Sermon Central
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Faith Of Able Series
Contributed by William D. Brown on Jul 3, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: In this study we'll notice what kind of faith God recognizes, both Able and Cain had been told by their parents Adam and Eve the only kind of sacrifice that God would except, Cain is a picture of religious people trying to get to heaven by WORKS.
#2 ~ Heb. 11: 4 ~ABEL~ (HALL OF FAITH CHAPTER) 4-19-14
Today we'll continue with our study of Hebrews chapter 11: -- often called "the hall of faith chapter" also the "catalog of the faithful." -- Paul, or the writer first mentioned the O.T. faithful back in Heb. 6:12.
>Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, {become disinterested} but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
~ Chapter 11: is placed here to help us take hold of FAITH in God and His promises, all these people in chapter 11: are our witnesses.
>Hebrews 12:1-2 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, 2Looking 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.
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~ Listen, our having eternal life is totally dependent upon God, we can not do a thing to help God save us, we have ask God to forgive us of our sins, and recognize the fact that Jesus paid our sin debt, and have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and that's all that is required of us to have eternal life.
-- Listen, but as for as us having assurance of this salvation depends on our acceptance, our faith, in God's promises, we may not always feel like we're saved, but the saving part is God's business. -- Let us believe and trust God.
~ believing and trusting God and His promises is what FAITH in God is.
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~The people found in this chapter appear to be in chronological order, verses 3-7 are found in the first nine chapters of Genesis.
Verses 8-22, are to do with the period of the patriarchs.
Verses 23-31, are about the time of Moses.
Hebrews 11:32-38, cover the history of the judges, the prophets, and the faithful martyrs.
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~ Last time was the first broadcast of this study and we talked about the 1st 3 verses, we'll not talk again in detail about these verses today, listen as I read verses 1-3 to get us hooked back up with our thought line.
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1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
As we get into the lives of the different individuals in this chapter, let's keep in mind that they were all just ordinary, sinful people; but they are mentioned because they believed God. -- They are found in many different places and circumstances, and at various times, but they all had faith in the One True God.
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The first 3 people of faith that we're told of were people before the flood, Abel, Enoch, and Noah, the antediluvian believers.
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~Beginning with Abel, the very first one mentioned, God put down the principle that would apply to one and all from then on, that men must approach Him on only one basis: by faith, and that salvation will be by faith in Christ alone.
All O.T. sacrifices were pictures and types of the Supreme Sacrifice to come, The Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, He is the Savoir of all man-kind, the O.T. believers were looking ahead to cross, we today are looking back at the Cross.
* ~ Jesus said in;
John 12: 32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
* It's Jesus in the O.T.
Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no Savoir.
Isaiah 45:21 -- and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savoir; there is none beside me.
~ People are going to have to settle it in their heart and mind just exactly who Jesus is, He is the GREAT I AM of the entire bible, what ever people decide about Who Jesus is does not in any way change who He is.
* He told Moses' from the burning bush in;
Exodus 3: 14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
-- We read in;
>John 8: 56 -58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
