Faith Sermon 01/2014

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God

It’s easy to follow rules in life.......that is if you can stick to them.....the do’s and don’t’s.....do it this way or don’t do that. Humans like it when they have a road map to follow.

I believe that’s the reason a lot of Christians are being taught to follow the rules of the Sermon on the Mount in order to keep their salvation......but what they don’t realize is the ones who teachs that theory can’t keep all those rules any more than they can....

I also believe that’s the reason many Christians go ship wrecked and walk away from church and are very disappointed and discouraged in their walk with Christ.

Folks, its about grace...it’s about forgiveness that last eternal....it’s about having faith that the promises of God are for sure and true....not like human promises with maybe’s and if’s.

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***I have a question for every Christian....how can you live a life that Jesus called more abundant if we were over shadowed by Gods promises of maybes or if”s?...(let me say that again)

The Old Testament was all about rules and regulations....the dos and don’ts for a relationship with God.....but, every man that God used throughout the scriptures failed at some point and time except Jesus.....Even in the Old Testament God shed His grace on a select few.

But now ...its For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Now that I have your attention....that’s what the book of Hebrews is all about...the book of Hebrews was written to the new Jewish Christians that were taught all their life that you had to follow Moses and the laws to have a relationship with God.

Those laws were upheld by Pharisees ...keepers of the laws. The Pharisees wore long black robes and punished those who got out of line or broke one of those commandments.

They made a lot of rules as they went that God didn’t intend for mankind.

Jesus did away with the rules and regulations on the cross of Calvary. He paid the price of sin for you and me... not only that but, all that would believe upon Him.

The new Jewish Christians would gather and form the early churches, but, the Pharisees and other followers of Moses and the Old Testament would go in and disrupt those gatherings and discourage those new Christians and some were turning from their new faith in Jesus.

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We can easily say that we would never turn from our faith if put in that position but, we don’t know that....I’d dare say if Christians were persecuted today like they were then ....there would be a lot of empty church buildings around.

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Again ...that’s who Hebrews was written too. The new believers. You will hear more controversy over the book of Hebrews than any other book of the Bible....the reason it’s misunderstood...there is no controversy in God’s word...there are no mistakes....just need to know who it was written to at the time it was written

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is a example of how the writer is explaining in detail the very foundation of Christianity to the new believers....and this is for us today no matter how long you have known Christ.....the book of Hebrews pounds it into the heads of every Christian that once you except Jesus as your Saviour that grace defeated all the rules and regulations...the dos and donts.........why?.......because if you are truly saved you will want to do as Jesus did.....