Faith

Johnny Harrell

August 20, 2016

I would like to say "Hello" to everyone today on God's Sabbath.

Brethren, you and me have been given so much in God's Church. We understand that we are the Church of God at the end of an age. And we have been given so much understanding, so much knowledge by our God. And in past sermons that have been given we have seen how God worked through many of those of old, such as Moses and Aaron, and many others down through time. And we have seen a lot about how God worked with them and through them. And we saw over and over how faith was so heavily involved in their lives. And it showed us how God worked through them.

So that's what we will be looking at today. We will be looking at faith. So that will be your title today. It's a hard subject to cover in just one sermon.

So let's turn to Romans 12, and that's where we'll start today. In a past sermon that I gave we looked at knowledge and where true knowledge comes from, and we saw that it was the Great God of this universe that calls you and me that gives us knowledge of the truth. And we understand that it is our God who has called us and revealed the true knowledge that gives you and me understanding of the plan of God. And that is true knowledge, and it comes from the Great God of this universe; you cannot use human reasoning, human intellect, studying. It doesn't matter how many PhD's you have, you cannot come to these things without the Great God of this universe revealing it to you. And it comes directly from God, and then is received as a matter of faith once God opens your mind. So that's what we'll be looking at today, that faith that God has afforded you and me to have.

So let's go over and look at what God inspired Paul to write in His book. Paul wrote in Romans 12:3... And the context of what Paul is saying, it's about serving God. And Paul wrote. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, and let's notice the rest of the scripture. This is what we want to focus in on. We need to understand what faith is. Where does it come from? How do you receive it? How do you use it? And here Paul wrote in God's book that God, the Great God of this universe, has dealt to each one a measure of faith. So we can see that God has given, to those that He has called, a measure of faith. And we did not come to the knowledge of the truth of God's true Church by our human reasoning, by our human intellect, or by how much studying we have done. God had to call you and me and open our minds. God had to draw us and reveal it to us. And we did not come to the knowledge of God's Sabbaths and God's Holy Days by our own means. God had to reveal it. God had to communicate it as truth to us through the power of His spirit. That's how it was done.

And God has to reveal the knowledge of His truth, and then it's up to us to receive it once He gives it to us, and then we have the ability to believe it. Then we can act upon it through that faith that God has given a measure to everyone that He has called.

Let's look at Hebrews 11. Brethren, we've seen over and over how faith was the vehicle by which we come before our God, and it is that faith that we believe what God says. It's the faith to believe that what God is revealing to us, His people, is truth. So let's look at Hebrews 11:1. God tells us what faith is: Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. God tells you and me about a plan that He has for mankind. And He says that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for," the fruition of God's plan, brethren, "and the evidence of things not seen." And we cannot see it yet. We see it in our minds eye and we believe it is true. We believe that God will sent Jesus Christ back to this earth to set up God's government upon this earth, a just government.

God had it written in verse 2—For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

And let's notice verse 3—By faith we understand that the ages (the worlds) were framed by the word of God. And when we looked in the last sermon about the creation of the universe that is out there that we can see through that Hubble Telescope it is faith that it is true, that the Great God of this universe created all those things that we can see through that Hubble Telescope, that God wrote in His book that He did it, He created it. And He has a name for every one of them, brethren. So it is by that faith in God that we understand that the ages and the worlds were framed by the word of God. It was God that did it.

So let's notice what the rest of the verse reveals to you and me: so that things which are seen—let's notice what's being said— so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Brethren, "the things which are seen," the things that you and me can see with these physical eyes, "were not made of things which are visible." It's an awesome statement. It was written in God's book. Things that the scientists, those with the PhD's cannot accept. They cannot believe that the Great God of this universe created all those things that they can see in outer space. They think it had to be a big bang theory and man just evolved into what he is today. But we know that that is not true.

We have the real truth, the real understanding from the Great God of this universe, and we have faith that what God wrote in this book is true. We have faith that what God reveals to you and me in His Church is truth. We have faith that He will send Jesus Christ back to this earth to save mankind, to save mankind from destroying himself from the face of this earth. And if time went on without God's intervention there would not no flesh be saved alive upon this earth, brethren. And we understand those things.

So those things were not made of things which are visible, and we understand that it was God that made it, those things that the human eyes cannot see. And that is what the scientists cannot comprehend, that there is a God who could do such a thing. But God says in this book, His book, that He created everything; all of it, brethren. The things we can see and the things we cannot see, the spirit world that is there, the world, the age that they inhabit. And that age, their world (talking about the demon world), is coming to an end in just a short while – their age, that age that they inhabit, their world. And they will be in prison for a thousand years in just a short while and a new age, a new world will begin. The Millennium will begin, brethren.

Let's look at Hebrews 11:4 and let's see what we can glean from what God had written for you and me, those of us who live at the end of an age.

