02:39.200 other choice. 00:02:43.540 --> 00:02:45.108 In this last part of Hebrews, 00:02:45.108 --> 00:02:46.092 chapter eleven, 00:02:46.276 --> 00:02:48.980 it's still talking about people by faith. 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:51.990 So I hope this morning that you are motivated, 00:02:52.036 --> 00:02:53.356 that you are encouraged, 00:02:53.356 --> 00:02:55.000 that you are reminded, 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:59.090 but in such a way that you decide to do something, 00:02:59.140 --> 00:03:00.956 because faith requires action, 00:03:01.028 --> 00:03:02.716 right? If I have, 00:03:02.788 --> 00:03:06.020 you got faith right now in them red chairs, 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:12.080 right? You got faith that they'll hold you and support you. 00:03:13.220 --> 00:03:13.960 Why? 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:16.276 Because you've sat in a chair before, 00:03:16.276 --> 00:03:17.252 right? You've done it. 00:03:17.252 --> 00:03:19.332 So you what Hebrews, 00:03:19.476 --> 00:03:20.996 the very first verse of Hebrews, 00:03:20.996 --> 00:03:22.976 it tells you what faith is. 00:03:23.540 --> 00:03:27.480 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. 00:03:27.860 --> 00:03:29.560 Faith shows, 00:03:30.390 --> 00:03:31.730 shows you something. 00:03:32.310 --> 00:03:36.782 You have been proven that if you sit in a chair majority of time, 00:03:36.782 --> 00:03:37.638 it holds you up. 00:03:37.638 --> 00:03:43.250 Right. You have confidence in it because you've done it before. 00:03:46.310 --> 00:03:48.830 Just want you to keep all them things in mind. 00:03:48.830 --> 00:03:49.950 When I think about faith, 00:03:49.950 --> 00:03:52.222 faith is trust is hope. 00:03:52.326 --> 00:03:53.570 Confidence. Right. 00:03:54.630 --> 00:03:56.610 What you put your weight into. 00:04:01.310 --> 00:04:03.254 I'm reading out a new living translation. 00:04:03.254 --> 00:04:04.030 Before I read. 00:04:04.030 --> 00:04:05.102 Before we start, 00:04:05.286 --> 00:04:06.438 I'd love to pray for you. 00:04:06.438 --> 00:04:07.098 All right, 00:04:07.430 --> 00:04:08.410 let's pray. 00:04:09.830 --> 00:04:18.478 Lord, thank you just for an opportunity to spend time with you, 00:04:18.574 --> 00:04:19.046 dear Lord, 00:04:19.046 --> 00:04:23.250 I thank you for all these people that are gathered in this room or that 00:04:23.250 --> 00:04:25.066 may watch or listen to this later. 00:04:24.890 --> 00:04:25.234 Dear Lord, 00:04:25.234 --> 00:04:28.070 I pray that wherever we're at, 00:04:28.730 --> 00:04:30.946 that we would just be present with you, 00:04:30.946 --> 00:04:33.634 that we would put aside anything, 00:04:33.682 --> 00:04:34.066 dear Lord, 00:04:34.066 --> 00:04:37.538 but just fixing our eyes and hearts and minds on you. 00:04:37.538 --> 00:04:40.546 And that we would have faith that you would show up. 00:04:40.546 --> 00:04:41.810 And that when you do, 00:04:41.810 --> 00:04:44.410 we would step out in whatever way you ask us to. 00:04:44.410 --> 00:04:45.890 And have that confidence, 00:04:45.970 --> 00:04:46.910 dear Lord, 00:04:47.940 --> 00:04:51.676 that you're going to be there because your word says over and over and 00:04:51.676 --> 00:04:52.348 over again, 00:04:52.484 --> 00:04:53.476 you'll never leave us, 00:04:53.476 --> 00:04:54.516 you'll never forsake us. 00:04:54.516 --> 00:04:56.228 You'll always be with us. 00:04:56.404 --> 00:04:58.012 So in these great examples, 00:04:58.012 --> 00:04:58.900 dear Lord, 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:02.760 help us to be stirred to do something. 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:04.720 In Jesus name. 00:05:05.260 --> 00:05:07.588 Amen. All right, 00:05:07.684 --> 00:05:12.588 I read out a new living translation just in case it's a little different 00:05:12.644 --> 00:05:13.662 than yours. 00:05:13.836 --> 00:05:17.730 You can follow along behind me if you don't have your bible or your phone 00:05:17.730 --> 00:05:19.050 or whatever you use, 00:05:21.210 --> 00:05:23.190 but pick him back up with. 00:05:23.138 --> 00:05:24.346 It was by faith, 00:05:24.346 --> 00:05:27.050 right? In verse 30, 00:05:27.090 --> 00:05:27.450 it says, 00:05:27.450 --> 00:05:31.570 it was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for 00:05:31.570 --> 00:05:39.430 seven days and the walls came crashing down in that very first verse 30. 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:42.080 Anybody know that story? 00:05:42.900 --> 00:05:45.436 Joshua? Walls of Jericho? 00:05:45.468 --> 00:05:46.636 There are songs about it, 00:05:46.636 --> 00:05:47.796 there's chants about it. 00:05:47.796 --> 00:05:52.240 People have done that type of prayer. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:55.852 It was by faith, 00:05:55.852 --> 00:06:02.164 right? It wasn't somebody's military knowledge. 