Participants: Shelley Quinn
Series Code: GPL
Program Code: GPL000017S
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00:01 Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn
00:02 inviting you to join us now on "The Grace Pipeline" 00:05 as we take a stroll down Faith's Hall of Fame. 00:08 Nothing defines faith more clearly 00:10 than lives that testify to it. 00:31 Welcome to "The Grace Pipeline." 00:33 This is the series that follows a Bible study 00:36 that is written in a book by the same title 00:38 and it was my great privilege to write that book. 00:41 If you're following along in the series companion book, 00:44 our study today will be from chapter 9 00:47 and will begin on page 140. 00:50 Now on our last program, we began to define faith. 00:56 Today, we will consider our inheritance of faith 00:59 that has been passed down by previous generations 01:03 and this will help broaden that definition. 01:08 Let me start with something that's rather clever. 01:10 I heard it once and I've never forgotten it. 01:13 Someone has said that faith is an acronym 01:16 for following an invitation to heaven. 01:20 The ancient faithful that are listed 01:23 in Hebrews Chapter 11 Faith's Hall of Fame 01:26 that we'll talk about today, 01:28 they certainly proved that truth. 01:31 Many would be mocked today by our postmodern society 01:38 and no doubt they were mocked during their own day. 01:41 But the Lord looks upon the heart 01:44 and He measures a person's greatness 01:47 by the measure of their faith. 01:50 Nothing defines faith more clearly 01:53 than lives that testify to it. 01:56 And the testimony of those who have endured 01:59 the sufferings of faith and they've enjoyed 02:02 the great victories of faith are to us a blessing. 02:07 As we consider the familiar stories of faith champions 02:10 that is celebrated in Hebrews 11 and elsewhere, 02:14 pray for new insight on the biblical meaning of faith. 02:19 Let's begin with Abel. 02:21 The Bible says in Hebrews 11:4, "By faith Abel offered to God 02:27 a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, 02:29 through which he obtained witness that he was righteous." 02:34 We know that Cain and Abel were sons of Adam and Eve. 02:38 But let's review their history for just a second. 02:40 When God created the first couple, their parents, 02:44 He clothed them with the radiance of His light 02:47 and they disobeyed His only loving command 02:51 and they ate from the tree 02:52 of the knowledge of good and evil. 02:54 When they did, their covering was removed 02:57 as a result of their sin. 02:59 And they stood naked before the Lord 03:01 whom they had rejected. 03:03 So to restore the relationship 03:05 between the Creator and the created, 03:08 God instituted the sacrificial system 03:11 and He covered Adam and Eve 03:13 with the skins of the sacrificed lamb 03:15 pointing to the Calvary plan and the promised Lamb of God 03:20 who would take away the sins of the world. 03:23 We know from the Genesis 4 account that the sacrifices 03:27 that were offered by their sons Cain and Abel, 03:30 we can see that it is evident 03:32 both men were familiar with the sacrificial system. 03:35 They were familiar with the necessity of shedding 03:39 the blood of a sacrificed substitute. 03:41 Faith's power caused Abel to approach God 03:46 in a worthy manner of worship 03:48 by the sacrifice of blood as the Lord had prescribed. 03:53 Cain, however, showed irreverent disregard 03:56 for God's appointed ways 03:58 and offered a sacrifice of his own works. 04:01 That Cain knew better than to offer 04:04 this fruits of his labor is obvious 04:07 because he did not accuse God of unfair preference 04:11 in accepting Abel's sacrifice and rejecting his. 04:16 But still in a jealous rage, he murdered his noble brother. 04:21 The haughty and self-willed Cain 04:24 rebuilt against following the defined regulations. 04:29 Cain's religion was nothing but an exhibition of his ego. 04:35 Abel, however, believed God and obeyed 04:39 putting his faith into action 04:41 and remaining righteous before the Lord 04:43 and that landed him in Faith's Hall of Fame. 04:47 When I read Abel's report, I ask myself, 04:52 "Am I worshipping according to my desires 04:56 or in spirit and in truth as God wills." 05:01 Now let's look at Enoch. 05:04 We find Enoch's story or his recording 05:08 in the Faith's Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11:5. 05:11 And it says, "By faith Enoch was taken away 05:16 so that he did not see death, 05:18 'and was not found, because the God had taken him', 05:23 for before he was taken 05:25 he had this testimony, that he pleased God." 05:30 Bless Enoch's heart. 