• As I close, I want to remind you that you are in a race 
• You have what it takes through Jesus Christ to finish well, you have one a helper – the Holy Spirit to guide and support you 
• Submit to God’s guidance and correction, loose unwanted weight and know that you have a great crowd of witnesses cheering you on and also taking notes 
• Let’s end this race well – Lets all heart those words “Well done good and faithful servant”

  Have you forgotten? Hebrews 12:1-11(Amp)

  • • The Spartan Beast -The Spartan Montana Beast is grueling:
      • 13+ Miles -Expect steep mountain elevation gain, thick mud, creek beds, and uneven footing
      • 30 brutal challenges, including carries, climbs, and crawls
      • Set in the rugged Montana wilderness in the Flathead Valley, it combines challenging mountain terrain, steep climbs, technical descents, and river crossings that demand both physical endurance and mental grit. 
      • Most participants finish in roughly 3.5 to 5 hours, heavily dependent on fitness level and course conditions
    • I, through the influence of some of the dudes here – have done this death race twice 
    • The first time, it was acceptable – I didn’t know what to expect but the second time when I came home with another injury- my beautiful wife asked me – Did you forget what happened last time? – maybe that was before I signed up for the second time 
    • When I think of our passage today of running with endurance – I think of the Spartan race – You know there will be challenges (John 16:33 (NKjv) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”) 
    • You think you know what it involves, but you only understand 10% of it- if that
    •  I wish this life race was a choice- I will sign up to walking and no obstacles please 
    • Whether you like it or not you are in it -running – intentionally or unintentionally 
    • The word Race comes from an Ancient Greek work agona- word used for conflict or struggle of many kinds 
    • Meaning, in this life there will be conflicts/struggles
    • And from Paul’s letter to the churches, we can say that he had an awareness of the race set before him: 
  • Philippians 1:29-30 (NLT) For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it
  • • Paul is saying – I signed the dotted lines, and I will count it all Joy when I get into various trials – why?
    • Because there is something greater that awaits us at the finish line 
  • I Timothy 6:12 (Amp) Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.
  • Hebrews 12:2 (Nlt) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. 
  • Jesus modeled this – Through it all He kept His eyes on the reward set before Him 
  • Paul never forgot that this second change he had been given was Agona for the Lord and we shouldn’t either 
  • My question for you today is, have you forgotten that you are in a race?

  Crowd of witnesses

  • • I got good news – Hebrew remind us that while we agonize, we are not alone 
    • One of the biggest lie and tactic of the enemy is to tell us and make us feel alone (Yet its written – I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5 Nkjv) – that’s a permanent promise) 
  • Vs 1. Therefore (meaning – its a given) since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses 
  • • There is a GREAT crowd of witnesses- who are these people?
      • People who trusted God and agonized to the end. Their lives testify that God’s promises are TRUE & AMEN. 
      • They confirm that is possible to live in the world of trouble and overcome while giving God all the glory 
  • The focus is not that these great men of faith are picking in the edge of Heaven cheering us on – (that’s the work of the Holy Spirit- Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby – John 14:26 (Amp)) –It’s us looking at their examples and agonizing well 
  • • Also, the witnesses are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Remember the Spartan race- on top of the encouraging words (you got this), the help to get over some of the obstacles, the shared snacks and mustard packets – one of the most powerful motivations was when I saw someone go through an obstacle, I thought that there was no way I could do it 
    • As I watched them, I saw (Witnessed) how they did it: they put their feet there, they held on to that part of the swing, they stepped on the left support step first, they used their left lung to breathe, and they smiled with their eyes while bitting their lips 
    • Today as I watch (witness) my brothers and sisters:
      • They lost their job and still showed up to church every time the door opened
      • They have health issues and they still praise with their hands lifted up
      • They just lost their child and yet they remained faithful
      • They have marriage issues, yet they continue to fight for the covenant
      • They are in their teens struggling with friendship at school, they feel alone, yet they are at the alter every Sunday worshipping God!
  • I am encouraged and challenged at the same time 
  • • Have you forgotten that you are a witness by the way you represent Christ and others are being encouraged or discouraged when they look at you?
  • Actions speak louder than words
  • Matthew 7:16-17 (NLT) You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.
  • What kind of witness are you?

  Unnecessary weight 

  • • You can’t run be a good witness if you are carrying  unnecessary weight
    • I have never seen a sign at the starting point of any race that says “Carryon weight limit” – It’s as given 
  • All runners know that less is more – that you only carry the essentials 
  • Vs 1-2 (Ampc) – let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus
  • • The unnecessary weight – The enemy cannot stop you from running 
    • But he can slow you down and discourage you in clingy to and entangled ways – and you end up trading your essentials for things that don’t help you and won’t help you in the race 
  • 1 Peter 5:8 (Nlt) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
  • • The writer warns us to strip aside – it’s a confirmation that we will have things in our lives that will sneak into our lives and slow us down
    • But we have to ask the Lord to search us, examine us and see if there is anything that is not intended to be on us during my race 
  • Psalm 139:23-24 (Nkjv) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
  • • Is there division, jealousy, strive, anger, lies, lust, fear, doubt, self-reliance, lack of faith, e.t.c 
    • All these things and much more are unnecessary weight – It serves us better to stop for a minute and check yourself 
    • 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Nlt) Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.
  • Lamentations 3:40 (Nkjv) Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord
  • We have a part to play and it’s for your own good 
  • Test yourself, ask the Lord to test you – if you don’t the unnecessary weight will cost you your reward and your life 

  Focus on Jesus 

  • • You can’t focus on Jesus when you are being bugged by unnecessary weight
    • Have you forgotten to keep your eyes on your lane and at the finish line? 
  • Vs 2-3(NLT) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
  • • We have so much we can learn from Jesus just on these two verses 
    • That He kept His eyes on the assignment and reward ahead of Him
    • He concentrated on the joy that awaited him – Whatever we focus on expands 
    • Because of the joy ahead -not during His trial but – joy ahead He endured the cross 
    • The joy of seeing you be reconciled with the Father – Him paying for the sin and acquitting us from any guilt of our sin – these was the joy that allowed Him to endure the cross
    • The joy of accomplishing His Fathers will, that none should perish but all have eternal life 
    • He endured the shame for you and I 
  • Isaiah 53:7-10 (NLT) He was oppressed and treated harshly,
    yet he never said a word.
    He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
        And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
        he did not open his mouth.
    8 Unjustly condemned,
        he was led away.[a]
    No one cared that he died without descendants,
        that his life was cut short in midstream.[b]
    But he was struck down
        for the rebellion of my people.
    9 He had done no wrong
        and had never deceived anyone.
    But he was buried like a criminal;
        he was put in a rich man’s grave.
  • 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
        and cause him grief.
    Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
        he will have many descendants.
    He will enjoy a long life,
        and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
  • Shameful mocking, shameful beating, shameful crown, shameful robe, shameful cross – Jesus despised it yet endured it – because His eyes were on the father 
  • • • I have realized that most of our unnecessary weight comes from trying to safeguard ourselves from shame 
      • We don’t want others to see us being ____ that bring shame 
      • That is why we are defensive, we preemptively strike with words, action and distance, we shut others out, we payback 
      • The cross was an instrument of shame – Public shame, Humiliation, pain and fear 
      • But Jesus all-knowing and all powerful disregarded the shame because He only set His eyes on the race that was set before Him 
  • Let go of shame dear brothers and sister – Let there be a renewing of the mind 
  • • • A mind that says, “I am new, the old is gone and I am a child of God” and I have a race to run /My eyes are on the finish line
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ( NLT) For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
  • I like how the writer ends vs 3  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

  Welcome discipline 

  • • Have you forgotten that you are a son and daughter of the most high God?
    • Everything we have spoken about (good witness, losing unnecessary weight, focus on Jesus) can only be possible if we welcome this word of encouragement 
  • Hebrews 12:5-6And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?  He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 
  • • The writer spends the next few chapters reminding you that, as a child of God there: 
    • The benefits come with discipline, protection comes with discipline, favor comes with discipline, growth comes with discipline, reward comes with discipline 
  • Not every hard time is a test from the enemy – sometimes it’s the necessary thing to refine you to be like the father 
  • Hebrews 12:11(NLT) No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
  • • I used to work in the cellphone industry back in the days – and I was in charge of inventory. For every 100 or so phones I would get one with a red sticker that said QC 
    • QC would take one phone among hundreds and test it to make sure that batch of phones are good – there would be rigorous testing 
    • This one phone would reveal the quality of the whole batch 
  • God is also in the QC business 
  • Proverbs 17:3 (NLT) Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart
  • Just like the phone under QC – God is more interested in the source than the symptoms 
  • Hebrews 12:7 (NLT) As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
  • Praise God that He is dealing with us as sons & daughters – think about what God does to His enemies 

The Crucible of the Promise 

I wrote this before Sunday’s message on Faith. God is speaking to His children about what He wants from us in this next season, and I believe it is to fully trust and have faith in Him and His Word.

