The God Who Is Impossible To Please | Associate Pastor Chad Erickson

if you'll stand with me tonight good to see all of our guests that are good to see all of our guests that are in the house tonight in the house tonight in the house tonight I believe brother Josh opened up and I believe brother Josh opened up and I believe brother Josh opened up and said it's a cold winter night but it said it's a cold winter night but it said it's a cold winter night but it sure feels good in the house of the Lord sure feels good in the house of the Lord sure feels good in the house of the Lord tonight amen tonight amen tonight amen it's so good to see everyone a lot of it's so good to see everyone a lot of it's so good to see everyone a lot of churches would closed pretty much closed churches would closed pretty much closed churches would closed pretty much closed their doors if they had some snow on the their doors if they had some snow on the their doors if they had some snow on the ground but I'm thankful this church ground but I'm thankful this church ground but I'm thankful this church keeps our doors open and we get to come keeps our doors open and we get to come keeps our doors open and we get to come together in one mind of one Accord together in one mind of one Accord together in one mind of one Accord you'll see of course that our pastors you'll see of course that our pastors you'll see of course that our pastors chair is is vacant along with our first chair is is vacant along with our first chair is is vacant along with our first lady and they are spending some good lady and they are spending some good lady and they are spending some good quality time together in the in the Big quality time together in the in the Big quality time together in the in the Big Apple and they're spending some time a Apple and they're spending some time a Apple and they're spending some time a lot of things happen during our lot of things happen during our lot of things happen during our dedication that behind-the-scenes that dedication that behind-the-scenes that dedication that behind-the-scenes that people probably don't realize there's a people probably don't realize there's a people probably don't realize there's a lot of a lot of time spent putting the lot of a lot of time spent putting the lot of a lot of time spent putting the services together and in pastor sister services together and in pastor sister services together and in pastor sister Carper I'm glad that they are able to Carper I'm glad that they are able to Carper I'm glad that they are able to get away just for a couple days and get away just for a couple days and get away just for a couple days and enjoy themselves we missed them give enjoy themselves we missed them give enjoy themselves we missed them give them honor tonight if you will turn in them honor tonight if you will turn in them honor tonight if you will turn in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11 in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11 in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11 in verse number 6 Hebrews chapter 11 and verse number 6 Hebrews chapter 11 and verse number 6 Hebrews chapter 11 and verse number 6 see guests in the house verse number 6 see guests in the house verse number 6 see guests in the house thank you so much for making this your thank you so much for making this your thank you so much for making this your place of worship and it's so good to place of worship and it's so good to place of worship and it's so good to have you at first Apostolic Church you have you at first Apostolic Church you have you at first Apostolic Church you have come to our midweek Bible study and have come to our midweek Bible study and have come to our midweek Bible study and now that's what we're going to do now that's what we're going to do now that's what we're going to do tonight we're going to study the Word of tonight we're going to study the Word of tonight we're going to study the Word of God and want to spend some time exegete God and want to spend some time exegete God and want to spend some time exegete in the great chapter the great hero of in the great chapter the great hero of in the great chapter the great hero of faith chapter Hebrews chapter 11 and I'm faith chapter Hebrews chapter 11 and I'm faith chapter Hebrews chapter 11 and I'm gonna start off a little bit dark but I gonna start off a little bit dark but I gonna start off a little bit dark but I promise you it will get brighter as we promise you it will get brighter as we promise you it will get brighter as we go but Hebrews 11 and 6 says but without go but Hebrews 11 and 6 says but without go but Hebrews 11 and 6 says but without faith it is impossible to please him for faith it is impossible to please him for faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he that cometh to God must believe that he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder he is and that he is a rewarder he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him without of them that diligently seek him without of them that diligently seek him without faith it says it is impossible you'll faith it says it is impossible you'll faith it says it is impossible you'll see that right there it is impossible to see that right there it is impossible to see that right there it is impossible to please God I want to teach simply on please God I want to teach simply on please God I want to teach simply on this subject tonight the God who is this subject tonight the God who is this subject tonight the God who is impossible to please the God who is impossible to please the God who is impossible to please the God who is impossible to please let's pray together impossible to please let's pray together impossible to please let's pray together father we love you I'm so grateful