Title: Encouragement To Endure to the End Meta: Every true Christian is in the battle of enduring and persevering faith and it is the most strenuous battle on earth. In Hebrews 10:39 it says those who do not endure to the end are destroyed. Beloved, this tension that you have to endure to the end, and to fight the fight of faith, is one of the evidences you're converted. The lost don't have that desire to fight and to endure to the end. Tags: Faith,Hebrews 12:1,Hebrews 11,Fellowship Conference,endurance,endure 1 00:00:00,881 --> 00:00:04,345 As I mentioned, we're going to be in Hebrews 10 2 00:00:04,345 --> 00:00:05,573 starting out, 3 00:00:05,573 --> 00:00:11,144 and we'll work our way through 11. 4 00:00:11,144 --> 00:00:13,447 And I'm going to pray again 5 00:00:13,447 --> 00:00:15,311 because I need the Lord's help, 6 00:00:15,311 --> 00:00:21,625 so if you'll bow with me. 7 00:00:21,625 --> 00:00:23,864 Lord, we come again, 8 00:00:23,864 --> 00:00:27,088 just confessing, God, our need; 9 00:00:27,088 --> 00:00:30,323 confessing my need, Lord. 10 00:00:30,323 --> 00:00:31,613 We are looking to You. 11 00:00:31,613 --> 00:00:34,097 We are looking to Your Word. 12 00:00:34,097 --> 00:00:37,552 We are looking to grow in understanding. 13 00:00:37,552 --> 00:00:38,918 Not to be hearers only, 14 00:00:38,918 --> 00:00:42,358 but doers of Your Word for Your glory. 15 00:00:42,358 --> 00:00:47,677 So we ask for Your help again, O Lord. 16 00:00:47,677 --> 00:00:49,972 God, use this for good. 17 00:00:49,972 --> 00:00:53,849 Use this for Your glory. 18 00:00:53,849 --> 00:00:55,286 In the name of Jesus, 19 00:00:55,286 --> 00:00:59,298 Amen. 20 00:00:59,298 --> 00:01:05,539 We're going to start in Hebrews 10:32. 21 00:01:05,539 --> 00:01:07,126 If you'll follow along with me 22 00:01:07,126 --> 00:01:11,654 with the reading of God's Word. 23 00:01:11,654 --> 00:01:14,412 "But recall the former days, 24 00:01:14,412 --> 00:01:16,656 when after you were enlightened, 25 00:01:16,656 --> 00:01:19,878 you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 26 00:01:19,878 --> 00:01:22,001 sometimes being publicly exposed 27 00:01:22,001 --> 00:01:24,422 to reproach and affliction, 28 00:01:24,422 --> 00:01:26,321 and sometimes being partners 29 00:01:26,321 --> 00:01:28,334 with those so treated. 30 00:01:28,334 --> 00:01:30,595 For you had compassion on those in prison, 31 00:01:30,595 --> 00:01:32,394 and you joyfully accepted 32 00:01:32,394 --> 00:01:34,574 the plundering of your property. 33 00:01:34,574 --> 00:01:36,196 Since you knew that you yourselves 34 00:01:36,196 --> 00:01:40,049 had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 00:01:40,049 --> 00:01:42,343 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, 36 00:01:42,343 --> 00:01:44,636 which has a great reward. 37 00:01:44,636 --> 00:01:47,225 For you have need of endurance, 38 00:01:47,225 --> 00:01:50,053 so that when you have done the will of God 39 00:01:50,053 --> 00:01:52,327 you may receive what is promised. 40 00:01:52,327 --> 00:01:54,977 For yet a little while, 41 00:01:54,977 --> 00:01:56,845 and the coming one will come, 42 00:01:56,845 --> 00:01:58,541 and will not delay. 43 00:01:58,541 --> 00:02:01,400 But my righteous one shall live by faith. 44 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:02,947 And if he shrinks back, 45 00:02:02,947 --> 00:02:05,809 my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 46 00:02:05,809 --> 00:02:07,916 But we are not of those who shrink back 47 00:02:07,916 --> 00:02:08,960 and are destroyed, 48 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:10,946 but of those who have faith 49 00:02:10,946 --> 00:02:14,359 and preserve the souls." 50 00:02:14,359 --> 00:02:17,885 Chapter 11, I'm going to read v. 1-2 here. 51 00:02:17,885 --> 00:02:20,884 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, 52 00:02:20,884 --> 00:02:23,448 the conviction of things not seen. 53 00:02:23,448 --> 00:02:24,959 For by it the people of old 54 00:02:24,959 --> 00:02:26,883 received their commendation. 55 00:02:26,883 --> 00:02:29,712 By faith, we understand that the universe 56 00:02:29,712 --> 00:02:31,941 was created by the Word of God, 57 00:02:31,941 --> 00:02:33,603 so that what is seen was not made 58 00:02:33,603 --> 00:02:36,127 out of things that are visible." 59 00:02:36,127 --> 00:02:39,834 Now jump down to v. 8. 60 00:02:39,834 --> 00:02:42,206 "By faith, Abraham obeyed 61 00:02:42,206 --> 00:02:44,559 when he was called to go out to a place 62 00:02:44,559 --> 00:02:46,766 that he was to receive an inheritance. 63 00:02:46,766 --> 00:02:48,236 And he went out not knowing 64 00:02:48,236 --> 00:02:49,553 where he was going. 65 00:02:49,553 --> 00:02:51,076 By faith, he went to live in 66 00:02:51,076 --> 00:02:52,585 the land of promise, 67 00:02:52,585 --> 00:02:54,190 as in a foreign land, 68 00:02:54,190 --> 00:02:56,483 living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 69 00:02:56,483 --> 00:02:58,605 heirs with him in the same promise. 70 00:02:58,605 --> 00:03:00,478 For he was looking forward 71 00:03:00,478 --> 00:03:02,693 to the city that has foundations, 72 00:03:02,693 --> 00:03:06,146 whose designer and builder is God." 73 00:03:06,146 --> 00:03:08,844 Now v. 23. 74 00:03:08,844 --> 00:03:10,969 "By faith, Moses, when he was born 75 00:03:10,969 --> 00:03:13,486 was hidden for three months by his parents 76 00:03:13,486 --> 00:03:15,926 because they saw the child was beautiful 77 00:03:15,926 --> 00:03:18,965 and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 78 00:03:18,965 --> 00:03:21,488 By faith, Moses when he had grown up 79 00:03:21,488 --> 00:03:24,290 refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, 80 00:03:24,290 --> 00:03:26,274 choosing rather to be mistreated 81 00:03:26,274 --> 00:03:27,702 with the people of God, 82 00:03:27,702 --> 00:03:30,764 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 83 00:03:30,764 --> 00:03:32,705 He considered the reproach of Christ 84 00:03:32,705 --> 00:03:35,431 greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 85 00:03:35,431 --> 00:03:39,451 for he was looking to the reward." 86 00:03:39,451 --> 00:03:42,760 Now v. 39. 87 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:44,601 "And all these, though commended 88 00:03:44,601 --> 00:03:46,079 through their faith 89 00:03:46,079 --> 00:03:48,238 did not receive what was promised, 90 00:03:48,238 --> 00:03:51,802 since God had provided something better for us, 91 00:03:51,802 --> 00:03:53,715 that apart from us, 92 00:03:53,715 --> 00:03:56,553 they should not be made perfect." 93 00:03:56,553 --> 00:03:59,524 We'll end in chapter 12:1-2. 94 00:03:59,524 --> 00:04:01,449 "Therefore, since we are surrounded 95 00:04:01,449 --> 00:04:03,888 by so great a cloud of witnesses, 96 00:04:03,888 --> 00:04:05,983 let us lay aside every weight 97 00:04:05,983 --> 00:04:08,810 and sin which clings so easily, 98 00:04:08,810 --> 00:04:10,557 and let us run with endurance 99 00:04:10,557 --> 00:04:12,650 the race that is set before us, 100 00:04:12,650 --> 00:04:14,722 looking to Jesus, 101 00:04:14,722 --> 00:04:17,258 the founder and perfecter of our faith, 102 00:04:17,258 --> 00:04:19,435 who for the joy that was set before Him 103 00:04:19,435 --> 00:04:21,187 endured the cross, 104 00:04:21,187 --> 00:04:22,940 despising the shame, 105 00:04:22,940 --> 00:04:25,208 and is seated at the right hand 106 00:04:25,208 --> 00:04:28,422 of the throne of God." 107 00:04:28,422 --> 00:04:30,674 Starting back in v. 32, 108 00:04:30,674 --> 00:04:32,481 I want you to take note. 109 00:04:32,481 --> 00:04:34,920 The author here is writing to Christians. 110 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:36,424 And he's writing to Christians, 111 00:04:36,424 --> 00:04:37,750 he says in v. 32, 112 00:04:37,750 --> 00:04:40,214 who are enduring a hard struggle 113 00:04:40,214 --> 00:04:41,898 with suffering. 