Genesis 18:1-15 Then the Lord appeared to him by [a]the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” 0 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and [b]Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

What is going on?

Abraham is sitting under his usual spot- the terebinth tree. 

Three men appear- and Abraham bows himself before them. One must be the Lord, the pre-incarnate Jesus because Abraham bows and this man allows it. Abraham recognizes he is in the presence of the supernatural. We do not bow before angels. The other two are angels, who we will see next week are the two angels sent to destroy Sodom.

Abraham has Sarah make a meal for them, they eat and while they are eating the Lord once again confirms the promise to Abraham, but this time in the ear shot of Sarah. She laughs, saying to herself that this thing is impossible, they are too old.

Sarah’s laugh was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham, but a laughter of doubting and distrust. Sarah could not get over was her age. I am waxed old — like an old worn-out garment is the meaning. And past child-bearing age, AND having been barren, AND Abraham is old also. 

Sarah’s conduct has been unjustly condemned. Though Abraham may have guessed that his visitors were more than men, she probably had no such suspicions. Sitting inside the tent, and catching their words occasionally, listening, she hears her own name mentioned, when she hears them talk of her having a child she naturally laughs. thinking possibly that they did not know ALL the circumstances. 

This is now the promise to Sarah. The men have come to speak to Sarah. “Where is Sarah thy wife?”  And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” Sarah was listening in the tent door.

Sarah hears this with surprise. She knows that she is past child-bearing. Sarah laughed within herself, within the tent and behind the speaker; yet to her surprise her internal feelings are known to him. 

The man replies, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

In her confusion and fear, knowing her heart was read, she denies that she laughed. Perhaps at this point she realizes this is more than a man. The God who sees me hears me. He insists that she did laugh, at least in the thought of her heart. 

I believe this is the point at which Sarah receives faith and strength to conceive. The word told to her husband has now been told to her. And we find  sarah in the faith chapter

Hebrews 11:11 NKJV By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Is anything too hard for the Lord??

I recently read a book, “Surprised by the Voice of the Lord” and the author said this, I am paraphrasing, “For most of my life I believed God for too little. For the rest of my life, if I have to make one mistake, it will to believe God for too much”

But we know that is impossible to believe God for too much. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. It is only impossible in our eyes.

He has a purpose in everything He does. God’s promises shape and test us before they come to pass. 

Psalm 105:19 (ESV): “Until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.”

This verse refers specifically to Josep, but there is a spiritual principle at work. God gave Joseph prophetic dreams about his future leadership when he was a teenager. However, before those dreams were fulfilled, he was sold into slavery and wrongfully imprisoned for years. During this painful waiting period, the very word and promise God gave him acted as a test to refine his faith, patience, and character. 

What does this mean to you?

1)God’s word will test our faith, “Did God really say?” Is the language of the enemy. Make no mistake we have a common enemy and he hates us. His job is to deceive, to introduce doubt and disbelief. He undermines the word of the Lord and attacks the character of God.

Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Parable of the sower Mark 4:16-17 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 

Deuteronomy 8:2: “…the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” 

Tribulation and persecution WILL arise to test your faith in God’s Word. It is not a matter of IF but WHEN.

We immediately love the promise, but we struggle when our expectation does not align with the reality of our circumstances. A word from God creates a gap between what is promised and what is currently seen. When God gives a word, the waiting period before its fulfillment serves as a crucible. 

A crucible is a heat-resistant container used to melt or alter substances at extremely high temperatures. A specialized vessel—traditionally made of clay, porcelain, or graphite—engineered to withstand intense heat. Used by jewelers, metallurgists, and chemists to melt ores, cast metals, or perform chemical reactions requiring high temperatures.

Figuratively, a crucible refers to a severe trial or a transformative situation where people or ideas are rigorously tested. It is a challenging, often painful experience that tests a person’s character or resolve.

The Crucible of the Promise- when God speaks a word whether by the Spirit, another or the written word of the lord, it will be tested in your life, whether you will believe and hold firmly to God’s truth or whether you will fall into doubt and disbelief, despise God’s Word and fail to receive that which was promised.

Hebrews 12:16-17 NKJV lest there be any fornicator or [a]profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Sarah only knew her circumstances. Because God is supernatural, He speaks to things that only He can accomplish and it is on us to either believe that word or believe our present circumstances.

God spoke to pastor and I about planting a church- but it took five years, military service, several moves until that word came to pass. We had to hold onto what the Lord had shown us. Did we get discouraged? Yes. But we held each other accountable to the vision- I had severe internal struggles. My past was horrible. Could God use a wretch like me to build His glorious church? I was told HE would not.  Would I stand firm on His calling in my life, even if my mind could not conceive how HE could or would use me?

Faith is not seeing, neither is it walking blindly. It is holding fast to what the Lord has spoken.

2 Corinthians 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

God is strengthening our trust in Him. True biblical faith requires trusting the word even when everyday reality completely contradicts it.

God spoke multiple times to Abraham and to Sarah, strengthening their faith in His word. Sometimes you have to turn your back on everyone and everything and strengthen yourself in the Lord!

1 Samuel 30:6  Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

When David faced his darkest crisis: his city was burned, his family was captured, and his desperate men threatened to stone him, he did not give in to despair. Instead, he drew his courage and hope directly from God.

Guard your faith! Turn your face away from the problem and unto Jesus! A preacher told a story of a time when his son was in a bad motorcycle accident, They were at the hospital and he was watching his wife as they got news that their son may not live- she turned her face to the wall, rebuked fear, and called on the name of the Lord.

This is the actions of someone who has drawn strength from the Lord time and time again. They are not a novice- they have learned to face things with the help and power of the Lord. They have spent years and years in prayer and the reading of His word.

Abraham would not have ever been able to offer up Isaac if he did not have faith in God’s Word. The word will test you, and you will be put through a crucible!

IS anything too hard for the Lord!!??

2)God’s word is meant to refine our character. His divine promises are not just future rewards, but tools for present transformation.

The time period of waiting becomes a refining fire where God is purging our flaws.

Zechariah 13:9 New King James Version

9 I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them.
I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

The delay exposes hidden pride, impatience, self-reliance, and other ungodly traits forcing those traits to the surface to be removed. What will you do when God reveals the impurities in you? The fire will be turned up and impurities will arise. You have a choice. Let the Holy Spirit deal with those sins, or ignore it, ignore the refining fire and conviction and continue on in your pride?

God is more concerned with our character than our comfort! God prioritizes who a person is becoming over how comfortable they are during the process.

James 1:2-3: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

I have learned that discomfort and discipline from the Father actually means that I am loved and accepted. HE is dealing with me as a daughter. It is for my good that I go through hard times and hard trials. He is perfecting in me good character, and molding and conforming me into Jesus. This is my purpose in this world, to be conformed into the image of Jesus, give God glory and do His will. 

Whatever crucible I have to endure to become more Christ-like is worth the trial.

I remember a season early on in the ministry that was hard on me and hard on my family. It was a long season, at least much longer than I wanted it to be. I remember after a few years finally asking the Lord what was going on. I had done everything I knew to do. I prayed against the enemy. I took my thoughts captive. I worshipped. I prayed and prayed and prayed. The Lord spoke a word to me I will never forget, “Crystal, I am teaching you compassion.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any [a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The Word is a mirror. Scripture functions as a diagnostic tool, revealing the true motives and alignment of the human heart.

James 1:23-24 NKJV  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

How the word works as a mirror-

Reflection: Just as a physical mirror shows exactly what you look like on the outside, a word or message reveals the reality of your inner self. It exposes thoughts, biases, and unsaid feelings. Get you MY Utmost for His Highest Devo and get rid of your “Jesus is Calling”. 

Clarity: It cuts through self-deception and hypocrisy. When we hear or read certain truths, it forces us to confront who we are versus who we claim to be. Tozer on self-deception, you agree with yourself

Call to Action: A mirror is only useful if you do something about what you see. Hearing a truth and immediately forgetting it renders the reflection useless

We must see ourselves clearly! I praise God for tribulations and trials! They 1) make me reliant on the Lord and not myself, 2) deal with any and all pride in myself and my ability to handle things by indepentntly and 3) lead me to fall into the Lord’s hands for comfort

Through the crucible of refining our character, God is preparing us to receive the promise. The test ensures that when the promise is finally fulfilled, you have the spiritual maturity to handle it without falling into pride. 

I think about King David, getting a word when he was just a young man and having to wait15+ years to be king. HE was being prepared to rule a kingdom in righteousness and justice.

