Hymns: RHC 441 Faith Is the Victory, 450 To the Work!, 401 Yield Not to Temptation

Hebrews 11:32d (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Jephthah …

Jephthah’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Put God’s Work Before Self

INTRODUCTION

Jephthah means “He doth open or set free”. He was described as a Mighty Man of Valour (Judges 11:1).

Judges 11:1 (KJV) 1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.

The first time this term “mighty man of valour” is used was on Gideon in Judges 6:12, describing a man of courage, boldness and bravery, a Spirit-filled man (Judges 11:29). The terminology used here is not just military in nature but can refer to a person of repute or one who has standing in the community – a responsible person. In this context, however, it is likely his reputation built on his military success.

But Jephthah was the outcast. An Illegitimate son driven from his father’s household (Judges 11:2), the son of a harlot.

Hymns: RHC 307 Amazing Grace, 289 Grace Greater Than Our Sin, 565 Have You Counted the Cost?

Hebrews 11:32c (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Samson …

Samson’s Faith

OUTLINE

Undergirded by God’s Amazing Grace

INTRODUCTION

Samson was consecrated as a Nazarite at birth. A Nazarite was to be separated unto Jehovah. The word nazir, which the word is derived, means “to separate”. His vow as a Nazarite included (1) His hair goes uncut (2) Refrain from partaking the fruit of the vine (3) Forbidden to contact with the dead (Judges 13:4, 5, 7, 14 c.f. Numbers 6:2-21).

Judges 13:4-5 (KJV) 4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: 5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

Samson is the twelfth and last Judge raised by God to deliver Israel out their enemies’ oppression. This was Samson’s life mission given by God even before his birth told by the angel of the LORD to his mother.

Hymns: RHC 323 Trust and Obey 324 Simply Trusting 318 Blessed Assurance

Hebrews 11:32b (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Barak …

Barak’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) In Obedience to God’s Command

INTRODUCTION

Barak was a man raised of God, in the time of the Judges, to subdue the formidable Cannanite army led by their captain Sisera to deliver Israel out of oppression. Sisera has 900 chariots of iron, these chariots were the most sophisticated fighting machines of biblical times. This formidable enemy oppressed Israel for 20 long years. This is recorded in Judges 4-5.

Proverbs 4:20-23 (KJV)
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they arelife unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it arethe issues of life.

Hymns: RHC 441 Faith Is the Victory 445 O Master Let Me Walk with Thee 451 Ready!

Hebrews 11:32a (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon…

Gideon’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Faith to Obey God’s Call

(2) Faith to Fight God’s Battle God’s Way

(3) Faith that Perseveres Till Final Victory

2 Timothy 1:1-5 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, mydearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, andpeace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve from myforefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.