00:06:02.212 --> 00:06:04.300 It wasn't a plan. 00:06:04.380 --> 00:06:06.340 It wasn't something they were used to, 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:09.640 right? God asked them to walk around for seven days. 00:06:10.520 --> 00:06:11.780 Can you imagine? 00:06:13.440 --> 00:06:17.696 A lot of times God will ask you to do stuff that doesn't make any sense, 00:06:17.696 --> 00:06:21.540 right? What is he reminding you of? 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:29.408 He's reminding you that it's him. 00:06:29.504 --> 00:06:30.494 It's not us. 00:06:30.568 --> 00:06:31.864 It's by faith, 00:06:31.912 --> 00:06:32.860 through him. 00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:38.426 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for 00:06:38.426 --> 00:06:41.066 seven days and the walls came crashing down. 00:06:41.490 --> 00:06:45.746 Maybe you don't know a lot about the Bible. 00:06:45.858 --> 00:06:47.838 Maybe you don't know these stories. 00:06:48.690 --> 00:06:49.874 And if you don't, 00:06:49.874 --> 00:06:52.090 I'm going to try to help you. 00:06:52.090 --> 00:06:56.354 It was by faith that rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the 00:06:56.354 --> 00:06:59.324 people in her city who refused to obey God, 00:06:59.362 --> 00:07:04.440 for she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:06.440 Anybody ever heard that story? 00:07:08.460 --> 00:07:14.160 A prostitute God used. 00:07:14.460 --> 00:07:16.828 And it wasn't because of her position. 00:07:16.924 --> 00:07:19.036 It wasn't because of what she did in the past. 00:07:19.036 --> 00:07:22.740 It wasn't because of who she was or who she wasn't. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:25.316 It wasn't because of her Sunday school attendance. 00:07:25.124 --> 00:07:30.366 It wasn't because of her role at church. 00:07:30.438 --> 00:07:33.926 It wasn't because she thought she was a good person. 00:07:33.998 --> 00:07:40.830 It was because she decided when she got the opportunity to do something 00:07:40.950 --> 00:07:43.260 that nobody else was willing to do, 00:07:43.630 --> 00:07:45.290 it was by faith. 00:07:49.150 --> 00:07:50.850 If you remember that story, 00:07:51.870 --> 00:07:52.850 the spies. 00:07:53.210 --> 00:07:54.706 Joshua sends the spies out, 00:07:54.706 --> 00:07:55.290 just like, 00:07:55.290 --> 00:07:57.330 kind of like the leader before him, 00:07:57.330 --> 00:07:58.210 Moses did, 00:07:58.330 --> 00:08:04.738 sends the spies into town because they've crossed Jordan river into the 00:08:04.754 --> 00:08:05.538 promised land. 00:08:05.634 --> 00:08:07.138 And what's God asked them to do? 00:08:07.138 --> 00:08:10.190 To take on the biggest town in that region. 00:08:10.610 --> 00:08:11.600 It wasn't like, 00:08:11.602 --> 00:08:15.538 hey, I'm going to let you battle a smaller town, 00:08:15.594 --> 00:08:18.234 build up your confidence and pride in yourself. 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:20.108 I want you to go to the biggest, 00:08:20.108 --> 00:08:21.320 baddest one first. 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:26.644 And I don't want you to storm in there and fight and do all the things 00:08:26.644 --> 00:08:27.436 you know how to do. 00:08:27.436 --> 00:08:29.416 I want you to walk around. 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:30.956 But before that, 00:08:30.956 --> 00:08:32.000 he sends spies. 00:08:34.660 --> 00:08:39.340 And Jericho was a group of people that were not for God, 00:08:39.380 --> 00:08:41.030 that were not God's people. 00:08:43.909 --> 00:08:45.049 Get into town. 00:08:45.349 --> 00:08:48.421 And what does Rahab say to him? 00:08:48.605 --> 00:08:49.869 I heard about your God. 00:08:49.869 --> 00:08:52.029 I heard about all the miraculous things he did. 00:08:52.029 --> 00:08:57.149 I heard about how he is with you and how you conquered people because of 00:08:57.189 --> 00:08:57.769 him. 00:08:58.109 --> 00:09:00.749 And I want to know more about them. 00:09:04.629 --> 00:09:05.889 Verse 32. 00:09:07.509 --> 00:09:10.080 How much more do I need to say? 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:11.040 This whole chapter. 00:09:11.040 --> 00:09:12.096 It was by faith. 00:09:12.096 --> 00:09:14.080 It started at the very beginning. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:14.928 It was by faith. 00:09:14.928 --> 00:09:18.104 And he talks about Abraham and Cain and Abel and Sarah. 00:09:18.104 --> 00:09:21.404 And he goes from beginning all the way up until, 00:09:21.760 --> 00:09:23.096 how much more do I need to say? 00:09:23.096 --> 00:09:26.396 How many more examples do I need to give you? 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.890 But what do we know? 00:09:29.640 --> 00:09:33.648 People can tell you till they're blue in the face of all the great and 00:09:33.648 --> 00:09:37.000 good things of God and all the amazing things he's done. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:40.200 But if you haven't experienced it for yourself, 00:09:40.660 --> 00:09:41.684 it's not the same, 00:09:41.684 --> 00:09:42.440 is it? 00:09:43.900 --> 00:09:45.460 How much more do I need to say? 