Verse 4 we find, By faith Abel... Abel was there at the beginning and after the creation of his father and mother, Adam and Eve. And then he had a brother named Cain. And we know that story. But Abel understood how the earth began and he had some understanding of what had happened to his father and mother, Adam and Eve, and he understood that they had been thrown out of the Garden of Eden that God had prepared for them. So he knew what had happened to his mother and father and he understood that God had removed them from the Garden of Eden.

So let's notice what he did. It says, By faith Abel offered up to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. So this is at the very beginning of man and we see faith being spoken of that Abel had. And it was because that offering that Abel had made to God (that offering) it was being Abel did it the way that God said that it was to be done. And Abel accepted it and did it God's way. So we know the story. We know that Cain became jealous and he killed his brother. So we can see through the very first that were born upon this earth (we understand that Satan was upon the scene in the Garden of Eden) and here we see Satan already influencing the mind of one of the first ones that were born upon the earth. So it was there at the very beginning, the influences from the demon world. And there was one that believed God and had faith that God was telling him the truth and showing him the correct way to live. And therefore, he did things the way that God said to do it and his sacrifice was accepted by God.

So we see one that believed God and lived the way that God said to live. He strived to live that way. And we know that Cain became jealous and he did not obey and do things the way that God had said, the way that God said that he was to live his life. Cain decided to do it his way. And we know from the scriptures that he had a different mindset (because of what is written).

Let's continue: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness—let's notice—that he was righteous. So Abel did it right and tried to live his life that way that God said to do it. And it says, "he obtained witness," it says here. That is how we know that he was righteous, because God had it written down in His book for you and me so that we could see and understand that he tried to live a righteous life. And God—let's notice—testifying... God witnessing. So God gave witness about this very event and God had it written down for you and me as a witness of what took place at the very beginning upon this earth. God witnessed, God testifying, and God recorded it in His book. We can see the mind of Abel and we can see the mind of Cain and how his mind descended into murdering his brother. Cain slew Abel.

So we can understand why God accepted his offering, because it was done the way that it was supposed to be done, and therefore, it was pleasing to God. And let's notice ...he being dead, talking about Abel, he being dead—let's notice—yet speaks. And it does, brethren. It's speaking to you and me and it's teaching you and me to this very day. And it's written in this story of how one pleased God and how his offering was accepted and right before the Great God of this universe.

Verse 5 we find.... And the Protestant world twists this about Enoch. We know the story and we know how they used it to say he went to heaven and how Elijah went to heaven. So let's see the truth of the matter. Verse 5—let's notice—By faith Enoch was translated. We know that Enoch believed God and was striving to live the way that God said to live. And we'll see more about Enoch as we go through the sermon today. But this word "translated" that the Protestant world uses to say that he went to heaven, this word is a word that means "to be moved to another location." Simply said it means to be transferred to another location, conveyed to another place. Let's notice why, that he should not see death. So we know that Enoch, when he was upon this earth, they did not like his message, just like they don't like the message that you and I have. So we can see that if God had not moved Enoch from where he was they would have killed him, brethren. So we can see that God moved him and God actually saved his life by doing so.

Let's turn to Genesis 5:23-25. And I'm going to read this in a different translation in verse 23, Genesis 5—So Enoch lived a total of 365 years. And let's notice verse 24—Enoch walked with God. So Enoch had a close relationship with God and he believed God, and he had faith in everything that God told him was true, about the way to live his life and about His plan for mankind, as we will see that Enoch had understanding about the plan of God. One day Enoch could not be found, because God took him. Just like Elijah. God took Elijah and did the same. Elijah did not die also because God removed him to a different location to save his life. So we find that God was actually saving their lives from those that wanted to kill him. So God moved him to another area. And God had intervened several times, just like we saw how He took Peter out of that prison so that they could not kill him. God opened those doors of that prison and took those shackles off of Peter and he walked out of that prison.

So we've seen killings down through time. We know about the murders of God's people, especially the prophets. And we know that they kill them and we know that they imprison them. Even in our time, brethren, they've done the same, imprisoned them.

Let's look at Hebrews 11:5. We find... But this says that he was not found, because God had translated him. God moved him to a different location. For before his translation, before he was moved to another location by God—let's notice—he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He believed God, brethren. He had faith in the Great God of this universe and he was striving to obey the way that God said to live his life.

Verse 6 we find... Let's notice what God had written about faith—Without faith it is impossible to please God. Talking about God. So we find it's impossible without this faith. So faith has a lot to do with believing what God says, believing what God gives to you and me, by opening our minds. And then it is by living, it is by you and me living by what God gives to you and me. So we understand that when we look back in time, even back to the days of Paul when God was taking the good news to the gentiles, it was by faith that they had to trust in the God of this universe to lead them. Paul had to have that faith. And you and me, as the Church of God, can see that it is a matter of faith that we move forward with even when changes have taken place in the Church of God. And it has down through time. We live by that present truth. And sometimes when the present truth comes along it has tested somes faith, even to the point that they cannot believe God anymore. But if we trust God and we have that faith that God is leading us, that this is His Church, if we have that faith and continue on when present truth is presented to God's Church it always gives more understanding, brethren. It always gives more knowledge to God's Church. It gives more knowledge when God makes changes, and God's plan always becomes clearer. We have a clearer picture.