114 00:04:41,898 --> 00:04:43,319 And he speaks later on there 115 00:04:43,319 --> 00:04:45,313 of affliction 116 00:04:45,313 --> 00:04:48,668 and the plundering of their property. 117 00:04:48,668 --> 00:04:50,039 If you look down at v. 36, 118 00:04:50,039 --> 00:04:52,638 he says these Christians have need 119 00:04:52,638 --> 00:04:54,677 of endurance; 120 00:04:54,677 --> 00:04:57,034 of perseverance. 121 00:04:57,034 --> 00:04:59,099 The need to endure and persevere 122 00:04:59,099 --> 00:05:01,082 is what the writer of Hebrews 123 00:05:01,082 --> 00:05:03,822 in chapter 10 and heading into chapter 11 124 00:05:03,822 --> 00:05:05,679 is addressing. 125 00:05:05,679 --> 00:05:06,884 And brethren, we all must 126 00:05:06,884 --> 00:05:09,612 persevere and endure. 127 00:05:09,612 --> 00:05:11,246 Note in v. 39 it says 128 00:05:11,246 --> 00:05:13,674 that true Christians are not those 129 00:05:13,674 --> 00:05:16,051 who shrink back or fall away 130 00:05:16,051 --> 00:05:17,268 and are destroyed. 131 00:05:17,268 --> 00:05:19,221 But true Christians have faith 132 00:05:19,221 --> 00:05:23,992 and preserve the soul. 133 00:05:23,992 --> 00:05:25,855 And this is what he hopes to address 134 00:05:25,855 --> 00:05:28,954 when he comes to chapter 11. 135 00:05:28,954 --> 00:05:31,865 Enduring faith. 136 00:05:31,865 --> 00:05:33,349 We know that's the topic, 137 00:05:33,349 --> 00:05:34,848 because if we skip forward now 138 00:05:34,848 --> 00:05:36,213 to chapter 12 again, 139 00:05:36,213 --> 00:05:37,529 and we look at v. 1 - 140 00:05:37,529 --> 00:05:39,811 at the end of v. 1. 141 00:05:39,811 --> 00:05:41,387 Look what he says there 142 00:05:41,387 --> 00:05:44,719 as he's encouraging them to do what? 143 00:05:44,719 --> 00:05:47,987 To run with endurance the race 144 00:05:47,987 --> 00:05:51,471 that is set before them. 145 00:05:51,471 --> 00:05:54,242 And brethren, that's what I hope to do tonight. 146 00:05:54,242 --> 00:05:57,036 I hope to encourage you all 147 00:05:57,036 --> 00:05:59,856 to run with endurance 148 00:05:59,856 --> 00:06:04,233 the race that has been set before us. 149 00:06:04,233 --> 00:06:07,186 What is this race that we are running? 150 00:06:07,186 --> 00:06:11,937 The word "race" is the word "agon." 151 00:06:11,937 --> 00:06:16,785 It is where we get our word agonize. 152 00:06:16,785 --> 00:06:19,645 It is an athletic term that Paul uses often 153 00:06:19,645 --> 00:06:22,962 to describe the Christian life. 154 00:06:22,962 --> 00:06:24,516 He doesn't refer to it because 155 00:06:24,516 --> 00:06:26,719 the Christian life is a game. 156 00:06:26,719 --> 00:06:29,669 He refers to it because the Christian life 157 00:06:29,669 --> 00:06:33,823 is very strenuous. 158 00:06:33,823 --> 00:06:36,527 It is very rigorous. 159 00:06:36,527 --> 00:06:40,758 It is full of struggles and wrestlings 160 00:06:40,758 --> 00:06:47,387 for those who are competing in the race. 161 00:06:47,387 --> 00:06:49,198 What is this rigorous, strenuous, 162 00:06:49,198 --> 00:06:52,628 agonizing fight that all of us are in? 163 00:06:52,628 --> 00:06:56,658 It is the fight of faith. 164 00:06:56,658 --> 00:06:59,910 It is the fight to believe. 165 00:06:59,910 --> 00:07:01,632 Paul uses those same words 166 00:07:01,632 --> 00:07:02,832 when he writes to Timothy 167 00:07:02,832 --> 00:07:04,920 in 1 Timothy 6. 168 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:06,479 A verse we're all familiar with. 169 00:07:06,479 --> 00:07:07,795 And he says to him there, 170 00:07:07,795 --> 00:07:10,665 Timothy, fight (that's the word) 171 00:07:10,665 --> 00:07:13,734 the good fight (that's the word again) 172 00:07:13,734 --> 00:07:16,115 of faith. 173 00:07:16,115 --> 00:07:19,162 Take hold of eternal life. 174 00:07:19,162 --> 00:07:21,017 And in his second letter to Timothy 175 00:07:21,017 --> 00:07:23,170 in 2 Timothy 4:7, 176 00:07:23,170 --> 00:07:25,453 he tells Timothy at the end of his life, 177 00:07:25,453 --> 00:07:26,418 he says this, 178 00:07:26,418 --> 00:07:28,541 he says I have fought the good fight, 179 00:07:28,541 --> 00:07:31,118 the good agony. 180 00:07:31,118 --> 00:07:32,611 And I have finished the race, 181 00:07:32,611 --> 00:07:34,532 the course set before me. 182 00:07:34,532 --> 00:07:39,692 I have kept the faith. 183 00:07:39,692 --> 00:07:41,588 The fight of faith. 184 00:07:41,588 --> 00:07:44,178 The battle of enduring and persevering faith 185 00:07:44,178 --> 00:07:48,449 that every true Christian is in 186 00:07:48,449 --> 00:07:55,244 is the most strenuous battle on earth. 187 00:07:55,244 --> 00:07:57,915 There's an internal struggle 188 00:07:57,915 --> 00:07:59,954 living in flesh. 189 00:07:59,954 --> 00:08:01,863 There are external struggles 190 00:08:01,863 --> 00:08:04,007 and warfares being waged, 191 00:08:04,007 --> 00:08:06,088 and our enemies on the external 192 00:08:06,088 --> 00:08:07,756 are not just neutral 193 00:08:07,756 --> 00:08:09,752 in that they are just there to distract, 194 00:08:09,752 --> 00:08:10,982 but they have a goal, 195 00:08:10,982 --> 00:08:12,543 and that goal is that you would 196 00:08:12,543 --> 00:08:13,820 not endure to the end. 197 00:08:13,820 --> 00:08:15,278 That you would be destroyed. 198 00:08:15,278 --> 00:08:17,275 That you would fall away. 199 00:08:17,275 --> 00:08:19,332 And the world with all of its interests 200 00:08:19,332 --> 00:08:21,842 and all of its enticements 201 00:08:21,842 --> 00:08:23,606 are continually pulling at you 202 00:08:23,606 --> 00:08:27,344 and calling you to abandon the faith 203 00:08:27,344 --> 00:08:31,815 and to turn to them. 204 00:08:31,815 --> 00:08:34,621 This fight of faith is the most serious 205 00:08:34,621 --> 00:08:37,363 fight on earth. 206 00:08:37,363 --> 00:08:38,648 Because I'll remind you, 207 00:08:38,648 --> 00:08:41,268 in chapter 10:39 it says 208 00:08:41,268 --> 00:08:44,520 those who do not endure to the end 209 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:51,313 are destroyed. 210 00:08:51,313 --> 00:08:54,097 I don't know about you, 211 00:08:54,097 --> 00:09:00,562 but I often feel very weary and weak. 212 00:09:00,562 --> 00:09:02,485 At times, I don't know if I'm going to 213 00:09:02,485 --> 00:09:06,122 make it to the end. 214 00:09:06,122 --> 00:09:08,222 I can say personally and pastorally, 215 00:09:08,222 --> 00:09:12,193 right now, 216 00:09:12,193 --> 00:09:15,388 that I'm in one of those times, 217 00:09:15,388 --> 00:09:17,180 where I don't know if I'm going to 218 00:09:17,180 --> 00:09:18,533 make it to the end of a day, 219 00:09:18,533 --> 00:09:25,268 let alone the end of this race. 220 00:09:25,268 --> 00:09:28,938 I need to be encouraged. 221 00:09:28,938 --> 00:09:30,952 I need to be built up. 222 00:09:30,952 --> 00:09:33,366 I need to have hope. 223 00:09:33,366 --> 00:09:34,915 And I really believe that's why 224 00:09:34,915 --> 00:09:37,164 the Lord brought me here to Hebrews 11, 225 00:09:37,164 --> 00:09:39,057 because that's exactly what the writer 226 00:09:39,057 --> 00:09:41,923 is addressing. 227 00:09:41,923 --> 00:09:44,036 He is here pastorally 228 00:09:44,036 --> 00:09:45,751 to give hope to people 229 00:09:45,751 --> 00:09:47,178 in the face of adversity 230 00:09:47,178 --> 00:09:48,915 who don't know that they're going to 231 00:09:48,915 --> 00:09:49,893 make it to the end, 232 00:09:49,893 --> 00:09:51,270 but, oh, they want to, 233 00:09:51,270 --> 00:09:52,682 and they need encouragement; 234 00:09:52,682 --> 00:09:55,322 they need hope. 235 00:09:55,322 --> 00:09:58,732 And that's what I hope to give you 236 00:09:58,732 --> 00:10:02,570 and my own soul tonight. 237 00:10:02,570 --> 00:10:04,278 Before we even open chapter 11, 238 00:10:04,278 --> 00:10:08,624 let me give you one bit of hope already. 