Tag: faith

But they Just Kept on Going

Joseph

Genesis 37:23-27 –  And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;24  And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.25  And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.26  And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?27  Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

  1. He was sold by his brothers but he just kept on going.

Genesis 39:16-20 –  And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.17  And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:18  And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.19   And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.20  And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

  • He was sold again to Potiphar and was lied about, but he just kept on going.
  • He was Put in prison, but he just kept on going – (Head up the prison)

Genesis 39:21-23 –   But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22  And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. 23  The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Job

  1. He lost all His kids, his servants, and his cattle but he kept on going.

Job 1: 21-22 – And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.22  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

B He lost his health but he kept on going –

Job 2:6-10 –  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8  And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9  Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10  But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

C Even his wife told Him to curse God and die but he kept on going.

  1. His friends blamed Him but He kept on going.
  2. God rebuked Him to keep him going Job 38-41

F Jobs response – He decided to keep on going in spite of it all –

Job 39:1-6 – Then Job answered the LORD, and said,2  I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.3  Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.4  Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.5  I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.6  Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

  • The result – Blessed of God more than before,

Job 42:12-13 – So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.13  He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Paul

  1. He was stoned and left for dead but he kept on going.

Acts 14:19-20 –   And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.20  Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

  • He was imprisoned but he kept on going.

Acts 16:20-25 –   And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,21  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.23  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:24  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.25   And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

  • He was shipwrecked but kept on going.

Acts 27:41-44 – And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.42  And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.43  But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:44  And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

  • He knew he was going to be killed but he kept on going.

II Timothy 4:3-8 –   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord

Stephen

Acts 7:51-60 –  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54   When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

  1. He was being stoned but he kept on going.
  2. He was facing death but he did not change the message.
  3. He looked toward heaven and preached a message of forgiveness to those who were angry with him.
  4. He kept his eyes on Jesus, and just kept on going.

What about us?

  1. We are to endure and keep on going – II Timothy 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
  2. This is a marathon and we must be patient and keep on going. – Hebrews 12:1-3 –  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
  3. Forgiveness, not bitterness will keep us going – Matthew 6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  4. Isn’t it time to press on in spite of the hardships along the way? Colossians 1:3-11 –   We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7  As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8  Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 9   For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

HEBREWS

Today begins a series through the book of Hebrews

Background

WRITER: Possibly Paul KJV 1611 attributes “Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews,” there is still a question as to authorship. In spite of the fact that the Pauline authorship cannot be confirmed in a dogmatic fashion, there is abundant evidence that Paul was the author.
Both internal and external evidence support the authorship of Paul.
The writer had been in bonds (10:34);
he wrote from Italy (13:24);
his companion was Timothy (13:23).
Peter appears to identify Paul as the writer (2 Peter 3:15, 16;)
Hebrews 10:11 reveals that it was written before the destruction of the temple by Titus in A.D. 70.

THEME: Romans is said to reveal the necessity of the Christian faith, but Hebrews appears to revealed the superiority of the Christian faith. This thought is expressed in the use of the comparative word “better,” which occurs 13 times.

    Better Revelation

    Hebrews 1:1-4 – God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
    Old testament – God spoke to men through men
    New Testament – Jesus spoke directly to men through His word and today still does

    Better Hope

    Hebrews 7:19 - For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
    Hebrews 7:19


    The Law was imperfect
    Man could not have direct relationship to God – Needed a man to intercede
    Grace covenant man now has direct access to a relationship with God – Jesus is now the interceder


    Better Things

    Hebrews 6:7-10 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
    Old works because of commandment
    New works because of love


    The Lesser is Blessed of the Better –

    Hebrews 7:7 – And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.


    Better Priesthood

    Hebrews 7:20-28 – And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.


    Uttermost – totally complete, perfected
    A perfect sinless priest who needed to offer only one sacrifice


    Better Covenant

    Hebrews 8:6 – But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.


    Better Promises

    Hebrews 8:6


    Better sacrifices


    Better Possession

    Hebrews 10:34 – For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

    Better Country

    Hebrews 11:16 – But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

    Romans 11:21-25 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

    Better Resurrection

    Hebrews 11:35 – Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
    Some were killed
    Some were imprisoned
    Some were destitute
    All are made acceptable in Christ

    Better Thing

    Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
    The gospel as compared to the Law.

    Better Mediator

    Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.


    The pure sacrifice once offered –

    Hebrews 9:19-24 – 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:


    Old Testament sacrifices could not remove sin, it could only cover it for a time


    Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins
    Hebrews 10:4

    Christ Blood removes sin, it does not just cover it up for a season

    Net week – “Perfect”

    Joyfully unto the Lord

    Psalms 35:9-10

    And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.  All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

    In this day of covid-19 pandemic, do we still have reason to be Joyful? Has our God given up blessing His kids, those who are born again? Can we still be a blessing to others? Is Jesus the reason for our happiness or have we placed it in things, government, jobs, etc.?  Many “believers” are living fearful lives during this time and I want you to know, that is not how God wants His kids to live.  No, instead He wants us to live joyous victorious lives.  How are you living in these troubling times?

    We need to let God know we are a joyful people

    Psalms 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

    • We are to rejoice when we are in His presence Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms
    • We need to rejoice in our salvation   
    Isaiah 61:10 

    I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

    • We need to rejoice that we have been given His righteousness
    • We need to rejoice that He took all our sin and shame and turned it into jewels before Him

    We find peace in the midst of trials 

    Psalms 27:4-6 – 4  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.5  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord

    We have joy even in the midst of life’s greatest trials

    • Joy comes as we gather with other believers
    • God designed fellowship as a source of great joy
    • During great trials we need to run toward God’s house not away from it. – Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching Philippians 1:25  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

    Joy always follows darkness

    Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

    James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

    Joy comes with a pure heart

    Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart

    Psalm 51:10-12 – 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

    True joy come from having your hope in the right person

    Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

    Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

    1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

    1 Peter 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

    Joy comes when the body unifies.

    Philippians 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

    • We need to learn to love each other
    • We need to be on one mind – Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

    Joy comes from seeing others come to Christ

    – I Thessalonians 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

    1 Thessalonians 2:19-20   For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.

    As a pastor, joy comes in watching your faith grow

    Pastors are given to you to teach you truth

    Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

    Even in persecution, we find joy in your faith

    II Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

    1 John 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

    2 John 1:12  Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

    3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

    Joy comes from realizing who it is that keeps us

    Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

    John 10:27-30

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30  I and my Father are one.

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