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:49.884 It would take too long to recount the stories of faith of Gideon, 00:09:50.052 --> 00:09:51.468 Barak, Samson, 00:09:51.524 --> 00:09:52.524 Jephthah, David, 00:09:52.572 --> 00:09:54.240 Samuel, and all the prophets. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:57.400 By faith, 00:09:57.420 --> 00:09:59.124 these people overthrew kingdoms, 00:09:59.172 --> 00:10:00.760 ruled with justice, 00:10:01.140 --> 00:10:03.458 received what God had promised them, 00:10:03.644 --> 00:10:05.330 shut the mouths of lions, 00:10:06.990 --> 00:10:08.766 quenched the flames of fire, 00:10:08.958 --> 00:10:11.678 and escaped death by the edge of the sword. 00:10:11.678 --> 00:10:13.438 Their weakness was turned into strength. 00:10:13.438 --> 00:10:17.068 They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 00:10:22.350 --> 00:10:24.990 How much more do I need to say? 00:10:27.510 --> 00:10:31.920 It was by faith quenched flames of fire. 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:35.100 Who do you think about when it says that? 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:44.048 I think about three young boys who went into the fiery furnace and were 00:10:44.064 --> 00:10:45.714 not consumed by the flames. 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:46.952 You have to remember, 00:10:46.952 --> 00:10:48.272 these are just people, 00:10:49.560 --> 00:10:51.210 just like me and you. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.060 And do you ever feel like, 00:10:55.050 --> 00:10:56.618 well, those people were different, 00:10:56.618 --> 00:11:01.330 or they had some sort of special anointing or blessing that we don't have 00:11:01.370 --> 00:11:05.170 today or that we couldn't do those things, 00:11:05.290 --> 00:11:07.600 God couldn't use us in that way. 00:11:09.770 --> 00:11:11.420 Anybody ever feel like that? 00:11:13.010 --> 00:11:14.402 That was a different time. 00:11:14.402 --> 00:11:15.674 That was a different. 00:11:15.674 --> 00:11:18.066 The devil loves to deceive you, 00:11:18.138 --> 00:11:19.914 distract you and tempt you. 00:11:20.002 --> 00:11:23.576 And I think that's our biggest problem as Americans, 00:11:23.608 --> 00:11:29.568 because we are so richly blessed and we are so spoiled that we are so 00:11:29.624 --> 00:11:34.984 distracted that we categorize things and think that, 00:11:35.032 --> 00:11:35.936 well, that was then, 00:11:35.936 --> 00:11:37.916 and that was a different time. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:40.940 And these are miracles. 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:52.426 And a lot of times we count miracles as a coincidence or as science or 00:11:52.538 --> 00:12:01.390 advancements in technology or you ever seen God do something amazing? 00:12:04.170 --> 00:12:05.962 And maybe you need to be reminded, 00:12:05.962 --> 00:12:06.610 stirred up, 00:12:06.610 --> 00:12:09.870 motivated to work toward that. 00:12:11.490 --> 00:12:13.866 Their weakness was turned into strength. 00:12:14.058 --> 00:12:19.066 Would anybody think that walking around a town for seven days would do 00:12:19.098 --> 00:12:19.790 anything? 00:12:26.410 --> 00:12:29.950 It is the evidence of things we cannot see. 00:12:33.050 --> 00:12:38.642 It goes on to say women receive their loved ones back again from the 00:12:38.666 --> 00:12:44.190 dead. But others were tortured, 00:12:44.530 --> 00:12:47.130 refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. 00:12:47.130 --> 00:12:51.470 They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 00:12:53.490 --> 00:12:55.510 Remember first and second verse? 00:12:56.210 --> 00:12:58.962 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. 00:12:58.962 --> 00:13:01.026 They place their hope in something better, 00:13:01.026 --> 00:13:08.284 even. Do you think the people that weren't a part of the walls of Jericho 00:13:08.332 --> 00:13:14.332 coming down or weren't a part of the dividing of the Red Sea and walking 00:13:14.436 --> 00:13:15.508 across dry ground, 00:13:15.564 --> 00:13:18.740 or even walking across the river of Jordan? 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:23.012 That what if you're the person that don't, 00:13:23.116 --> 00:13:24.300 that isn't a part of that, 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:28.080 and somebody tries to tell you that God isn't with that, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.980 you're oppressed, 00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:31.040 you're tortured. 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:33.260 What is our hope in? 00:13:33.260 --> 00:13:35.240 What is your hope in the. 00:13:36.770 --> 00:13:38.714 They refused to turn from God. 00:13:38.714 --> 00:13:42.110 Even if they didn't have the same kind of example. 