239 00:10:08,624 --> 00:10:15,148 Beloved, this tension to endure to the end; 240 00:10:15,148 --> 00:10:17,342 this fight of faith 241 00:10:17,342 --> 00:10:22,325 is one of the evidences that you're converted. 242 00:10:22,325 --> 00:10:25,914 The lost don't have the fight of faith 243 00:10:25,914 --> 00:10:28,431 to endure to the end. 244 00:10:28,431 --> 00:10:31,212 I remember one brother in our church. 245 00:10:31,212 --> 00:10:33,586 I met him 10 or 11 years ago. 246 00:10:33,586 --> 00:10:34,677 When I met him, 247 00:10:34,677 --> 00:10:38,737 he was 10 years into an addiction 248 00:10:38,737 --> 00:10:40,733 with methamphetamines. 249 00:10:40,733 --> 00:10:42,348 He was living under a bridge 250 00:10:42,348 --> 00:10:44,319 when God's providence brought our lives 251 00:10:44,319 --> 00:10:46,759 to intersect. 252 00:10:46,759 --> 00:10:49,399 I picked him up one morning at 6 a.m. 253 00:10:49,399 --> 00:10:50,895 And I sat in the car with him 254 00:10:50,895 --> 00:10:54,150 and I preached the Gospel to him. 255 00:10:54,150 --> 00:10:55,641 And for the next six months, 256 00:10:55,641 --> 00:10:57,120 I don't think I can say daily, 257 00:10:57,120 --> 00:10:59,661 but nearly daily, I met with this brother 258 00:10:59,661 --> 00:11:01,368 or talked with him on the phone, 259 00:11:01,368 --> 00:11:03,442 and I would go through the Gospel again. 260 00:11:03,442 --> 00:11:05,619 And I would call him to repentance and faith. 261 00:11:05,619 --> 00:11:06,885 And I would say, brother, 262 00:11:06,885 --> 00:11:08,847 today is the day of salvation. 263 00:11:08,847 --> 00:11:10,094 Repent of your sins 264 00:11:10,094 --> 00:11:11,808 and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ 265 00:11:11,808 --> 00:11:14,034 and you shall be saved. 266 00:11:14,034 --> 00:11:16,046 And six months later, my phone rang, 267 00:11:16,046 --> 00:11:17,277 and I picked up the phone 268 00:11:17,277 --> 00:11:19,134 and it was Raudi. 269 00:11:19,134 --> 00:11:20,740 And Raudi said to me, 270 00:11:20,740 --> 00:11:23,505 I'm saved. 271 00:11:23,505 --> 00:11:25,350 I'm saved. 272 00:11:25,350 --> 00:11:28,293 And you know what this brother tells me? 273 00:11:28,293 --> 00:11:29,853 Now, remember, 274 00:11:29,853 --> 00:11:33,343 he was ten years addicted to methamphetamines. 275 00:11:33,343 --> 00:11:35,173 He was homeless living under a bridge. 276 00:11:35,173 --> 00:11:36,752 And when he calls me today, 277 00:11:36,752 --> 00:11:38,143 he'll say, 278 00:11:38,143 --> 00:11:41,467 "The Christian life is such a battle." 279 00:11:41,467 --> 00:11:43,404 See, he didn't have this battle before. 280 00:11:43,404 --> 00:11:45,524 He had other battles, but not this battle. 281 00:11:45,524 --> 00:11:47,614 And when he compares the battle he's in now 282 00:11:47,614 --> 00:11:49,066 to endure to the end, 283 00:11:49,066 --> 00:11:50,059 to finish the race, 284 00:11:50,059 --> 00:11:51,121 to keep the faith, 285 00:11:51,121 --> 00:11:52,991 it is in no way comparable 286 00:11:52,991 --> 00:11:54,842 to what he was going through before. 287 00:11:54,842 --> 00:11:58,505 This one is the battle. 288 00:11:58,505 --> 00:11:59,914 This is the battle. 289 00:11:59,914 --> 00:12:01,231 So if you face the battle; 290 00:12:01,231 --> 00:12:02,958 if you're experiencing the battle, 291 00:12:02,958 --> 00:12:04,458 then know this, beloved, 292 00:12:04,458 --> 00:12:07,352 that is good evidence of your conversion. 293 00:12:07,352 --> 00:12:09,116 If you know not what of I speak about 294 00:12:09,116 --> 00:12:11,069 when I speak of this battle, 295 00:12:11,069 --> 00:12:14,121 you need to be concerned. 296 00:12:14,121 --> 00:12:16,011 I think if we're honest as we approach 297 00:12:16,011 --> 00:12:18,601 chapter 11 now, we want it to say 298 00:12:18,601 --> 00:12:19,774 something like this: 299 00:12:19,774 --> 00:12:21,993 Well, God, You are sovereign. 300 00:12:21,993 --> 00:12:24,451 You control all testings and trials in our life. 301 00:12:24,451 --> 00:12:26,486 And the way we will persevere to the end, 302 00:12:26,486 --> 00:12:28,540 I hope that Hebrews 11 says, 303 00:12:28,540 --> 00:12:30,485 because You reign and rule over it all, 304 00:12:30,485 --> 00:12:32,559 I think the way we'll persevere to the end 305 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:34,358 is you'll just remove the trials. 306 00:12:34,358 --> 00:12:35,750 You'll remove the struggle. 307 00:12:35,750 --> 00:12:36,919 You'll remove the fight 308 00:12:36,919 --> 00:12:39,953 and we'll all make it to the end. 309 00:12:39,953 --> 00:12:43,039 Beloved, we don't find that here in chapter 11. 310 00:12:43,039 --> 00:12:44,420 In fact, we don't find that 311 00:12:44,420 --> 00:12:46,669 anywhere in the Bible. 312 00:12:46,669 --> 00:12:48,154 What we do find in the Bible 313 00:12:48,154 --> 00:12:50,278 is Paul strengthening the souls 314 00:12:50,278 --> 00:12:51,555 of the disciples; 315 00:12:51,555 --> 00:12:53,541 encouraging them to continue in the faith 316 00:12:53,541 --> 00:12:54,519 and reminding them 317 00:12:54,519 --> 00:12:56,019 that through many tribulations 318 00:12:56,019 --> 00:13:00,970 we must enter the Kingdom of God. 319 00:13:00,970 --> 00:13:02,849 I want you to be encouraged, saints, 320 00:13:02,849 --> 00:13:05,158 because chapter 11 has something better 321 00:13:05,158 --> 00:13:10,025 to offer than the removal of the fight. 322 00:13:10,025 --> 00:13:14,098 It has hope to conquer and finish well. 323 00:13:14,098 --> 00:13:15,969 Starting in v. 1, the writer gives us 324 00:13:15,969 --> 00:13:17,538 a definition of faith. 325 00:13:17,538 --> 00:13:19,633 It's not an all-encompassing definition, 326 00:13:19,633 --> 00:13:21,205 but he gives us a definition. 327 00:13:21,205 --> 00:13:22,561 And it says here that faith 328 00:13:22,561 --> 00:13:24,810 is the assurance of things hoped for, 329 00:13:24,810 --> 00:13:28,071 it is the conviction of things not seen. 330 00:13:28,071 --> 00:13:30,018 We have parallelism there, 331 00:13:30,018 --> 00:13:31,591 where the second stanza there 332 00:13:31,591 --> 00:13:34,421 gives a further insight to the first one. 333 00:13:34,421 --> 00:13:36,751 Faith is confident assurance 334 00:13:36,751 --> 00:13:38,439 in what we are hoping for 335 00:13:38,439 --> 00:13:41,079 and it is being certain 336 00:13:41,079 --> 00:13:44,672 of what we do not see. 337 00:13:44,672 --> 00:13:46,630 Do not be mistaken, beloved. 338 00:13:46,630 --> 00:13:50,074 Faith is not wishful thinking. 339 00:13:50,074 --> 00:13:52,496 Faith is not just hoping for the best. 340 00:13:52,496 --> 00:13:53,745 Faith is not saying, 341 00:13:53,745 --> 00:13:56,003 I hope it all turns out in the end. 342 00:13:56,003 --> 00:13:58,170 It is not speaking positive affirmations 343 00:13:58,170 --> 00:14:00,376 into your life. 344 00:14:00,376 --> 00:14:05,084 But rather, it is concerned with realities 345 00:14:05,084 --> 00:14:08,281 for the future. 346 00:14:08,281 --> 00:14:10,690 One brother put it this way: 347 00:14:10,690 --> 00:14:13,405 Christian faith is confident assurance 348 00:14:13,405 --> 00:14:15,122 and settled conviction 349 00:14:15,122 --> 00:14:17,966 that what is presently unseen 350 00:14:17,966 --> 00:14:19,713 regarding the future, 351 00:14:19,713 --> 00:14:21,689 but has been promised by God, 352 00:14:21,689 --> 00:14:24,665 will come to pass. 353 00:14:24,665 --> 00:14:26,514 Let me repeat that. 354 00:14:26,514 --> 00:14:28,933 Christian faith is confident assurance 355 00:14:28,933 --> 00:14:30,447 and a settled conviction 356 00:14:30,447 --> 00:14:32,855 that what is presently unseen 357 00:14:32,855 --> 00:14:34,386 regarding the future, 358 00:14:34,386 --> 00:14:36,261 but has been promised by God, 359 00:14:36,261 --> 00:14:39,830 it will come to pass. 360 00:14:39,830 --> 00:14:41,428 The faith of the true Christian 361 00:14:41,428 --> 00:14:42,697 which is given by God 362 00:14:42,697 --> 00:14:45,485 is so assured and settled 363 00:14:45,485 --> 00:14:47,098 regarding the future 364 00:14:47,098 --> 00:14:48,996 because of the promises given 365 00:14:48,996 --> 00:14:50,584 and the faithfulness of the One 366 00:14:50,584 --> 00:14:51,865 Who has given them, 367 00:14:51,865 --> 00:14:53,360 and the reliability of the One 368 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:54,366 Who has given them, 369 00:14:54,366 --> 00:14:56,167 that it actually transforms 370 00:14:56,167 --> 00:14:58,731 how we live in the present. 