And it's just like the book that was just written. That book gives you and me more knowledge, gives us more understanding of what God is doing and how He will do it, so God's plan becomes very clear to you and me. So we in the Church of God, we continue to follow Jesus Christ as he leads his Church, as he leads his apostle and prophet, and we continue to follow where we're led. And we continue and follow the present truth as it comes to God's Church through that apostle and prophet that is leading God's Church at the end of this age. And it's a beautiful thing, brethren, when obedience to the Great God of this universe and His Son takes place.

God says through his servant that, "without faith it is impossible to please God." For he who comes to God—let's notice what's being said, just what we're talking about, that believing—must believe that He is, that God is. We have to believe that it is the Great God of this universe that created all things. And we can look at that physical universe today and we can believe that God created it in the beginning for a purpose. We can see that that universe, that physical universe is stagnant at this time. God's focus is on another creation at this time, it's on the creation of His Family Elohim. And we must believe that that is what God is doing, that He is creating His Family and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. So what this is saying? That we have to have faith and believe what God is doing. And when we do something takes place; "He is a rewarded of them who diligently seek Him." And when they do they are rewarded by understanding, brethren, understanding of God's plan of what He is doing. God opens their mind to those that obey Him, those that He has called into His Church. And He is a rewarder for those that believe Him. So you and me have to be diligent people with the truth that God has revealed to us. We have to believe that God is leading His Church. We have to have faith through those that God has sent to lead His Church into a new age, a new world.

Verse 13—These all died in faith. So we can see that Enoch was moved to another location to save his life. And here it's going on and telling us that they all died in faith. So this would include Enoch. And he died at a later time. And it says that, These all died in faith, not having received the promises; not having obtained. So we understand when they will obtain these promises, and it is at their resurrection from the dead, at the return of Jesus Christ back to this earth, those that will be in the first resurrection. Those that are called to live into the Millennium, if you continue in faith, if you continue believing God, if you continue to be a part of God's Church... God always has that big "if" because we have seen so many –  "many are called, few are chosen." But if you continue in faith even after the return of Jesus Christ, those that are called to live into the Millennium to be a part of God's Church, you understand the plan of your God. You have this knowledge. You believe God and you have understanding, that everyone that continues on, the same promise will be given to them that was given to the 144,000. It will be given to them at their resurrection to become a spirit being, brethren.

And it says, these all died in faith not receiving the promises, but having—let's notice the rest of what's being said—but having seen them afar off. Because they believed God and God revealed His plan to them. They could "see." They believed God. They had faith in the Great God, that He was revealing the truth to them.

So we can see it was a matter of faith for them to believe God. And it's still a matter of faith for you and me to have that same faith that they had, to believe what God says to you and me today in His Church. And let's notice—they were persuaded of them, and embraced them. In other words, they believed and they embraced the things that God was telling them, that He revealed to them, and they had faith in God. And let's notice what took place... and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims upon this earth. Because of what they believed. And that's just how you and me feel. And you've heard me say it before, it's like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. We just do not fit in this world, Satan's world. And we do feel like strangers and pilgrims upon this world because this is not our world. And we do feel like strangers and pilgrims upon this earth. We are looking for a new world. We are looking for a new age where Jesus Christ will be the King and the Government of God will be upon this earth. That's our world. That's what we look forward to and that's where our faith is. And we believe God, just like they did. And this is what they saw. They understood that they were strangers and pilgrims upon this earth. They were looking for a new City.

Let's turn over to 2 Peter 2,  2 Peter 2 and let's look at verse 5. 2 Peter 2:5—And He, talking about God, spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth...preacher of righteousness. So we can see that Noah was the eighth and he was a preacher of righteousness. And it says, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. "Noah was the eighth preacher of righteousness" bringing, "and being in the flood" (better said) "upon the world of the ungodly." So we understand that Noah was the eighth.

Now let's go over to Jude and let's look at Jude :14, just over a bit. And we see some of these things that are listed in their order while they were upon this earth, those that God had worked through in their time. And it tells us about Enoch again, that we were focused upon just a little later on, where we read about Enoch and what had taken place with Enoch. So we'll learn a little more about Enoch in Jude.

Jude :14—And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam... So we can see where he was placed in time in God's plan. So the rest of this verse tells us something about Enoch. He prophesied of these, saying—let's notice what he prophesied about—Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints. So we can see that Enoch prophesied, so that means that he was a prophet. He was a prophet of God and he was moved through God's spirit to see something that God gave that was a prophecy about a future time. So it shows the understanding that God had revealed to Enoch. Enoch had to have this understanding to understand what he prophesied about. He knew about a future time in God's plan, and he was the seventh upon this earth. And God gave Enoch understanding about His plan. Enoch said, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints." So Enoch was one of the ones that spoke about a period of time when God's government would be upon this earth. We know what Enoch was talking about. We know that Enoch had to understand God's plan to say these words, these words that you and me understand, and he had to be inspired by God. And God had to reveal this to Enoch.

