Faith of Our Fathers – Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church

25. Looking Unto Jesus (1)

Looking Unto Jesus (1)

(The Author and Finisher of Our Faith)

OUTLINE

(1) Free Ourselves from Encumbering Sin

(2) Patiently Run the Race

(3) Look Forward to the Joy of the Prize

(4) Endure the Hardship

(5) Despise the Shame

INTRODUCTION

Our study of the life of men of faith finds its climax in Jesus Christ. He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. By Him, we obtain faith and by Him these men finished the course of their lives in faith. He is our example par excellence. And this truth is spoken in Hebrew 12:12.

Carl McIntire observed well, “Hebrews, the eleventh chapter, is deprived of its glory and its meaning without the first two verses of the twelfth chaper…One may talk about faith, and present an abundance of illustrations, even a cloud of witnesses, but unless we have some knowledge as to where faith comes from we are in a blind alley. Is faith the product of man’s creation? Is it the result of some emotional state? Is it the consequence of logical conclusions? Who is to be praised for the glories of faith? These questions rise up and clamour for an answer. These is an answer! The Bible says Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of faith…The writer of Hebrws regards himself and his fellow sufferers as place in an arena, contending for a great prize. The image of the amphitheater with the rising rows of spectators seems to suggest the thought of an encircling cloud. The witnesses are those who have run the race in previous generations. Each has received a good report in victorious achievements or courageous suffering. Faith has been their stay. The apostle depicts the Christian as running a race, a course which has been laid out for him, not not by himself but by God…The central figure, however, in this amphitheater is not the one running. The writer would have us look ahead to the author and finisher of faith, Jesus Christ.”[1]

The Apostle Paul speaks of the reward for winning the race and urges us to press on!

24. Others’ Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 11 July, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting, Audio Sermon 2018, July 2018, Faith of Our Fathers

Hymns: 542 Saved by Grace, 445 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee, 411 Stand Up for Jesus

Hebrews 11:35b-40 (KJV)

KJV Hebrews 11:35b … and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Heb. 11:35b-40 KJV)

The Others’ Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Suffered Without Recourse

(2) Suffered Without a Better Promise

23. Prophets’ Faith (2)

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 4 July, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon 2018, July 2018, Faith of Our Fathers, Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting

Hymns: 320 – ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, 335 Keep On Believing, 339 When I Fear My Faith Will Fail

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell … of the prophets 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again:

The Prophets’ Faith (2)

OUTLINE

(1) Experience God’s Mighty Deliverance

INTRODUCTION

The writer of Hebrews sought to inspire his readers to understand the substance of faith through the trials of faithful men in the past by showing us their actions of faith.

We notice these trials were life-threatening. Exercising faith involves entrusting and surrendering our lives to God’s care even in the sight of imminent physical danger. Faith overcomes even men’s greatest fears, of pain, suffering to the point of death.

How is it possible to be still and not fret in the face of mortal danger? This is the substance of faith that the writer is drawing us to take hold of for our own lives, in our times.

Jesus gives words of comfort and encouragement to the persecuted in Matthew 5:10-12, “10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:10-12 KJV)

Heavenly reward seemed so distant from the suffering saint, yet this is the substance of faith that God has us to take hold. The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides us with the substance of faith to have strong hope in the face even of the prospect of death.

22. Prophets’ Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 27 June, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Prayer Meeting, Audio Sermon 2018, June 2018, Faith of Our Fathers, Audio Sermon

Hymns: 418 O Jesus, I Have Promised, 337 Never Give Up, 284 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Hebrews 11:32g (KJV)

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

The Prophets’ Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Courage to Stand and Speak for God’s Honour

INTRODUCTION

God raised prophets, in the Old Testament time, to be His voice to His people, Israel, and to the world at large, as a witness to the words and works of the living and true God for His honour and glory. The prophets raised by God declared the will of God to His people so that they may be instructed to know the perfect will of God. Some were writing prophets like Moses (Pentateuch), Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the minor prophets. And there are the 12 minor prophets. These are the writing prophets, there were the non-writing prophets like Gad (with David in the wilderness and rebuked David when he numbered the people, Nathan (David’s advisor and chastised David for adultery with Beersheba), Elijah, Elisha.

21. Samuel’s Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 20 June, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting, Audio Sermon 2018, June 2018, Faith of Our Fathers

Hymns: 324 Simply Trusting, 205 Thine Is the Glory, 446 Lord Speak to Me

Hebrews 11:32f (KJV)

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

Samuel’s Faith

OUTLINE

Courage to Speak According to God’s Word

INTRODUCTION

Israel was ruled by her patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob before the period of 400 years of prophetic silence during the time of the Exodus when God raised Moses, Israel’s leader, the prophet of Israel, where Israel was a theocracy, God rules! Samuel was the last of the prophet from Moses to Samuel who bear rule in Israel before the people demanded a king, , before princes would rule Israel through her first king Saul, finally Israel will be ruled by priest after her exile from Babylon, from Joshua, the high priest during the time of Zerubabbel, to Caiphaias, during the time of Christ.

Samuel was born during the time when Eli was the high priest in Israel. However, Eli’s sons were no godly.

20. David’s Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 13 June, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon 2018, June 2018, Faith of Our Fathers, Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting

Hymns: Pg. 42 Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord, Pg 43 Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, P17 God Is Always Near Me

Hebrews 11:32e (KJV)

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

David’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Courageous – Overcomes Fear to Do the Will of God

INTRODUCTION

David was a man who sought to do the will of God for His honour and glory leaving a legacy for his son Solomon as a man of faith who prepared the nation and resource to build a house for the worship of the living and true God.

We pick up this scene at dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem in 1 Kings 8:10-11, 12-21[1].

1 Kings 8:10-11 (KJV) 10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

20And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

19. Jephthah’s Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 7 June, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting, Audio Sermon 2018, June 2018, Faith of Our Fathers

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.

18. Samson’s Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 30 May, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting, Audio Sermon 2018, May 2018, Faith of Our Fathers

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.

17. Barak’s Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 23 May, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon 2018, May 2018, Faith of Our Fathers, Audio Sermon, Prayer Meeting

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.

16. Gideon’s Faith

By Rev. Lek Aik Wee Posted on 16 May, 2018 Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with Audio Sermon, Audio Sermon 2018, May 2018, Faith of Our Fathers

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

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