Joseph was being prepared to be second in command over an entire nation, and to save his people during the time of a famine.

1 Timothy 5:22  Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

God does not put people into positions they are not ready for, we should be mindful of this. Know yourself well enough to say, “I am not ready for the promise”. Look at yourself soberly and with discerning eyes.

Is anything too hard for the Lord?!

3)The character of God is at stake. This time-gap forces a person to choose between relying on circumstances or relying on the character of the Promise-Giver. 

WE had people tell us to not plant a church- family members and even pastors. I had people tell me that God could not use me in the ministry because of my past. We had to rely on the Word and character of a God who makes all things new. I will tell you as someone who came from the wrong side of the railroad tracks- one of the hardest promises you will have to receive is being a new creation in Jesus Christ, that your sins are under the blood, that you are loved and forgiven, that HE holds you in His faithful hands and that one day HE is returning for His faithful ones.

You have got to get to know the Lord! Otherwise you will be tossed to and fro with every wind and storm that comes at you. We can only know His character through prayer and the Word, otherwise you will find yourself believing in another Jesus and another gospel, which many in today’s world are falling prey to.  

God acts, keeps His word, and shows mercy “for His name’s sake”. God’s ultimate motivation for keeping His promises is rooted in His own perfect character, flawless reputation, and glory, rather than human merit. 

Psalm 23:3  ESV  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[a]for his name’s sake.

His reputation is at stake! The psalmist writes that God leads us in paths of righteousness “for His name’s sake,” indicating that His guidance and restoration are ultimately to bring honor to His own reputation.

Ezekiel 36:22-23 ESV  “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.

He delivers despite our failures. When the Israelites were unfaithful, God repeatedly spared and restored them not because they deserved it, but to protect the holiness of His name among the surrounding nations.

Psalm 138:2 English Standard Version  I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things  your name and your word.[a]

God’s promises are backed by the ultimate honor of His name, making His Word completely trustworthy. 

Because God’s name represents who He is (holy, just, and loving), His integrity is always on display. Therefore, He keeps His word because He cannot lie, deny Himself, or allow His reputation to be compromised

4)The Word of the Lord has sustaining power. The word given is not just the test; it is also the anchor that keeps us from giving up. It reveals that our present circumstances do not dictate our future in the Lord. We have hope in Christ, to see us through, to do all He said He would do

Jeremiah 1:12 ESV  Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”

He is actively watching over His promises to bring them to pass. Not a Word that He has said will fail. He will do all He said He would do. Even if it takes 70 years to bring it to pass. Jer 29:11 promise had a 70 year time gap. We must remain loyal to His Word. It is God’s character to keep His Word and that He is returning for us to bring us into His kingdom.

Staying faithful in the dark proves that we love God for who He is, not just for what He provides.

Hebrews 11 Faith that Endures

• Most things that matter in life take time to develop. Next to nothing happens instantaneously. 
• Yes, we believe in Miracles here. We know and we see miracles, but everything isn’t that way
• Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• Faith is believing God’s promises before God’s promises become visible. 
• Family. Relationships. Finances. Health. Breakthrough. Anything you’re waiting on.
• God is always faithful to His promises, even when we have to wait longer than we’d like.
• That’s believing before seeing. 

1. Faith Believes What God Said

• God speaks. Its what he does. If you’re in a relationship with the creator, he’s going to speak
• He’ll speak directly to you if you walk with him. You’ll sense him and hear him 
• John 10:27 – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me
• Its always been that way. God wanted relationship with his people, so he speaks to them
• Isaiah 30:21 – Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it”
• And its hard. Sometimes he’ll speak things to you that seem like they are impossible. 
• But bless God, he’s the God of the impossible. Sometimes what he says seems outlandish
• He says that he’ll save you. That he’ll redeem you. That he’ll set you free and bless you greatly
• Most often, he speaks to us by his word. You read it, you ingest it, and you know that God is speaking directly to your situation and desires. And his word says to you “I will do it” 
• Heb 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past… has in these last days spoken to us by His Son
• We’re nearing the end of the book. And its challenged them to not go back and now it says how
• It recounts some great people of faith that heard God speak and had faith for what they heard. 
• Abel. We don’t know everything God told Abel, but we know this: Abel believed what God said about approaching Him, and Cain did not. That was believing what God said. 
• Noah. God told Noah to build a boat to save humanity. Noah built it when he saw no rain. 
• Abraham. God told Abraham to go to receive an inheritance. Abraham went without seeing
• Sarah. God told Sarah that she would have a child late in life, She had strength to walk it out. 
• They didn’t have proof and visual confirmation that they should trust and believe, but they did
• That’s what Faith does- it begins when God speaks. God says it and they believe it was him
• It’s a conversion. You didn’t believe, but you heard God and now you have faith. 
• We are converted into ‘the faith’ but there must be a ‘conversion’ so to speak to have faith
• Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 
• As Jesus said- Mark 11:22 – Have faith in God.
• Just have faith in God. Be person that believes that God said what he said and will do it. 
• There was a father in Luke 9 that came to Jesus with a problem with his son-  he said to Jesus -18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.
• That’s a real world problem right there. There’s something wrong in my family, I need it to be fixed and I have no idea how it can be fixed, but I heard this Jesus fellow is in the fixing business
• So we go to Jesus, but we have difficulty believing. We’ve never believed before. 
• And Jesus says to this father and to us- Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
• And its hard. The circumstances say its impossible, but we must come from unbelief to belief
• The answer is Mark 9:24 – Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
• And he does. He helps your unbelief and you go from unbelief to FAITH and believe his words
• If you’re not believing God today, start believing him. Put your trust in him and his word

2. Faith Obeys Before It Sees

• Faith is believing after hearing, but faith is almost always connected to obedience.

• • God rarely speaks just so you would know something. He speaks because He wants you to do something.///
  • What good is the word of God and your faith in it if its not producing something spiritual or material in your life? As James 2:17 – Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

• It’s the “I believe” faith that never moves. I heard the word, but I never acted on the word.

• • And yes, there are times when you cant do anything and you must wait on God, but there’s other times when God hands you a spiritual shovel and says start digging I’ll send the rain
  • Noah built before rain. He didn’t wait to see the moisture, he trusted what he didn’t see
  • Abraham left before arrival. He didn’t demand all the details. His word was enough. I’m going
  • Israel marched before walls fell. Jericho didn’t fall on the first round. The 7th one. 
  • Rahab hid spies before victory. And her story may be the clearest picture of obedient faith in this chapter.
  • Rahab was a prostitute inside the walls of Jericho. Spies came to spy out and she lodged them
  • And she wasn’t Israel. She had only heard about God. She heard about the Red Sea. She heard about the victories. She heard what God had done. She hadn’t seen, just heard.
  • She said this- Joshua 2:11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath
  • So she hid the spies because she believed what she had heard and wanted to be saved.
  • in our Holy Bible it records a woman of the night as an example of obedient faith-  31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

• If a prostitute who is not a part of Israel can step out in obedient faith, shouldn’t you? 

• You haven’t just heard one story. You’ve heard many stories. You haven’t just seen God move one time you’ve seen him move many times, isn’t it enough for you to obey and move?

• • Jesus said this Luke 11:28 – Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!
  • Faith is not just believing for the impossible. Faith is obeying God in the ordinary.
  • The Christian life isn’t just from miracle to miracle its from sunup to sundown
  • You keep the commandments and the traditions through the circumstances and the trials

• You obey when you don’t see. You keep walking the path before the outcome is visible.

• Matthew 7:24 – Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them…
• At Jesus’ first miracle, His mother gave one of the greatest faith statements in the Bible.
• 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
• her words can and would resonate today in the same way- do whatever he says. 
• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight. 
• That’s the mark of a disciple of Christ. We do what he says without visible evidence. 
• That’s believing God’s promises before God’s promises become visible.
• What have you heard God say to you that you’re not walking in obedience to? 
• What area of your life are you not walking in faith when you know he’s spoken to do it
• You’re not experiencing the victory that you could in your life bc disobedience is faithless

3. Faith Endures What hurts

• • When you walk by faith not by sight you’re going to have to go through some stuff
  • It’s going to cost you relationships. Comfort. Reputation. Status. Sometimes even opportunity.
  • When you stand with God in faith and obedience, not everybody is going to celebrate it.
  • Faithfulness often makes unfaithfulness uncomfortable.
  • Moses chose reproach Hebrews 11:24-26 – refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God… esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt 
  • Reproach is the shame, ridicule, rejection, and loss that comes from identifying with God.
  • Moses could have had Egypt. Instead he chose God.
  • The outcome of living for faith isn’t always beautiful in the short term. Sometimes it’s a knock down drag out living minute by minute exercise in faithful obedience through pain and hurt
  • Hebrews doesn’t hide that reality. Some of its greatest heroes are people who suffered.
  • Hebrews 11:35 – Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:36 – Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. Hebrews 11:37 – They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword…Hebrews 11:37-38 – They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy.
  • You notice how they are remembered in the scriptures? “of whom the world was not worthy”
  • We’re going through this MVP hall of fame list of faithful people of faith we all know
  • The writer says, “I don’t have time to tell all their stories.”—Then the chapter shifts.
  • Others. These nameless faceless heroes of our faith that didn’t get their name mentioned
  • Just faithful followers of God who endured enough torture, mocking, sawings and torment to be mentioned in this hall of fame and labeled “of whom the world was not worthy”

• Most of what you’re suffering through will never make a history book. But God sees it.