Let's notice what Enoch said that would happen, "ten thousands of His saints." So we know Enoch is talking about the 144,000. It didn't say, "144,000," but we know and understand that that's what Enoch was speaking about. Enoch was talking about a time when Jesus Christ would return to this earth, and that there would be 144,000 with him. And it is ten thousands of His saints. God had John to write down exactly how many were going to come with Jesus Christ when he returns to this earth and establishes God's government upon this earth. God revealed that count to John. So God gives you and me a glimpse through Enoch, and it paints you and me a picture down through time. So Enoch is writing about God's plan and what was to take place even before the flood took place, brethren.

Let's turn to Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11. And let's look at some of those who were part of the first 4,000 years, and let's take a look. We know that at that time God worked with each one of these on an individual basis. We know that God works with you and me individually, but also we understand that He now does it through His Son, Jesus Christ, and then through an apostle and a prophet, and down through the Church of God—PKG. That's how it's done. And He's working through an apostle and a prophet today to bring us the truth from the Great God of this universe and His Son and to move us through God's plan. And that's how it's done today.

Hebrews 11:7—By faith Noah—let's notice what took place—being warned of God of things not yet seen.... So Noah was being told by God about His plan and about what was about to take place. And God is doing the same today through an apostle and a prophet in God's Church, to warn the world and to tell you and me in the Church of God and the world about things that are not yet seen but are about to take place.

Let's hold our place here and let's turn over to Daniel 12. Daniel 12. Daniel 12:1. God had it written about what would take place, about things that are not yet seen, but we know that it's about to take place, brethren. We can look on this world scene and tell it is a powder keg. There is not a successful government upon this world at this time. All of them are in chaos, brethren, every one of them. No one can govern. There is only one just government that can govern, and it's not long before this government will be here upon this earth. It's about to take place. And it's not long now before these things that are not yet seen will take place. God tells us about them in His book and He had Daniel write it down for you and me, His Church, the Church of God—PKG, the one that's preparing for the Kingdom of God to come to this earth, to prepare for what is written in God's book. Therefore, our name, "The Church of God—PKG" (Preparing for the Kingdom of God) that is coming to this earth. And do we have faith in the Great God of this universe that He gave us this name? Do we believe that that is what is taking place. Do we believe God. Do we believe the one that God has sent to teach us about the things that are unseen?

Let's look at Daniel 12:1. Because this is about to take place, brethren, what was written a long, long time ago in God's book. Daniel 12:1—At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. And we can look on the horizon, brethren. We know about all these nuclear weapons that are there. And there has never been a time like this. There's never been a time when man can destroy every living thing upon the face of this earth – and that is a time of trouble that should trouble our minds, brethren. We live at the time when man can push a button – just reach up and push a button and destroy every living thing upon this earth. And here it was written by Daniel that Michael would stand up at that time, at that time of trouble. At that time your people will be delivered, every one that will be found written in the book.

So when we look at what is taking place in the whole world, not just here in America, but in the whole world, the violence that is taking place, the killing of innocent people that are being killed. What kind of mind does such a thing, brethren? It is time for God's government upon this earth. We see a violent, violent world about to take place. The governments of this world are collapsing – all of them. Russia's got its problems. China's got its problems. Japan, the U.S., Australia, all of Europe, everywhere, all the nations are at unrest. The Middle East has descended into violence, of killing, looting, and raping, raping women and children. It is time for God's government, brethren.

So Daniel tells us about a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation upon this earth, and we are living at this time, brethren. We see it taking place. We see it unfolding. And you have a front-row seat, brethren, to see all these things that Daniel wrote about. Daniel wrote about the time that you and me live in when all this will take place. And we see it happening. Daniel wrote that at that time God's people would be delivered. We know when that will be.

Verse 2—Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. But let's notice—But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book—let's notice when—even to the time of the end. Many will run to and fro—let's notice—and knowledge will be increased. God's people have lived through some awesome times down through history. We cannot imagine being in Noah's position, a time when it had never rained upon this earth. And here Noah was steadily every day working on that boat, telling the people about what was to take place. And if it was in our time I could see the people with the lawn chairs propped up watching Noah build that boat, making fun. It was probably a tourist attraction in Noah's day, just to see what Noah... "Let's go over there and see what that crazy Noah is up to today."

You and me have been so blessed at the end of this age to have understanding of God's plan. We know that there's never been a time where God's people have so much knowledge. It's never happened before. God has called some in just the past few years, and that knowledge was given so quickly. And we will see it again in the near future when that knowledge will be given. So this is the time that Daniel wrote about when knowledge would be increased. So when we look back in time at what God's people have had to do, what they had to experience in their lives, God gives us a glimpse, and then we can compare it to our lives today. And we are so blessed we have not had to suffer and be persecuted as some did in the past. But we are at the end of this age and it's not over yet. And we know it will not be easy as Satan's world, His age comes to a close.