for father we love you I'm so grateful for father we love you I'm so grateful for this great group of people that are in this great group of people that are in this great group of people that are in your house tonight I'm thankful for the your house tonight I'm thankful for the your house tonight I'm thankful for the worshippers that led us in worship Lord worshippers that led us in worship Lord worshippers that led us in worship Lord the the musicians Lord God the singers the the musicians Lord God the singers the the musicians Lord God the singers those that came out early tonight to those that came out early tonight to those that came out early tonight to prepare that they can lead us into your prepare that they can lead us into your prepare that they can lead us into your presence Lord I'm thankful tonight that presence Lord I'm thankful tonight that presence Lord I'm thankful tonight that you've given us Lord God I believe you've given us Lord God I believe you've given us Lord God I believe there's perfection Lord God that you there's perfection Lord God that you there's perfection Lord God that you give the church in order to worship and give the church in order to worship and give the church in order to worship and to praise you and Lord I'm so thankful to praise you and Lord I'm so thankful to praise you and Lord I'm so thankful that it's here in this house and I'm so that it's here in this house and I'm so that it's here in this house and I'm so thankful we can worship your name thankful we can worship your name thankful we can worship your name together in one mind and one Accord Lord together in one mind and one Accord Lord together in one mind and one Accord Lord won't you use me Lord as a vessel Lord won't you use me Lord as a vessel Lord won't you use me Lord as a vessel Lord speak through me tonight though that speak through me tonight though that speak through me tonight though that some heart might be changes some mind some heart might be changes some mind some heart might be changes some mind will be made up to have faith in you I will be made up to have faith in you I will be made up to have faith in you I pray all this in Jesus name and the pray all this in Jesus name and the pray all this in Jesus name and the church that amen you may be seated church that amen you may be seated church that amen you may be seated tonight again my title is a little bit tonight again my title is a little bit tonight again my title is a little bit dark it's a little bit morbid but I want dark it's a little bit morbid but I want dark it's a little bit morbid but I want to make sure that it comes across right to make sure that it comes across right to make sure that it comes across right but the God who is impossible to please but the God who is impossible to please but the God who is impossible to please is the god of faithless people let us is the god of faithless people let us is the god of faithless people let us say that again the God who is impossible say that again the God who is impossible say that again the God who is impossible to please is the God of faith less to please is the God of faith less to please is the God of faith less people people people I hope you've never meant that God I hope you've never meant that God I hope you've never meant that God before because I sure don't want to be before because I sure don't want to be before because I sure don't want to be in the category of the faithless I pray in the category of the faithless I pray in the category of the faithless I pray I pray daily I said God give me the I pray daily I said God give me the I pray daily I said God give me the faith I need to do what I've got to do faith I need to do what I've got to do faith I need to do what I've got to do today because faith is more than just today because faith is more than just today because faith is more than just the time during our our service our the time during our our service our the time during our our service our prayer service when we can come together prayer service when we can come together prayer service when we can come together pray the prayer of faith and I believe pray the prayer of faith and I believe pray the prayer of faith and I believe in that and I believe that's biblical in that and I believe that's biblical in that and I believe that's biblical and I believe that there's power and and I believe that there's power and and I believe that there's power and miracles in healing with the prayer of miracles in healing with the prayer of miracles in healing with the prayer of faith but there's a whole lot more to faith but there's a whole lot more to faith but there's a whole lot more to faith than just praying for a healing or faith than just praying for a healing or faith than just praying for a healing or praying for a miracle but faith is the praying for a miracle but faith is the praying for a miracle but faith is the lifestyle that we must live in order to lifestyle that we must live in order to lifestyle that we must live in order to please our God they say that it is please our God they say that it is please our God they say that it is probably the worst feeling to a child probably the worst feeling to a child probably the worst feeling to a child when they have a parent that is when they have a parent that is when they have a parent that is impossible to please impossible to please impossible to please many children turn into scarred adults many children turn into scarred adults many children turn into scarred adults because they try so hard to gain the because they try so hard to gain the because they try so hard to gain the approval of a parent but never succeed approval of a parent but never succeed approval of a parent but never succeed it's emotional pain that lingers in the it's emotional pain that lingers in the it's