00:13:43.130 --> 00:13:46.760 They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 00:13:47.610 --> 00:13:51.578 Some were jeered at and their backs were cut open with whips. 00:13:51.674 --> 00:13:54.338 Others were chained in prisons. 00:13:54.394 --> 00:13:55.570 Some died by stone, 00:13:55.570 --> 00:13:57.550 and some were sawed in half. 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:01.470 Anybody know who that was? 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:06.350 I believe it was Isaiah. 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:09.880 It talks about Isaiah getting sawed in half, 00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:12.360 that was his martyrdom. 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:14.240 Can you imagine? 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:19.108 We don't really face that in this country in that way. 00:14:19.108 --> 00:14:20.596 Anybody ever come up to you and said, 00:14:20.596 --> 00:14:24.332 hey, if you don't stop being a Christian, 00:14:24.356 --> 00:14:26.666 I'm going to saw you in half. 00:14:28.370 --> 00:14:29.234 I'm gonna beat you, 00:14:29.234 --> 00:14:29.802 I'm gonna whip you, 00:14:29.802 --> 00:14:31.042 I'm gonna torture you. 00:14:31.042 --> 00:14:33.634 We don't really can't relate, 00:14:33.682 --> 00:14:34.510 can you? 00:14:37.090 --> 00:14:39.746 Some people went about wearing the skins of sheep and goats, 00:14:39.746 --> 00:14:41.010 destitute and oppressed, 00:14:41.050 --> 00:14:45.950 mistreated. Maybe you've been mistreated because you were a christian. 00:14:46.730 --> 00:14:48.242 But if people know you're, 00:14:48.242 --> 00:14:50.930 are you such a light, 00:14:51.010 --> 00:14:58.810 such a representative of God that people can see the difference? 00:15:02.230 --> 00:15:04.190 Maybe you've been mistreated a couple times. 00:15:04.190 --> 00:15:08.610 Maybe somebody said something snarky to you or sarcastic. 00:15:09.710 --> 00:15:13.182 We don't face this kind of thing here in America. 00:15:13.206 --> 00:15:14.358 I don't think I haven't. 00:15:14.358 --> 00:15:15.486 I'm being honest with you. 00:15:15.326 --> 00:15:17.558 Ain't nobody ever told me they were going to kill me, 00:15:17.558 --> 00:15:21.848 beat me or stoned me or torture me or saw me in half. 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:27.468 They were too good for this world, 00:15:27.468 --> 00:15:29.700 wandering over deserts and mountains, 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:32.380 hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.548 Like I said, 00:15:35.548 --> 00:15:38.188 maybe we don't experience these kind of things, 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:41.836 but something I do think everybody experiences is temptation, 00:15:41.908 --> 00:15:42.520 right? 00:15:44.750 --> 00:15:47.060 And I think that is your oppression. 00:15:48.310 --> 00:15:56.430 And you don't realize a lot of times that maybe God blessed this country. 00:15:56.510 --> 00:15:57.694 So much so, 00:15:57.862 --> 00:16:00.172 to do what you're blessed to what, 00:16:00.470 --> 00:16:01.390 be a blessing, 00:16:01.390 --> 00:16:01.970 right? 00:16:07.510 --> 00:16:11.050 They placed their hope in something. 00:16:12.030 --> 00:16:16.690 They place their hope in God and a better life to come. 00:16:21.710 --> 00:16:25.110 I think temptation is our greatest oppression, 00:16:25.150 --> 00:16:32.190 right? We're tempted to look at ourselves. 00:16:32.270 --> 00:16:35.290 We're tempted to be prideful to. 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:38.888 We live in this kind of self care culture now, 00:16:38.888 --> 00:16:40.248 and I don't know where it came from, 00:16:40.248 --> 00:16:42.872 and I don't really understand why, 00:16:42.976 --> 00:16:48.020 like, self care is healthy. 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:50.210 I don't think it is. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:54.512 The devil is a great deceiver. 00:16:54.696 --> 00:17:03.350 He loves to subtly get you distracted from being reminded of what. 00:17:04.490 --> 00:17:06.140 What are we here for? 00:17:10.690 --> 00:17:11.906 What's your purpose in life? 00:17:11.906 --> 00:17:15.536 Is your purpose to acquire a bunch of stuff and say, 00:17:15.586 --> 00:17:19.146 I'm a pretty good person because I don't do x, 00:17:19.178 --> 00:17:20.168 y or z? 00:17:21.010 --> 00:17:30.644 Is it to have a career and have stuff and say, 00:17:30.692 --> 00:17:34.388 well, I don't do whatever? 00:17:34.444 --> 00:17:35.200 I don't. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:38.560 Is it to compare? 00:17:39.020 --> 00:17:41.000 Well, I'm better than this person, 00:17:41.116 --> 00:17:41.588 at least. 00:17:41.588 --> 00:17:47.300 I don't do drugs or I don't drink or I don't cuss or I come to church on 00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:51.680 Sunday and we're deceived. 