1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:06,400 A reading from the letter to the Hebrews by faith. 2 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:10,400 Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his 3 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:15,400 parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful and they 4 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,560 were not afraid of the King's edict. 5 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,440 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called 6 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:28,200 the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,660 with the people of God. Than to enjoy the fleeting 8 00:00:31,660 --> 00:00:36,020 pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of 9 00:00:36,020 --> 00:00:39,100 Christ's greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. 10 00:00:39,900 --> 00:00:44,020 Quarry was looking to the reward by faith. 11 00:00:44,020 --> 00:00:49,540 He left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he 12 00:00:49,540 --> 00:00:55,340 endured as seeing him who is invisible by faith he kept the 13 00:00:55,340 --> 00:00:57,820 Passover and sprinkled the blood. 14 00:00:58,460 --> 00:01:01,900 So that the destroyer of the first blonde might not touch 15 00:01:01,900 --> 00:01:07,540 them by faith, the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry 16 00:01:07,540 --> 00:01:11,780 land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, 17 00:01:11,780 --> 00:01:17,060 were drowned by faith. The walls of Jericho fell down 18 00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:20,020 after they had been encircled for seven days. 19 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:26,220 By faith, Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who 20 00:01:26,220 --> 00:01:29,630 are disobedient. Because she had given a friendly 21 00:01:29,630 --> 00:01:33,190 welcome to the spies, the word of the Lord. 22 00:01:35,750 --> 00:01:38,710 Well, good morning. It is great to be here while 23 00:01:38,710 --> 00:01:43,510 with you again, open up with me if you haven't already. 24 00:01:43,510 --> 00:01:52,510 Hebrews 11, we've heard it red, but we will like to revisit it. 25 00:02:00,170 --> 00:02:06,250 So life for me recently has been a a whirlwind of sorts. 26 00:02:07,810 --> 00:02:11,610 I could say a joyful whirlwind of sorts. 27 00:02:14,610 --> 00:02:20,690 Almost four weeks ago, my wife and I, we welcome and met our 28 00:02:20,690 --> 00:02:24,250 baby girl, Victory Buchanan, into the world. 29 00:02:27,930 --> 00:02:30,050 And she has already changed our house. 30 00:02:31,250 --> 00:02:33,890 She's changed the house We call her boss baby. 31 00:02:36,810 --> 00:02:39,770 And the adjustment is real. So. 32 00:02:39,810 --> 00:02:44,410 So again, keep praying for the preacher this morning that the 33 00:02:44,410 --> 00:02:48,490 adjustment is real. The last time I was also here, 34 00:02:49,130 --> 00:02:53,290 Father Aaron mentioned that our church, family, church, as well 35 00:02:53,290 --> 00:02:55,890 as nonprofit exodus projects was. 36 00:02:56,890 --> 00:03:02,170 Buying a property, we have a sense just in the last few weeks 37 00:03:02,170 --> 00:03:06,290 taking possession of that property, a man. 38 00:03:06,290 --> 00:03:13,050 And now our faith journey begins with it, as we need to raise the 39 00:03:13,050 --> 00:03:16,570 funds to complete the purchase of that property. 40 00:03:16,570 --> 00:03:19,010 But it's all good. That's why we're studying the 41 00:03:19,010 --> 00:03:22,530 Hall of Faith today. So we're looking at Hebrews 42 00:03:22,530 --> 00:03:27,030 11/23. I want to jump in, invite you 43 00:03:27,030 --> 00:03:30,270 guys to be praying for us again. We got babies and buildings 44 00:03:30,270 --> 00:03:35,230 going on and so we just got to keep believing as as as we go go 45 00:03:35,230 --> 00:03:37,310 along. So thank you for your prayers 46 00:03:37,310 --> 00:03:39,430 and your support. Hey, let me breathe the word of 47 00:03:39,430 --> 00:03:43,630 prayer again and we'll jump in. Father, it is good to be in your 48 00:03:43,630 --> 00:03:46,750 house. It's good to be with my brothers 49 00:03:47,150 --> 00:03:49,230 and my sisters, the family of God. 50 00:03:50,070 --> 00:03:52,310 Your Father is good for us to be in your word. 51 00:03:53,540 --> 00:03:56,780 As Peter said, it is good for us to be here. 52 00:03:56,780 --> 00:04:00,180 Father, I pray that as we open your scriptures, that, Father, 53 00:04:00,180 --> 00:04:03,660 you will open our hearts. Our Father, would you please 54 00:04:03,660 --> 00:04:06,060 breathe on this meagre manuscript? 55 00:04:06,060 --> 00:04:08,580 I pray, Lord, that you would give me the energy that's 56 00:04:08,580 --> 00:04:12,260 necessary to be your instrument and your tool this morning. 57 00:04:12,500 --> 00:04:16,579 Holy Spirit, we need you to speak to us clearly and 58 00:04:16,579 --> 00:04:19,459 profoundly. So hide me and move me out of 59 00:04:19,459 --> 00:04:21,820 the way. The Lord, may you be exalted, 60 00:04:21,820 --> 00:04:24,770 and may you be lifted. May your people be edified. 