05:32 He lived during a dark period of history, 05:36 but he believed God and he acted righteously. 05:39 He was in the wicked world, but the world was not in him. 05:43 In steadfast faith, he lived up to his name 05:46 which means dedicated. 05:48 And he continued in a constant walk with God. 05:53 Genesis 5:24 explains "Because Enoch walked 05:58 in such close fellowship with the Lord, 06:01 God translated him into His presence in heaven 06:05 without experiencing death." 06:08 Enoch's witness makes me wonder 06:13 if my walk of faith is pleasing to the Lord, 06:16 "Am I crucified to the world and the world to me?" 06:22 Now let's look at Elijah. 06:25 Hebrews 11 does not include mention of Elijah. 06:28 He was the Lord's great prophet of the 9th century BC. 06:32 But as the only other person that the Bible states 06:35 was translated to heaven without seeing death, 06:38 his story comes to mind. 06:40 Elijah's strength, his faith is a stellar example 06:46 to in-time believers. 06:48 He was persecuted for righteousness sake. 06:50 He suffered moments of despondency, 06:53 but he always rebounded. 06:55 Elijah's faith released the Lord's amazing acts 07:00 and mighty works into the world. 07:03 And we find in 2 Kings 2:11. 07:09 He is pictured as being caught up in a chariot of fire. 07:14 Now that was a symbol of God's angels 07:17 and he's caught up in this chariot of fire by a whirlwind, 07:21 which was the symbol of the Lord and His power. 07:24 Elijah typifies the living believers 07:28 at the second coming of Christ 07:30 who will be caught up with the resurrected righteous 07:33 to meet the Lord in the air. 07:35 If we walk with God abiding in Christ by faith, 07:40 we are promised deliverance from eternal death. 07:44 Elijah's life causes me to question. 07:48 If I knew Christ was coming tomorrow, 07:51 would I do anything differently today? 07:57 Now let's look at Noah. 07:59 We find in the Hall of Fame here in Hebrews 11:7, 08:04 the mention of Noah and it says, "By faith Noah, 08:09 being divinely warned moved with godly fear 08:14 and became heir of the righteousness 08:17 which is according to faith." 08:20 God warned Noah of the world flood that was to come. 08:25 And Genesis 6:8 says the reason 08:28 was Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 08:32 Believing God's word and fearing 08:34 the consequences of disobedience, 08:37 faith moved him to build an Ark 08:41 according to God's precise instructions. 08:44 You see, when we look at Noah, 08:46 faith includes obedience. 08:49 He was ridiculed. He was rejected by his countrymen. 08:54 Noah and his family though were saved 08:57 by grace through faith. 08:59 God made him an heir of righteousness 09:03 which is according to faith. 09:05 Noah's obedient faith causes me to pause and consider 09:11 "Am I acting in faith to follow all of the Lord's instructions?" 09:18 Now let's look at Abraham. 09:21 And we find Abraham in Hebrews 11:8-10, 09:26 this is his mention in the Hall of Fame. 09:28 It says, "By faith Abraham obeyed 09:33 when he was called to go out to the place 09:36 which he would receive as an inheritance. 09:38 And he went out, not knowing where he was going 09:42 for he waited for the city which has foundations, 09:46 whose builder and maker is God." 09:50 You know, the Genesis 12 account of Abraham's response to God 09:55 tells how faith urged Abraham 09:59 to leave his homeland of Ur of the Chaldees 10:02 and to follow God's leading to unknown places 10:06 without even questioning. 10:08 Though God blessed him richly, 10:10 he dwelt intense in a foreign land 10:13 looking through the telescope of faith 10:17 to the eternal city whose architect was God. 10:21 Abraham believed God's covenant to make him 10:25 a great nation of countless descendants 10:28 and the reward of his faith was God's approval. 10:32 When he was 100 years old 10:34 and his wife Sarah was about 90 years old, 10:37 both beyond the natural age of reproduction, 10:40 this childless couple convinced of God's promise, 10:46 conceived their own son of promise. 10:49 In Romans 4:20-22, it says that Abraham did not waiver 10:57 at the promise of God through unbelief, 10:59 but he was strengthened in faith giving glory to God 11:04 and being fully convinced that what God had promised 11:08 He was also able to perform. 11:11 Therefore, God accounted 11:14 Abraham's response to him as righteousness. 11:19 Righteousness has always been by faith. 