00:17:57.270 --> 00:17:59.430 The great thing I'm reminded of in, 00:17:59.430 --> 00:18:00.126 through this, 00:18:00.278 --> 00:18:00.830 of course, 00:18:00.830 --> 00:18:02.006 it was by faith, 00:18:02.006 --> 00:18:05.330 right? Faith requires you to do something. 00:18:07.510 --> 00:18:11.230 I personally think the Lord is waiting on us to do something, 00:18:11.230 --> 00:18:14.490 partly because of this last part of the chapter. 00:18:15.670 --> 00:18:19.960 You realize all these people were mentioned only because of faith. 00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:25.760 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith. 00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:29.600 Yet none of them received all that God had promised. 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:40.684 What have we received that they were hoping for Jesus. 00:18:40.732 --> 00:18:44.958 Right? So if Isaiah, 00:18:45.014 --> 00:18:49.102 Moses, Joshua were standing up here right now, 00:18:49.206 --> 00:18:52.150 what do you think they would be telling you? 00:18:52.150 --> 00:18:54.460 You ever got around an old person? 00:18:54.710 --> 00:18:55.326 And they said, 00:18:55.326 --> 00:18:56.470 well, back in my day, 00:18:56.470 --> 00:18:58.570 we did it this way, 00:19:00.910 --> 00:19:02.890 and you got it so easy. 00:19:04.550 --> 00:19:05.710 You should be thankful. 00:19:05.710 --> 00:19:06.694 You should be grateful. 00:19:06.694 --> 00:19:09.750 You should have gratitude that you don't have to go through these things 00:19:09.750 --> 00:19:10.726 like we go through. 00:19:10.726 --> 00:19:11.746 And we still believe. 00:19:11.746 --> 00:19:12.910 We still hope. 00:19:13.570 --> 00:19:15.402 And you got the promise of Jesus. 00:19:15.402 --> 00:19:18.702 You got what we were waiting for this whole time. 00:19:20.170 --> 00:19:20.762 And, yes, 00:19:20.762 --> 00:19:22.002 God still blessed him. 00:19:22.002 --> 00:19:24.130 God still granted him favor. 00:19:24.170 --> 00:19:27.466 God still did what he said he was going to do. 00:19:27.466 --> 00:19:29.830 But we got the promise. 00:19:33.810 --> 00:19:37.486 For God had something better in mind for us, 00:19:37.598 --> 00:19:38.930 which was Jesus, 00:19:39.230 --> 00:19:42.558 so that they would not reach perfection without us. 00:19:42.614 --> 00:19:44.594 What do you think that means? 00:19:45.870 --> 00:19:49.214 Perfection is another way of saying, 00:19:49.262 --> 00:19:50.462 if something is perfect, 00:19:50.462 --> 00:19:51.286 it is whole, 00:19:51.286 --> 00:19:52.542 it is complete. 00:19:52.686 --> 00:19:55.510 And us as a community, 00:19:55.630 --> 00:19:57.286 as a body of believers, 00:19:57.318 --> 00:19:58.318 because that's what church is, 00:19:58.318 --> 00:20:01.450 right? It's just a body of believers. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.248 It's not a building. 00:20:04.248 --> 00:20:05.568 It's not a place. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:11.220 God has blessed us with this huge room to be able to gather and celebrate 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:18.616 and worship those people. 00:20:18.728 --> 00:20:20.512 Moses, David, 00:20:20.616 --> 00:20:22.432 Samson, Joshua, 00:20:22.576 --> 00:20:28.080 Rahab. All these people mentioned in this chapter cannot be made complete 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:28.700 without. 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:32.608 What do we know? 00:20:32.608 --> 00:20:33.272 What do we know? 00:20:33.272 --> 00:20:34.320 Jesus is coming back, 00:20:34.320 --> 00:20:36.200 right? He's sitting at the right hand of the father, 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:37.520 and he's coming back. 00:20:37.576 --> 00:20:40.260 But what if God is waiting on you? 00:20:42.040 --> 00:20:48.780 All those heroes of the faith are waiting on you to do what? 00:20:50.520 --> 00:20:52.140 Step out in faith? 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:54.620 They're not waiting. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.850 What are you waiting for? 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.880 They won't be made complete. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.310 I don't think jesus will come back. 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.384 Until what? 00:21:06.432 --> 00:21:07.912 Until all have heard. 00:21:08.016 --> 00:21:09.224 And what is our job? 00:21:09.072 --> 00:21:12.248 What did Jesus tell the disciples before he left? 00:21:12.304 --> 00:21:14.096 Go and make disciples. 00:21:14.168 --> 00:21:15.496 Go and make followers. 00:21:15.568 --> 00:21:17.420 Go and tell people. 00:21:20.970 --> 00:21:22.150 Show people. 00:21:26.570 --> 00:21:28.390 When you show somebody something, 00:21:29.530 --> 00:21:32.986 it gives them the confident assurance that they can believe and trust in 00:21:32.986 --> 00:21:33.866 that thing. 00:21:34.058 --> 00:21:37.306 So if only thing you're doing is do what I say, 00:21:37.306 --> 00:21:38.626 not what I do, 00:21:41.410 --> 00:21:43.430 how can we make complete? 