Tag: Faith of Our Fathers

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Hymns: RHC 178 At the Cross, 333 Yesterday, Today, Forever, 334 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love

Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Fearfully Confessed the True God

(2) Courageously Followed the True God

INTRODUCTION

Paul commented Rahab similarly in Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Rahab can hardly be called a role model of faith for who she is, a harlot, a prostitute. A woman of particular low morals, she sold her body for filthy lucre, she sold herself without regard to reputation, without regard to personal dignity. She was an immoral woman. This woman lived in the gutter or the back streets of society. She was undeniably a guilty sinner, rebellious, unclean and wicked.

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Hymns: RHC 323 Trust and Obey, 324 Trusting Jesus, 351 He Leadeth Me

Hebrews 11:30 (KJV)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Children of Israel’s Faith (2)

OUTLINE

(1) An Obedient Faith

(2) A Triumphant Faith

INTRODUCTION

The Apostle Paul observed in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (KJV) “27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

The conquest of the city of Jericho was one such glorious example. The Israelites were but a company of freed slaves and not soldiers. Possessing the Promised Land was God’s plan to effect His salvation plan for all mankind. God used an unlikely people to accomplished His purpose. God’s plan was to establish Israel as a nation to be His witness to all the nations of the world. They were considered the weak, despised slaves when contrasted with the mighty strength of the Egyptian army!

The Israelites’ victory at Jericho cannot be attributed to any brilliance on their part. The strategy to take down Jericho certainly did not exalt any innate strength of the Israelites that God wanted to highlight or distinguish. In fact, it was a foolish strategy that makes any military commander feel insulted. Alas, God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts not our thoughts.

As one late pastor observed well, “What wisdom is there in dying on the cross? The Greeks couldn’t understand it, and yet that is the wisdom of God. God is so wise that the person with the highest IQ cannot figure Him out. If you could come to God with your intellect, then God is not faith because all the smart people would have head start and the rest of us would be left behind standing in the shadows. Your spirituality would be based upon your intellect. I’m so glad God has “hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25). God is not so high that few can figure Him out; it is that God has placed Himself at such a level few of us will get down low enough to see God revealing Himself to us. Praise God for choosing you! Praise God for His wisdom!”[1]

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Hymns: RHC 43 God Is Still On the Throne, 46 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, 444 Hold the Fort

Hebrews 11:29 (KJV)

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Children of Israel’s Faith

OUTLINE

(1) A Faith that Prays

(2) A Faith that Waits/Hopes

INTRODUCTION

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Andrew Murray observed, “In the great prayer that Paul had just written, he had apparently reached the highest expression possible of the life to which God’s mighty power could bring the believer. But Paul is not content. In this doxology he rises still higher and lifts us up to give glory to God as “able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Pause for a moment to consider what “infinitely more” means. Think of the words “whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). Think of the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raise him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20). With these words, Paul hope to lift our hearts to believe that God is able to do exceeding abuntandly above all that we ask or think.” The power of God that works in us is nothing less than the exceeding power that raised Christ from the dead. This should cause us to think that there is something that God will do in us that is beyond our imagination. As we worship Him in prayer, let us believe that the almighty God, who is working in our hearts, is able to fulfil every one of His exceeding great and precious promises.”

And to inspire us to great heights of faith and consecration toward Him, the writer of Hebrews, I believe it is the Apostle Paul too, seeks to lift us as he brings us to the scene of the Exodus when Israel left Egypt and the Pharoah’s anger has driven him to summon 600 chariots and all the chariots in Egypt in pursuit of the children of Israel. The chariots are the modern day tanks! Join me in the scene in Exodus 14.

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Hymns: RHC 287 Wonderful Grace of Jesus, RHC 288 Are You Washed in the Lamb, RHC 289 Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Hebrews 11:27-28 (KJV)

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Moses’ Faith (2)

OUTLINE

Faith’s Humbling Choice/Sanctified Choice
Faith’s Heavenly Reward/True Riches
Faith’s Heavenly Courage to Fear God Rather Than Man
Faith’s Humbling Submission to God’s Way of Salvation
INTRODUCTION

We make decisions daily. Some decisions bear their weight in life as life transforming, life changing and life impacting. It decides the course of one’s life. For many a young person, your course of study, choice of career, choice of life partner, choice of faith determines future direction in life.

Moses’ decision to leave Egypt was one such decision. It impacted his life forever. It was God’s will for his life. By the time he left Egypt, he was 40 years of age. One who was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. (Acts 7:22).

He obtained mastery in life in things pertaining to success in Egyptian life. And such success can go over the head of one to cling on to it for a sense of fulfilment and accomplishment in life, a sense of achievement and pride. One can throw one’s sense of well-being behind maintaining that status and worldly accolade. Solomon calls such a life vainity or empty! For him to reach such a conclusion, he actually tried indulging himself in the high life but found it in the final analysis disappointing.

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Hymns: RHC 416 Wherever He Leads I’ll God, RHC 418 O Jesus I Have Promised, RHC 567 Follow Me

Hebrews 11:24-26 (KJV)

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Moses’ Faith

OUTLINE

(1) Faith’s Humbling Choice/Sanctified Choice

(2) Faith’s Heavenly Reward/True Riches

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Hymns: RHC 355 Day by Day Faith, 311 Does Jesus Care?, 336 Only Believe

Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

Moses’ Parents’ Faith

OUTLINE

Faith’s Wisdom
Faith’s Courage

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Hymns: RHC 324 Trusting Jesus, 347 Under the Care of My God, The Almighty, 544 When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

Hebrews 11:22 (KJV)

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

Joseph’s Faith

OUTLINE
(1) Faith’s Identity

(2) Faith’s Identification

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Hymns: RHC 419 Take My Life and Let It Be, 423 Follow, I Will Follow Thee, 542 Saved By Grace

Hebrews 11:21 (KJV)

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Jacob’s Faith

OUTLINE
(1) Obedient to God Rather Than Man

(2) Undying or Unwavering Faith of a Dying Man

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Hymns: RHC 441 Faith Is the Victory, 337 Never Give Up, 301 My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Abraham’s Faith (2)

OUTLINE
(1) Faith’s Test (v17a, cf. Genesis 22:1-2)

(2) Faith’s Response (v17b-18, cf. Genesis 22:3-14)

(3) Faith’s Reward (v19, cf. Genesis 22:15-19)

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