371 00:14:58,731 --> 00:15:00,805 In other words, think of it this way. 372 00:15:00,805 --> 00:15:03,608 In faith, we are so assured 373 00:15:03,608 --> 00:15:05,788 that what God has promised for the future 374 00:15:05,788 --> 00:15:07,247 and we lay hold of that, 375 00:15:07,247 --> 00:15:10,225 that it actually changes how I choose and act 376 00:15:10,225 --> 00:15:15,998 today in the present. 377 00:15:15,998 --> 00:15:18,116 And brethren, we know this. 378 00:15:18,116 --> 00:15:21,173 If your faith does not change 379 00:15:21,173 --> 00:15:23,227 how you act; 380 00:15:23,227 --> 00:15:27,005 if your faith does not produce works, 381 00:15:27,005 --> 00:15:29,836 it is dead. 382 00:15:29,836 --> 00:15:35,115 It must change how we live. 383 00:15:35,115 --> 00:15:37,536 Now in v. 2, the writer says, 384 00:15:37,536 --> 00:15:39,520 "the people of old were commended 385 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:41,749 for their faith." 386 00:15:41,749 --> 00:15:43,723 Who commended them? 387 00:15:43,723 --> 00:15:45,694 God did. 388 00:15:45,694 --> 00:15:47,861 God commended them for their faith. 389 00:15:47,861 --> 00:15:49,838 And this is important because right away 390 00:15:49,838 --> 00:15:51,765 this is already encouraging for those 391 00:15:51,765 --> 00:15:53,947 who are facing this fight of faith 392 00:15:53,947 --> 00:15:55,469 to endure to the end. 393 00:15:55,469 --> 00:15:56,674 Brothers and sisters, 394 00:15:56,674 --> 00:16:01,167 they probably will not write books about us 395 00:16:01,167 --> 00:16:08,509 and our steps of faith in this life. 396 00:16:08,509 --> 00:16:10,834 But it teaches us here that even when 397 00:16:10,834 --> 00:16:14,615 we take steps of faith, 398 00:16:14,615 --> 00:16:17,158 privately, moment by moment, 399 00:16:17,158 --> 00:16:18,392 in our heart, 400 00:16:18,392 --> 00:16:20,327 turning away from sin 401 00:16:20,327 --> 00:16:23,994 and turning to our Lord, 402 00:16:23,994 --> 00:16:27,461 that God sees it. 403 00:16:27,461 --> 00:16:30,061 In fact, in v. 6 it tells us without faith 404 00:16:30,061 --> 00:16:32,709 we cannot please God. 405 00:16:32,709 --> 00:16:34,664 Which tells us this, 406 00:16:34,664 --> 00:16:38,704 that when we in our moment-by-moment lives 407 00:16:38,704 --> 00:16:40,905 turn from sin and temptation 408 00:16:40,905 --> 00:16:44,120 and continue to express our faith in God, 409 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,709 that it pleases the Lord. 410 00:16:46,709 --> 00:16:49,516 That's encouraging to me. 411 00:16:49,516 --> 00:16:50,931 Your steps of faith are 412 00:16:50,931 --> 00:16:53,381 not unrecognized or unknown. 413 00:16:53,381 --> 00:16:56,689 The Lord sees them. 414 00:16:56,689 --> 00:17:01,249 Now what the writer does here in v. 4-38, 415 00:17:01,249 --> 00:17:04,323 he gives us examples of faith; 416 00:17:04,323 --> 00:17:09,011 examples of persevering faith. 417 00:17:09,011 --> 00:17:10,396 I want you to remember 418 00:17:10,396 --> 00:17:13,247 before we look at two of them briefly, 419 00:17:13,247 --> 00:17:17,729 the goal of the writer in Hebrews 10-11 420 00:17:17,729 --> 00:17:19,891 is to encourage Christians 421 00:17:19,891 --> 00:17:24,629 to persevere and endure to the end. 422 00:17:24,629 --> 00:17:26,343 The examples we're going to look at 423 00:17:26,343 --> 00:17:28,088 are found in v. 8-10. 424 00:17:28,088 --> 00:17:29,760 I want you to look at two things 425 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:31,029 I'm going to point out. 426 00:17:31,029 --> 00:17:32,405 There's much to point out. 427 00:17:32,405 --> 00:17:34,867 I'm only going to focus on two for right now. 428 00:17:34,867 --> 00:17:37,056 First, I want you to take note of this. 429 00:17:37,056 --> 00:17:41,996 That their faith produces obedience. 430 00:17:41,996 --> 00:17:43,998 Their faith produces works, 431 00:17:43,998 --> 00:17:45,961 actions, decisions 432 00:17:45,961 --> 00:17:48,498 in the present reality. 433 00:17:48,498 --> 00:17:50,596 Second, note this: 434 00:17:50,596 --> 00:17:52,833 When they are faced with a testing 435 00:17:52,833 --> 00:17:54,136 of their faith, 436 00:17:54,136 --> 00:17:56,129 I want us to take notice together 437 00:17:56,129 --> 00:17:59,816 what it is that they set their eyes upon 438 00:17:59,816 --> 00:18:03,673 before they act or ask they are acting. 439 00:18:03,673 --> 00:18:06,180 First, v. 8-10 again. 440 00:18:06,180 --> 00:18:08,592 "By faith, Abraham obeyed 441 00:18:08,592 --> 00:18:10,838 when he was called to go to a place 442 00:18:10,838 --> 00:18:13,120 that he was to receive an inheritance. 443 00:18:13,120 --> 00:18:14,241 And he went out, 444 00:18:14,241 --> 00:18:16,139 not knowing where he was going. 445 00:18:16,139 --> 00:18:17,827 By faith, he went to live 446 00:18:17,827 --> 00:18:19,045 in the land of promise, 447 00:18:19,045 --> 00:18:21,010 as in a foreign land, 448 00:18:21,010 --> 00:18:23,311 living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 449 00:18:23,311 --> 00:18:25,404 heirs with him in the same promise. 450 00:18:25,404 --> 00:18:27,551 For he was looking forward to the city 451 00:18:27,551 --> 00:18:29,660 that has foundations whose designer 452 00:18:29,660 --> 00:18:32,852 and builder is God." 453 00:18:32,852 --> 00:18:34,755 By faith, Abraham did what? 454 00:18:34,755 --> 00:18:35,926 He obeyed. 455 00:18:35,926 --> 00:18:39,069 His faith brought about obedience. 456 00:18:39,069 --> 00:18:41,372 He couldn't see with his physical eyes, 457 00:18:41,372 --> 00:18:43,600 but trusting in the promises of God 458 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:45,636 with the eyes of the faith of his heart, 459 00:18:45,636 --> 00:18:47,154 it says in v. 8, 460 00:18:47,154 --> 00:18:48,433 he went out. 461 00:18:48,433 --> 00:18:49,533 It says in v. 9, 462 00:18:49,533 --> 00:18:51,805 that he lived in the land of promise. 463 00:18:51,805 --> 00:18:53,339 And I want you to know this, 464 00:18:53,339 --> 00:18:54,885 these acts of faith, 465 00:18:54,885 --> 00:18:56,367 these steps of obedience 466 00:18:56,367 --> 00:18:57,522 caused by faith, 467 00:18:57,522 --> 00:19:00,793 they were costly to Abraham. 468 00:19:00,793 --> 00:19:03,307 He left everything he knew 469 00:19:03,307 --> 00:19:06,361 to obey God and go. 470 00:19:06,361 --> 00:19:08,972 He turned away from everything he knew 471 00:19:08,972 --> 00:19:13,046 and went where God called him to go. 472 00:19:13,046 --> 00:19:14,806 Now, what did Abraham look at 473 00:19:14,806 --> 00:19:16,160 with the eyes of faith? 474 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:17,795 In other words, how was he able 475 00:19:17,795 --> 00:19:20,709 to persevere in the midst of this testing? 476 00:19:20,709 --> 00:19:22,033 Look at v. 10. 477 00:19:22,033 --> 00:19:24,426 "For he was looking forward 478 00:19:24,426 --> 00:19:26,017 (those are the eyes of faith; 479 00:19:26,017 --> 00:19:27,309 things unseen) 480 00:19:27,309 --> 00:19:29,676 to the city that has foundations 481 00:19:29,676 --> 00:19:35,169 whose designer and builder is God." 482 00:19:35,169 --> 00:19:36,450 What was he trusting in? 483 00:19:36,450 --> 00:19:39,628 A promise made by God. 484 00:19:39,628 --> 00:19:41,910 He trusted in God's faithfulness 485 00:19:41,910 --> 00:19:43,876 and therefore trusted the promise, 486 00:19:43,876 --> 00:19:45,298 and based upon that, 487 00:19:45,298 --> 00:19:48,346 he acted in faith. 