Hebrews 11:7—By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not yet seen... So God told Noah about certain things that were going to happen, but they were not yet seen. So you and me in the Church of God haven't seen certain things yet, but we know about them. God has told us about them, just like He told Noah. There is one at the end of the age that is telling us about things not yet seen. And we haven't seen the rest of the Trumpet blasts yet, brethren. We haven't seen those Trumpet blasts. And it says, being warned of God of things not yet seen, moved with fear. So we are being warned about what is coming. The books have been written. The Prophesied End-Time, 2008-God's Final Witness, and the book that is about to be released that will warn the world and tell them about what is coming. We have seen so many that have had no fear of departing from the living God.

We can see and understand that Noah believed what God said. He had faith in God, that He was telling him the truth, that that water would come out of that sky and that that boat would float and save his family. So Noah had the kind of fear to believe God. That's why he believed God, because he feared to disobey. He believed what God was about to do. So it's about believing God. Noah feared to disobey God, and that is what kept him going. And he believed what God told him. And God gave understanding to Noah about what He was doing. Noah knew who God was and that He was the Great God of this universe, that God had created everything, including man. Noah knew about the Garden of Eden. He knew about Adam and Eve. He knew what had happened to Adam and Eve. Noah saw the violence in his time and what man and mankind had descended into – so violent, so corrupt that God would now have to destroy mankind and start over.

We think our world is violent. Can you imagine what Noah saw in his time, the violence, the perversion that was taking place, the lawlessness that was taking place? We can see it on a small scale now, even in America. Lawlessness abounds! Even in the greatest nation that was once blessed by the Great God of this universe, the promises that were made to Abraham. So Noah believed God and he knew that God was about to destroy mankind.

So what about you and me at the end of an age? Where does our ability to see and believe the truth come from? Comes from the Great God of this universe and His Son. And we have to understand that God knows best, just like Noah did. When we put our self in Noah's situation, he knew that those people were about to die. When we look at our situation, brethren, many people are about to die. We know that the Great God of this universe is about to shake this earth like it has never been shaken before, like Daniel told us about, a time of trouble that has never been before. Not until this time! And mankind would destroy every living thing upon this earth if God didn't intervene, if God did not have a plan. You have that understanding. You know through the scriptures what will happen. You know that this is the way that it has to be done. God says man has to be humbled. It's what God says about man.

So, our faith in God and our believing God and His message, that's where our choices lie today. And it is how we respond to what God gives to you and me, His Church, to believe what He is saying, and to then have unwavering faith. It says, Noah moved with fear and prepared an ark to the saving of his house. So we have to move with fear, fear to disobey, just like he did. And we have to prepare for the saving of our house. We have to believe God, just as Noah did. We have to have that same kind of faith that these we are reading about today had. And it is by faith the Great God of this universe to lead you and me week by week, Sabbath by Sabbath, Holy Day by Holy Day, and then through the present truth, whatever that may entail in the future.

Noah understood what God was telling him, that it was just his house, his family that would be saved. Noah was told that he was going into a new age, a new world for his family – just them. You and me are being told. Some are being told and called to live into a new age, a new world when Jesus Christ will be here. And it will be a new world, a new age. And it paints you and me a picture, brethren. God said in His book that "Noah prepared an ark to the saving of his house," (his family). By the which he condemned the world. So what is this saying, "By which he condemned the world?" So Noah believed God, and to believe God you have to be in agreement with God. So what this is saying is actually Noah was in agreement with God. It's an awkward way that it's written.

We know about the Day of Atonement, at-one-ment with God, becoming at-one with God. And that day, that Holy Day paints you and me a picture, that that is the way all of mankind that will be in the God Family has to do it. They have to believe God. They have to have faith in God and believe that what He is saying is true, and therefore, become at-one with the Great God of this universe and His Son.

We just read in Daniel what must happen in our time. We know that we are at the end of an age. We know that Mr. Armstrong was used by God, and then in Matthew 24:14 is where he always stopped. And he fulfilled his job upon this earth, and then the end would come. And that's the time that you and me live in. And this world is condemned just as much so as it was in Noah's day. This world is condemned, brethren. We know about it. We know the judgment that has been given to this world. So Noah, it says, "by the which he condemned," in other words, "by which Noah agreed with God," about God's judgment at that time and that all of mankind was about to die, and that that is what had to be done so that they could come up in a later time, in the Hundred-year period of time. There was no hope for them, in the condition that they had become, to be saved. None of them would be saved. So God was merciful. And now God will bring them up in a different time when a just government will be upon this earth to teach mankind the correct way to live.

This says Noah became heir—let's notice how it's written—of the righteousness—and let's notice how it's said—which is by/through faith. And therefore, he became "heir of the righteousness which is by faith." So this is a beautiful scripture, because we have to do the same thing. We are doing the exact same thing in our time. If we are in agreement with the Great God of this universe about what He is about to do to this world... I hope you are in agreement, brethren, because this is the only way that it can be done. And that's the way that God says it has to be done. We read about it in God's book, and this judgment was written about a long, long time ago. Noah was told about what was going to happen to the people in his time and Noah did what God said, and Noah believed what God said, and Noah believed that that was the only way at that time. So we find our self at the end of an age when there is no other way for man. And it has to be this way that is coming. And we have to understand this.