61 00:04:24,770 --> 00:04:29,410 Father, we come today hungry and with great expectation and 62 00:04:29,410 --> 00:04:33,330 anticipation to meet you in the preaching and the proclamation 63 00:04:33,570 --> 00:04:36,130 of your words. So Father, we thank you for 64 00:04:36,130 --> 00:04:37,970 hearing and answering our prayers. 65 00:04:38,210 --> 00:04:41,690 We give you glory and honor. We pray this in Jesus name. 66 00:04:42,250 --> 00:04:47,730 Amen. Let me just read a little bit of 67 00:04:47,730 --> 00:04:53,910 this text again says by faith. Moses, when he was born, was 68 00:04:53,910 --> 00:04:57,750 hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that 69 00:04:57,750 --> 00:05:02,870 the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the kings eat 70 00:05:02,870 --> 00:05:04,950 it. I thought for a little while 71 00:05:04,950 --> 00:05:09,190 about what I should title this text, and I'm not that big into 72 00:05:09,190 --> 00:05:12,710 titles, but if I was the title of this text, I would title it 73 00:05:12,710 --> 00:05:15,830 Risky faith. Risky faith. 74 00:05:15,950 --> 00:05:18,550 That was the story that I recently revisited that I 75 00:05:18,550 --> 00:05:20,750 thought was appropriate to share with you. 76 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:27,080 This morning, as we think about risky faith in a trial in a 77 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:31,040 southern small town, a prosecuting attorney called his 78 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:36,440 first witness, a grandmotherly elderly woman, to the stand. 79 00:05:36,840 --> 00:05:39,040 He approached. Her and he asked Miss Jones. 80 00:05:39,280 --> 00:05:41,680 Do you know me? She responded. 81 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:46,200 Why, yes, I do know you, since you were a little boy, and 82 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:48,720 frankly, you've been a big. Disappointment to me. 83 00:05:50,610 --> 00:05:55,130 You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and 84 00:05:55,250 --> 00:05:57,250 talk about them behind their backs. 85 00:05:57,650 --> 00:06:01,410 You think you're a big shot, and when you haven't, the brains to 86 00:06:01,410 --> 00:06:05,210 realize you'll never. Amount to anything more than A2. 87 00:06:05,210 --> 00:06:08,970 Bit paper pusher, Yes. I know you. 88 00:06:10,970 --> 00:06:14,620 The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he 89 00:06:14,620 --> 00:06:17,820 pointed across the room and ask Mr. Jones. 90 00:06:17,820 --> 00:06:20,220 Missus Jones, do you know the defense attorney? 91 00:06:20,380 --> 00:06:22,060 She replied. Why, yes, I do. 92 00:06:23,380 --> 00:06:26,580 I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster. 93 00:06:27,180 --> 00:06:31,620 He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. 94 00:06:32,620 --> 00:06:36,740 He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his 95 00:06:36,740 --> 00:06:40,500 law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. 96 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:44,000 Not to mention he cheated on his wife with. 97 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,320 Three different. Women. 98 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:50,080 And one of them was your wife. Yes, I know him. 99 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:53,120 The defense attorney? Nearly. 100 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:56,640 Died. The judge hurried that as both 101 00:06:56,640 --> 00:07:00,600 attorneys to approach the bitch and in a quiet voice say if 102 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:04,680 either of you idiots ask her if she knows me, I will send you 103 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:06,360 both. To the lecture chair. 104 00:07:09,970 --> 00:07:13,410 Well, I want to ask you, who do you know? 105 00:07:14,170 --> 00:07:15,570 Well, maybe not. Who do you know? 106 00:07:15,970 --> 00:07:20,170 Maybe what do you know? Maybe to narrow in the question, 107 00:07:22,010 --> 00:07:25,930 do you know faith? Or what do you know about faith 108 00:07:26,650 --> 00:07:28,810 as you guys have been in this sermon series? 109 00:07:28,810 --> 00:07:32,610 I know you've been learning about faith, but when I look at 110 00:07:32,610 --> 00:07:35,890 the verses that have been assigned to me, the question 111 00:07:35,890 --> 00:07:39,690 seems to surface. What do you know? 112 00:07:40,030 --> 00:07:42,350 About faith. Come on, do me a favor. 113 00:07:42,350 --> 00:07:43,750 Help me preach. Look at your neighbor. 114 00:07:43,950 --> 00:07:47,470 And say neighbor. What do you? 115 00:07:47,470 --> 00:07:53,350 Know about faith. Well, it seems like I took y'all 116 00:07:53,350 --> 00:07:54,870 off, caught y'all off guard on that one. 117 00:07:55,990 --> 00:07:57,110 Come on, look at your other neighbor. 118 00:07:57,110 --> 00:07:58,750 Ask your other neighbor. Come on, say it. 119 00:07:58,750 --> 00:08:02,790 With some conviction. Say neighbor, what do you know 120 00:08:04,230 --> 00:08:08,430 about faith? Faith is such a common word in 121 00:08:08,430 --> 00:08:11,330 our culture, isn't it? It it it appears to me that the 122 00:08:11,330 --> 00:08:13,570 word faith has been watered down. 123 00:08:13,570 --> 00:08:18,050 It can almost feel insignificant in our conversations. 