• • But here’s an encouragement as you walk through your faithful affliction- “others”

• Join that rank. Join those who didn’t let the pain of being a person of faith stop them. 

• You’ve seen it. The people who are easily dissuaded by easy affliction. Don’t be like them. 
• When the only visible thing is torture, scourging, afflicted destitute as you walk in faith
• You don’t receive the deliverance of man because you’re waiting for the deliverance of God
• Yes, you or someone who know may be literally or figuratively ‘sawn in two’ and they may be discouraged in the moment but you endure through the hurt. You keep believing in spite of. 
• This is the path of faith! Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
• Whats happening to you now will not break your faith. It cant and it wont. 
• 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…
• Faith is not merely believing God when life works. Faith is believing God when life doesn’t.

4. Faith Holds Onto The Promise

• • This is where the whole chapter lands. They didn’t receive the promise. Yet they kept believing.
  • Most of God’s promises don’t arrive the moment they’re spoken. There’s usually a waiting season.
  • One of the hardest things to walk through- waiting. 
  • And when you’re waiting it seems like no one else is. Everyone is blessed but you. 

• You’re not Abraham. You’re not Moses. But your life matters to God too.

• You know you were supposed to marry and it gets difficult. You take a job that has challenges. You are waiting on a healing that isn’t coming to pass. A relationship that is yet to be restored
• But God spoke. You have faith and you hold onto his word. You have and you keep faith. 
• You believe God’s promises before God’s promises become visible. And sometimes they aren’t visible for a very long time.
• We’ve talked about it before, but like Shadrach, Meschach and Abendego who were put in the fire- Even if he doesn’t. I’m not changing. I’m not relenting. I may die believing God.
• Church, faith isn’t proven when the promise arrives. Faith is proven while you’re still waiting. ///
• I want the faith of Abraham Ro 4:20-21 he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith… being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform
• A faith that doesn’t let circumstance or discouragement pull them away from his word
• Psalm 27:13 – I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
• And then Hebrews gives its conclusion—39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
• You obtain a good testimony when you have faith, obey in faith, endure in faith.  
• What a testimony: they didn’t receive the promise, but they kept the faith.
• Not all promises are visible inheritances that you receive on your own timeline. 
• Sometimes you just keep believing even though you never received it. 
• 40 God having provided something better for us– is what it says. We trust in Gods plan
• God’s delays are sometimes his blessings as is the reality of not receiving the promise
• Its okay if you don’t see the promise in your timeline. Keep the faith. 
• Because faith doesn’t quit when the promise delays.
• Faith holds onto the promise.

Feelings, Thoughts, and Actions (Genesis 17:15-27) *All verses in NKJV*

Context/History:

– 24yrs earlier, God promised Abram that he would “inherit the land” and be “father of many nations”, but it’s been a long time now, and he is old, his wife is barren, and he had no children…

– Abram and his wife got tired of waiting, couldn’t see a possible way for the promise to be fulfilled, and took matters into their own hands… Abram had a son, Ishmael, by Hagar, Sarai’s maidservant. 

– Now Abram is 99, his wife is 90, and his illegitimate son, Ishmael, is 13 years old… God comes again to restate the promise, and make a covenant with Abram…

– 2 weeks ago: Pastor Crystal preached about Abram getting a new name… Abraham!

– When God establishes a covenant, He gives you not just a new name, but a new identity. A new name signifies a new mission/identity and a change of nature. (Father of Many Nations.)

– Last week: Pastor Kevin preached about the new symbol of the covenant: Circumcision. 

– Abraham had to have some skin in the game!… every male had to be circumcised. 

– In this same moment of Abraham getting a new name and the circumcision being declared, we find tonight’s verses…

Genesis 17:15-27, Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”

17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”

19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” 22 Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael; 27 and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

– I try to put myself in Abraham’s shoes… what was he feeling and thinking? 

– Abraham was known to be a great man of faith, so I want to grow in my walk and learn from his actions…

1. Feelings.

– Gen 17:17, Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 

– When I first read this, it sounded like Abraham was feeling exasperated. After so long, with all the obstacles, with no possible way… I picture a headshake and a huff, “Seriously God?! How?!”

– …even the NLT uses the words, “[Abraham] laughed to himself in disbelief.”

– These are human emotions. You want to believe because God is so great, but everything you see and know to be true says it isn’t possible… it’s natural to feel doubt…

– Sometimes what your brain is saying by faith, and what your body is feeling, don’t match up… (Example: trauma induced fear and anxiety vs knowing in your head you are safe.)

– As I studied the scripture some more, I found that based on the Hebrew word used here for laugh, it is better interpreted as a joyous laugh, not one of unbelief. 

– Abraham’s laugh didn’t seem to be one of cynical doubt, but instead of rejoicing in something he knew was impossible by all outward appearance, but that God could perform.

– This is confirmed by the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans:

Romans 4:16-22, Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

– Abraham can’t see how it is going to work, and needed to trust God… Learn from this example!

– Abraham didn’t let his feelings stop him from believing the promise God had for him.

– Don’t worry too much about your feelings. You can’t always control how you feel, your feelings will betray you… You can “take every thought captive,” and “practice self-control” of your actions, but sometimes your emotions and body have a mind of their own… don’t condemn yourself for it…

2. Thoughts.

– Gen. 17:18, And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”

– When I saw this, it sounded like Abraham was basically saying, “I can’t have kids naturally, and Ishmael is already here. God, why can’t you use him to fulfill the promise and covenant?!” 

– It’s human nature, right? Abraham has put in 13 years into this solution… this could work, just tweak the plan a little to fit what I’ve already done… I don’t want to start over… I’ll make it work!

– That’s NOT what Abraham was thinking at all! 

– Abraham made a mistake with Ishmael. This was not God’s plan…

– Abraham realizing now that mistakes have consequences, and Ishmael was a son he loved, he did not want Ishmael to be left out or forgotten by God.

– Abraham was thinking about his son, and not wanting him to be punished for his mistake. 

– Abraham’s thoughts were for his family, not for himself.

– He didn’t take this moment before God to plead his own case, or ask for concessions for himself, but chose to fight for his son, and make his request known to God. 

– Phil. 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

– God is gracious! Ishmael will be blessed, but the covenant with be through Isaac.

– You can’t always control your feelings, but you can take every thought captive! (Many thoughts jump into your head, but what you do with them matters. Meditate on them, or capture them.)

– 2 Cor. 10:3-5, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

– Example: 2 easy and tangible ways to do this:

1. Turn off the noise!! All the bad influences that come at you through Social Media, talking heads, movies, TV, etc… Turn it off and it won’t make a home in your head.
2. Counter every negative thought from yourself or others with scripture. Your brain speaks fear and anxiety, you remember verses about peace and hope. Someone tells you lies, you remember the truths of the Bible… (That’s why it is good to memorize some verses, or at least read your bible often…)

– Phil 4:8-9, Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

3. Actions.

– This is the biggest lesson we can learn from Abraham: Regardless of how he feels or what he thinks, he is still immediately obedient to what God commands him to do.

– Gen. 17:23, So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house … and circumcised [them]… that very same day, as God had said to him. 

– Abraham was immediately faithful. 

– It is okay to “patiently wait on God” for the big stuff, but there are many, many things we already know he commands of us that we can do right now, today! (Love, give, serve, think of others better than ourselves, worship him, evangelize, etc…)

– This reminds me of a parable that Jesus told:

– Matthew 21:28-31a, But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” 

They said to Him, “The first.” …

– Regardless of how we feel, or even what we think, our obedience to God and His word is shown through what we do.

– Self-reflection moment: Do your words say you trust and believe God and His promises, but your actions show no movement? You say “God is first,” but your actions are self-seeking or selfish?

– Do you believe it? Do you have faith? Where are your actions to back that up?

– James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

– Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. His faith was displayed by his immediate obedience to God and his commands. He was faithful.

– Can the same be said about you? Why not? What needs to change?