11:23 Hebrews 8:11 speaks of Abraham's wife Sarah 11:27 and it declares it was by faith 11:31 that the aged and barren Sarah 11:33 received strength to conceive seed 11:36 and she bore a child when she was past the age. 11:40 Why? Scripture tell us it was because she judged Him, 11:45 God, she judged Him faithful who had promised. 11:49 So by faith, she stood on God's promise. 11:54 Now let us take a look 11:56 at a stunning example of Abraham's faith. 11:58 This is found in Hebrews 11:17-19 12:03 and it says, "By faith Abraham, 12:06 when he was tested, offered up Isaac, 12:10 and he who had received the promises offered up 12:14 his only begotten Son, of whom it was said, 12:17 'In Isaac your seed shall be called,' 12:21 concluding that God was able to raise him up, 12:26 even from the dead." 12:29 Oh, mercy. 12:31 You know, we find this account, 12:33 of this amazing feat of faith in Genesis 22. 12:38 With unfaltering trust in God, 12:40 Abraham performed the most stunning example 12:44 of his insuppressible faith by his willingness 12:49 to sacrifice his son the heir of all of God's promises. 12:55 Now, you know, that sounds amazing, 12:57 but we have to remember that Abraham had seen 13:01 Christ's day in vision and he probably knew 13:04 the entire story of redemption including the crucifixion 13:09 and resurrection of God's only Son. 13:12 He also knew that God detested human sacrifice, 13:16 still how stunning was his faith to follow 13:20 the Lord's test of offering his son Isaac 13:23 concluding that God would raise him up 13:27 even from the dead in order to fulfill his promise 13:31 of making Abraham a great nation. 13:34 By his example of faith in action, 13:38 we are called to trust in God's promises 13:41 and walk in obedience. 13:43 You know, Abraham's amazing act of faith causes me to ask, 13:49 "Have I ever totally surrendered my will to God?" 13:55 Now let's look at Moses 13:57 and we find Moses mentioned in the Hall of Faith 14:01 in Hebrews 11:24-26 and it says, 14:06 "By faith Moses, when he became of age, 14:09 refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 14:12 choosing rather to suffer affliction 14:14 with the people of God than to enjoy 14:16 the passing pleasures of sin, 14:18 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches 14:23 than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward." 14:30 Moses sacrificed the temporary world 14:32 and its benefits for the reward 14:35 of an invisible God in eternal world. 14:38 Now Moses' parents, prompted by faith 14:41 in God's promise of a deliverer, 14:43 entrusted their son to His care. 14:47 In total disregard of Pharaoh's edict 14:50 demanding the death of all Hebrew male newborns, 14:54 his mother concealed him for 3 months 14:57 then placed him in an ark like a basket of papyrus reeds 15:02 and floated him down a river. 15:04 Pharaoh's daughter rescued Moses 15:06 and the son of slaves was reared 15:09 in the ostentatious splendor of Pharaoh's palace. 15:14 By faith Moses forsook his position of privilege 15:19 and the treasures of Egypt 15:21 spending 40 years in the land of Midian 15:24 before becoming Israel's great leader and lawgiver. 15:29 Led by faith, he returned to Egypt 15:32 to deliver God's people from bondage. 15:35 The God of grace provided the Passover 15:39 to protect the first born of Israel during a plague. 15:42 And in faith, Moses obeyed God 15:46 believing that the sprinkling of blood 15:48 on the doorpost would save, 15:51 recognizing that it pointed forward 15:54 to the blood of the Lamb of God, Christ our Passover. 15:59 By faith, Moses and the Hebrew children 16:01 passed through the Red Sea. 16:04 Moses died though without entering 16:06 the Promised Land on earth. 16:08 But we know from Jude 1:9 16:12 that Moses was raised up again 16:15 in a special resurrection by the Lord 16:19 and he lives in the paradise of God in heaven. 16:23 Moses typifies the resurrection of the righteous dead. 16:28 Now when I consider Moses life, I wonder, 16:33 "Is my walk of faith worthy of my Lord?" 16:36 When my account is finally settled, will I be able to say, 16:41 "Lord, you delivered to me these talents. 16:43 And I have gained more besides them?" 16:46 Will He say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant. 16:50 You've been faithful over a few things. 16:53 I will make you ruler over many. 16:55 Enter into the joy of your Lord?" 16:59 There are countless champions 17:01 that are talked about in that Faith's Hall of Fame. 17:05 Let's look at this and it comes from Hebrews 11:33, 34. 