INTRO:
“…we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us…”
Hebrews 12:1 (HCSB)
I.Pleasing God Through Faith.
Passage
1Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible. 4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith. 5By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God.
- A.Even the Dead Testify.
- a.
4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
- b.Those who have finished their earthly race are still speaking to you today through their faith that they had while running their race…
- B.Our Faith Pleases God.
- a.
5By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God.
II.Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please God.
Passage
6Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. 7By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful. 12Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore. 13These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.
- A.Please God by Trusting in His Promises…
- B.Confess the Promises of God over your life.
- a.
13These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.
- b.Confession is Powerful.
- c.Confession is Part of the Work of Your Faith.
- i.James 2:26, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” HCSB.
- ii.
- 1.
7By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
- 2.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
- 3.
11By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.
- iii.Believing is not enough for James 2:19 says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.”
- 1.Illustration:
Panel 1 (No dialogue.)
Panel 2 Church member: Welcome, we're really glad you're here.
Panel 3 Church member: We sing the old hymns here.
Visitor: I love the hymns.
Panel 4 Church member: Would you help in the choir or the kitchen?
Visitor: Absolutely!
Panel 5 Church member: Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Visitor: Yes, I believe.
Panel 6 Church member: Do you bow before Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
Visitor: That is the one thing I cannot do.
Caption: JAMES 2:19
Use the arrows, swipe, or press ← → keys.
Panel 1 of 6
“Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”– 1st Corinthians 12:3
III.The Call to Endurance.
Passage
1Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
- A.The Cloud of Witnesses
- a.
4By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
- B.Dangers of the snares of sin.
- C.Keep focused on Jesus as not to waver to the left nor the right.
CONCL:
- Even though we miss loved ones who have passed away, they still talk to us and encourage us by their faith.
Remember the points
Fill in the blanks from today’s outline.
- Even the Testify.
- Our Pleases God.
- Without Faith It Is To Please God.
- Confession is .
- The Call to .