– prayer –

A Common Thing Hebrews 10:26-39

• • We’ve all drifted in our lives. I’ve started more eating plans, workout plans, financial budgets than I can count. It always starts with vigor and enthusiasm, but eventually, I’m back to ice cream and unbudgeted late night memos runs. Its human nature. We start strong and drift. 
  • But in reality, none of those things are going to keep us out of heaven. Chubby, inconsistent taco eaters are going make heaven if they trust in Christ as savior. (you should amen this)
  • This Hebrews passage is much more sobering and has eternal consequences if ignored. The warning is far more serious. This drift has eternal consequences.
  • The danger is not that Christ is unable to save. The danger is walking away from the only Savior who can. The danger is treating a relationship with God as a common thing 
  • For ten chapters, Hebrews has been proving that Jesus is better. Better than angels. Better than Moses. Better than the priesthood. Better than the sacrifices. Better than the old covenant.

• So the warning is simple: Don’t go back. Don’t treat him as a common thing. 

• Today we’re going to answer a very important question: Are you running toward Christ, or are you running away from Him?///

• A common Thing

• • I want to start in the middle of the scripture today because the context of the verse matters. The meat of this scripture is the “if we sin willfully” but before we start talking about sin, we need to establish what that sin is predicated on. 
  • Covenant. This portion of scripture is establishing that the Hebrews are under the New covenant, and not the Old covenant and they can’t go back to the old covenant. 

• You can’t treat it as a common thing. 

• • If they go back to the Old Covenant, they are 1. Trampling the Son of God underfoot 2. Counting blood of the covenant a common thing 3. Insulting the spirit of Grace. 
  • What is a common thing? A thing that has no high value and importance. Not Elevated in regard
  • People have difficulty with deference. Its rare- Deference refers to yielding or submitting to the judgment, opinion, or wishes of another person, usually out of respect, reverence, or recognition of their authority, age, or expertise. Its widespread in American culture. 
  • Disrespect of Parents from children. Dishonoring of one another in marriage. Defiance of a Pastors authority in a Church. Dismissal of the value of your fellow believer in the Church. 

• The rugged American individualistic mindset many is not compatible with covenant living. 

• • People treat their relationship with God, others and his church as common. “Just another thing”
  • But they’re not common. And when we treat God, His Word, His church, or His people as common, we’re moving in the same direction Hebrews warns about.
  • Trample the son of God, Count the covenant an common thing and insult he spirit of his grace. 
  • When you enter into relationship with God, you are entering into a covenant with God. 
  • A covenant is a binding agreement in which the parties agree to certain terms and conditions
  • God’s side– Jer 24:7 I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
  • Our side- Jos 22:5 – love the Lord, walk in His ways, keep His commandments, hold fast to Him
  • Jeremiah 31:33-34 – I will be their God, forgive their iniquity, remember their sin no more

• 1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

• If you have received Christ, been baptized, took communion, you’re in a covenant with God

• Heb 8:7 if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Luke 22:20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

• We, and the people of Hebrews are under the new covenant of his grace. 

• • We can’t treat it as a common thing. What we do. Who we are. How we live, it matters. 
  • Christianity is not an activity of the civic virtue, it’s a deep covenant with the creator./// 

• And what Hebrews is saying, is if you break this new covenant, its dangerous and eternal 

• He Goes so far as to say- 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

• It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Why? He takes it seriously

 The whole argument of Heb. is Christ is your high priest, not the law of moses- don’t go back

• • Hebrews says this-10:28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace
  • He’s referencing Deuteronomy 17:2-6 Lets read it together- 
  • Notice- Transgressing the covenant is wickedness, Gone and served other Gods and worshipped them, Bring them out to your gates and shall stone them to death
  • That scripture connects with us today- You’re in a covenant with God and if you reject  that covenant- ‘there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins”. You’ve treated the cross as “common”

• Why? Because Jesus is the new covenant. the only one who can save you from your sins, and if you willfully, deliberately leave the covenant which you now know to be true- you’re sunk

• there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries
• What’s your plan when you stand before God on judgement day? To what will you point to as your justification of the forgiveness of your sins besides Christ? There’s nothing else! 
• If Christ is rejected, what exactly are you planning to stand before God with?///

• Don’t Reject The Covenant (v26-31)

• • 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
  • The willful deliberate sin in the context of this verse is not about deliberate transgression of God’s Moral laws. Its about willfully rejecting the covenant of Grace you’ve entered into. 
  • Here’s the truth- We all sin. Every single one of us. I don’t need to sell you on it. 
  • A simple application of this verse would lead someone to believe that those who sin willfully, will no longer be in God’s grace and that Christ can and will no longer forgive you
  • The primary issue in this passage isn’t merely habitual acts of sin. The primary issue is abandoning Christ Himself. That’s the deliberate sin. Leaving the high priest and going back. 
  • But don’t miss it- Sin is bad. It transgresses God’s law and affects our fellowship with the Father. 
  • The Bible is clear- Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • 1 cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor [c]sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 

• We aren’t supposed to take part in sin we’re to reject it, repent of it and come to Christ. 

• • 1 Cor6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

• That’s who we were and that’s not who we are. Christ is FAITHFUL to forgive our sin. 

• • 1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 Jn 2:2 And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous Acts 13:38-39 through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

• The issue of this text is not the willful breaking of God’s law by the believer. If it were, then all of us would be condemned and sentenced to Hell because of our willful disobedience.

• • Church, sin is serious. All sin is serious. Whether it’s sexual sin, drunkenness, jealousy, gossip, selfish ambition, or hatred. Don’t let sin deceive you. It can and will contribute to Drift. 
  • The danger is not that every sin is apostasy. The danger is that unchecked sin hardens the heart and leads people away from Christ. Hebrews “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”
  • That’s the outcome-  The ultimate deception of sin is convincing you that you no longer need Christ./// That you can find some other remedy for your sin. You continue in Sin and die. 
  • Its not about ordinary failures, struggles and outright disobedience to the precepts of God. 
  • Its about Deliberately rejecting the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Its going back to law. 
  • The Hebrews were considering Going back to the Old system. You’re not considering Judaism
  • You’re considering Going back to a life where you live on your own terms away from the Father and try to forgive yourself, fix yourself, Focus on yourself. Your flesh wants you to live for You. 

• If Christ isn’t what you’re holding onto for your eternity, what exactly are you holding onto?

• • God’s remedy for sin is simple- trust in the sacrifice of Christ as your high priest to forgive. 
  • He is the better way and the High priest that wants to forgive your sin and change your nature. 

• Hebrews is a big long sermon about not going back.Heb 2:1 drift away, Heb 2:3 neglect so great a salvation, Heb 3:12 departing from the living God, Heb 3:13 hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, Heb 4:1 come short of it, Heb 4:11 fall according to the same example of disobedience, Heb 5:11 dull of hearing, Heb 6:6 fall away,

• And remember, just a few verses ago Hebrews told us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Why? Because isolation accelerates drift. God gave you the church as a safeguard, not a burden. The Church is the greatest safeguard to drifting. 

• Don’t insult the spirit of his grace. Don’t go back to your old way of life. Don’t Go back. 

• Dont consider going back to a life without Christ. Don’t quit going back to the cross. 

• When you sin, RUN to him. Don’t treat it as a common thing. Its majestic that he forgives

• Hebrews 7:25 – able to save to the uttermost, always lives to make intercession

• 1 John 2:1 – if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father
• You can violate a law and still love God. You cannot despise Christ and remain close to Him.
•  Drift rarely begins with open rebellion. It begins with a shrinking affection for Christ.
• Nobody wakes up in apostasy. They drift there. Its compounding sin and isolation
• The question isn’t merely, ‘Have I sinned?’ The question is, ‘Am I still running to Christ?

• Persevere Because You Know The Truth (v32-39)

• • However demonstrative and challenging the scripture is, Hebrews gives immediate remedy
  • READ V 32-39 recall the former days ,you endured a great struggle ,you had compassion, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves ,He who is coming will come and will not tarry, The just shall live by faith;

• we are not of those who draw back to perdition, we are those who believe to the saving of the soul. That’s not who the Hebrew people are and that’s not who we are either. 

• • We don’t treat him as common and we don’t draw back. The opposite of apostasy is not perfection. It’s perseverance. We don’t draw back. We live by Faith. 
  • The evidence of faith is not that you’ve never fallen. It’s that you keep getting back up and following Christ. We Keep going back to the cross. We keep repenting. Its not common to us. 
  • Our hope is not that we never stumble. Our hope is that we never leave Christ.
  • We don’t persevere because we’re strong. We persevere because Christ is worth holding onto.
  • We recall the former days- Time and time again Christ has forgiven our sins, we always go back
  • We endure great struggles– Christ has forgiven and sustained us in our periods of sinful despair
  • We Know we have a possession- Christ has saved us, forgiven us and has sealed us in promise
  • We know he will come for us– We live with an expectation of his imminent return to rescue us
  • We live by Faith- He who has saved us will continue to save us, intercede for us and redeem us
  • Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
  • My salvation isn’t on me, its on him. I didn’t save myself and I can’t keep myself on my own 
  • He started the work and he’s the one who is going to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
  • I stay in the covenant. I don’t treat it as a common thing. I stay in the New Covenant of Christ
  • I’m not going to drift away, I’m not going to neglect so great a salvation, I’m not going to be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, I’m not going to come short of it, I’m not going to be dull of hearing, depart from the living God. I’m not. I’m staying in his grace and mercy. 
  • I’m going to keep going back to the cross because it’s the only sacrifice for sin. No other way. 