17:12 "Talking about God's champions 17:14 'who through faith subdued kingdoms, 17:17 worked righteousness, obtained promises, 17:20 stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, 17:24 escaped the edge of the sword, 17:26 out of weakness were made strong, 17:28 become valiant in battle, 17:31 turned to flight the armies of the aliens' 17:35 proved the instrument of faith releases 17:38 the power of His promises on earth." 17:41 Still in this very same Chapter 17:44 there is the story of other champions of faith 17:48 and it is told in Hebrews 11:36-39. 17:53 And it says "These champions had trial 17:57 of mocking and scourgings, chains and imprisonment. 18:01 They were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, 18:06 slain with the sword, wandered about in sheepskins, 18:10 being destitute, afflicted, tormented, 18:14 of whom the world was not worthy. 18:17 They wandered in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves." 18:23 What does their story show? 18:25 It proves that poverty and suffering 18:27 are not evidence of God's displeasure with us 18:31 and it's not evidence of lack of faith in His promises. 18:35 We live in a world under the dominion of the devil. 18:38 Some of the early Christians survived persecution. 18:43 Others were martyred including the apostles 18:46 with the exception of John. 18:48 So Hebrews 11:39-40 says this 18:53 "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, 18:58 did not receive the promise, 19:01 God having provided something better for us, 19:04 that they should not be made perfect apart from us." 19:09 These faith heroes died without seeing 19:12 the promise of being united with the Lord 19:15 in order that we could join together with them 19:18 at the time of receiving God's ultimate perfection. 19:22 Uh, but when you think about it, 19:24 how great will be their reward in the end? 19:28 As I consider these countless champions, 19:30 I find myself asking, 19:33 "Am I fighting the good fight of faith?" 19:37 Now let's think about Paul. 19:39 Paul was God's ambassador of grace. 19:43 The ever persecuted Paul endured great struggles 19:46 with suffering yet he pressed forward 19:49 motivated by faith to gain Christ and attain eternal life. 19:55 Paul stated in Philippians 3:8-11, 19:59 "I have suffered the loss of all things and count them 20:04 as rubbish that I may gain Christ that I may know Him 20:09 and the power of His resurrection 20:11 and the fellowship of His sufferings, 20:14 being conformed to His death if by any means 20:18 I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." 20:22 The captain of our salvation Jesus Christ, the Lord, 20:26 was as the author of Hebrews put it 20:29 perfected by His sufferings. 20:32 And Paul yearned for the same perfection. 20:36 Let me ask, do you suffer for righteousness sake? 20:40 The Bible counsels you to consider yourself blessed 20:44 and rejoice that you partake of Christ's suffering, 20:47 experienced by believers around the world. 20:51 The Savior who suffered for you 20:54 understands your disappointments and fears. 20:56 He understands your physical and emotional pain. 21:00 He is with you always. 21:02 Your Heavenly Father takes notice. 21:06 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 says that, 21:09 "He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 21:14 He will comfort you in all your tribulations." 21:18 Take heart and hold fast to the Lord's hand 21:22 till the finishing of your faith. 21:25 Paul's life causes me to pause and consider in self pity, 21:32 "Do I become weak-kneed 21:34 and murmur against my circumstances?" 21:37 God help me to believe His grace is sufficient 21:41 and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 21:48 We tap into God's pipeline of grace 21:52 by the instrument of faith 21:55 for the purpose of obedience to the faith. 21:58 The great cloud of ancient witnesses 22:01 who looked forward to a better country 22:05 testified to God's continued grace 22:08 by their lives of active faith. 22:10 The Bible instructs us to look to their example 22:14 and to follow the glorious faith in this manner. 22:18 Hebrews 12:1-2, "Let us lay aside every weight, 22:24 and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 22:28 and let us run with endurance the race 22:31 that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, 22:35 the author and finisher of our faith, 22:38 who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 22:42 despising the shame, and has sat down 22:46 at the right hand of the throne of God." 22:49 Oh, I was talking about the Polaroid camera earlier. 22:53 Please point your cameras to Christ. 