Verse 8—By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he would after receive for an inheritance, and let's see what he did. Let's notice that he obeyed. He believed God, and he went out. He did what God said, do, not knowing where he was going. And sometimes we just read through these quickly and we don't grasp everything that is being said. But Abraham did not have a clue of where he was going. He just picked up, took his family, and he became obedient to God, and he just believed and done what God said to do.

When Moses came to the Red Sea we know that it was written in God's book that it was by faith that it was done. And sometimes when we come to our Red Sea we have to walk by faith through. But we can see that Abraham did not know where he was going, but he believed God and he obeyed God, and he went to different location. So Abraham just believed what God let him see. And it says, By faith, so this is how he did it, by/through faith he journeyed in the land of promise, as in a foreign country, dwelling in tabernacles and tents, temporary dwellings, as he moved around with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.

So we understand about those promises that was made to Abraham, and we know that the line of David would come out of that lineage of Abraham, out of that seed, and that  it would eventually be a single seed that would come out from Abraham. We know that that single seed was speaking about Jesus Christ. And it says, Abraham looked for a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. It's the same city that you and me are looking forward to, that City of Peace that is coming to this earth in just a short while, where Abraham would be part of that city. He will be resurrected as part of that 144,000 that we've been reading about. And that is the city that he looked forward to, that city whose builder and maker is God, the one that God is creating, the City of Peace through His family, Elohim. And that is where God's focus is today, on the creation of his Family to be in this City that Abraham is talking about, the very city that Abraham could see in his mind's eye. He knew about that 144,000, that City of God that God would build. That's what's being said, "whose maker is God." The one that God is building. And we know the first phase of that. It will be the 144,000. So this is talking about a city that comes from the Great God of this universe, that He is building. And it's almost here, brethren.

Verse 20— By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. And we know that story. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph...

Verse 24. We see the faith that Moses had and that he believed God. And one of the stories that you've heard me talk about is to believe God, and when God told Moses to pick that snake up by the tail. I know that that was not a normal snake. That was not just like a pet snake that you could just pick up and handle. The picture in my mind is that that is the biggest, baddest snake that had ever been created. And that snake was probably spitting and sputtering at Moses, and God told him to reach down and pick it up by the tail. And I live in Georgia where we have some big snakes. We have some really big rattlesnakes here in Georgia. And I know that the time you touch the tail of that snake that you are bit. It's about that fast. So here Moses, a time that he would have to obey God and believe that that snake would not hurt him.

It says, By faith Moses, when he had come of years... So this is talking about when he was grown. And we know about Moses' life there, how he was raised in that palace with what we call here in Georgia, "a silver spoon in his mouth." In other words, Moses didn't have to lack for anything in his lifestyle while he was growing up. He was put in that basket and he was raised in Pharaoh's palace. So when it says that Moses refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, Moses gave up a lifestyle that you and I cannot comprehend. Moses probably had everything that his heart desired at his fingertips, so to speak. "But Moses," it says, "refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter." Most people could not do that, that wealth that was there. But we read through this story and it shows us a choice that Moses had to make. You and me have choices that we have to make in God's Church. It's not as drastic as what Moses had to do, but some of us have had to give up jobs, our income, the very means by which we sustain our lives, our livelihood, that we sustain our families. And many have lost their job to obey God, they've lost families, they've lost husbands, wives. Families turn against you. So there are choices that have to be made to live God's way of life, and God had it written here about one that gave up much.

But here we can see that Moses made the choice, of something that he saw that was far greater than the riches of Egypt. And so we read the story here that he is refusing to be called [the son of] Pharaoh's daughter. So there's no way that you and me can grasp what Moses did. So there is no way that you and me can grasp what Moses did by saying those very words and doing those things that is written in God's book. We can think about what Moses gave up, but none of us has ever been in that kind of a position, to have that kind of wealth.

So we understand that Moses was molded and fashioned by God as he was growing up, probably without Moses' knowledge. And some of us are probably the same way. We can look back and see we were being taught things and then we can look back and understand some of it after God calls us. So it was the Great God of this universe that was molding Moses for a purpose. And God had a plan for Moses, and we know that Moses was in that desert for forty years. And that had to be a pretty humbling experience to go from all the wealth of Egypt to living in the desert like a vagabond, so to speak, living in a tent, to leave all the magnificence of the glory of Egypt that was there. And then after Moses was humbled for forty years something took place. We know about the burning bush that spoke to Moses. If we did such a thing today they would put us in the loony bins today. But this is the story for you and me, that this the way that God chose to do it to Moses, through a burning bush. And that was how God spoke to Moses.