00:21:45.170 --> 00:21:47.150 How can we be made whole? 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.736 We went to camp a couple weeks ago, 00:21:56.808 --> 00:21:58.424 and we celebrated, 00:21:58.552 --> 00:22:00.832 had a big camp celebration service Wednesday, 00:22:00.832 --> 00:22:03.100 and it was awesome. 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.780 I cried three times, 00:22:06.800 --> 00:22:11.580 and I don't normally cry, 00:22:14.530 --> 00:22:21.706 but I was just thinking about all the great examples of faith and people 00:22:21.898 --> 00:22:23.562 stepping out in faith. 00:22:23.706 --> 00:22:25.474 And because of that, 00:22:25.522 --> 00:22:27.810 other people were encouraged to step out in faith. 00:22:27.810 --> 00:22:34.750 And they made decisions to make Jesus their lord and to get baptized. 00:22:36.490 --> 00:22:38.088 They made decisions. 00:22:38.234 --> 00:22:40.214 They got up here and spoke. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:48.428 A parent got up here and said when their kids got home, 00:22:48.484 --> 00:22:49.452 Trudy tells them, 00:22:49.452 --> 00:22:50.160 you know, 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:53.010 we've been partying for five days straight. 00:22:53.092 --> 00:22:54.564 They're going to be tired, 00:22:54.564 --> 00:22:56.060 they're going to want to sleep. 00:22:56.060 --> 00:22:59.356 And I know you're going to want to ask them all the questions and what 00:22:59.356 --> 00:23:02.164 they did and who they talked to and what they learned. 00:23:02.164 --> 00:23:05.600 And you're probably just going to have to leave them alone for a little 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:10.220 while. And I know you're so excited to see him and have them back. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:15.060 But this parent got up here and said when they got home, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:18.230 they were just as excited they were. 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:23.064 They wanted to put on the worship music that was being played at camp. 00:23:23.064 --> 00:23:24.688 And they were showing me, 00:23:24.688 --> 00:23:25.632 they were singing, 00:23:25.632 --> 00:23:26.860 they were dancing. 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:32.420 They inspired me to step out in faith. 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:36.180 That same parent also said, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.112 when the great commission, 00:23:40.112 --> 00:23:47.400 a younger girl got up here and recited all four verses of the great 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:49.040 commission just like that. 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:53.416 And I was impressed because I don't even know if I can do all four of 00:23:53.416 --> 00:23:55.640 them. I can give you a summary, 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:58.816 but that is literally what we are here for, 00:23:58.848 --> 00:23:59.520 is what she said. 00:23:59.520 --> 00:24:02.490 That is literally our only purpose here in life. 00:24:02.520 --> 00:24:09.172 And God gives you resources and tools like your job and your friends and 00:24:09.236 --> 00:24:12.076 things to equip you to do that. 00:24:12.108 --> 00:24:14.228 But that's really all we're here for. 00:24:14.228 --> 00:24:16.028 And if we're not doing that, 00:24:16.028 --> 00:24:16.988 we're deceived, 00:24:17.084 --> 00:24:18.020 we're lost, 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.604 we're hindering people. 00:24:19.732 --> 00:24:22.428 We're not going to be made complete and made whole, 00:24:22.428 --> 00:24:24.836 and you're not going to be encouraged. 00:24:24.908 --> 00:24:25.380 Right. 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:27.480 When I step out in faith, 00:24:28.030 --> 00:24:34.262 it is better than anything I've ever done here in this world that the 00:24:34.286 --> 00:24:35.518 world has tried to offer me. 00:24:35.518 --> 00:24:36.790 Whether it's drugs, 00:24:36.910 --> 00:24:38.110 whether it's alcohol, 00:24:38.190 --> 00:24:40.486 whether it's entertainment, 00:24:40.558 --> 00:24:41.910 whether it's movies, 00:24:41.990 --> 00:24:43.890 whether it's whatever it is. 00:24:45.230 --> 00:24:46.610 It can be golf, 00:24:47.310 --> 00:24:48.370 it can be. 00:24:48.750 --> 00:24:49.270 I don't. 00:24:49.270 --> 00:24:50.902 Whatever you like. 00:24:51.086 --> 00:24:56.208 But when you make that thing an idol and you make that thing of God and 00:24:56.208 --> 00:24:57.048 you stop, 00:24:57.224 --> 00:25:01.514 you take your eyes off of Jesus and you start thinking about yourself, 00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:11.168 that is the temptation I'm talking about that deceives us as a nation and 00:25:11.184 --> 00:25:16.784 the devil sitting back and probably smiling because we think, 00:25:16.832 --> 00:25:19.040 because we came into it's an accomplishment, 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:21.020 because we came to church today. 