124 00:08:18,170 --> 00:08:23,530 It almost can feel cliches. It appears that that that we use 125 00:08:23,530 --> 00:08:28,410 faith too often and really without any real significance in 126 00:08:28,410 --> 00:08:31,450 in our culture. When we think about faith it it 127 00:08:31,450 --> 00:08:35,570 is something that is for our heads and not for our hands and 128 00:08:35,570 --> 00:08:38,299 for our feet. But that's not what the Bible 129 00:08:38,299 --> 00:08:41,100 teaches us at all. Faith is one of the most 130 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:44,020 important virtues we can possess. 131 00:08:44,780 --> 00:08:50,100 Remember it was Adam and Eve's lack of faith that ushers sin 132 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:54,180 into the world. They believe the serpent over 133 00:08:54,180 --> 00:09:00,060 God and and it is actually our faith in God that reverses the 134 00:09:00,060 --> 00:09:02,580 curse. We know it is by grace that we 135 00:09:02,580 --> 00:09:07,770 have been saved through faith. It is important for us to know 136 00:09:08,090 --> 00:09:10,210 faith. It's important for us to 137 00:09:10,450 --> 00:09:15,450 understand faith, and that is the blessing of Hebrews 11 and I 138 00:09:15,450 --> 00:09:18,770 believe I text today. These few verses lend to us at 139 00:09:18,770 --> 00:09:23,010 least four thoughts in relation to the question, what do we know 140 00:09:23,330 --> 00:09:26,730 about faith? So I want to drop. 141 00:09:26,730 --> 00:09:30,530 These like my friend says, but not push them this morning. 142 00:09:30,970 --> 00:09:34,010 What do we know about faith? The first thing we know about 143 00:09:34,010 --> 00:09:35,450 faith is this. Faith. 144 00:09:35,830 --> 00:09:42,150 Pushes us, has our fears. Faith pushes us has. 145 00:09:42,150 --> 00:09:44,190 Our fears. I believe we see this in verse 146 00:09:44,190 --> 00:09:48,070 23. Moses, by faith when he was 147 00:09:48,070 --> 00:09:51,070 born, was hidden for three. Months by his parents. 148 00:09:51,350 --> 00:09:54,590 Because they saw that the child was beautiful and they were not 149 00:09:54,590 --> 00:09:59,710 afraid of the King's edict. Your imagination has to be 150 00:09:59,710 --> 00:10:04,110 evoked while reading this traumatic and dramatic scene of 151 00:10:04,110 --> 00:10:06,030 this Hebrew. Genocide. 152 00:10:06,030 --> 00:10:08,830 Pharaoh has the. Creed that all, baby. 153 00:10:08,830 --> 00:10:11,830 Boys are to be cast. In the Nile. 154 00:10:12,030 --> 00:10:16,670 River this saying it's too cool. To imagine, but it is necessary. 155 00:10:16,830 --> 00:10:23,310 For us to understand the evil of the moment, we Can you imagine 156 00:10:23,310 --> 00:10:26,750 the depression that was spreading like the plague? 157 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,520 Mothers and grandmothers are wailing. 158 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:33,680 Parents are questioning in themselves, trying to find a way 159 00:10:33,680 --> 00:10:39,720 to justify their actions by hasting their babies in the sea. 160 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:44,800 Are sea preachers feasting? And I wonder, I wonder, is there 161 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:50,200 a stitch in the air, Moses parents? 162 00:10:50,700 --> 00:10:56,140 Could not allow the fear of the kings eating to lead them to 163 00:10:56,140 --> 00:11:00,700 terminate their baby. It was obvious he was beautiful. 164 00:11:00,820 --> 00:11:03,260 He was wonderful and fearfully made. 165 00:11:03,260 --> 00:11:07,260 That that there's surely every good and perfect gift comes from 166 00:11:07,260 --> 00:11:10,660 the father above and children are a gift from God. 167 00:11:10,660 --> 00:11:14,060 This thing that they were asked to do was evil. 168 00:11:14,430 --> 00:11:18,270 And it was against the promises of God, the promise that God 169 00:11:18,270 --> 00:11:21,870 gave to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob, that that descendants 170 00:11:21,870 --> 00:11:25,830 would be as the sand of the sea, as the stars in the sky. 171 00:11:25,910 --> 00:11:31,670 Moses parents believe that this was not God's will, that this 172 00:11:31,670 --> 00:11:33,590 would not, that was not God's way. 173 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:37,880 They believed that somehow, in some way, God would intervene. 174 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,920 They believed. They expected that God was so up 175 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,840 and he was so out in their helpless situation. 176 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,240 When I think about faith, I really like the concept that 177 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:54,400 faith is expecting God's word to come to pass. 178 00:11:55,910 --> 00:11:59,110 Faith is expecting that the character of God that has been 179 00:11:59,270 --> 00:12:03,710 revealed in the scriptures that has been manifested to us to be 180 00:12:03,710 --> 00:12:07,510 true of them. And when I think about fear, 181 00:12:07,510 --> 00:12:12,150 someone once said that fear is false evidence, fear and real 182 00:12:13,270 --> 00:12:16,510 faith and fear they are opposite, but they are so much 183 00:12:16,510 --> 00:12:21,030 alike. We often fear something that we 184 00:12:21,030 --> 00:12:22,950 are not even certain if it is. Real. 185 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:27,880 Our fears are filled with assumptions and expectation. 