488 00:19:48,346 --> 00:19:50,065 He was sure of things that he could 489 00:19:50,065 --> 00:19:51,411 not presently see, 490 00:19:51,411 --> 00:19:52,988 but he was so convinced 491 00:19:52,988 --> 00:19:54,841 by the trustworthiness of God 492 00:19:54,841 --> 00:19:56,724 and the promises that were made to him, 493 00:19:56,724 --> 00:19:58,505 he took an act of faith, 494 00:19:58,505 --> 00:20:02,172 and he believed God and he went. 495 00:20:02,172 --> 00:20:06,714 One more example in v. 24-26. 496 00:20:06,714 --> 00:20:08,795 "By faith, Moses when he was growing up 497 00:20:08,795 --> 00:20:12,254 refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, 498 00:20:12,254 --> 00:20:14,200 choosing rather to be mistreated 499 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:15,452 with the people of God 500 00:20:15,452 --> 00:20:18,665 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 501 00:20:18,665 --> 00:20:20,785 He considered the reproach of Christ 502 00:20:20,785 --> 00:20:23,953 greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 503 00:20:23,953 --> 00:20:28,123 for he was looking to the reward." 504 00:20:28,123 --> 00:20:30,753 Moses had all that the world could offer him 505 00:20:30,753 --> 00:20:33,095 sitting freely at his feet. 506 00:20:33,095 --> 00:20:34,809 But by faith, it says, 507 00:20:34,809 --> 00:20:37,405 he acted and he chose. 508 00:20:37,405 --> 00:20:39,247 He chose to align himself 509 00:20:39,247 --> 00:20:40,916 with the people of God 510 00:20:40,916 --> 00:20:44,200 rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 511 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:48,184 How did he do that? 512 00:20:48,184 --> 00:20:52,814 V. 26 "He considered the reproach of Christ 513 00:20:52,814 --> 00:20:56,060 greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. 514 00:20:56,060 --> 00:21:02,011 For he was looking to the reward." 515 00:21:02,011 --> 00:21:04,947 God's promise regarding the future 516 00:21:04,947 --> 00:21:08,291 is what Moses casts his eyes upon, 517 00:21:08,291 --> 00:21:11,405 and in seeing the reward that was promised 518 00:21:11,405 --> 00:21:14,519 and laid hold of in faith, 519 00:21:14,519 --> 00:21:17,087 he chose to turn away 520 00:21:17,087 --> 00:21:19,352 from all that was before him - 521 00:21:19,352 --> 00:21:22,179 the fleeting pleasures of sin. 522 00:21:22,179 --> 00:21:24,556 Moses was convinced, certain, 523 00:21:24,556 --> 00:21:26,371 that he had settled conviction 524 00:21:26,371 --> 00:21:30,203 regarding God's promise. 525 00:21:30,203 --> 00:21:31,893 There are a lot more examples 526 00:21:31,893 --> 00:21:33,174 here in chapter 11 527 00:21:33,174 --> 00:21:34,542 that we could go through, 528 00:21:34,542 --> 00:21:36,859 but we would keep seeing the same thing. 529 00:21:36,859 --> 00:21:39,095 Men and women believing in God 530 00:21:39,095 --> 00:21:40,671 and His faithfulness, 531 00:21:40,671 --> 00:21:43,459 therefore being convinced of the promises 532 00:21:43,459 --> 00:21:45,006 and the reward of the future, 533 00:21:45,006 --> 00:21:46,570 and in light of that, 534 00:21:46,570 --> 00:21:53,786 choosing in the present to obey God. 535 00:21:53,786 --> 00:21:57,556 You say, how is that encouraging? 536 00:21:57,556 --> 00:21:59,082 Because I don't know about you - 537 00:21:59,082 --> 00:22:02,678 I'm going to be real candid with you here. 538 00:22:02,678 --> 00:22:08,591 Sometimes I read through Hebrews 11:4-38 539 00:22:08,591 --> 00:22:10,162 and I see these acts of faith, 540 00:22:10,162 --> 00:22:15,443 and I say, wow, those are some faithful people. 541 00:22:15,443 --> 00:22:18,240 But instead of encouraging, 542 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:20,928 it can be discouraging. 543 00:22:20,928 --> 00:22:22,375 Why would it be discouraging? 544 00:22:22,375 --> 00:22:24,013 Because I look at my own life 545 00:22:24,013 --> 00:22:25,502 and you look at your own life, 546 00:22:25,502 --> 00:22:27,471 and you see doubting of God 547 00:22:27,471 --> 00:22:29,164 and not responding in faith 548 00:22:29,164 --> 00:22:32,242 in situations that are way less 549 00:22:32,242 --> 00:22:34,165 than what these people were tested in, 550 00:22:34,165 --> 00:22:35,779 and they are prevailing in faith 551 00:22:35,779 --> 00:22:37,615 and I'm faltering in faith 552 00:22:37,615 --> 00:22:42,092 in way smaller calls of obedience. 553 00:22:42,092 --> 00:22:44,826 How is this encouraging? 554 00:22:44,826 --> 00:22:51,507 Sometimes it can discourage us even more. 555 00:22:51,507 --> 00:22:53,303 You begin to think if I'm struggling 556 00:22:53,303 --> 00:22:56,627 in smaller tests of faith, 557 00:22:56,627 --> 00:23:01,968 and no one's asked me to sacrifice my kids yet; 558 00:23:01,968 --> 00:23:03,653 no one's asked me to march around 559 00:23:03,653 --> 00:23:06,303 the city with walls; 560 00:23:06,303 --> 00:23:08,468 I'm not being flogged, chained, 561 00:23:08,468 --> 00:23:13,128 imprisoned or sawn in two. 562 00:23:13,128 --> 00:23:15,134 Is there hope for me? 563 00:23:15,134 --> 00:23:18,258 Because I'm failing at the smaller tests of faith. 564 00:23:18,258 --> 00:23:22,159 And these examples put before me 565 00:23:22,159 --> 00:23:26,427 are believing in the greater tests of faith. 566 00:23:26,427 --> 00:23:27,847 I want you to know, beloved, 567 00:23:27,847 --> 00:23:30,860 this way of thinking about this chapter 568 00:23:30,860 --> 00:23:32,773 is the exact opposite of what the writer 569 00:23:32,773 --> 00:23:34,722 wants to do in you 570 00:23:34,722 --> 00:23:36,846 and to do in me. 571 00:23:36,846 --> 00:23:38,529 I want you to know that the chapter 572 00:23:38,529 --> 00:23:45,156 does not end in v. 38. 573 00:23:45,156 --> 00:23:46,500 It doesn't end with looking 574 00:23:46,500 --> 00:23:49,758 at these examples. 575 00:23:49,758 --> 00:23:51,405 You say, well, where does it go? 576 00:23:51,405 --> 00:23:55,163 Well, look at v. 39 with me. 577 00:23:55,163 --> 00:23:58,276 And all these - the examples in v. 4-38 - 578 00:23:58,276 --> 00:24:00,311 "though commended through their faith, 579 00:24:00,311 --> 00:24:07,304 did not receive what was promised." 580 00:24:07,304 --> 00:24:09,095 What does that mean? 581 00:24:09,095 --> 00:24:11,725 Are they saved? Yeah. 582 00:24:11,725 --> 00:24:14,735 Are they in heaven? Yes. 583 00:24:14,735 --> 00:24:16,522 They demonstrated faith. 584 00:24:16,522 --> 00:24:18,265 They were commended through it. 585 00:24:18,265 --> 00:24:21,754 But they did not receive what was promised. 586 00:24:21,754 --> 00:24:24,154 These people of old were trusting 587 00:24:24,154 --> 00:24:27,095 in the redeeming promises of God, 588 00:24:27,095 --> 00:24:28,513 but they never saw 589 00:24:28,513 --> 00:24:36,383 God's plan of redemption unfold completely. 590 00:24:36,383 --> 00:24:38,336 In fact, Peter tells us that 591 00:24:38,336 --> 00:24:41,125 those of the Old Testament, 592 00:24:41,125 --> 00:24:44,769 the prophets searched and inquired 593 00:24:44,769 --> 00:24:48,605 to see how this would be unfolded. 594 00:24:48,605 --> 00:24:50,678 Look back at chapter 11:13, 595 00:24:50,678 --> 00:24:52,566 it says these all died - 596 00:24:52,566 --> 00:24:54,776 they died believing, persevering to the end, 597 00:24:54,776 --> 00:24:57,285 but not having received the things promised, 598 00:24:57,285 --> 00:24:58,250 but what? 599 00:24:58,250 --> 00:25:03,840 Having seen them and greeted them afar. 600 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:07,412 God made promises to them. 601 00:25:07,412 --> 00:25:08,797 They were afar. 602 00:25:08,797 --> 00:25:11,703 They couldn't see the clarity of the promise. 