22:57 Fixture eyes on Him and you will become what you behold. 23:02 He is the author and the finisher of our faith. 23:05 He who worked miracles healed the sick 23:08 and the broken hearted. 23:10 He who came to set at liberty 23:12 those who were oppressed by sin, is the source of faith 23:17 and because we believed in and received Him as Savior, 23:22 He gave us the right to become the children of God 23:25 and receive His inheritance. 23:27 Paul wrote to Timothy, "I know whom I have believed 23:31 and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that 23:35 which I have committed unto Him until that day." 23:38 Christ is the finisher of our faith. 23:42 We can count on Him. 23:44 As we commit our lives to His care, 23:46 He will perfect our faith. 23:48 He will perfect our characters guarding our future with Him. 23:53 I love the promise of Philippians 1:6. 23:56 It provides the assurance 23:58 that we can be confident of this very thing 24:02 that "He who has begun a good work in you 24:05 will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." 24:09 Glory to God, He does not forsake His children, 24:13 but He remains faithful to continue our development 24:17 until the very day that Christ returns for us 24:21 and we will be restored to His image 24:25 we will be perfected. 24:27 We shall be like Him. 24:29 Our destiny will be fulfilled. 24:32 Like the heroes of faith's history, 24:34 let us recognize that this world 24:37 is temporary and not our permanent home. 24:40 God's champions who sought a better place 24:43 in the coming of Christ 24:45 died without receiving the promise 24:47 of being united with the Lord. 24:49 They sleep in Jesus, secured by their faith. 24:54 And their next conscious moment 24:55 will be when He returns to bring them up with Him. 24:59 Those who are alive at His coming will not precede them 25:03 in entering into His presence 25:06 for the dead in Christ will rise first 25:09 and they will receive their rewards of obedient faith 25:12 when He comes for them in glory. 25:14 Let's look at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 25:20 which explains this. 25:22 Paul writes "I do not want you to be ignorant brethren, 25:26 concerning those who have fallen asleep 25:29 that includes those faith champions, 25:31 lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 25:35 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 25:39 even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. 25:44 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, 25:47 that we who are alive and remain 25:52 until the coming of the Lord 25:53 will by no means precede those who are asleep. 25:57 For the Lord himself will descend 25:59 from heaven with a shout, 26:00 with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. 26:04 And the dead in Christ will rise first." 26:09 Oh, my brother, my sister, walk in the obedience of faith 26:13 and welcome His coming rewards. 26:16 Focus your faith on Him. 26:18 By His power, He will keep you 26:21 for the supreme salvation that is to be revealed. 26:24 The trials which grieve you now will only improve 26:28 the genuineness of your faith. 26:30 Listen to the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 26:34 found in Revelation 22:12-14. 26:37 He says, "Behold, I am coming quickly 26:41 and my reward is with me, 26:44 to give to everyone according to His work. 26:48 I am the alpha and the omega, 26:50 the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 26:54 Blessed are those who do His commandments 26:57 that they may have the right to the tree of life 27:00 and may enter through the gates into the city." 27:04 Hold fast to the one you love. 27:07 The day of His second coming is near. 27:10 Believing you can stand fast 27:14 looking forward in faith to your future inheritance 27:17 reserved in heaven for you. 27:19 As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Peter 1:8-10, 27:23 he says, "Though now you do not see Him, 27:26 yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible 27:30 and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, 27:33 the salvation of your souls. 27:35 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired 27:38 and searched carefully who prophesied of the grace 27:42 that would come to you." 27:44 Well, our time together today is gone. 27:47 Please join us next time 27:48 when we will look at the one incident of faith 27:51 that caused the Lord of glory to marvel 27:54 as well as the turning point of faith in Paul's life, 27:58 until then, good bye. |
Revised 2024-09-11