emotional pain that lingers in the back of a person's mind their whole life back of a person's mind their whole life back of a person's mind their whole life I read a story of a young lady that had I read a story of a young lady that had I read a story of a young lady that had finally graduated college for the finally graduated college for the finally graduated college for the Sullivan she had worked hard matter of Sullivan she had worked hard matter of Sullivan she had worked hard matter of fact she was the first person in her fact she was the first person in her fact she was the first person in her whole family that had been to college whole family that had been to college whole family that had been to college and had actually graduated from college and had actually graduated from college and had actually graduated from college and all throughout her life she had and all throughout her life she had and all throughout her life she had tried her very best to please her father tried her very best to please her father tried her very best to please her father she just wanted to make him happy she she just wanted to make him happy she she just wanted to make him happy she wanted him to be proud of her and so she wanted him to be proud of her and so she wanted him to be proud of her and so she had dreamed of the day when she would had dreamed of the day when she would had dreamed of the day when she would walk across the stage and get her walk across the stage and get her walk across the stage and get her diploma and she would walk off the stage diploma and she would walk off the stage diploma and she would walk off the stage and in her mind she saw her father and in her mind she saw her father and in her mind she saw her father breaking through the crowd trying to get breaking through the crowd trying to get breaking through the crowd trying to get to her and coming up and congratulating to her and coming up and congratulating to her and coming up and congratulating her and hugging her and telling her how her and hugging her and telling her how her and hugging her and telling her how proud of a father he was that his proud of a father he was that his proud of a father he was that his daughter had worked so hard and done daughter had worked so hard and done daughter had worked so hard and done such a great thing and to her surprise such a great thing and to her surprise such a great thing and to her surprise when she walked across and she took the when she walked across and she took the when she walked across and she took the diploma and she walked off the stage diploma and she walked off the stage diploma and she walked off the stage here came her father and sure enough here came her father and sure enough here came her father and sure enough there he was breaking through the crowd there he was breaking through the crowd there he was breaking through the crowd and she thought could this really be and she thought could this really be and she thought could this really be happening right now happening right now happening right now he's never been proud of anything I've he's never been proud of anything I've he's never been proud of anything I've ever done could this really be happening ever done could this really be happening ever done could this really be happening that he's coming to congratulate his that he's coming to congratulate his that he's coming to congratulate his daughter that has worked so hard daughter that has worked so hard daughter that has worked so hard and he walks up to her and he says look and he walks up to her and he says look and he walks up to her and he says look at your watch the time is getting late at your watch the time is getting late at your watch the time is getting late we got to get out of here we got to we got to get out of here we got to we got to get out of here we got to drive home we got an hour drive to get drive home we got an hour drive to get drive home we got an hour drive to get home and the story goes that her the home and the story goes that her the home and the story goes that her the pain she felt in thinking that he was pain she felt in thinking that he was pain she felt in thinking that he was going to be proud of her but all he going to be proud of her but all he going to be proud of her but all he could think about was getting back to could think about was getting back to could think about was getting back to the house and getting up for work the the house and getting up for work the the house and getting up for work the next day he could care less about the next day he could care less about the next day he could care less about the hours in the days and the months in the hours in the days and the months in the hours in the days and the months in the years as she had put into her studies in years as she had put into her studies in years as she had put into her studies in graduating with a degree and nobody graduating with a degree and nobody graduating with a degree and nobody wants a father that's impossible to wants a father that's impossible to wants a father that's impossible to pearly pulleys and and I believe in pearly pulleys and and I believe in pearly pulleys and and I believe in Hebrews 11 and six when when God Hebrews 11 and six when when God Hebrews 11 and six when when God declares himself as that type of a declares himself as that type of a declares himself as that type of a father he says I will be impossible to father he says I will be impossible to father he says I will be impossible to police I will be a god I will be the police I will be a god I will be the police I will be a god I will be the type of Heavenly Father that you will type of Heavenly Father that you will type of Heavenly Father that you will not please unless you have faith faith not please unless you have faith faith not please unless you