Sermon on 10 November 2024 by Pastor Justin
Introduction
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
The book of Hebrews is about the ministry of Christ, the ministry of Christ, and the minister for Christ. We are the ministers for Christ.
Message
1. Faith comes Before Obedience
If you have faith, but no work, it is dead faith. What is work? It refers to acts of obedience. Genuine faith is expressed in obedience. Fear is “what if” - what if this happens or that happens. Faith is “even if” - even if you do not know what is in store for you, you obey. God called Abraham when he was 75 years old, to leave his family and country. And Abraham obeyed.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Issac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. - Hebrews 11:8-10
If you want to please God, you must have faith. When you come to God, there cannot be what-if’s.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith, we obey God’s plan. His plan is always beyond our wildest dreams. - Hebrews 11:6
By faith, we obey God’s plan. His plan is always beyond our wildest dreams.
2. Faith goes Beyond our Deepest Failure
By faith Sarrah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude - innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. - Hebrews 11:11-12
Faith comes before obedience. Faith goes beyond our deepest failure (Mark 14:27-31; 16:7).
But go, tell His disciples - and Peter - that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, and He said to you.” - Mark 16:7
God’s plans for you are beyond your failures. There is no limitto God’s grace.
3. Faith goes Beyond even Death
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. - Hebrews 11:13-16
God’s plans for you are beyond death. God has destined them for great things even when they die.
They are now the great cloud of witnesses spoken in Hebrews 12:1. They are telling you to run the race of your faith. Fix you eyes on Jesus Christ. He is the author, finisher and champion of your faith.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Hebrews 12:1
We are destined for a great future. We have the assurance of faith as a minister for Christ.
Closing
Will you live a life in which people can see your obedience? Will people ask why you are so different? Will they ask you what it is you are seeing that they do not see? Live with a forward-looking faith. We are destined for a great future. Have a faith for the best, which is yet to come.
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