======================================================================== THE GREATEST DISCOURSE ON FAITH (HEBREWS 11) by Keith Daniel ======================================================================== Summary: This sermon emphasizes the importance of faith as demonstrated by the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. It highlights the necessity of believing in God, coming to Him through the blood of the Lamb, preparing for God's judgment, diligently seeking Him, not looking back, obeying God's call, and being willing to endure afflictions for the sake of Christ. The message encourages believers to hold fast to God's promises, strengthen their faith through the Word of God, and be prepared to face persecution and trials with unwavering faith. Duration: 47:50 Topics: "Faith", "Perseverance in Trials" Scripture References: Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:7, Hebrews 11:8, Hebrews 11:24, Hebrews 11:33, Romans 4:19, 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 6:22 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This sermon emphasizes the importance of faith as demonstrated by the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. It highlights the necessity of believing in God, coming to Him through the blood of the Lamb, preparing for God's judgment, diligently seeking Him, not looking back, obeying God's call, and being willing to endure afflictions for the sake of Christ. The message encourages believers to hold fast to God's promises, strengthen their faith through the Word of God, and be prepared to face persecution and trials with unwavering faith. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The greatest, the greatest single document or statement of our Christian faith, the greatest single document or statement of our Christian faith is beyond doubt, beyond doubt, Paul's epistle to the Romans, Paul's letter to the Romans, but the greatest single discourse or sermon of faith, the greatest single discourse or sermon of faith is beyond doubt the staggering chapter found in Hebrews 11, the staggering chapter found in Hebrews 11, which commences with this profound statement. Now, faith, faith is the substance, the substance of things hoped for. Faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders, the elders obtained a good report. The elders obtained a good report through faith. Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God. Through 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. By faith, by faith, Abel, Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and by it, he being dead, he being dead, yet speaketh by faith. Enoch was translated, Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found, because God had translated him. For before his translation, he had this testimony that he had pleased God. He pleased God, but without faith, without faith, it is impossible to please him. For he that cometh to God, he that cometh to God must believe that he is, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith, the righteousness which is by faith. By faith, Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith, he sojourned in the land of promise as an estranged country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith, also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. She judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore, sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore, innumerable, innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they had come out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they had come out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country that is in heavenly. Wherefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city. He hath prepared for them a city by faith, Abraham. When he was tried, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said that in Isaac shall thy seed be called, accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead. From whence also he received him in a figure, by faith. By faith, Isaac. Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. By faith, Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his star. By faith, Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his board. By faith, Moses. Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child. And they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming the reproach of Christ, greater riches and the treasures of Egypt. For he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith, he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured, he endured as seeing him, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn, should touch them. By faith, they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, which the Egyptians, as she is saying to do, were drowned. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were accomplished about seven days. The harlot, Nahum, perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies. And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell Gideon, Samson, and Jesse, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdom, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword. Out of weakness, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Woman received their dead, raised to life again. And others, others were tortured, others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with a sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caves of the earth. These all having obtained a good report, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, God having provided some better thing for us. The day without us could not be made perfect. Now, the writer of this staggering discourse of faith, the writer of this staggering discourse of faith, emphatically states in verse 6, he that cometh to God, he that cometh to God must believe, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Firstly, he that cometh to God must believe that He is. He is, the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. Psalm 14 verse 1, for the invisible things, the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen. Romans 1 verse 20, all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. John 1 verse 3, all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. Through faith we understand, we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God. Verse 3 states, and so firstly, he that cometh to God must believe that He is, He is. Secondly, he that cometh to God must come as Abel came, for Abel came to God fearfully conscious that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Hebrews 9 verse 22, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin, for it is the blood, it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17 verse 11, it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. They shall take every man a lamb, and that lamb shall be without blemish. God commanded in Exodus 12 verse 3 and 5, but God was of course looking at and pointing mankind to the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God. Hebrews 9 verse 14, for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Hebrews 10 verse 4, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, but by his own blood he obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9 verse 12, we are justified by his blood. Romans 5 verse 9, through faith in his blood. Romans 3 verse 25, for the blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1 verse 7, for as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things of silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ. As of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1 verse 18 and 19, behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1 verse 29, the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13 verse 8, that is through the full knowledge of God, which is beyond my and your comprehension, but which doesn't blame God for any injustice or sin you or any who may ever doubt. You will be judged righteously. Don't blame him. He's beyond comprehension. Don't put him in a box and blame him. No, when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed. That is Jesus. Isaiah 53 verse 10, verse 11, he shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied. Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to the cross I cling. At the first moment God can save you. Before that, no matter what you do, even if you give every single cent you earn in life, even if you lay your own blood down, he won't save you. Nothing in my hands I bring. No religion, no good things that others have done that I haven't done, like the Pharisee and the Pope. No, nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to the cross I cling. Until that moment, God cannot save you. It's utter sacralism, blasphemy, to ask him when that price will pay. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing? How are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in his grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, and be washed in the blood of the Lamb. There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean. Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb. And so firstly, he that cometh to God must believe that he is. Secondly, he that cometh to God must come as Abel, by faith in the blood of the Lamb. Thirdly, he that cometh to God must also come as Noah, who being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moveth here prepared an ark to the saving of his house. Prepare an ark to the saving of his house. Hebrews 11 verse 7. Prepare thyself to the saving of thy soul. Hebrews 10 verse 39. Prepare thyself to the saving of thy soul. For God has also warned us. God has also warned us of his coming judgment upon this world. He will return in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. To Thessalonians 1 verse, oh soul, are you not like Noah? Move with fear here tonight. Hebrews 11 verse 7. Flee from the wrath to come. Luke 3 verse 7. Prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4 verse 12. Much more than being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5 verse 9. Even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1 verse 10. Firstly, he that cometh to God must believe that he is. Secondly, he that cometh to God must come as able by faith in the blood of the Lamb. Thirdly, he that cometh to God must also come as Noah, who being moved with fear, prepared, prepared in order to escape God's coming judgment. And fourthly, he that cometh to God must believe, must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Chapter 11 verse 6 says, And ye shall seek me, and ye shall find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, yes, I will be found of you, if you shall seek me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, yes, I will be found of you, when you shall seek me with all your heart. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11, 12. Dr. Thayer says, this is saying literally a share in the kingdom of heaven, a share in the heavenly kingdom must be sought for with ardent and fervent zeal, intense exhortation, not glibly as if you were doing God But fifthly, he that cometh to God dare not, dare not look back for no man, no man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, God manifest in the said in Luke 9, verse 62. For if they had been mindful of that country from whence they had come out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. If they had been mindful of that country from whence they had come out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. The writer warns in verse 15, remember Lot's wife, Luke 17, verse 32, if any man draw back, if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10, verse 38, but we are not of them who draw back unto perdition. We are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10, verse 39. And sixthly, sixthly, he that cometh to God must also come as Abraham, as Abraham, who when he was called to go out into a place which he said after receive for an inheritance, obeyed. And he went out, he went out, not knowing whether he went, not knowing whether he went. Verse eight, come out from among them, come out from among them, and be ye separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6, verse 17, for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world. In this present world, Titus 2, verse 11, God forbid that I should glory. Heaven help the preacher or Christian that does. God forbid that I should save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. I've got nothing to impress you, sir, lady, nothing that could make you even esteem me apart from the blood, apart from the cross of Christ. I've got nothing of any value to give you, and everything that came as a result, because the whole Old Testament and new revolves around one thing, the cross, from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, beginning in your home. The world and your home, the man's enemies, are the members of his own household. You don't have to go out there and find some wicked man to beat you up. You will be hurt more cruelly and mercilessly in your own home through the gospel of Christ. Jesus took three passages of the Old Testament to say that was speaking about my salvation, what would happen, but he said it with a broken heart. The man's enemies are the members of his own home, his own household. The son rises up against the father, the daughter against the mother, the father against the son, the daughter-in-law against the mother-in- law. Oh, I haven't come to bring peace, not yet, not while man still has a free will, keeping your own children, child, your own father. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world in my home is crucified unto me. And I, if any man loves son or daughter, father and mother more than me and doesn't take up his cross, he's not worthy of me. You've got to face this, not compromise and not backpedal, sir, even if they throw you into the gutter from your home. And they have done that before, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world. Galatians 6 verse 14, and seventhly, he that cometh to God must also come as Moses, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Have you done that? Is that written across your life? Do all your old friends know it? Do all your family know it? Your enemies know it and no one will argue, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. He that cometh to God must also come as Moses. That's 25 states. Blessed are ye, blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the son of man's sake. Luke 6 verse 22, for unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Philippians 1 verse 29, for all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3 verse 12, be careful here, not all that profess Christianity, that means nothing today, but all that will live godly, all that will live godly, in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Otherwise, you can go arm in arm with the sinners if you're religious. 2 Timothy 3 verse 12, beloved, we also in our lifetime may soon face persecution. I want to repeat that. We also in our lifetime may soon face persecution, imprisonment, stoning, and torture, and one day be forced into exile, and also wander about in deserts and in mountains to escape death, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, but by faith we shall endure as these great men and women of God did. For they obtained promises, they obtained promises, verse 33, and out of weakness were made strong. And as we soak ourselves in God's word, beloved, we also shall obtain promises, and out of weakness also be made strong, and be given grace, and enabled to take up the cross, and endure afflictions no matter what comes upon us. These heroes and heroines of our faith staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief, Romans 4 verse 19, and we also must not stagger. We also must not stagger at his promises, which will enable us also to rise up, to stagger the powers of hell, and glorify his name here on earth, but never forget faith cometh by the word of God. Take this book, Christians. Take this book, Christians, daily. Soak yourself in it. Soak yourself in it, and faith will surge into your hearts and enable us to also triumph as they did to death. Be careful what you do with this message, sir, because I will be staggered if we are not going to face this soon. Brother Don will now commit us to Christ, please. ======================================================================== Video: https://sermonindex2.b-cdn.net/ZSh-_DCLZSA.mp4 Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/keith-daniel/the-greatest-discourse-on-faith-hebrews-11/ ========================================================================