have faith faith is the key to gaining the approval and is the key to gaining the approval and is the key to gaining the approval and the acceptance of our Heavenly Father I the acceptance of our Heavenly Father I the acceptance of our Heavenly Father I don't know about you but it's a very big don't know about you but it's a very big don't know about you but it's a very big deal to have faith it's a very big deal deal to have faith it's a very big deal deal to have faith it's a very big deal to him because he understands that if to him because he understands that if to him because he understands that if you don't have faith in him then all you you don't have faith in him then all you you don't have faith in him then all you have faith in itself God understands have faith in itself God understands have faith in itself God understands that if your faith is not in him and that if your faith is not in him and that if your faith is not in him and solely in him then you're gonna have solely in him then you're gonna have solely in him then you're gonna have faith in other things that whether it be faith in other things that whether it be faith in other things that whether it be money or possessions or a good job or money or possessions or a good job or money or possessions or a good job or career he understands that unless your career he understands that unless your career he understands that unless your faith is solely in him he cannot be your faith is solely in him he cannot be your faith is solely in him he cannot be your father and you will not please a God who father and you will not please a God who father and you will not please a God who you do not have faith in God said I will you do not have faith in God said I will you do not have faith in God said I will not be pleased by faithless people but I not be pleased by faithless people but I not be pleased by faithless people but I desire a people to love me in a people desire a people to love me in a people desire a people to love me in a people that will accept me because he simply that will accept me because he simply that will accept me because he simply says if you accept me I will accept you says if you accept me I will accept you says if you accept me I will accept you and I will be your father I think to and I will be your father I think to and I will be your father I think to myself and in Auto about you but Hebrews myself and in Auto about you but Hebrews myself and in Auto about you but Hebrews chapter 11 it's just the greatest to me chapter 11 it's just the greatest to me chapter 11 it's just the greatest to me one of the greatest chapters in the one of the greatest chapters in the one of the greatest chapters in the whole Bible because it sums up the whole Bible because it sums up the whole Bible because it sums up the greatest people that fought against the greatest people that fought against the greatest people that fought against the greatest odds in our Bible and if the greatest odds in our Bible and if the greatest odds in our Bible and if the pages of the Bible were still being pages of the Bible were still being pages of the Bible were still being written today written today written today I would want the author to write by I would want the author to write by I would want the author to write by faith Chad I would want to see my name faith Chad I would want to see my name faith Chad I would want to see my name in here and it's a night as we go in here and it's a night as we go in here and it's a night as we go through this and I'm gonna kind of talk through this and I'm gonna kind of talk through this and I'm gonna kind of talk about this at the end of the of the about this at the end of the of the about this at the end of the of the sermon tonight but as we go through this sermon tonight but as we go through this sermon tonight but as we go through this I want you to think in your mind what I want you to think in your mind what I want you to think in your mind what would the Bible say about me if it said would the Bible say about me if it said would the Bible say about me if it said by faith Sara by faith Jo by faith rot by faith Sara by faith Jo by faith rot by faith Sara by faith Jo by faith rot whatever your name is what would it say whatever your name is what would it say whatever your name is what would it say behind the by faith returning your behind the by faith returning your behind the by faith returning your Bibles with - with me to Hebrews 11 and Bibles with - with me to Hebrews 11 and Bibles with - with me to Hebrews 11 and 1 we're just going to we're just going 1 we're just going to we're just going 1 we're just going to we're just going to make our way down through this and to make our way down through this and to make our way down through this and and we're gonna reminisce on great Bible and we're gonna reminisce on great Bible and we're gonna reminisce on great Bible stories and great heroes that had such stories and great heroes that had such stories and great heroes that had such faith says now faith is the substance faith says now faith is the substance faith says now faith is the substance here's the fierce faith to find faith is here's the fierce faith to find faith is here's the fierce faith to find faith is the substance of things hoped for the substance of things hoped for the substance of things hoped for it's the evidence of things not seen it's the evidence of things not seen it's the evidence of things not seen for by it the elders obtained a good for by it the elders obtained a good for by it the elders obtained a good report and through faith we understand report and through faith we understand report and through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word that the worlds were framed by the Word that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen of God so that things which are seen of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear were not made of things which do appear were not made of things which do appear and I want to read this for another and I want to read this for another and I want to read this for another translation because sometimes we can we translation because sometimes we can we translation because sometimes we can we can read read the kings version and can read read the kings version and can read read the kings version and everything that the King translated into everything that the King translated into everything that the King translated into Kings English doesn't always comprehend Kings English doesn't always comprehend Kings English doesn't always comprehend in our modern-day English so I I read in our modern-day English so I I read in our modern-day English so I I read through many different translations and through many different translations and through many different translations and I liked what the New Living Translation I liked what the New Living Translation I liked what the New Living Translation said it said faith shows the reality of said it said faith shows the reality of said it said faith shows the reality of what we hope for it's the evidence of what we hope for it's the evidence of what we hope for it's the evidence of things we cannot see through faith the things we cannot see through faith the things we cannot see through faith the people in the days of old earned a good people in the days of old earned a good people in the days of old earned a good reputation by faith we understand that reputation by faith we understand that reputation by faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's the entire universe was formed at God's the entire universe was formed at God's command and what we now see did not come command and what we now see did not come command and what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen I like from anything that can be seen I like from anything that can be seen I like that that good reputation that that good reputation that that good reputation from the very beginning of this chapter from the very beginning of this chapter from the very beginning of this chapter we understand that faith has to do with we understand that faith has to do with we understand that faith has to do with our hopes faith has to do with spiritual our hopes faith has to do with spiritual our hopes faith has to do with spiritual realities beyond our vision things we realities beyond our vision things we realities beyond our vision things we cannot see things we can't even sometime cannot see things we can't even sometime cannot see things we can't even sometime comprehend faith has to do with building comprehend faith has to do with building comprehend faith has to do with building or life with God and faith has to do it or life with God and faith has to do it or life with God and faith has to do it trusting a God who can speak and call trusting a God who can speak and call trusting a God who can speak and call things into existence he called the things into existence he called the things into existence he called the universe into existence this kind of universe into existence this kind of universe into existence this kind of faith demonstrates in the next several faith demonstrates in the next several faith demonstrates in the next several verses it demonstrates that if we want verses it demonstrates that if we want verses it demonstrates that if we want to build our lives and build up our to build our lives and build up our to build our lives and build up our faith we got to do whatever the examples faith we got to do whatever the examples faith we got to do whatever the examples in Hebrews chapter 11 did if they did it in Hebrews chapter 11 did if they did it in Hebrews chapter 11 did if they did it we've got a we got a look in the mirror we've got a we got a look in the mirror we've got a we got a look in the mirror say if they can do it I can do it if God say if they can do it I can do it if God say if they can do it I can do it if God can trust them I've got enough faith in can trust them I've got enough faith in can trust them I've got enough faith in my God that I can also come to the same my God that I can also come to the same my God that I can also come to the same end that they came to I look at verse end that they came to I look at verse end that they came to I look at verse number four because number one faith number four because number one faith number four because number one faith will cause us to worship God the way will cause us to worship God the way will cause us to worship God the way that he desires to be worshipped I want that he desires to be worshipped I want that he desires to be worshipped I want you to see this because right in the you to see this because right in the you to see this because right in the very beginning of this faith chapter it very beginning of this faith chapter it very beginning of this faith chapter it starts off with Cain and Abel it starts starts off with Cain and Abel it starts starts off with Cain and Abel it starts off with acceptable offerings in off with acceptable offerings in off with acceptable offerings in offerings that will not be accepted and offerings that will not be accepted and offerings that will not be accepted and the New Living Translation says it was the New Living Translation says it was the New Living Translation says it was by faith that Abel brought a more by faith that Abel brought a more by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did acceptable offering to God than Cain did acceptable offering to God than Cain did Abel's offering gave evidence that he Abel's offering gave evidence that he Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man and showed his up was a