186 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:32,200 I often think that one of the things that we fear the most is 187 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:38,640 tomorrow, which is ridiculous because tomorrow never arrives. 188 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:44,160 We we can be so fearful of tomorrow that we can't eat, that 189 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:49,240 we can't sleep, that our heads are hurting, our bodies are 190 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,680 sick. All because of something that is 191 00:12:52,680 --> 00:12:57,200 not even promised to us and and a time that is not coming. 192 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:02,160 All we have is today and we can be so fearful about tomorrow 193 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:07,160 that we can enjoy today. That's why Jesus teaches us in 194 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:09,040 the Lord's Prayer that we should pray. 195 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:13,120 Father, give us this day our daily pray. 196 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:18,080 See Moses parents found themselves in the valley of 197 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,710 decisions. They had to choose between faith 198 00:13:22,510 --> 00:13:25,470 or fear. Maybe you're here today. 199 00:13:26,350 --> 00:13:28,950 And you have some. Real scenarios. 200 00:13:30,230 --> 00:13:35,310 That is really threatening your comfort, your livelihood and 201 00:13:35,310 --> 00:13:40,070 maybe even your peace. And you're figuring, if you give 202 00:13:40,070 --> 00:13:42,910 in to your fears, that that life would be easy. 203 00:13:43,990 --> 00:13:47,670 Well, let me tell you that God has not given us a spirit of 204 00:13:47,670 --> 00:13:52,950 fear, but He's given us love, power, and the sound mind. 205 00:13:55,270 --> 00:13:59,190 God doesn't want us to live by the depressive emotive of fear, 206 00:14:00,070 --> 00:14:04,470 but he will have us to live this victorious adrenaline kind of 207 00:14:04,470 --> 00:14:09,070 life of faith. What we know about faith is that 208 00:14:09,070 --> 00:14:13,900 faith pushes us past our fears. We also see that. 209 00:14:14,220 --> 00:14:16,340 Faith leads. Us to Our Calling. 210 00:14:16,780 --> 00:14:20,860 Looking verse 24 through 27 says by faith Moses when he was grown 211 00:14:20,860 --> 00:14:23,340 up. Refused to be called a son, a 212 00:14:23,340 --> 00:14:26,740 Pharaoh daughter. Choosing rather to be mistreated 213 00:14:26,740 --> 00:14:29,060 with the people. Of God that to enjoy the 214 00:14:29,060 --> 00:14:31,980 fleeing. Pleasures of seeing, He 215 00:14:31,980 --> 00:14:34,740 considered the reproach. Of Christ greater wealth. 216 00:14:34,940 --> 00:14:38,780 Than the treasures of. Egypt, but he was looking to the 217 00:14:38,780 --> 00:14:42,320 reward. Safe leads us to our call, and 218 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:46,000 Moses refused to be called. The son of Pharaoh's. 219 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,240 Daughter. This seemed to be a risky 220 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:51,400 position. Here we see that Moses chose to 221 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:55,200 identify with the people of God instead of the people of 222 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:57,480 Pharaoh. He was willing to embrace 223 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:00,440 poverty and being associated with wealth. 224 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:05,120 How did this? How is it that he came to this 225 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:08,000 conclusion and this position in his life? 226 00:15:09,370 --> 00:15:12,410 So the Bible teaches us that faith comes by hearing and 227 00:15:12,490 --> 00:15:15,450 hearing the word of God. I would imagine that Moses, 228 00:15:15,450 --> 00:15:19,410 mother and his family would have told him about the Hebrews, 229 00:15:19,970 --> 00:15:24,130 about their past, and about how God had been working and moving 230 00:15:24,130 --> 00:15:27,650 in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. 231 00:15:28,170 --> 00:15:33,010 Moses not only heard about the traditions of his ancestor, but 232 00:15:33,010 --> 00:15:37,210 he's all he also believe. See our faith. 233 00:15:37,210 --> 00:15:41,430 He is personal. But it can't help but to become 234 00:15:41,430 --> 00:15:43,470 public. And that's so good. 235 00:15:43,470 --> 00:15:47,070 I ought to say it again that our faith, it is personal, but it 236 00:15:47,070 --> 00:15:52,990 can't help but to become public. Our faith is like a seed that is 237 00:15:52,990 --> 00:15:55,350 planning in the soul of our hearts. 