603 00:25:11,703 --> 00:25:15,144 They trusted in God because of His faithfulness. 604 00:25:15,144 --> 00:25:16,880 And then believing in that promise 605 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:18,047 to be fulfilled, 606 00:25:18,047 --> 00:25:25,113 they acted in faith and endured to the end. 607 00:25:25,113 --> 00:25:32,488 But they were promises of anticipation. 608 00:25:32,488 --> 00:25:34,471 These saints of old had promises, 609 00:25:34,471 --> 00:25:35,616 but they looked at them 610 00:25:35,616 --> 00:25:39,885 through lenses of types and shadows. 611 00:25:39,885 --> 00:25:42,115 And yet by God's grace and God's power 612 00:25:42,115 --> 00:25:44,174 they were able to act in faith, 613 00:25:44,174 --> 00:25:46,210 holding fast to the promises 614 00:25:46,210 --> 00:25:51,911 that were unfulfilled in their lifetime. 615 00:25:51,911 --> 00:25:53,361 You say what kind of promises 616 00:25:53,361 --> 00:25:55,008 did He make to them? 617 00:25:55,008 --> 00:25:58,660 Do you remember in Genesis 22:18? 618 00:25:58,660 --> 00:26:00,856 Where it says, "In your offspring 619 00:26:00,856 --> 00:26:04,715 shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." 620 00:26:04,715 --> 00:26:06,672 And when you read Paul's account of that 621 00:26:06,672 --> 00:26:08,787 in Galatians 3, 622 00:26:08,787 --> 00:26:10,835 it says this, "And the Scripture, 623 00:26:10,835 --> 00:26:12,888 foreseeing that God would justify 624 00:26:12,888 --> 00:26:14,512 the Gentiles by faith, 625 00:26:14,512 --> 00:26:17,176 preached the Gospel beforehand 626 00:26:17,176 --> 00:26:19,388 to Abraham, 627 00:26:19,388 --> 00:26:21,284 saying in you, all the nations 628 00:26:21,284 --> 00:26:24,668 shall be blessed." 629 00:26:24,668 --> 00:26:26,641 They believed in a future hope 630 00:26:26,641 --> 00:26:27,796 of redemption, 631 00:26:27,796 --> 00:26:30,369 but never saw it fulfilled. 632 00:26:30,369 --> 00:26:32,875 They trusted in that and they were saved. 633 00:26:32,875 --> 00:26:36,660 You say well how does that encourage us? 634 00:26:36,660 --> 00:26:39,711 Because of v. 40. 635 00:26:39,711 --> 00:26:41,739 "Since God has provided 636 00:26:41,739 --> 00:26:45,723 something better for us, 637 00:26:45,723 --> 00:26:47,726 that apart from us, they should not be 638 00:26:47,726 --> 00:26:50,184 made perfect." 639 00:26:50,184 --> 00:26:51,900 Saints, be encouraged, 640 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:54,825 because if in looking to God, 641 00:26:54,825 --> 00:26:57,980 the saints of old held fast to promises 642 00:26:57,980 --> 00:26:59,791 of anticipation, 643 00:26:59,791 --> 00:27:02,605 and based upon that responded in faith, 644 00:27:02,605 --> 00:27:05,356 and when facing death and many trials, 645 00:27:05,356 --> 00:27:08,935 we have it better, it says. 646 00:27:08,935 --> 00:27:10,752 Why do we have it better? 647 00:27:10,752 --> 00:27:13,067 Because we are not looking at promises 648 00:27:13,067 --> 00:27:16,367 of anticipation and to be fulfilled, 649 00:27:16,367 --> 00:27:18,409 but we are looking at promises 650 00:27:18,409 --> 00:27:24,253 accomplished and secured. 651 00:27:24,253 --> 00:27:26,523 If the saints of old who have gone before us 652 00:27:26,523 --> 00:27:27,935 can endure to the end 653 00:27:27,935 --> 00:27:30,928 and finish the race by God's grace, 654 00:27:30,928 --> 00:27:34,016 and looking at promises anticipated, 655 00:27:34,016 --> 00:27:35,538 there's hope for us, 656 00:27:35,538 --> 00:27:37,804 because the grace of God is the same, 657 00:27:37,804 --> 00:27:39,468 but we have it better 658 00:27:39,468 --> 00:27:41,479 because we are looking at promises 659 00:27:41,479 --> 00:27:44,668 already secured. 660 00:27:44,668 --> 00:27:47,494 How are those promises secured? 661 00:27:47,494 --> 00:27:51,054 In the person and work of Jesus Christ. 662 00:27:51,054 --> 00:27:54,826 In His death, burial, and resurrection 663 00:27:54,826 --> 00:27:57,487 was secured all the promises 664 00:27:57,487 --> 00:27:59,322 that God has made regarding 665 00:27:59,322 --> 00:28:02,348 His redemptive plan. 666 00:28:02,348 --> 00:28:03,871 So where they by faith 667 00:28:03,871 --> 00:28:05,288 believed God's promises 668 00:28:05,288 --> 00:28:09,607 looking forward but never saw it fulfilled, 669 00:28:09,607 --> 00:28:11,640 we now by faith trust in God 670 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:12,751 and His promises, 671 00:28:12,751 --> 00:28:14,079 but we look back, 672 00:28:14,079 --> 00:28:15,434 and now it is better 673 00:28:15,434 --> 00:28:16,712 because we see them 674 00:28:16,712 --> 00:28:22,900 fulfilled and secured in Jesus Christ. 675 00:28:22,900 --> 00:28:24,179 I don't know about you, 676 00:28:24,179 --> 00:28:27,711 but that gives me a lot of hope. 677 00:28:27,711 --> 00:28:32,305 Because the purpose of Hebrews 11 678 00:28:32,305 --> 00:28:33,736 is not that you would look at 679 00:28:33,736 --> 00:28:35,548 these examples of old 680 00:28:35,548 --> 00:28:37,446 and compare yourself or your faith 681 00:28:37,446 --> 00:28:39,740 to how they acted, 682 00:28:39,740 --> 00:28:41,180 but you would see them 683 00:28:41,180 --> 00:28:43,874 as testimonies of people 684 00:28:43,874 --> 00:28:47,000 who did believe in God to the end. 685 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,735 And they proved God's faithfulness. 686 00:28:49,735 --> 00:28:51,858 But the purpose of Hebrews 11 687 00:28:51,858 --> 00:28:54,399 is to point to them as examples 688 00:28:54,399 --> 00:28:56,708 that we can look at and see that yes, 689 00:28:56,708 --> 00:28:58,103 they made the right choices 690 00:28:58,103 --> 00:28:59,634 and God is faithful to those 691 00:28:59,634 --> 00:29:01,316 who endure to the end, 692 00:29:01,316 --> 00:29:03,196 but the purpose of Hebrews 11 693 00:29:03,196 --> 00:29:04,980 is actually to encourage you 694 00:29:04,980 --> 00:29:07,487 that you now, this side of the cross, 695 00:29:07,487 --> 00:29:10,995 you've got it even better. 696 00:29:10,995 --> 00:29:13,926 Don't just fixate on the examples before us. 697 00:29:13,926 --> 00:29:15,764 Look at them. See that they made it 698 00:29:15,764 --> 00:29:17,296 to the end believing in God, 699 00:29:17,296 --> 00:29:18,781 but now recognize this. 700 00:29:18,781 --> 00:29:27,622 We, here, this side have it better. 701 00:29:27,622 --> 00:29:30,544 One brother put it this way: 702 00:29:30,544 --> 00:29:35,519 What's easier to lay hold of and trust? 703 00:29:35,519 --> 00:29:39,071 If I tell you I'm going to buy you a house 704 00:29:39,071 --> 00:29:41,896 and I say just trust me? 705 00:29:41,896 --> 00:29:45,681 Or if I tell you I'm going to buy you a house, 706 00:29:45,681 --> 00:29:47,755 and I hold up the deed 707 00:29:47,755 --> 00:29:50,898 and it says "paid in full" 708 00:29:50,898 --> 00:29:54,530 with your name at the bottom. 709 00:29:54,530 --> 00:29:57,378 That's easier to trust. 710 00:29:57,378 --> 00:29:58,731 Paid in full. 711 00:29:58,731 --> 00:30:00,768 My name's on the bottom. 712 00:30:00,768 --> 00:30:03,140 It's easier to believe. 713 00:30:03,140 --> 00:30:04,902 It's not that God's promises 714 00:30:04,902 --> 00:30:06,263 to the old saints 715 00:30:06,263 --> 00:30:07,515 were insufficient. 716 00:30:07,515 --> 00:30:09,938 It is that we on this side now 717 00:30:09,938 --> 00:30:11,611 look at those promises 718 00:30:11,611 --> 00:30:15,258 and it says "paid in full." 719 00:30:15,258 --> 00:30:17,694 And it has your name on it. 720 00:30:17,694 --> 00:30:23,168 That's trustworthy. 721 00:30:23,168 --> 00:30:25,675 We saints have been provided 722 00:30:25,675 --> 00:30:28,641 something better. 