And it says, Choosing rather to suffer affliction, Moses chose to do this, with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

So we can read these examples that God had written in His book for you and me. And we can learn from these examples about how Moses was humbled. All of us have to be humbled, brethren. Mankind will be humbled. But you and me in the Church to God to understand, we are to understand what we are in this flesh. And I'm sure Moses came to understand what he was in that flesh. Moses was humbled. But Moses chose to suffer the affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ. So this is written... So how did Moses "esteem the reproach of Christ?" Moses didn't know Jesus Christ so Moses had to have much understanding about the plan of God, and I'm sure God gave him understanding about one that would come as Savior of mankind that He would send back to this earth.

Let's look at Hebrews 11:26. So Moses had to have a lot of understanding, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. So Moses had respect to that reward that God let him see. By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured—let's notice—as seeing Him who is invisible, "as seeing Him who is unseen," (better said). Through faith he kept the Passover. He believed God. He had faith that God was going to bring this about. ...and the sprinkling of blood, so that He who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. So Moses understood and believed what God was saying and he believed that none of them would did if they did what God said. He had that kind of faith. And he had that kind of faith to tell them to put that blood on those door posts. And they did it, brethren. And that's why their lives were saved – because they believed God.

Verse 36—Others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two. So when we think we suffer in God's Church, there have been so many that have gone before us, brethren, that God says this world was not even worthy of them. We understand that not all of these that were martyred were of the Church of God, but it just shows us how violent human beings can become and what man can do to man. There have been so many atrocities against God's people down through time. We understand who was influencing those minds. We know where that mind comes from. We read about it at the very beginning of this book, in the very beginning of God's book, about Cain and Abel. The god of this world was there. The god of the world is here. We know that God's people are hated, so much so that it says, "Others had trial of mockings and scourging," In other words, they were beaten. They were locked up. They were imprisoned because of what they believed. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tested, they were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute. It's pretty graphic, brethren, what some had to do. So we can reflect today back on those that have gone before you and me. And it says here that, "some became destitute." It's not many of us going around without in today's world. But it says, these being destitute, afflicted, tormented... So God's people have gone through a lot down through time, and different ones have gone through different things at different times all for a witness of 6,000 years of what man can do, brethren.

There's no successful government upon this world. None! Absolutely none! Even the best that man can put together, it is absolutely corrupt. All of them are corrupt, none of them are just. There is only one that is just and it will be here in a short while, brethren. And it says of these, just what I spoke about earlier —of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens, so remember these words the next time you think, "Woe is me!" We look at what Paul went through when he was upon this earth. They beat him until they thought he was dead. Bit by serpents. Look at Peter. We looked at what – some of what he went through – locking him up in that dungeon with those guards in that prison, God rescuing him. So many have suffered down through time because of the very thing that you believe.

And these all, having obtained a good report—so let's notice what's being said and how it's done—through faith received not the promise. And there are some of you sitting in this room that will see that promise come to fruition. And I hope you understand what the Great God of this universe has offered to you, that City of Peace that Abraham talked about that God is building.

So let's turn over to Romans 4. Brethren, these things are written so that we can learn. So today we are learning about faith and how it was in so many lives that God had it written about in His book. And there is a scripture here that Paul was explaining about the promises that God gave through Abraham. Let's look at it in verse 13. Romans 4:13—For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law—let's notice how... It's an awesome scripture brethren. – through the righteousness of faith. So we know that we are supposed to live God's way of life, and we strive to do just that. This say that righteousness comes through faith. So this is an awesome thing to understand, brethren, what God had written in His book about faith.

For if they were of the law are heirs—let's notice what would happen—faith is made void. So there is no way that you can be obedient to the point of being righteous, and the promise is of no effect because the law works wrath. In other words, this is talking about the death penalty. That's what is required because of sin, the death.

God has given you and me the blessing of being able to be forgiven of our sin that causes death. Jesus Christ came to this earth so that we could be forgiven of these sins that cause death. He has paid that price for you and me so that we can have this promise that is being talked about, the promises from the Great God of this universe.

And after these all, having obtained a good report—let's notice what's being said and how it was done—through faith received not the promise. I'm backing up a little bit. For where there is no law, continuing on, there is no transgression, therefore, it is of faith that it might be by grace.

Verse 18—who against hope, believed hope, that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken, "So shall your seed be." And being not weak in faith—let's notice what is being said—and being not weak in faith he did not consider his own body now dead. So, in other words, talking about the promises, the lineage that would come from him (talking about Abraham), there would be a life that would come from him. And it's talking about a seed that would come in time, one seed. When he was a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb, he did not stagger—let's notice what's being said—he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but—let's notice—was strong in faith giving glory to God.

Verse 21—and being—let's notice—fully persuaded. In other words, he believed it. He believed it fully, brethren, what God had promised. He was able... He believed that God was able to perform it, and therefore, it was imputed (it was accounted) to him for righteousness. Not it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed (it was accounted) to him—let's notice—but for us also to whom it shall be imputed. If, there's that word "if," If we believe on him.