238 00:15:55,510 --> 00:15:59,670 And eventually it bears free for all the world to see. 239 00:16:00,830 --> 00:16:03,710 Faith is risky. I watch this. 240 00:16:03,710 --> 00:16:09,690 It comes with great reward. Our faith is not just for our 241 00:16:09,690 --> 00:16:12,930 minds, it is for our hands and our feet. 242 00:16:13,090 --> 00:16:17,890 But the scripture is showing us is that Moses faith was 243 00:16:17,890 --> 00:16:23,570 accompanied with actions. We can see his faith by looking 244 00:16:23,570 --> 00:16:26,810 at his works. He refused to be called the son 245 00:16:26,810 --> 00:16:27,730 of. Pharaoh's daughter. 246 00:16:28,010 --> 00:16:30,450 He'd rather be mistreated with the people of God that. 247 00:16:30,610 --> 00:16:32,930 To enjoy the. Pleasures of seeing for a 248 00:16:32,930 --> 00:16:35,290 season. He chose the reproach of Christ, 249 00:16:35,290 --> 00:16:40,130 and he left Egypt. We can see the sacrifice of 250 00:16:40,130 --> 00:16:44,650 Moses and his sacrifice is motivated by his faith. 251 00:16:45,410 --> 00:16:51,010 See, faith calls us out. It demands that we come out from 252 00:16:51,050 --> 00:16:54,850 the world and be separate. Our faith makes us unique, 253 00:16:54,850 --> 00:16:58,320 doesn't it? Because we are trusting in a God 254 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:02,080 who is unique, our faith can make us strange because we are 255 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,480 believing in something that we can see. 256 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:08,960 Our faith can make us appear to be crazy because we take risks 257 00:17:08,960 --> 00:17:12,200 that go beyond what we're the rules of common sense. 258 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:16,920 Our faith is dynamic because we believe that the suffering for 259 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:23,560 Christ brings great reward for us personally and relationally. 260 00:17:25,230 --> 00:17:28,150 It could be that that you're here today and you find yourself 261 00:17:28,349 --> 00:17:33,510 really, really struggling with faith because what what, what, 262 00:17:33,510 --> 00:17:36,110 what God seems to be calling you to. 263 00:17:37,430 --> 00:17:42,350 It's irritating. It's it's it's it's risky. 264 00:17:43,550 --> 00:17:49,390 It involves suffering and and really the reality is that you 265 00:17:49,390 --> 00:17:53,910 rather be comfortable. But but faith has a way of of 266 00:17:53,910 --> 00:17:58,030 shaping us. It it seems to always be pushing 267 00:17:58,030 --> 00:18:04,590 us and calling us to become what what God has for us and and the 268 00:18:04,590 --> 00:18:11,190 very thing that that that may be interrupting your life may be 269 00:18:11,190 --> 00:18:14,350 the very thing that God is using to shape your life. 270 00:18:18,110 --> 00:18:21,390 Never thought about pearls. Where they come from? 271 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:26,800 Do they grow trees? Can they be found under the 272 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:28,480 earth? No, no. 273 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:35,000 Listen this pearls come from living creatures, oysters, rare, 274 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:39,960 gorgeous, round jewels that are not found under the sea, but 275 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:45,200 inside the oyster. How is the Pearl produced that 276 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:50,120 this a foreign particle like sand gets into the oyster? 277 00:18:50,750 --> 00:18:54,550 And when the sand enters the oyster, it is a painful 278 00:18:54,550 --> 00:18:58,790 experience for the oyster because it irritates the soft 279 00:18:58,790 --> 00:19:03,830 part of it and it is unable to push the sand particle out of 280 00:19:03,830 --> 00:19:08,750 the shell, hits the sand, remains inside the oyster, and 281 00:19:08,750 --> 00:19:12,990 then a biological process happens within the oyster and it 282 00:19:12,990 --> 00:19:17,310 becomes a Pearl. Who would have ever thought that 283 00:19:17,310 --> 00:19:22,510 out of a rough broken? Coarse looking shell as it 284 00:19:22,510 --> 00:19:26,870 appears on the outside that the suffering of this soft orster, 285 00:19:27,390 --> 00:19:32,750 that the glistening loveliness and preciousness of a Pearl will 286 00:19:32,750 --> 00:19:37,030 come forth and see times. That's what God does. 287 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,640 And that by faith God may, may, may, may cause irritation and 288 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:47,400 suffering and discomfort. Because God is shaping something 289 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:52,160 beautiful and something precious in us and on us because he wants 290 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:56,000 to work through us. We must remember that even 291 00:19:56,440 --> 00:20:01,000 faith, even faith, it is a gift from God. 292 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,520 It it it, it is. It is that saying that that God 293 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:07,840 puts in our life. It is that seed that is meant to 294 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:11,270 shape us. To something beautiful. 