723 00:30:28,641 --> 00:30:30,112 And that's why Paul says 724 00:30:30,112 --> 00:30:33,332 in 2 Corinthians 1:20, 725 00:30:33,332 --> 00:30:36,673 "All the promises of God 726 00:30:36,673 --> 00:30:39,799 find their 'yes' and 'amen' 727 00:30:39,799 --> 00:30:43,783 in Jesus Christ. 728 00:30:43,783 --> 00:30:47,177 It has been made clear to us, saints. 729 00:30:47,177 --> 00:30:49,782 And you might say, well, Jesse, 730 00:30:49,782 --> 00:30:51,785 I see that we have it better. 731 00:30:51,785 --> 00:30:53,931 I see that we have it more clear. 732 00:30:53,931 --> 00:30:56,118 I see that the promises have been secured 733 00:30:56,118 --> 00:30:59,088 in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 734 00:30:59,088 --> 00:31:06,580 Then why do I still struggle? 735 00:31:06,580 --> 00:31:12,065 That's why he wrote chapter 12:1-2. 736 00:31:12,065 --> 00:31:13,743 "Therefore, since we are surrounded 737 00:31:13,743 --> 00:31:16,126 by so great a cloud of witnesses, 738 00:31:16,126 --> 00:31:18,605 let us lay aside every weight and sin 739 00:31:18,605 --> 00:31:20,325 which clings so closely, 740 00:31:20,325 --> 00:31:21,865 and let us run with endurance 741 00:31:21,865 --> 00:31:24,284 the race that is set before us." 742 00:31:24,284 --> 00:31:26,026 What's the purpose of mentioning 743 00:31:26,026 --> 00:31:28,099 the Old Testament saints? 744 00:31:28,099 --> 00:31:29,318 They are testimonies 745 00:31:29,318 --> 00:31:31,602 that a life in faith to God 746 00:31:31,602 --> 00:31:35,103 never disappoints in the end. 747 00:31:35,103 --> 00:31:36,673 Have you ever in your life 748 00:31:36,673 --> 00:31:39,422 chosen to respond in faith 749 00:31:39,422 --> 00:31:42,210 to God's promises and turn from sin, 750 00:31:42,210 --> 00:31:45,041 and after that, been disappointed? 751 00:31:45,041 --> 00:31:48,175 Never once has the believer done that. 752 00:31:48,175 --> 00:31:49,937 These lives of these people 753 00:31:49,937 --> 00:31:51,025 who went before us 754 00:31:51,025 --> 00:31:53,646 bear witness that if we choose Christ 755 00:31:53,646 --> 00:31:55,495 and continue to choose Christ 756 00:31:55,495 --> 00:31:56,799 that in the end, 757 00:31:56,799 --> 00:32:02,594 it goes well for us. 758 00:32:02,594 --> 00:32:04,949 They testify to the faithfulness of God 759 00:32:04,949 --> 00:32:06,449 for those who trust in Him 760 00:32:06,449 --> 00:32:09,947 and look to Him until the end. 761 00:32:09,947 --> 00:32:11,644 And in seeing them and knowing 762 00:32:11,644 --> 00:32:14,408 we've been provided with something better, 763 00:32:14,408 --> 00:32:18,012 we should be encouraged and compelled 764 00:32:18,012 --> 00:32:19,575 to do what here? 765 00:32:19,575 --> 00:32:23,127 To lay aside every weight and sin 766 00:32:23,127 --> 00:32:26,784 which so easily besets us. 767 00:32:26,784 --> 00:32:29,681 One of the reasons we still struggle 768 00:32:29,681 --> 00:32:35,711 is because we have weights in our life. 769 00:32:35,711 --> 00:32:37,654 In comparing it to the athletic event, 770 00:32:37,654 --> 00:32:40,044 what do weights do? 771 00:32:40,044 --> 00:32:42,371 If you're running a race? 772 00:32:42,371 --> 00:32:45,507 They slow you down. 773 00:32:45,507 --> 00:32:47,039 In all of our lives here today, 774 00:32:47,039 --> 00:32:48,166 there are weights. 775 00:32:48,166 --> 00:32:50,254 Some of them, in and of themselves, 776 00:32:50,254 --> 00:32:52,538 not sinful. 777 00:32:52,538 --> 00:32:54,782 But they become sinful 778 00:32:54,782 --> 00:32:56,960 because they distract you 779 00:32:56,960 --> 00:32:59,005 from the object of our faith 780 00:32:59,005 --> 00:33:02,072 which is Jesus Christ. 781 00:33:02,072 --> 00:33:04,373 They keep us from the 782 00:33:04,373 --> 00:33:06,508 disciplines of grace, 783 00:33:06,508 --> 00:33:08,229 the means of grace 784 00:33:08,229 --> 00:33:09,611 God has given 785 00:33:09,611 --> 00:33:12,669 to see and savor Jesus more and more. 786 00:33:12,669 --> 00:33:14,499 And that's one of the reasons 787 00:33:14,499 --> 00:33:16,164 we still struggle even though 788 00:33:16,164 --> 00:33:18,861 we have it better. 789 00:33:18,861 --> 00:33:20,745 We struggle because we're weighed down 790 00:33:20,745 --> 00:33:22,386 in this fight of faith. 791 00:33:22,386 --> 00:33:26,092 And beloved, we need to lay aside 792 00:33:26,092 --> 00:33:27,597 these weights. 793 00:33:27,597 --> 00:33:29,342 But there's one more reason given 794 00:33:29,342 --> 00:33:30,381 that we struggle, 795 00:33:30,381 --> 00:33:32,307 and we'll end with this. 796 00:33:32,307 --> 00:33:34,584 The other reason that we struggle 797 00:33:34,584 --> 00:33:36,005 in the fight of faith 798 00:33:36,005 --> 00:33:40,481 to endure to the end, 799 00:33:40,481 --> 00:33:42,225 is because we have the wrong 800 00:33:42,225 --> 00:33:47,069 object of faith. 801 00:33:47,069 --> 00:33:48,867 In v. 2, it says, 802 00:33:48,867 --> 00:33:51,753 "looking to Jesus, 803 00:33:51,753 --> 00:33:54,839 the founder and perfecter of our faith, 804 00:33:54,839 --> 00:33:57,041 Who for the joy that was set before Him 805 00:33:57,041 --> 00:33:59,973 endured the cross despising the shame 806 00:33:59,973 --> 00:34:02,010 and is seated at the right hand 807 00:34:02,010 --> 00:34:04,270 of the throne of God." 808 00:34:04,270 --> 00:34:06,054 A huge mistake we all make 809 00:34:06,054 --> 00:34:07,724 in the fight of faith 810 00:34:07,724 --> 00:34:10,991 in this race that we are all in 811 00:34:10,991 --> 00:34:15,103 is looking at others around us. 812 00:34:15,103 --> 00:34:18,129 Or maybe being fixated on the examples 813 00:34:18,129 --> 00:34:20,333 that were set before us. 814 00:34:20,333 --> 00:34:21,774 You are not supposed to look 815 00:34:21,774 --> 00:34:22,995 at the saints of old 816 00:34:22,995 --> 00:34:24,482 and be locked in on them 817 00:34:24,482 --> 00:34:26,833 and then compare yourself to them. 818 00:34:26,833 --> 00:34:28,907 They are testimonies of what choosing 819 00:34:28,907 --> 00:34:30,688 faith will be in the end. 820 00:34:30,688 --> 00:34:33,794 But you're not to stay fixated upon them. 821 00:34:33,794 --> 00:34:35,657 But often we read testimonies of old, 822 00:34:35,657 --> 00:34:38,026 or we look at brothers and sisters around us, 823 00:34:38,026 --> 00:34:39,577 and we say my faith is weak, 824 00:34:39,577 --> 00:34:40,586 not like theirs, 825 00:34:40,586 --> 00:34:44,069 and we become discouraged. 826 00:34:44,069 --> 00:34:47,327 One of the problems is the object of our faith. 827 00:34:47,327 --> 00:34:49,057 What other objects do we look at 828 00:34:49,057 --> 00:34:51,225 in our faith? 829 00:34:51,225 --> 00:34:55,303 Ourselves. 830 00:34:55,303 --> 00:34:57,453 Ourselves. 831 00:34:57,453 --> 00:35:00,348 What do you mean by that? 832 00:35:00,348 --> 00:35:01,855 Because we are given the onus 833 00:35:01,855 --> 00:35:04,069 and the responsibility and the command 834 00:35:04,069 --> 00:35:05,262 to endure to the end, 835 00:35:05,262 --> 00:35:07,851 to persevere. 836 00:35:07,851 --> 00:35:09,673 And we look at ourselves 837 00:35:09,673 --> 00:35:11,379 and we try to conjure up 838 00:35:11,379 --> 00:35:15,164 enough faith to make it to the end. 839 00:35:15,164 --> 00:35:16,791 But see, when you're the one 840 00:35:16,791 --> 00:35:18,357 that's conjuring up enough faith 841 00:35:18,357 --> 00:35:20,092 as you look within, 842 00:35:20,092 --> 00:35:23,018 do you know where your faith is lying then? 843 00:35:23,018 --> 00:35:26,788 It's lying in you and your own faith. 844 00:35:26,788 --> 00:35:28,345 We are not called to have faith 845 00:35:28,345 --> 00:35:30,750 in our faith. 846 00:35:30,750 --> 00:35:32,947 There is a different object of faith 847 00:35:32,947 --> 00:35:34,659 that the writer of Hebrews 848 00:35:34,659 --> 00:35:37,601 is pleading with you here in v. 2 849 00:35:37,601 --> 00:35:40,293 to make the object of your faith. 