• Are you trusting Christ to save you and forgive you or are you trusting yourself? 

• • Are you Drawing near to the covenant through the cross to forgive you? Holding fast?

• Because the remedy for Hebrews 10 is not panic. The remedy is perseverance.///

• • Yes, the danger is real. The judgement is real. The warning is real. But so is the savior. ///
  • Don’t trample the Son of God underfoot, Don’t counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insult the Spirit of grace

• He will intercede for you. He will hold you. He will forgive you. You need to not draw back

• You’ve been told the truth, you know the truth, you persevere and stay in the truth. 
• We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.——That aint us. It never will be. Jesus our high priest will never be a common thing to us. 

Somethings must be cut off Genesis 17:9-14

• • Abram is 99 years old and God appear to him and gives him a new name, a covenant and a promise for his future generation 
  • Refer to the message Pastor Crystal preached last Wednesday

• Up to this point, God has been the one that has been doing all the heavy lifting – actually all the lifting 

• • Just in Genesis chapter 17- we see:
    • I will establish my covenant 
    • I will make you a father of many nations
    • I will make you exceedingly fruitful 
    • I will make nation of you and kings will come from you 
    • I will establish a covenant between you and your descendants 
    • I will give you and your descendants …land 
    • I will be their God 
  • The tone changes in vs 9

• Vs 9-10 (Nkjv) And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: 

• • As for you….
  • There comes a time when we have to put some skin in the game …literally
  • To “put some skin in the game” means to have a personal, stake or risk in an undertaking. It implies that by investing your own resources, you become directly affected by the outcome, which encourages careful decision-making and commitment

• Vs 9-11 (Amp) – Further, God said to Abraham, “As for you [your part of the agreement], you shall keep and faithfully obey [the terms of] My covenant, you and your descendants after you, throughout their generations. 10 This is [the sign of] My covenant, which you shall keep and faithfully obey, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be the sign (symbol, memorial) of the covenant between Me and you.

• God is asking Abram to be invested in this relationship and to teach his generation to do the same
• This Christian walk is a contact sport – we can’t just sit on the side lines and just watch or rip the benefits 
• Yes, please come as you are – stay and get healed but after some color start coming back to your face – lets get involved 
• Mgeni siku ya kwanza – Swahili saying 
• I heard a Pastor say that they don’t agree with the Church is a hospital – He said Church is a military base where we train people to fight – fight the good fight 
• And I will add – yes there is triage, but not for us treat you and send you back home – we treat you and enlist you to fight for your country, your family, your church, your brothers and sisters 

Foreskin

• • God knows that sometimes we need motivation and reminders – and this is what we see here in Genesis 

• Vs 10 -11 Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 

• • Why the foreskin not an ear rope, a slice of the pinky, tip of the tongue, take out a tooth, why not any other body part?
  • God does not haphazardly do things – something done in a random, disorganized, or unplanned manner.
  • Let’s look at God’s promise to Abram:

• Genesis 15:5 (NLT) Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

• Genesis 22:16–17 (NLT) “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants[a] beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. 

• • God’s promise to Abraham was centered around descendants
  • Why the foreskin? – the sign was placed directly on the organ connected to the promise itself
  • The covenant was placed right at the source of the promise to Abraham 
  • The reproductive organ that would bear the mark of the promise represented future generations, a promise for future generations – be fruitful and multiply 

• That every time Abraham and his generation knew their wives, there was visible and unmistaken evidence of God’s covenant 

• • I want you to realize that every covenant God made involved blood and this one was not any different 
  • The only difference was that the CHOICE was put in the man’s hands 
  • God can do a lot of things to bring you to a place of repentance, but He cannot repent for you 
  • You have to subject yourself to cutting/circumcision – because we all know that somethings have to be cut off before we can be right with God!

• Hebrews 12:1 (Nkjv) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

• • There has to come a time in your life when you have to realize that there are things that you are carrying and those things are interfering with you on your race 
  • Some of you have the Kenyan blood in you – you are runners #runyourrace – But the issue is that your backpack is full of rocks from you past, your strength, your goals, your dreams, your hurts, your upbringing e.t.c 
  • When you hear let go and let God- some of you stop and start taking one out on rock at a time 
  • It’s time to cut of the straps and let that backpack go – somethings have to be cut off 

• Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

• Circumcision constantly reminded Israel: “You belong to Yahweh.” And He was their everything
• Even in the most private area of life, they were consecrated to God

Servants 

• Vs 12-13 From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. 13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.

• From this part of the Bible, we see two things:

• Every male born in Abraham family must be circumcised 

• And this – every servant born in the household and even foreign -born servant who has been purchased 

• Here is proof again that you my friend – you gentile – you were not an after thought 
• Paul was not the one that first thought of gentiles been included – God had already planned for this 
• This is so significant
• Check out the parallel 

• Added 

• Genesis 17:12 (NkJV) …., he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.

• • • Foreigner, slave, not biological descendant 

• Ephesians 2:11–12 (NLT) Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

• Bought

1. 1.  Abraham’s servants were bought with silver

• Vs 13: and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised…

1. You and I believers were bought with Christ’s blood.

• 1 Corinthians 6:20(Nkjv) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

• The covenant sign 

1. 1. 1. Covenant was a physical mark 

• Genesis 17:13 (Nkjv) ……and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant

1. 1. Now the Holy Spirit is the mark of promise 

• Ephesians 1:13-14 (Nkjv) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

• Family and all privileges

• Exodus 12:48 (Nkjv)  And when a stranger [a]dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land

• Ephesians 2:18-19(Nlt)  Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

As for you…. Your part 

• • Your Heart must be circumcised – somethings must be cut off 

• Proverbs 4:23 (Nkjv) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.- Heart ( private and source)

• 1 Samuel 16:7(Nkjv) ….For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

• Deuteronomy 10:16  (AMPC) So circumcise the foreskin of your [minds and] hearts; be no longer stubborn and hardened

• • Moses is telling the Israelites – don’t just settle for the outside appearance that you bear the mark of circumcision – you need to check your hearts 

• Deuteronomy 30:6( Nkjv) – And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

• Jeremiah 4:4 (Nkjv) Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire, And burn so that no one can quench it, Because of the evil of your doings.”

• Romans 2:28-29 (NLT) For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[a] from God, not from people.

• Colossians 2:11(NLT) – When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

And this…

• vs 13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. 14 Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.”

• • Anyone who fails to be circumcised in the heart will be cut off from the family of God for breaking the covenant 
  • They will not bear the mark of the Lord 

• 2 Corinthians 1:22 [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise].

Something must be cut off- what do you need cut off today?

The Work is Great 1 Chronicles 29:1-16

• Doing something sacrificial for someone else is one of the most rewarding things you can do
• Its what breaks you of your self, it elevates another person, honors who they are. 
• I remember for a Church anniversary that Ps Jay made me a wonderful quilt
• Every time I pull it over myself during football season I’m reminded of his love for me
• It wasn’t easy to make. It took time. Skill. Sacrifice. Work. Time. And mostly love
• But that’s what it takes to do something meaningful. It doesn’t come easy, but its worth it. 
• Just like that quilt, this church didn’t build itself.
• It wasn’t easy to make. It took time. Skill. Sacrifice. Work. Time. And mostly love
• And my hope is when the Lord looks down on us///, he’s pleased with the work we’ve done. 
• 1 Chron 29:1 …the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God.
• What he’s done here is by him, through him and for him. The work is great, but worth it. 
• Today I’d like to talk about the faith it took to get here and rejoice in our 23 years of ministry. 

Background of the scripture

• David is at the end of his reign. God has told him that he will not build the temple, but his son Solomon will. David publicly challenges the nation to support the work of building God’s house.
• He leads by example, giving generously from his own wealth before asking anyone else to give.
• The leaders and people respond with willing hearts and abundant generosity. 
• David then prays, acknowledging that everything they possess came from God in the first place and that their gifts are simply a return of what already belongs to Him. 