righteous man and showed his up was a righteous man and showed his up and God showed his approval of his gifts and God showed his approval of his gifts and God showed his approval of his gifts although Abel is long dead look at this although Abel is long dead look at this although Abel is long dead look at this right here right here right here although Abel is long dead he still although Abel is long dead he still although Abel is long dead he still speaks to us by his example of faith you speaks to us by his example of faith you speaks to us by his example of faith you see that right there see that right there see that right there even though Abel's gone it's been even though Abel's gone it's been even though Abel's gone it's been centuries and centuries and centuries centuries and centuries and centuries centuries and centuries and centuries Abel is long gone although we see that Abel is long gone although we see that Abel is long gone although we see that if we bring to God what God desires it if we bring to God what God desires it if we bring to God what God desires it will please God I want you to look will please God I want you to look will please God I want you to look closely at this Avenue their sons they closely at this Avenue their sons they closely at this Avenue their sons they brought an offering Cain and Abel brought an offering Cain and Abel brought an offering Cain and Abel brought and offering both boys brought brought and offering both boys brought brought and offering both boys brought something to sacrifice but both boys did something to sacrifice but both boys did something to sacrifice but both boys did not worship they both went through the not worship they both went through the not worship they both went through the motion they brought something to the motion they brought something to the motion they brought something to the altar they brought something to the altar they brought something to the altar they brought something to the church house church house church house they brought something to God although they brought something to God although they brought something to God although one was worshipping and one was just one was worshipping and one was just one was worshipping and one was just going through the motions and we can going through the motions and we can going through the motions and we can throw off I know we can throw off on throw off I know we can throw off on throw off I know we can throw off on Cain we can say Cain man what are you Cain we can say Cain man what are you Cain we can say Cain man what are you doing you you brought your vegetables doing you you brought your vegetables doing you you brought your vegetables what are you bringing vegetables they what are you bringing vegetables they what are you bringing vegetables they you've cut them off the vine you cut you've cut them off the vine you cut you've cut them off the vine you cut them off the tree you've come in from them off the tree you've come in from them off the tree you've come in from the ground they're not even gonna live the ground they're not even gonna live the ground they're not even gonna live any longer you brought something that is any longer you brought something that is any longer you brought something that is dead dead dead to God what are you thinking but we also to God what are you thinking but we also to God what are you thinking but we also understand I've heard of sin then with understand I've heard of sin then with understand I've heard of sin then with Cain his offering probably took a whole Cain his offering probably took a whole Cain his offering probably took a whole lot more time his sacrifice probably lot more time his sacrifice probably lot more time his sacrifice probably took a whole lot more time than Abel's took a whole lot more time than Abel's took a whole lot more time than Abel's sacrifice if he was if he was planting sacrifice if he was if he was planting sacrifice if he was if he was planting trees he had a wait season after season trees he had a wait season after season trees he had a wait season after season after season for that tree to bear fruit after season for that tree to bear fruit after season for that tree to bear fruit if he was playing in the vineyard if he if he was playing in the vineyard if he if he was playing in the vineyard if he brought a bushel of grapes to God that brought a bushel of grapes to God that brought a bushel of grapes to God that didn't happen overnight if if he brought didn't happen overnight if if he brought didn't happen overnight if if he brought food from the ground that he had a plan food from the ground that he had a plan food from the ground that he had a plan and he had a water and he had to and he had a water and he had to and he had a water and he had to cultivate it took time and came brought cultivate it took time and came brought cultivate it took time and came brought a sacrifice that he thought listen me a sacrifice that he thought listen me a sacrifice that he thought listen me tonight he thought was what God desired tonight he thought was what God desired tonight he thought was what God desired and then that's where we get in troubles and then that's where we get in troubles and then that's where we get in troubles when we start thinking that we when we start thinking that we when we start thinking that we understand what God desires where it was understand what God desires where it was understand what God desires where it was very set a Adam and Eve Adam and Eve very set a Adam and Eve Adam and Eve very set a Adam and Eve Adam and Eve must have been very clear with their must have been very clear with their must have been very clear with their sons this is what God desires he wants sons this is what God desires he wants sons this is what God desires he wants something that is