850 00:35:40,293 --> 00:35:43,306 He says, "looking to Jesus." 851 00:35:43,306 --> 00:35:44,675 Present active. 852 00:35:44,675 --> 00:35:50,343 Continually looking at Jesus Christ. 853 00:35:50,343 --> 00:35:52,472 If we're going to persevere to the end, 854 00:35:52,472 --> 00:35:54,695 we all must be constantly, 855 00:35:54,695 --> 00:35:57,140 continually and pointedly 856 00:35:57,140 --> 00:35:59,535 looking at Jesus Christ, 857 00:35:59,535 --> 00:36:01,864 and removing anything from our lives 858 00:36:01,864 --> 00:36:04,849 that distracts this view right here, 859 00:36:04,849 --> 00:36:06,473 or keeps us from it. 860 00:36:06,473 --> 00:36:10,164 He has gone before us as a forerunner. 861 00:36:10,164 --> 00:36:12,109 He was perfect in faith. 862 00:36:12,109 --> 00:36:13,854 It says for the joy that was set 863 00:36:13,854 --> 00:36:16,214 before Him, He endured the cross. 864 00:36:16,214 --> 00:36:19,752 He's the perfect example and object of faith. 865 00:36:19,752 --> 00:36:22,441 One greater than Moses has come. 866 00:36:22,441 --> 00:36:25,312 One greater than Abraham has come. 867 00:36:25,312 --> 00:36:27,894 Do not fix your gaze upon Abraham. 868 00:36:27,894 --> 00:36:29,478 Upon Moses. 869 00:36:29,478 --> 00:36:30,711 Upon David. 870 00:36:30,711 --> 00:36:32,289 Or upon saints around you, 871 00:36:32,289 --> 00:36:33,908 or upon yourself. 872 00:36:33,908 --> 00:36:37,492 Fix your gaze upon Jesus Christ, 873 00:36:37,492 --> 00:36:42,814 the author and perfecter of our faith. 874 00:36:42,814 --> 00:36:44,914 Jesus has secured all the promises 875 00:36:44,914 --> 00:36:46,733 the Father has made through His Word 876 00:36:46,733 --> 00:36:48,503 to His chosen people. 877 00:36:48,503 --> 00:36:54,687 Through His life, death, burial, and resurrection. 878 00:36:54,687 --> 00:36:58,064 Let me exhort us here. 879 00:36:58,064 --> 00:37:00,562 How is faith developed? 880 00:37:00,562 --> 00:37:02,604 How does it grow? 881 00:37:02,604 --> 00:37:05,295 By becoming more and more 882 00:37:05,295 --> 00:37:10,284 preoccupied with the object of our faith. 883 00:37:10,284 --> 00:37:12,304 The more preoccupied you are 884 00:37:12,304 --> 00:37:15,560 with the object of our faith 885 00:37:15,560 --> 00:37:18,320 Jesus Christ, 886 00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:21,371 then the capacity to trust Him 887 00:37:21,371 --> 00:37:28,439 in greater situations will grow as well. 888 00:37:28,439 --> 00:37:32,419 He must remain preeminent in all things. 889 00:37:32,419 --> 00:37:35,220 Preachers, can I exhort you in this? 890 00:37:35,220 --> 00:37:38,571 He must be preeminent in all of your preaching. 891 00:37:38,571 --> 00:37:40,682 No matter where you're preaching from, 892 00:37:40,682 --> 00:37:43,090 I'm not saying that every verse 893 00:37:43,090 --> 00:37:44,536 is saying the name of Jesus, 894 00:37:44,536 --> 00:37:45,388 but I am saying 895 00:37:45,388 --> 00:37:48,296 this entire book has one message. 896 00:37:48,296 --> 00:37:50,155 God's redemptive plan for His people 897 00:37:50,155 --> 00:37:51,770 through Jesus Christ. 898 00:37:51,770 --> 00:37:53,303 And every story in this book 899 00:37:53,303 --> 00:37:55,882 points in some way to Jesus Christ. 900 00:37:55,882 --> 00:37:57,718 And that's why all of our preaching; 901 00:37:57,718 --> 00:37:59,425 that's why that exhortation 902 00:37:59,425 --> 00:38:01,821 of Hebrews 10 out on the door 903 00:38:01,821 --> 00:38:03,535 that as long as it's called 'today,' 904 00:38:03,535 --> 00:38:04,489 exhort one another. 905 00:38:04,489 --> 00:38:05,821 You know what we need to be 906 00:38:05,821 --> 00:38:07,170 exhorting one another in? 907 00:38:07,170 --> 00:38:09,962 In Jesus Christ, the author and finisher 908 00:38:09,962 --> 00:38:14,812 of our faith. 909 00:38:14,812 --> 00:38:16,259 As we grow deeper and deeper 910 00:38:16,259 --> 00:38:18,234 in the revelation of Jesus, 911 00:38:18,234 --> 00:38:21,550 our capacity to trust Him grows as well. 912 00:38:21,550 --> 00:38:22,905 Meaning what? 913 00:38:22,905 --> 00:38:25,035 In our moment-by-moment fight of faith, 914 00:38:25,035 --> 00:38:26,612 looking to Jesus, 915 00:38:26,612 --> 00:38:29,047 look at His perfected faith 916 00:38:29,047 --> 00:38:30,460 as our forerunner; 917 00:38:30,460 --> 00:38:32,073 look at His finished work. 918 00:38:32,073 --> 00:38:34,144 Look at His promises secured 919 00:38:34,144 --> 00:38:35,521 and His atoning death. 920 00:38:35,521 --> 00:38:37,257 And believe in His return 921 00:38:37,257 --> 00:38:39,029 will be the consummation 922 00:38:39,029 --> 00:38:42,484 of all that He's already secured for us. 923 00:38:42,484 --> 00:38:46,264 Lastly, looking to Christ does not, 924 00:38:46,264 --> 00:38:48,346 listen to me, 925 00:38:48,346 --> 00:38:50,132 getting your eyes off of yourself, 926 00:38:50,132 --> 00:38:52,377 and looking to Jesus Christ 927 00:38:52,377 --> 00:38:56,861 does not remove your responsibility 928 00:38:56,861 --> 00:38:59,588 to endure to the end - 929 00:38:59,588 --> 00:39:02,068 it enables it. 930 00:39:02,068 --> 00:39:05,358 It enables you to endure to the end. 931 00:39:05,358 --> 00:39:08,085 If you are not looking to Christ, 932 00:39:08,085 --> 00:39:10,983 you will not endure to the end. 933 00:39:10,983 --> 00:39:15,235 Our faith needs to be centered on one thing: 934 00:39:15,235 --> 00:39:19,505 Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 935 00:39:19,505 --> 00:39:20,946 I'm going to pray now. 936 00:39:20,946 --> 00:39:22,494 I'm going to pray according to 937 00:39:22,494 --> 00:39:24,939 Ephesians 1 - 938 00:39:24,939 --> 00:39:26,296 The prayer that Paul prayed 939 00:39:26,296 --> 00:39:28,390 for the church at Ephesus 940 00:39:28,390 --> 00:39:30,914 which is pointing us to the same thing. 941 00:39:30,914 --> 00:39:32,676 And I want you to carefully listen 942 00:39:32,676 --> 00:39:35,109 to the words of Paul 943 00:39:35,109 --> 00:39:38,494 that I ask for for us as well. 944 00:39:38,494 --> 00:39:46,132 Let's pray. 945 00:39:46,132 --> 00:39:52,447 God, in the name of Jesus, 946 00:39:52,447 --> 00:39:55,808 I pray for each of us here, 947 00:39:55,808 --> 00:39:58,468 myself included, Lord. 948 00:39:58,468 --> 00:40:00,469 God, we want to endure. 949 00:40:00,469 --> 00:40:02,544 And we must endure. 950 00:40:02,544 --> 00:40:05,575 And we need Your grace and help 951 00:40:05,575 --> 00:40:07,719 to see and savor Jesus Christ 952 00:40:07,719 --> 00:40:10,183 above every earthly treasure. 953 00:40:10,183 --> 00:40:12,237 So I pray along with Paul, God, 954 00:40:12,237 --> 00:40:13,733 that God, You would grant to us 955 00:40:13,733 --> 00:40:17,418 the Spirit of revelation in wisdom 956 00:40:17,418 --> 00:40:19,764 in the knowledge of Christ 957 00:40:19,764 --> 00:40:23,098 having the eyes of our hearts enlightened, 958 00:40:23,098 --> 00:40:25,527 that we may know 959 00:40:25,527 --> 00:40:28,029 what is the hope to which You have called us, 960 00:40:28,029 --> 00:40:31,044 what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance, 961 00:40:31,044 --> 00:40:33,824 and what is the immeasurable greatness 962 00:40:33,824 --> 00:40:36,131 of His power towards us 963 00:40:36,131 --> 00:40:39,150 who believe. 964 00:40:39,150 --> 00:40:42,244 God, would You help us here? 965 00:40:42,244 --> 00:40:44,022 Show us Christ, 966 00:40:44,022 --> 00:40:45,093 more and more, 967 00:40:45,093 --> 00:40:47,311 deeper and deeper. 968 00:40:47,311 --> 00:40:50,549 Let Him be the object of our faith. 969 00:40:50,549 --> 00:40:53,674 And grant us the grace needed, Lord, 970 00:40:53,674 --> 00:40:55,454 to endure to the end 971 00:40:55,454 --> 00:40:58,152 for Your glory and our good. 972 00:40:58,152 --> 00:40:59,558 In the name of Christ, 973 00:40:59,558 --> 00:41:00,613 Amen.