295 00:20:12,110 --> 00:20:16,710 But friends, it is not just for ourselves, it is for the world 296 00:20:16,710 --> 00:20:21,270 around us. We know that the faith, it 297 00:20:21,270 --> 00:20:27,030 pushes us past our fear it it will push us to our call that. 298 00:20:27,990 --> 00:20:31,910 But also when we look at verses 28 through 29, it pushes us to 299 00:20:31,910 --> 00:20:40,090 live obediently. Someone once said that the 300 00:20:40,090 --> 00:20:44,610 acronym for the Bible stands for Basic Instructions before 301 00:20:44,610 --> 00:20:48,010 Leaving Earth. I love that acronym. 302 00:20:48,050 --> 00:20:51,090 It it it is. It is a great way to describe 303 00:20:51,090 --> 00:20:53,570 the Bible. It speaks to the to the fact 304 00:20:53,570 --> 00:20:59,250 that the Bible is filled with instructions from God for us to 305 00:20:59,250 --> 00:21:02,010 follow. And these instructions not only 306 00:21:02,170 --> 00:21:07,250 benefit us personally, but they have corporate benefits. 307 00:21:08,150 --> 00:21:14,910 Moses received some ridiculous instructions from God and and 308 00:21:14,990 --> 00:21:18,710 and Hebrews here wants us to understand that these were 309 00:21:18,710 --> 00:21:23,430 instructions that require faith for him to fulfill. 310 00:21:23,630 --> 00:21:26,390 Them. Look what it says verse 2829. 311 00:21:26,390 --> 00:21:30,190 By faith he kept the Passover sprinkle the blood so that the 312 00:21:30,190 --> 00:21:33,270 destroyer of the first boy may not touch them. 313 00:21:34,230 --> 00:21:37,430 By faith the people cross the Red Sea on dry land. 314 00:21:38,100 --> 00:21:40,460 But the Egyptians when they attempted to do. 315 00:21:40,460 --> 00:21:47,300 The same were drowned. I gave Moses these detailed 316 00:21:47,340 --> 00:21:51,380 instructions on what to say. These detailed instructions are 317 00:21:51,460 --> 00:21:57,540 what to do, and his exact execution of God's command would 318 00:21:57,540 --> 00:22:00,780 lead to the saving of many lives. 319 00:22:01,860 --> 00:22:05,700 And this happened at the Passover and it happens at the 320 00:22:05,700 --> 00:22:09,090 Red Sea. There's so much to say about 321 00:22:09,090 --> 00:22:12,210 this, but I believe the point that I believe the Holy Spirit 322 00:22:12,210 --> 00:22:17,050 wants us to get is that all of all that our faithful obedience 323 00:22:17,290 --> 00:22:20,330 is not just for us, but it is for others. 324 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:24,560 Our faith is not only a blessing for us, but it is a blessing for 325 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:28,600 the world around us. And it is impossible for me not 326 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:32,200 to read this and somehow to deviate, to talk about the 327 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:36,560 significance of Passover and the significance of obedience. 328 00:22:36,760 --> 00:22:40,400 Because when we are reading this, we understand that all of 329 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,760 this whole moment is pointing to a future moment. 330 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:46,320 It is pointing to a beautiful moment. 331 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:51,770 It is pointing to one who is absolutely perfect. 1111 Who Who 332 00:22:51,770 --> 00:22:55,050 absolutely had no faults and no blimp assist. 333 00:22:55,130 --> 00:22:59,970 See Moses had to find a a lamb without spot or wrinkle, but. 334 00:22:59,970 --> 00:23:02,330 That was a. Lamb that was born, and he was 335 00:23:02,330 --> 00:23:05,250 born, and he had no spot, and he had no wrinkle. 336 00:23:05,250 --> 00:23:11,170 He had no sin in his life, and he himself became our past over 337 00:23:11,410 --> 00:23:14,250 lamb. His blood was shed, It was 338 00:23:14,490 --> 00:23:18,490 sprinkled. It has been sprinkled on us. 339 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:29,000 Miss obedient Savior gave his life that we may have life. 340 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:34,560 The faith of Moses was to believe that the blood. 341 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:41,240 Over the door posts. Will save the lives keep family 342 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:44,840 in 2023. We must believe that the blood 343 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:47,480 of Jesus. Perfect. 344 00:23:47,870 --> 00:23:54,670 Sing the slam will say it. We must believe as such that 345 00:23:54,750 --> 00:23:59,230 that we that we carry this this glorious, wonderful gospel. 346 00:23:59,230 --> 00:24:02,670 Truth. To men and women and boys and 347 00:24:02,670 --> 00:24:08,270 girls, no matter if we feel they will accept it or reject it, we 348 00:24:08,310 --> 00:24:12,670 preach it and we proclaim it and we teach it and we share it in 349 00:24:12,670 --> 00:24:25,070 faith. Moses was obedient to institute 350 00:24:25,230 --> 00:24:29,310 the Passo. He was obedient and listening to 351 00:24:29,310 --> 00:24:35,870 the Father by by, by by raising the raw that the Red Sea they 352 00:24:35,870 --> 00:24:40,190 part. He was faithful. 