some blood something something that is some blood something something that is some blood something has to be killed blood has to be shed in has to be killed blood has to be shed in has to be killed blood has to be shed in order for there to be a sacrifice a true order for there to be a sacrifice a true order for there to be a sacrifice a true sacrifice of worship there has to be sacrifice of worship there has to be sacrifice of worship there has to be bloodshed but somewhere along the way bloodshed but somewhere along the way bloodshed but somewhere along the way Abel had the faith that said I don't Abel had the faith that said I don't Abel had the faith that said I don't understand why but I'm still gonna do it understand why but I'm still gonna do it understand why but I'm still gonna do it I don't understand what the big deal is I don't understand what the big deal is I don't understand what the big deal is I'm hurting some sheep over here and I I'm hurting some sheep over here and I I'm hurting some sheep over here and I see we got a little ewe lamb over here see we got a little ewe lamb over here see we got a little ewe lamb over here we're gonna I'm gonna bring this you we're gonna I'm gonna bring this you we're gonna I'm gonna bring this you lamb and I don't want to kill it and lamb and I don't want to kill it and lamb and I don't want to kill it and it's against my nature to kill animals it's against my nature to kill animals it's against my nature to kill animals that I love but I'm gonna bring it but that I love but I'm gonna bring it but that I love but I'm gonna bring it but somewhere in his mind he had enough somewhere in his mind he had enough somewhere in his mind he had enough faith in God to say God if that's the faith in God to say God if that's the faith in God to say God if that's the kind of worship you desire that's the kind of worship you desire that's the kind of worship you desire that's the kind of worship I'm gonna bring to your kind of worship I'm gonna bring to your kind of worship I'm gonna bring to your altar and here was Cain and Cain was altar and here was Cain and Cain was altar and here was Cain and Cain was like you know what I don't understand it like you know what I don't understand it like you know what I don't understand it and I don't have enough faith to and I don't have enough faith to and I don't have enough faith to continue and what my parents taught me continue and what my parents taught me continue and what my parents taught me so I'm gonna bring to God what makes so I'm gonna bring to God what makes so I'm gonna bring to God what makes sense sense sense Oh what you know there's probably 95% of Oh what you know there's probably 95% of Oh what you know there's probably 95% of our county that does not understand our our county that does not understand our our county that does not understand our worship there's probably about 95% if worship there's probably about 95% if worship there's probably about 95% if they walk in here and some of you got to they walk in here and some of you got to they walk in here and some of you got to remember back to your first time you remember back to your first time you remember back to your first time you walked in here I see some of y'all walked in here I see some of y'all walked in here I see some of y'all smiling first time you walked in here smiling first time you walked in here smiling first time you walked in here you saw us worse when you thought hmm I you saw us worse when you thought hmm I you saw us worse when you thought hmm I don't remember growing up in church and don't remember growing up in church and don't remember growing up in church and seeing this happen we we had stained seeing this happen we we had stained seeing this happen we we had stained glass windows and in and we lit candles glass windows and in and we lit candles glass windows and in and we lit candles and and we had short prayers that we and and we had short prayers that we and and we had short prayers that we might have had beads and and we had we might have had beads and and we had we might have had beads and and we had we had different ways of war so I don't had different ways of war so I don't had different ways of war so I don't remember seeing anybody dancing I don't remember seeing anybody dancing I don't remember seeing anybody dancing I don't member seen anybody shout I should all member seen anybody shout I should all member seen anybody shout I should all remember seeing anybody running the remember seeing anybody running the remember seeing anybody running the aisles and and brother or they're aisles and and brother or they're aisles and and brother or they're probably looking and saying what in the probably looking and saying what in the probably looking and saying what in the world this doesn't make sense and let me world this doesn't make sense and let me world this doesn't make sense and let me tell you something there's a lot of tell you something there's a lot of tell you something there's a lot of churches there's a lot of good churches churches there's a lot of good churches churches there's a lot of good churches that are starting to see what the world that are starting to see what the world that are starting to see what the world is doing and seeing what the world is doing and seeing what the world is doing and seeing what the world thinks makes sense and they're changing thinks makes sense and they're changing thinks makes sense and they're changing their whole paradigm on worship because their whole paradigm on worship because their whole paradigm on worship because of what man thinks about worship when of what man thinks about worship when of what man thinks about worship when it's never been about man we don't come it's never been about man we don't come it's never been about man we