So when it comes to the forgiveness of sin we believe the sacrifice that was made for you and me. And that's why you and me repent, because we believe that sacrifice was made so that we could have that forgiveness of sin. We believe that one came and died in time, that he became our Passover. So that's why we repent when we sin. We understand that Jesus Christ and God the Father dwells in us through the holy spirit. We believe it. We know that when we sin we are cut off from God, that spirit can no longer dwell in us. We understood about what the prophet Isaiah said in.... I'll just quote what Isaiah said, "God's ear isn't hidden that it can't hear, but it's your sins," it's because of our sins, brethren, "that He will not hear." And Isaiah wrote this a long time ago. Isaiah understood that God cannot hear us when sin is in our life. God cannot dwell with sin. And unrepented sin, brethren, will keep you cut off from the Great God of this universe and His Son. That's what will happen.

In this age that we find our self in, those of us at the end of an age, we certainly do not want to be cut off from our God. We do not want to be cut off from the flow of God's spirit at this time. We want to be close to our God as we move through God's plan. If we become cut off there is a spirit world, brethren, that is just waiting for you. So it's important when we find sin that we repent quickly. And we know we all have sin, so we need to be alert and always examining our self as God tells us in His book. We should always be seeking to draw close to our God, to be repenting of that sin that will so quickly ensnares.

If we live by faith, if we believe those things that God has given to you and me, that's what's accounted to you and me as righteousness – just like it was for them. And it's an awesome thing to understand about faith, brethren. And it was not written for his sake alone, but it was written for you and me so that we can learn, brethren, so we can be taught and understand about this faith; that God has given to everyone a measure of faith so that we can believe, so that we can understand.

Verse 24—But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on Him... if we believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, who was raised again for our justification. So we can see how we're justified, brethren, because we do sin. We see the sacrifice that was made and we have faith in this sacrifice that was made for you and me.

Romans 5:1, it's just one scripture here. Therefore, being justified by/through faith. So this is an awesome thing to understand that was written down in God's book for you and me so that we can understand. And it says, "Therefore being justified by/through faith." Therefore, being justified by/through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So to understand what is being said, "justified by/through faith." It's an awesome thing to understand, brethren.

Let's turn over to 1 Peter 1. 1 Peter 1. We'll begin to finish up. Verse 3—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living (a lively) hope from the resurrection of the dead.

Verse 5—Who are kept by the power of God—let's notice—kept by the power of God through faith undefiled unto salvation, that is ready to be revealed at the last time. Wherefore you greatly rejoice, though now for a season if need be you are in heaviness through many (various) temptations. So we have our trials. We have our battles. And when we do it God's way, when we desire to do it with the help of God we know that we're going to have these trials. We know that we will have battles in this life because of what we believe. But let's notice what is being said, "That the trial of your faith." And when we look at "the trial of your faith," even in our time, some have failed that trial of faith when the present truth came along. Because that's what was tested – their faith. Faith to believe that God was leading this Church. Faith to believe in the 50th Truth, that present truth. Faith to believe that one is here to lead God's Church into the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ upon this earth.

So your faith can be tested. ...That the trial of your faith, I hope you understand the importance of what is being said, "that the trial of your faith," let's notice what it is and how God looks at it, being much more precious... Being much more precious than of gold that perishes. So the writer is trying to express how valuable that faith is, and he's using gold here. It's more valuable than anything that you could have upon the face of this earth. That's what he's saying, brethren. It's more precious than anything that you could acquire upon the face of this earth. All the things that Moses gave up that we read about, all the things of Egypt that he gave up, all that gold, all the glory that he gave up. God said what he gave up and believed what God told him, his faith, that faith God says that Moses had, and that you have, is much more precious than gold that perishes, thought it be tried with fire, might be found with praise, honor, and glory—let's notice when.... And Moses understood this. Abraham understood this about that City of Peace that would be here, that city that has foundations that all of these that we've read about today, knew would come to this earth with 144,000 spirit beings to set up a just government upon this earth. That's the kingdom that they were all looking for, where they will be kings and priests and reign upon this earth for a thousand years.

That's what they saw, brethren. "Trial of our faith..." So it's not easy. We understand that these trials are hard sometimes, but it's about faith, brethren, and it takes place in the mind. The battle for your mind that takes place, that's where it's at. And it is that faith, our faith that is tested through those trials. So it's not easy, but we find our self in the fight of our life for our life, our spiritual lives. So we have to run the race that is set before us with perseverance and continuously examine our self, whether or not we are in the faith.

God says in His book (you don't have to turn there), He said to examine ourselves whether we're in the faith and to prove our own selves. In other words, to prove, to take account of our lives and prove ourselves.

So, brethren, it is about our faith, in believing the Great God of this universe and His Son and whether His plan is true. So as we face our trials it's not easy, but it's an awesome thing to understand about our faith and how it takes place and the battle that takes place. So, brethren, remember for this battle that you are in, this war that you are in, it is for the battle of your mind. So stand fast and fight the fight that is before you, and run the race that is set before you with perseverance.

And that will conclude the sermon today.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1