353 00:24:43,030 --> 00:24:48,930 Moses had instructions. That he needed to follow Jesus, 354 00:24:49,690 --> 00:24:59,370 follow God's instructions to the T Some of us may struggle with 355 00:24:59,370 --> 00:25:04,570 God's instructions. We might struggle with God's 356 00:25:04,930 --> 00:25:11,330 direction, those that we received. 357 00:25:11,330 --> 00:25:14,130 From the scripture. So we read the Bible. 358 00:25:16,500 --> 00:25:18,460 And those that the holy. Spirit may share with. 359 00:25:18,460 --> 00:25:21,380 Us. Sometimes we struggle with God's 360 00:25:21,380 --> 00:25:26,260 instruction, and God's direction is simply because we don't 361 00:25:26,260 --> 00:25:29,860 understand it. It it it doesn't make sense to 362 00:25:29,860 --> 00:25:34,460 us. I'm chasing Moses, slaughtering 363 00:25:34,460 --> 00:25:37,780 a lamb and putting blood over the door posts of people's 364 00:25:37,860 --> 00:25:39,700 houses. It didn't make sense then. 365 00:25:40,340 --> 00:25:42,580 How that was going to save them? It didn't make sense that he 366 00:25:42,580 --> 00:25:45,660 raised the rod that that a Red Sea would part. 367 00:25:46,940 --> 00:25:49,660 Can I tell you that being obedience to God's command 368 00:25:50,740 --> 00:25:55,300 doesn't have to make sense? Following his instructions and 369 00:25:55,300 --> 00:25:58,540 direction doesn't have to make sense to us? 370 00:25:58,540 --> 00:26:01,740 Come on. Don't look at me in that tone of 371 00:26:01,740 --> 00:26:06,180 voice. You know when you tell your kids 372 00:26:06,180 --> 00:26:09,140 to do something they don't have to understand? 373 00:26:09,610 --> 00:26:12,530 What you're telling them they just need to do it. 374 00:26:13,970 --> 00:26:16,370 And sometimes we get so sensitive. 375 00:26:16,530 --> 00:26:19,530 Is that because we don't understand it or because we 376 00:26:19,530 --> 00:26:22,330 don't like it, we don't want to follow through with it? 377 00:26:25,090 --> 00:26:29,130 You don't have to like God's commands in order to follow his 378 00:26:29,130 --> 00:26:31,810 commands. Oh baby, it's just better than 379 00:26:31,810 --> 00:26:36,010 sacrifice. But because we believe that God 380 00:26:36,010 --> 00:26:39,200 is all power. We believe that God is all 381 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,800 knowing. We believe that God is a good 382 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:46,320 God all the time. We follow His commands, we 383 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:53,120 follow His instructions, and we allow faith, push it to 384 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:57,600 obedience. What do we know about faith? 385 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:03,560 It pushes us past fear. Leads us to Our Calling. 386 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:07,680 Pushes us to. Obedience. 387 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:14,000 Lastly, they pushes us to act, to act. 388 00:27:15,360 --> 00:27:25,360 Versus 3031 by Faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they 389 00:27:25,360 --> 00:27:27,600 had been in circle for seven days. 390 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:29,120 By. Faith Rehab. 391 00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:32,560 The prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient 392 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:35,360 because she had given a friendly welcome. 393 00:27:36,090 --> 00:27:39,490 To the spies these verses have shown us. 394 00:27:40,170 --> 00:27:43,490 Again, their faith pushes. Us past our fears. 395 00:27:43,490 --> 00:27:45,810 That faith pushes us into Our Calling. 396 00:27:45,810 --> 00:27:49,930 Faith leads us to obedience. And lastly, faith causes us to 397 00:27:49,930 --> 00:27:53,290 act. Actions of faith not only 398 00:27:53,290 --> 00:27:57,890 changes us, but it changes. The world around us noticed. 399 00:27:58,010 --> 00:28:01,970 He starts with. Moses in these verses. 400 00:28:02,330 --> 00:28:08,880 And then he ends with Ray Hat. Notice he starts with Moses and 401 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:12,800 then he ends with rehab. Moses journey of faith has 402 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:19,360 become contagious. It is scone to one people, to 403 00:28:19,360 --> 00:28:24,760 another group of people that are practicing now ridiculous faith. 404 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:27,640 They are following the commands of God. 405 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:33,040 They they they take on the risk of marching around a city. 406 00:28:33,380 --> 00:28:37,140 That is not theirs. But they are believing that God 407 00:28:37,140 --> 00:28:41,380 one day will give it to them. They are not focused on the 408 00:28:41,380 --> 00:28:46,540 risk, but on the reward. And this is true of rehab. 409 00:28:46,980 --> 00:28:52,140 She heard of the God of Israel and the faith of Israel, and she 410 00:28:52,140 --> 00:28:55,580 too wants to benefit from the reward. 411 00:28:59,020 --> 00:29:02,700 And people of faith live by faith. 412 00:29:03,300 --> 00:29:07,300 People who don't know faith become jealous of our faith. 