To build our church-

1. We Believed

• • 1 Chronicles 29:1 The work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God.
  • To build anything you have to have faith. A business, a project, a family. You see the goal and you see a vision of what it could be. You talk, you plan, you pray, and then- you do it. 
  • But it takes faith. It takes belief. Because anything you build will have challenges. It just will. 
  • Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
  • So ask, and you think and you put your hand to the plow but you just keep faith in God. He will
  • For FVC, we set up that first Sunday with no visitors and we believed. We kept meeting. We added ministries. Setbacks. Loss, but we kept the faith. Moved to the warehouse 10 years. Added staff. Sent missionaries.  Moved to this building. Paid it off. Bought properties. Believed
  • The work was bigger than us. We started with vision before we had resources. We believed God wanted a church here. Every great work of God begins with people who believe His promise.
  • Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

• And the church life mirrors an individuals life doesn’t it? Challenges with money, relationships, properties, setbacks etc. But you just keep believing through it all. You don’t give up. You cant

• Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
• Zechariah 4:10 For who has despised the day of small things? 

2. We Sacrificed

• Love always sacrifices. People gave time, talent, treasure, energy, and effort.
• The church was built because people loved God’s house. Sacrifice is the evidence of affection.
• 1 Chronicles 29:3 Because I have set my affection on the house of my God…
• We love our church. We love God, his people, the presence of God and what he does here. 
• But he’s able to do it because of the sacrifices of the people. Its more than money. Its lives
• Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
• Every service, project, ministry, outreach, retreat, event, paint chip and cup of black coffee
• Sacrifice. People said- God is more important than my money. My time. My relaxation ///
• 2 Samuel 24:24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” 
• There’s a real cost to building for the King. Money tithed is money not spent on self. Not invested in retirement. Time spent is time away from family and recreation. A real cost. 
• But Jesus sees it. He saw the widow with the 2 mites and he sees you. Its sacrificial. 
• And we’re not trying to pat ourselves on our spiritual backs here to take recognition, we’re just declaring- it took sacrifice. We all bear the emotional, relational, financial and spiritual scars
• But that’s what love does. Like a mother who sacrifices her body to bear children, its worth it
• 2 Corinthians 8:3 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
• And some have great ability. The 165k to pay off the building and the faithful weekly tither. 
• Beyond their ability. That’s the sacrificial model of a Church that does a great work for the Lord
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

3. We Consecrated Ourselves

• So David stands before the congregation of Israel as they build the temple and says
• 1 Chronicles 29:5 “Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?”
• To consecrate yourself means to set yourself apart for God’s purposes.
• He wasn’t asking who is willing to donate, he’s asking them to lay down their lives for God
• A donation says “here’s what I have” consecration says “Here I am, use me as you will”
• That’s how the kingdom of God is built. Surrender. Its laying down your nets and following. 
• It’s a mindset that says, Lord the work is great but you’re greater and you’re worth it. 
• Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
• That’s the heart of our church. Willing vessels of honor willing to do whatever it takes for him
• Believing is faith. Sacrifice is cost. Consecration is commitment. It says “I’m here for it”
• It’s the ministry leaders but it’s the entire body. Fixing, cleaning, cooking, serving
• But it’s the late night calls. The long parking lot talks. The hugs and the help. 
• The greatest resource of this church hasn’t been the money- its been the people
• Money doesn’t build a church. Dead people build a church. ///
• Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
• That’s a heart that runs a discipleship group. Gives generously. Practices for worship. Works on a message. Shows up early for Service manager. Kids ministry. Safety. Ushers. Sound. Consecrated. 
• 3 Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
• We love our Church because we love the one who’s building it and we go over and above all. 
• 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
• When people come in, they sense that we’re on mission together for the Lord. 
• Col 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
• A consecrated heart is willing to do whatever it takes whenever the Lord has need of it. 

• 4. We Rejoiced

• 1 Chronicles 29:9 says “Then the people rejoiced…”
• Well yes. Yes they did. They were building a house for the Lord and they were pleased what they had done and pleased for who it was for. They set their affection and then praised him
• When you’re in a FVC service, you can tell that we worship from our guts. We’re thankful 
• We celebrate that Jesus forgave us and set us free, but we also rejoice that souls have been saved, lives have been changed, marriages have been restored, children raised in the Lord, /// missions gone out, and we’ve strengthen countless other Churches with this ministry. 
• Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
• What else in life matters? What else has this type of teeth that grabs the depths of our souls
• Nehemiah 12:43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.
• Do you realize that all of my pastor friends are enamored with our church? They’ve never seen anything like it. They all say the same thing- This church worships God. And we do
• We’ve had services where we hit 100db! That’s as loud as a chainsaw or a motorcycle! 
• Psalm 100:1-4 make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

• Luke 10:20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

5. We Remembered

• 1 Chronicles 29:14 “For all things come from You…”
• Every blessing came from God. Every provision came from God. Every breakthrough came from God. Every victory came from God. Gratitude keeps us humble.
• We cannot ever forget that it was the Lord that did this. Not us. Christ in us, the hope of glory
• Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;
• It’s a very easy human condition to receive a blessing and forget who did it for you. We cant
• James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
• You were saved? Redeemed? Got that Job? Provided for your family? Friends, spouses, kids
• Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
• We have instilled and need to continue to instill in our children- The Lord built this house
• Ungrateful people think more about what they’ve done and what others haven’t. 
• When you pray, when you worship. Remind yourself of the goodness of God and what did

6. We Glorified God

• • And so we believed, we sacrificed, we consecrated, we rejoiced, we remembered
  • 1 Chronicles 29:16“All this abundance… is from Your hand, and is all Your own.”

• That’s the best part of it all. We didn’t do more than give back to God what was his already

• • This church belongs to God. This ministry belongs to God. This story belongs to God.
  • The glory belongs to God. We have been stewards of what He has entrusted to us.
  • Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another,
  • He gave us life, skills, and provision. Its all from his hand and we’re to use it for his glory
  • Jesus called 12 disciples 2000 years ago and asked them- will you lay down your life so that we can change the world and draw people to a relationship with the father?
  • They went and they spread the message and changed the world. Jesus told them
  • John 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
  • And that’s our DNA. We stand on their shoulders and one day people will stand on ours
  • Whether Jesus comes back today or a 1000 years from now, we’re carrying the torch to them
  • Eph 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Rev 4:11 You are worthy,  O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.
  • Twenty-three years ago there were six adults. Today there are hundreds. What God has done is nothing short of remarkable.
  • We believed. We sacrificed. We consecrated ourselves. We rejoiced. We remembered. And through it all, we glorified God.

• But if David taught us anything in 1 Chronicles 29, it’s this: none of it belongs to us.

• The people belong to Him. The ministry belongs to Him. The resources belong to Him. The victories belong to Him. The glory belongs to Him.
• We have simply been stewards of what He placed into our hands.
• One day another generation will stand where we stand, tell the stories, preach the gospel, and carry the torch forward.
• They will do it because a group of ordinary people decided that the work was great because it was for the Lord.
• Our testimony after 23 years is still the same: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. What a great God!

I Will Give You a New Name

Genesis 17:1-8  When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am [a]Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of [b]many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called [c]Abram, but your name shall be [d]Abraham; for I have made you a father of [e]many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in[f] which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

God is establishing His covenant with Abraham and his future generations. He begins by changing Abram’s name.

As a woman, I understand wanting a name change. When I got married, I took on my husband’s name. I didn’t hate my old name, but putting on Matt’s name meant I was under new authority and protection.

Years ago at our first women’s retreat, our theme was “A New Name”. As I prayed over what the Lord wanted to do in the women, I was led to a scripture in Revelation, about God giving those who overcome this world a new name, engraved on a white stone. Throughout the weekend, the Spirit was speaking a new name to the ladies that spoke to their new identity in Him. It was a powerful weekend, we got white stone necklaces. A white stone in antiquity rep. being vindicated of all charges in a court of law

Here are a few I remember-

Jenn- Blessed

Sherehan- Chosen

Me- Purity

Amber- Rescued 

Shelly- tell the story about Shelly not wanting to accept her new name

WHats in a name? Actually a lot. There is a lot of evidence to support that people will live up to the name they have been given, whether for the good or the bad.

How we named Gabriel- loose translation, “God’s hero”, God named the angels

Yes, research suggests people often do live up to their names. A thing called- 

Nominative Determinism: is the hypothesis that people subconsciously gravitate toward areas of work or environments that reflect their names. For example, studies have shown that people named Dennis are disproportionately likely to become dentists, and Lawrences often become lawyers. Man from Harlem had 2 sons- Winner and Loser

But, God giving man a new name signifies a fundamental shift in identity, purpose, and future plans, marking a transformation from their past to a new, divine mission. It represents a seal of a new relationship with Him, a transformation of character, and a public declaration of a person’s role in God’s plan.

When God establishes a covenant, He gives you not just a new name, but a new identity. 

