A Sermon by Rev. Keith Kiper
Media Pastor-Boonville Wesleyan Church
Media Pastor-Boonville Wesleyan Church
from Hebrews Chapter 11 (CEB)
Hebrews chapter eleven is often
called the “Hall of Faith” or the “Faith Chapter” of the Bible. That is because this chapter outlines for us the
lives of those who often maintained their faith , sometimes against incredible
odds including torture and death. This hall of faith includes those in both the
Old and New Testament. Many names had been added throughout the history of the
church. This list would include Origin, Joan of Arc, Martin Luther, John
Wesley, Huss, Tyndale, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, plus countless others throughout the world today. Some were
persecuted while others died for their faith. Many are being persecuted and
martyred throughout the world today. I’m
sure we can think of those in our lifetime, family members from our own church
that we can add to this list who maintained their faith.
We have our own hall of faith here at
Boonville Wesleyan. Our hall of faith would include those who have battled
cancer, ill health, financial difficulties. Their faces come to our minds as we
remember them today. Some have gone on to their reward. Others are still with
us, encouraging us with their testimony. In spite of hardships they have faced…
they refused to give in and maintained their faith as a testimony to God’s
amazing grace. They encouraged us. Others have come to know Jesus because of
their testimony. All these we mentioned have something in common. They
maintained their faith because they trusted God’s Word. They maintained their
faith because they had a vision of something better to come. It is almost
impossible to separate faith and vision.
As
Barnes Commentary well states, ”There is no part of the New Testament of more
value than this chapter in Hebrews; none which deserves to be more patiently
studied, or which may be more frequently applied to the circumstances of
Christians. These invaluable records are adapted to sustain us in times of
trial, temptation, and persecution; to show us what faith has done in days that
are past, and what it may do still in similar circumstances. Nothing can better
show the value and the power of faith, or of true religion, than the records in
this chapter. It has done what nothing else could do. It has enabled men and
women to endure what nothing else would enable them to bear.”You may ask: How
did they survive and keep their faith? I would like to look at four ways here
today.
1. VISION: In the early 1970’s preparations were being made for the
grand opening celebrations of Disney World in Orlando Florida. Many years of
planning and design had gone into building the new theme park. The founder,
Walt Disney died not very long before Disney World opened. One of its leaders
remarked that he sure wished Walt could see Disney World now. Another friend
remarked, He did see it, that’s why we are here today.
These members of the Hall of Faith
knew what it meant to have a vision,. They possessed something even better.
They knew what it meant to have a heavenly vision, a vision which looked past
the current trials and tribulations.
They envisioned that place that Peter talks about, a place
where they could partake of the divine nature.
2. CONFIDENCE: That
1980’s philosopher Jack Handy said, ”Sometimes I think you have to march right
in and demand your rights, even if you don’t know what you rights are, or who
the person is you are talking to. Then, on the way out, slam the door.”
Confidence can be both a good thing
and a bad thing. It wasn’t self-confidence or false pride that fueled the early
Christians. Their confidence was placed in an all knowing, all powerful God of
perfect love. We can have confidence in
God’s written Word, the confidence that the Holy Spirit can guide us, comfort
us, and direct our paths no matter what comes our way.
Paul gives us good advice in Ephesians:6:17 “ Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.
18 Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert
by hanging in there and praying for all believers. 19 As for me, pray that when I
open my mouth, I’ll get a message that confidently makes this secret plan[b] of the gospel
known. 20 I’m an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel. Pray so
that the Lord will give me the confidence to say what I have to say.”
3. HUNGER: Exodus 33:17-20
Common
English Bible (CEB)
17 The Lord said to Moses, “I’ll do
exactly what you’ve asked because you have my special approval, and I know you
by name.”
18 Moses
said, “Please show me your glorious presence.”
20 But,”
the Lord said, “you
can’t see my face because no one can see me and live.”
When Moses asked God to show him His
glory, the Lord warned him that no man can see Him and live. Even in the New
Covenant this is true. Only dead men can see Him. Now I’m not talking about the
physically dead, but those who have died to self. When one dies to self, there
is a renewed hunger to experience God in His fullness through the Holy Spirit.
John Wesley called this the Second Blessing. This is what we call
sanctification in our holiness churches. As Christians we draw strength from
above when we desire and seek God’s presence. We gain strength in times of
depression and tribulation through corporate worship. That why assembling
together is so important for the Christian. We not only receive God”s
blessing…we are encouraged by sharing prayer requests and needs. God can move
among our midst when we open pour hearts together in worship.