413 00:29:08,780 --> 00:29:10,460 And that's what we shall long for. 414 00:29:10,460 --> 00:29:13,820 That is that those people of faith, that they have this 415 00:29:13,940 --> 00:29:18,900 ridiculous and crazy ideas, that we want those ideas we we, we 416 00:29:18,900 --> 00:29:21,100 want that lifestyle. We want that joy. 417 00:29:21,140 --> 00:29:23,460 We want that peace. We want that power. 418 00:29:23,460 --> 00:29:25,980 We want that kind of relationship. 419 00:29:26,140 --> 00:29:32,340 I'll hide the spies. She's a prostitute with a house. 420 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,960 Successful business woman, That's all I say. 421 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:45,840 She wants the reward. Children of faith and. 422 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:49,440 I'm almost done. I'll take my seats when I say 423 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:51,560 this. The old lady. 424 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:54,720 In the. Courtroom was telling 425 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:58,560 everyone's. Story and testimony. 426 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,280 Here at Hebrews 11 we are reading. 427 00:30:02,770 --> 00:30:10,250 Testimony of what would appear to be ordinary people who 428 00:30:10,570 --> 00:30:14,490 radically and ridiculously believe God. 429 00:30:16,250 --> 00:30:19,290 He didn't understand everything about God. 430 00:30:20,010 --> 00:30:22,690 They probably wouldn't have passed the theological test. 431 00:30:23,410 --> 00:30:25,370 They didn't have it all figured out. 432 00:30:26,650 --> 00:30:31,610 He believed they was willing to take the risk. 433 00:30:32,660 --> 00:30:37,980 Because they believe watch this really that God was the reward. 434 00:30:38,900 --> 00:30:44,620 And here we are reading about their stories of faith and I and 435 00:30:44,620 --> 00:30:46,940 I love that we can read about their stories of faith. 436 00:30:47,060 --> 00:30:49,900 Because they are our spiritual ancestors and we get 437 00:30:50,140 --> 00:30:53,860 encouragement and we we are challenged and we are inspired 438 00:30:54,220 --> 00:30:57,460 and and hopefully we we are charged up as the people of God 439 00:30:57,460 --> 00:31:00,260 to say we want to take risks for God. 440 00:31:02,350 --> 00:31:09,390 But when people read your story, what will your story be full of? 441 00:31:11,350 --> 00:31:15,990 Will it be filled with excuses? Will it be filled with 442 00:31:16,310 --> 00:31:20,270 hesitations? Will it be filled with doubt? 443 00:31:21,390 --> 00:31:23,830 Will it be filled with with fear? 444 00:31:24,550 --> 00:31:27,030 Or could we actually write on your team song? 445 00:31:28,030 --> 00:31:29,190 She was a woman. Faith. 446 00:31:30,970 --> 00:31:37,730 He was a man that that that God will say, Well done, my good and 447 00:31:37,730 --> 00:31:42,930 faithful servant. I believe that when we read this 448 00:31:43,290 --> 00:31:48,530 that God is involved to say you have A and you have a story and 449 00:31:48,530 --> 00:31:54,770 your faith is not just, it's for the world around you. 450 00:31:55,930 --> 00:32:01,240 You notice. Moses parents faith was for 451 00:32:01,240 --> 00:32:05,720 Moses. Moses faith was for Israel. 452 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:11,280 Israel's faith was for Rahab and all the other women she had in 453 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:16,960 her house And the spy. And your faith is not just for 454 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:21,280 you. Yes it is private, but God wants 455 00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:27,680 it to be public faith is risky. There is. 456 00:32:28,100 --> 00:32:36,060 Great reward on Earth. All return, let us Lord, as we 457 00:32:36,100 --> 00:32:45,660 talk about faith, we talk soul. And humility, knowing that the 458 00:32:45,660 --> 00:32:52,060 faith we have it is a gift from you, the Lord you allow us to to 459 00:32:52,060 --> 00:32:55,260 build on that faith, to grow in that faith. 460 00:32:57,250 --> 00:33:01,970 That we may be people of faith and Father was so beautiful and 461 00:33:01,970 --> 00:33:05,250 so wonderful about the body of Christ the church the Bride is 462 00:33:05,250 --> 00:33:09,170 that is that is that our faith can be contagious to one 463 00:33:09,170 --> 00:33:11,850 another. That that that that we can that 464 00:33:11,930 --> 00:33:15,330 that that we can as iron sharp as iron that that our faith can 465 00:33:15,330 --> 00:33:18,810 sharpen each other's faith. And and I pray God that you 466 00:33:18,930 --> 00:33:22,610 would just continue to help us and raise us up to be people of 467 00:33:22,610 --> 00:33:25,700 faith. Help us not to be afraid, to 468 00:33:26,060 --> 00:33:31,700 take the risks, to be mistreated, to suffer the 469 00:33:31,700 --> 00:33:39,180 reprints of Christ, to stand with you because we totally 470 00:33:39,580 --> 00:33:43,540 trust you, but God, we are people that are expecting. 471 00:33:44,180 --> 00:33:49,900 Your word to come to pass, so help us to be people who. 472 00:33:50,260 --> 00:33:53,940 Not only have risky faith, but who exercise. 473 00:33:54,410 --> 00:33:57,490 Risky Bay, we pray. This in Jesus. 474 00:33:57,490 --> 00:33:59,050 Name Amen.