00:25:28.150 --> 00:25:29.830 We were doing a podcast Friday, 00:25:29.830 --> 00:25:33.902 and I forget what Kyle said, 00:25:33.966 --> 00:25:36.182 but in the book of acts, 00:25:36.206 --> 00:25:38.410 there's 39 miracles. 00:25:39.870 --> 00:25:42.180 Only three of them happen at church. 00:25:44.470 --> 00:25:44.998 So, yeah, 00:25:44.998 --> 00:25:46.010 church is great. 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:46.992 I love, 00:25:47.096 --> 00:25:48.488 this is a celebration. 00:25:48.544 --> 00:25:49.352 It's worship. 00:25:49.456 --> 00:25:50.656 It's a time of healing, 00:25:50.656 --> 00:25:51.768 preparation, learning, 00:25:51.824 --> 00:25:52.824 training, all that. 00:25:52.912 --> 00:25:55.184 But it's to equip you, 00:25:55.312 --> 00:25:56.576 motivate you, 00:25:56.728 --> 00:25:58.248 inspire you, 00:25:58.424 --> 00:25:59.424 stir you up, 00:25:59.472 --> 00:26:04.060 to go out there and do it right. 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:09.820 Y'all feel equipped to do that? 00:26:11.930 --> 00:26:13.106 Encouraged, motivated, 00:26:13.178 --> 00:26:13.990 inspired. 00:26:18.570 --> 00:26:20.978 One John one nine says, 00:26:21.114 --> 00:26:23.802 if we confess our sins to him, 00:26:23.946 --> 00:26:30.506 he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all 00:26:30.538 --> 00:26:31.350 wickedness. 00:26:34.810 --> 00:26:39.716 A lot of times I have to start right there and get on it. 00:26:39.748 --> 00:26:41.316 You cannot have freedom. 00:26:41.428 --> 00:26:42.764 And when you're not free, 00:26:42.764 --> 00:26:43.840 when you're bound, 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:46.252 when you feel bound up, 00:26:46.436 --> 00:26:47.580 you feel hindered. 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:53.260 You're not as confident in who you are and who Christ says you are, 00:26:53.300 --> 00:26:59.068 right? You're not as confident in your ability to tell somebody something. 00:26:59.124 --> 00:27:03.062 A lot of times I don't engage with people or conversate with people 00:27:03.062 --> 00:27:08.070 because I'm not confident in my ability either, 00:27:08.110 --> 00:27:10.750 because I don't really care about that person. 00:27:12.470 --> 00:27:16.398 I haven't spent enough time with God to be motivated and reminded and 00:27:16.398 --> 00:27:20.688 remember who he is and who he says I am because of him. 00:27:21.030 --> 00:27:21.550 And so, 00:27:21.550 --> 00:27:22.870 a lot of times, 00:27:23.310 --> 00:27:25.934 you cannot get free until you get honest. 00:27:25.934 --> 00:27:28.510 And so when I get honest and I confess my sin, 00:27:28.510 --> 00:27:28.990 and I say, 00:27:28.990 --> 00:27:31.780 lord, I haven't done these things. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.936 I don't have a heart for people. 00:27:37.936 --> 00:27:43.752 I don't know how to do whatever it is. 00:27:43.936 --> 00:27:46.712 When I confess that it says he is faithful, 00:27:46.712 --> 00:27:47.740 what is faith? 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:52.952 Confident. Assurance that he's going to do what he says he's going to do. 00:27:53.056 --> 00:27:55.696 But what does it require on your part? 00:27:57.150 --> 00:27:59.070 Requires you to take a step right. 00:27:59.070 --> 00:28:02.542 It requires you to put your whole weight into something, 00:28:02.606 --> 00:28:04.586 just like sitting in that chair, 00:28:05.230 --> 00:28:07.540 to put all of you into it. 00:28:11.990 --> 00:28:13.640 And when we do that, 00:28:14.230 --> 00:28:19.090 he will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness. 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:25.376 That verse that everybody loves to quote about with everything going on 00:28:25.488 --> 00:28:26.540 in this country, 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:29.300 second chronicles 714, 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.890 he will heal our land. 00:28:33.896 --> 00:28:40.744 But what does it say if they turn from their wickedness? 00:28:40.912 --> 00:28:42.408 And what do you think? 00:28:42.408 --> 00:28:46.368 You think that's for some political party or somebody running for office, 00:28:46.384 --> 00:28:47.044 don't you? 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:48.294 You think if. 00:28:48.432 --> 00:28:50.898 If they would just turn from their wicked ways. 00:28:50.898 --> 00:28:52.430 He's talking about you. 00:28:54.210 --> 00:28:55.750 He's talking about me. 00:29:01.210 --> 00:29:02.990 It's not about somebody else. 00:29:08.890 --> 00:29:10.202 Like I said in the beginning, 00:29:10.202 --> 00:29:11.274 the examples are great. 00:29:11.274 --> 00:29:14.668 Right. But a lot of times, 00:29:14.724 --> 00:29:16.748 examples, they might. 