This
spiritual hunger must be more than the
physical hunger we sometimes have. Aaron Wilborn wrote some new words for a
song from the 1980’s.
“The pastor preached until 1:45, I could kill for a burger and fry,
don’t worry, be happy!”
“I'm
sick to death of the so-called Christianity of our day. What's supernatural
about it? When do people come out of the sanctuary awed and can't speak for an
hour because God has been in glory there? Dear God, as soon as they get out,
they're talking football, or sports or something or there's going to be a big
sale downtown or somewhere. We are not caught up into eternity.”
Yes,
that does sound harsh. But I feel it does describe the Laodician or luke warm
attitude present in many of today’s churches.
The
Rev. Tommy Tenney, the author of “The God Chasers” had some thoughts about
spiritual hunger also. Tenney called hungering after God, ”The secret path to
God’s presence.”
Matthew 6:33 tells us
“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
When people asked John Wesley how he drew such large crowds during
the first Great awakening he replied, “I set myself on fire, and the people
come to see me burn.”
That’s the kind of hunger those in God’s
hall of faith possessed. That’s the kind of hunger we need today in the church.
God used different methods at different times throughout the history of His
church. Someone well said that history should be a guiding post, but not a
hitching post. While I believe this to be true, I’m not a slave to
dispensationalism. What do I mean when I make that statement. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. Dispensationalism to me is a twenty five dollar
word for excuses. Some believe that all miracles ceased with the disciples. I
believe that God still heals today, saves today, and can work miracles in our
everyday life. Yes God moves, works, and heals at His pleasure and within His
will. But we can also limit what he does by our lack of prayer and lack of
faith. We must thirst for Him as Psalms tells us the deer thirsts after water.
He will then either answer our prayers or give us the supernatural strength
from only He can give to endure what comes our way.
Smith Wigglesworth, often referred to as ‘the
Apostle of Faith,’ was one of the pioneers of the (Pentecostal) revival that
occurred a century ago. Pastor Wigglesworth mentored Lester Sumrall. Some of
you will remember hearing Dr. Sumrall on the radio in the past.
Without human refinement and education he was able to tap into the infinite resources of God to bring divine grace to multitudes.
Without human refinement and education he was able to tap into the infinite resources of God to bring divine grace to multitudes.
Thousands came to Christian faith in his meetings,
hundreds were healed of serious illnesses and diseases as supernatural signs
followed his ministry.
A deep intimacy with his heavenly Father and an
unquestioning faith in God’s Word brought spectacular results including three
documented cases of individuals being raised from the dead.
Why does
God use some this way and not others? Why are some healed and not others? I
don’t know the answer. There is something in common …individuals like this did
share a spiritual hunger for God’s presence and a resolve to be persistent in
prayer.
4. RESOLVE:
The
dictionary defines the word resolve as, “To
make a firm decision about.” Or to bring to a usually successful conclusion.” Listen to what paul says in Phillipians
1:27-29
“27 Most important, live together in a manner worthy
of Christ’s gospel. Do this, whether I come and see you or I’m absent and hear
about you. Do this so that you stand firm, united in one spirit and mind as you
struggle together to remain faithful to the gospel. 28 That way, you won’t be afraid of anything your
enemies do. Your faithfulness and courage are a sign of their coming
destruction and your salvation, which is from God. 29 God has generously granted you the privilege, not
only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for Christ’s sake.”
The familiar song, “I Have Decided to Follow
Jesus” was written by someone who truly knew what it meant to have resolve in
face of persecution.
The
lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century
through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the
village chief, the convert declared, "I have decided to follow
Jesus." In response to threats to his family, he continued, "Though
no one joins me, still I will follow." His wife was killed, and he was
executed while singing, "The cross before me, the world behind me."
This display of faith is reported to have led to the conversion of the chief
and others in the village.[1]
The
formation of these words into a hymn is attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh.[2] The melody is also Indian, and
entitled "Assam" after the region where the text originated.[3] The fierce opposition is possible as
various tribes in that area were formerly renowned for head-hunting.[4]
An
American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed an arrangement which
was included in the 1959 Assembly Songbook. His version became a regular feature
of Billy Graham's evangelistic meetings
in America and elsewhere, spreading its popularity.[5]
We have taken a look today at
members of God’s Hall of Faith.” Many who have gone on before us have made
great sacrifices. WE may be called on to do the same in the course of our
lives. We may not always know the reason, but God knows. You see, Christianity
may not have all the answers. Christianity is the only religion that asks all
the right questions. As we close today, let’s turn to page 385 and sing “I Have
Decided to Follow Jesus.” Maybe you are facing a trial today. Jesus is still
the answer.
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