Abram to Abraham: God changed his name from “exalted father” to “father of many nations” when establishing a covenant to make him the ancestor of a great multitude.

Sarai to Sarah: Her name was changed from “argumentative/my princess” to “princess/mother of nations,” reflecting her elevated role in God’s promise.

Jacob to Israel: After a night of wrestling with God, his name was changed from “supplanter” (or trickster) to “one who struggles with God and prevails”.

Simon to Peter: Jesus gave Simon the new name Peter, which means “rock,” signaling the foundational role he would play in the early church.

Saul to Paul: History records that Paul changed his own name. The Apostle to the Gentiles transitioned from his Hebrew birth name to his Roman name, Paul, as he took the Gospel to the broader Greco-Roman world

Scripture prophesies to a new people in Christ and a new name

Isaiah 62:2,12 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.  

v.12 And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

The prophet Isaiah is looking a head into the future of a people who would be called by a new name, the name of Christ. They would bear His name and put on His attributes. They would be His holy people, under a new authority and new protection.  The passage serves as a comforting assurance that God is actively restoring His people and setting us apart for a higher purpose.

What does it mean to get a new name?

A new name signifies a new mission/identity and a change of nature.

Names were changed to reflect a new purpose and change of nature. Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many nations). Isaiah says,

“WE shall be called a holy people.” The people of God are no longer defined by their past sins, failures or old identities, but identified by Christ alone. We bear His name.

Most Christians today want to maintain their own identity and be in Christ at the same time. We are not called to self expression- we are called to Christ-expression 

I do not want anyone to recognize me by who I was- I want to be recognized as a new person in Christ. Others cannot see the inside change, so we have to show them outwardly the change that has transpired on the inside

They need to see our new garments- 

Revelation 19:8  And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

There is a double nature of the process is here set forth. “It was given her,” the power comes from God and yet “she arrays herself;” the action is still voluntary. 

The fine linen represents Christ’s own righteousness that is imputed and imparted to the believer. Our “righteous acts” are essentially Christ living and working through the saints. These are spirit-led deeds that represents moral conduct, godly character, and the visible outworking of our faith. Our fine linens are in direct contrast to the harlot’s attire, (representing the false religion)

Revelation 17:4  The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of [a]her fornication.

The harlot attracts by ostentatious colors and jewels, she appeals to the lust and desire of the flesh, our basic carnal appetites, she is loud and stubborn; but the Lamb’s wife is robed in pure and stainless white robes of righteous living, and she is identified by her loyalty and faithfulness to Christ.

Garments represent the man. It is twofold, both spiritual and physical. If the Lord has changed our nature, then should not we look, act and be changed? Why do you want to maintain your old identity anyway? What is so good about who you used to be before Christ changed you? Why do you want to even look like your old self? 

You are free to look and dress how you want, but does your appearance reflect a new man in Christ or self? Why do you want to look sexy or edgy or any of those other adjectives instead of looking holy and set apart for the Lord?

When Christ gives us a new identity, garments change. I shed off my old garments stained with my sin and failures and put on His robe of righteousness. It signifies the shedding of the old man and all his ways and putting on the new man created in His image.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

ALL things have become new. ALL MEANS ALL. If I was a Hell’s Angel and got saved, I would do everything to separate myself from identifying as a hell’s angel. I would cut my hair into a new look, I would throw away my old rags of clothing and but new pants and shirt, I would get rid of my bike, stop hanging around the gang, perhaps remove some tattoos. I would not want anyone to recognize me as the old man I used to be.

I wany my outside to mirror the change inside me.  People cannot see my inside, only my outside- yesterday day talking about coming out of a life marked by sin, drugs, alcohol- it is hard but not impossible. People do not want to do what it takes 

I remember when I was born again and going back to my house and having a revelation that there were clothes I could no longer wear, there was music and movies I could no longer watch and listen to, places I could not go, and people I could no longer associate with. I was so desperate for everyone to see Christ in me. I wanted the world to know I belonged to Christ and I had a new identity.

What’s the first thing a prisoner does when he gets released? HE changes his garments.

With a new identity comes a new mission- My mission is not longer to live for myself, but for Him who saved me. Abraham was called to a new land, and to be the father of a new nation who would serve the Lord. You and I have a new purpose- it is to be conformed into the image of Jesus- in word, deed and character. I can no longer say, “This is who I am”. (people use this as an excuse to be introverts, or loud, or angry, or stubborn, or rebellious)

Romans 8:29  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This phrase highlights the ultimate goal of the people of God– transformation into the likeness of Christ. The idea of being conformed to Christ’s image is a recurring theme 

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [a]by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory. This transformation is both a present process and a future hope. Your life is no longer your own. You were bought with a price.

Be prepared for Him to turn your life upside down! As we identify with Him and His mission, He will lead us into new paths. He will shut doors and open new ones.

A new name represents an intimate relationship-

A new name represents a deeply personal, intimate relationship between God and the individual. His people are defined by their standing as sanctified and rescued by the Lord.

We shall be called the redeemed of the Lord and our garments reflect our loyalty to the One who purchased us.

In the Bible, redeemed means to be bought back from slavery, debt, or captivity through the payment of a ransom. It signifies being rescued from the bondage of sin and death by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, restoring you to a right relationship with God. 

WE were all slaves of sin and our final destination was hell and eternal separation from God. Satan’s lie and our fallen state made us his slaves. Christ bought us back from the enemy at a cost-

The New Testament states believers are “bought at a price”,

1 Peter 1:18-19  knowing that you were not redeemed with [a]corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

His blood purchased yours and my freedom!

We are delivered from the control and penalty of sin. Just as God delivered the Israelites from physical slavery in Egypt, Christ delivers believers from spiritual slavery and bondage to our sin and flesh. Our flesh does not have to control us anymore- this is TRUE FREEDOM

Romans 8:2-5 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

We have a new Lord and Father. Because you have been purchased, your identity and allegiance change. You are no longer a slave to sin, but a servant of God empowered to live a righteous life

To redeem means to repossess something that was lost and return it to its rightful owner. 

Tell the story of my wedding ring. Not only was it lost and returned to me, it was made brand new. HE repossesses us from the hand of the enemy, and returns us to our heavenly Father; but not the old me, a brand new creation, given a new identity. 

In Christ, we are adopted into God’s family and reconciled to Him. Not all men are God’s children. In a creative sense, we are all made in His image; but in a restorative sense; only those in Christ are His sons and daughters.

You and I are no longer orphans, but children of God. You do not have to live with that orphan mindset-

An “orphan mentality” (sometimes called an orphan spirit) is a deeply ingrained psychological and spiritual mindset centered on fear, scarcity, and hyper-independence. Individuals with this mindset operate under the belief that they must fend for themselves and earn their own worth.

For years I lived with this mindset. I lived in “survival mode” and if I didn’t do for myself, it was not going to get done. I lived in a perpetual state of fear and “where will my next meal come from”. SO when I came to Christ, I had a lot of work to do. I had to learn how to trust the Lord and His Word. I had to learn how to discipline my mind and take thoughts captive. Your feelings will not always line up with your faith! You have to take God’s Word by Faith. I trust you LORD! I had to learn how to allow the Lord to Father me, love me, instruct me, and discipline me. It was a bloody battle against my flesh to accept that I was His beloved daughter.

You were bought with a price! You are HIS OWN and He has drawn you near. He will take care of you, provide for you, feed you, love you as His own. You need not fear!

Psalm 107:2  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

Are you telling everyone, “IT IS SO!” I’ve been redeemed!!

Have you forgotten what you have been redeemed from?

It is an invitation to share your story of deliverance, celebrate God’s steadfast love, and proclaim the victories He has brought into your life; vocalize your gratitude, share your testimony, and give God the glory for His faithfulness

A new name signifies a Future Promise-

We shall be sought out, and not forsaken. 

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

God illustrates His grace toward us, in turning the alienated, unloved, and rejected into the beloved children of God.

You went from no hope, to being sought out of God in this life and a future hope in the one to come. 

Revelation 2:17  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

Receiving a new name on a white stone represents an intimate, future promise known only to God and the believer.

You have a future and a hope! You were an orphan and now He calls you His own. He calls you holy, redeemed and sought out.

Isaiah 62:12 And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

You shall be called, “Sought Out”- Instead of being an ignored people, now in Christ, the church is a people to be desired and visited, representing a return of glory, care, and divine presence. We are His bride and we have a new authority and a new protection.

WE are a City Not Forsaken- we have the hope of an eternal security and His permanent divine presence. 

Revelation 21:23  The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine [a]in it, for the [b]glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.

Praise the Lord! This world is not my home. I have an eternal home where I get to be always in His Presence and experiencing no more tears, no more pain; just His love, joy and peace.