00:29:16.884 --> 00:29:18.052 You might be motivated, 00:29:18.052 --> 00:29:19.204 you might be encouraged, 00:29:19.204 --> 00:29:26.012 or you might be upset that I've told you that you need to confess that 00:29:26.036 --> 00:29:27.000 you're wicked, 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.948 that you have wicked ways, 00:29:28.948 --> 00:29:30.284 you have a sinful nature, 00:29:30.284 --> 00:29:35.894 and you have to take that old self off and put that new self on every day. 00:29:39.020 --> 00:29:40.670 But it's up to you. 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:44.970 With everything going on in this world, 00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:48.580 I think God's just trying to get our attention. 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:52.540 I think God is just trying to stir you and motivate you. 00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:54.420 It's time to take a stand for something. 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:56.400 It's time to make a change. 00:29:56.820 --> 00:29:59.460 And that if and when you do that, 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.160 then I'll show up. 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:08.932 Maybe God's just trying to make the pain of not changing greater than the 00:30:08.956 --> 00:30:09.780 pain of changing, 00:30:09.780 --> 00:30:11.430 so that we'll do something. 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:16.550 What are you waiting for? 00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:29.200 It was by faith that all the people did all these things. 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.788 God can do the same thing with you, 00:30:31.788 --> 00:30:34.428 he can do the same thing with me, 00:30:34.710 --> 00:30:36.190 but you have to turn to him. 00:30:36.190 --> 00:30:38.638 You have to run to him and you have to jump. 00:30:38.638 --> 00:30:41.590 You have to put your whole weight into it. 00:30:41.590 --> 00:30:43.900 And until you're willing to do that, 00:30:44.030 --> 00:30:47.982 you're not going to experience the miraculous, 00:30:48.046 --> 00:30:49.610 amazing things of God. 00:30:54.230 --> 00:30:56.630 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for. 00:30:56.630 --> 00:30:59.600 It is the evidence of things we cannot see. 00:31:05.260 --> 00:31:07.440 In these last couple minutes, 00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:15.200 while I'm praying and while they come up here to sing this last song, 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.960 I dare you to ask God, 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:21.180 how do I need to take a step of faith? 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:28.062 Is there something hindering me from being able to see where I need to 00:31:28.086 --> 00:31:29.446 take a step of faith? 00:31:29.446 --> 00:31:30.446 And I promise you, 00:31:30.446 --> 00:31:32.046 if you confess those things, 00:31:32.046 --> 00:31:33.370 he is faithful. 00:31:35.550 --> 00:31:36.530 Let's pray. 00:31:43.470 --> 00:31:44.850 God, thank you. 00:31:49.190 --> 00:31:50.204 I am. 00:31:50.382 --> 00:31:51.648 Thank you for humbling me. 00:31:51.648 --> 00:31:54.088 Thank you for having the mercy and grace, 00:31:54.088 --> 00:31:54.688 dear Lord, 00:31:54.688 --> 00:31:56.998 to not give me what I deserve. 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.776 Dear Lord, 00:31:59.776 --> 00:32:07.152 I pray that each and every day that we would remember that it was by 00:32:07.216 --> 00:32:09.720 faith that something happened in our lives. 00:32:09.760 --> 00:32:13.260 It was by faith that we made a decision, 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.024 dear Lord, 00:32:15.112 --> 00:32:17.092 to take a stand for you. 00:32:18.510 --> 00:32:24.086 It was by faith that we decided to maybe even become a Christian. 00:32:24.118 --> 00:32:28.614 It was by faith that we decided to follow you into baptism. 00:32:28.662 --> 00:32:33.690 It was by faith that we decided to love on somebody or check on them. 00:32:34.150 --> 00:32:38.758 It was by faith that we decided to stop doing things the way the world 00:32:38.758 --> 00:32:41.090 tries to demand us to do. 00:32:42.760 --> 00:32:44.420 We turn back to you, 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.768 dear Lord, 00:32:45.768 --> 00:32:47.700 I pray that we, 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:49.896 as a body of believers, 00:32:50.048 --> 00:32:51.080 would do that. 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:53.960 That we would motivate and encourage and remind each other, 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.824 dear Lord, 00:32:54.992 --> 00:32:56.642 that it is by faith. 00:32:58.360 --> 00:33:02.192 God, I pray that right now in these next few moments that we would just 00:33:02.192 --> 00:33:09.300 do just that and know that you are faithful and just and that you come 00:33:09.340 --> 00:33:12.212 through. I love you, 00:33:12.316 --> 00:33:13.412 Jesus name, 00:33:13.596 --> 00:33:13.940 amen.