don't come here to worship man we come here to here to worship man we come here to here to worship man we come here to worship God worship God worship God so we don't care what man's opinion or so we don't care what man's opinion or so we don't care what man's opinion or worship is the only thing we care about worship is the only thing we care about worship is the only thing we care about is what kind of worship does our God is what kind of worship does our God is what kind of worship does our God require from his people it was David I require from his people it was David I require from his people it was David I love to preach about David because David love to preach about David because David love to preach about David because David was a very first worship leader and he was a very first worship leader and he was a very first worship leader and he fulfilled the full will of God because fulfilled the full will of God because fulfilled the full will of God because he brought in ark the presence of God he he brought in ark the presence of God he he brought in ark the presence of God he brought it out of behind some veil and brought it out of behind some veil and brought it out of behind some veil and he brought it to a tabernacle called he brought it to a tabernacle called he brought it to a tabernacle called David's tabernacle and he said I'm gonna David's tabernacle and he said I'm gonna David's tabernacle and he said I'm gonna put it before the people whether people put it before the people whether people put it before the people whether people can be in the presence of their God and can be in the presence of their God and can be in the presence of their God and David said not only that I'm gonna teach David said not only that I'm gonna teach David said not only that I'm gonna teach them how to worship I'm going to teach them how to worship I'm going to teach them how to worship I'm going to teach them how to praise i'ma teach them how them how to praise i'ma teach them how them how to praise i'ma teach them how to get into the presence of God and to get into the presence of God and to get into the presence of God and respond to what they feel and respond to respond to what they feel and respond to respond to what they feel and respond to the presence that they're in front of the presence that they're in front of the presence that they're in front of and as we read through our Bible as we and as we read through our Bible as we and as we read through our Bible as we read all through the Psalms that we and read all through the Psalms that we and read all through the Psalms that we and we begin to read about how King David we begin to read about how King David we begin to read about how King David worshiped and how he taught the people worshiped and how he taught the people worshiped and how he taught the people of God the tutor have got how to worship of God the tutor have got how to worship of God the tutor have got how to worship we look back and say there is a way that we look back and say there is a way that we look back and say there is a way that God God God to be worshipped and it doesn't have to to be worshipped and it doesn't have to to be worshipped and it doesn't have to make sense I don't I don't really make sense I don't I don't really make sense I don't I don't really understand why he took every six paces understand why he took every six paces understand why he took every six paces he would stop and he would kill an oxen he would stop and he would kill an oxen he would stop and he would kill an oxen and he would he would sacrifice the God and he would he would sacrifice the God and he would he would sacrifice the God when he was bringing the Ark of God into when he was bringing the Ark of God into when he was bringing the Ark of God into the City of David I don't understand why the City of David I don't understand why the City of David I don't understand why he did that he did that he did that matter of fact that wasn't even anywhere matter of fact that wasn't even anywhere matter of fact that wasn't even anywhere in the Levitical law but something about in the Levitical law but something about in the Levitical law but something about David David wanted to be the first to do David David wanted to be the first to do David David wanted to be the first to do everything he did he like killing Giants everything he did he like killing Giants everything he did he like killing Giants he liked killing bears he like kill he liked killing bears he like kill he liked killing bears he like kill Alliance he wanted to be the first and Alliance he wanted to be the first and Alliance he wanted to be the first and here he was he said if I'm gonna bring here he was he said if I'm gonna bring here he was he said if I'm gonna bring the Ark of God into the city into my the Ark of God into the city into my the Ark of God into the city into my city city city I'm gonna do it with a processional that I'm gonna do it with a processional that I'm gonna do it with a processional that nobody will ever forget I'm gonna nobody will ever forget I'm gonna nobody will ever forget I'm gonna worship God in a way that even my wife worship God in a way that even my wife worship God in a way that even my wife looking out over and looking out of a looking out over and looking out of a looking out over and looking out of a window can look at me and say that window can look at me and say that window can look at me and say that doesn't make sense but David said I doesn't make sense but David said I doesn't make sense but David said I don't care what makes sense I care what don't care what makes sense I care what don't care what makes sense I care what God loves and if God wants me to dance God loves and if God wants me to dance God loves and if God wants me to dance with all my might before him I'll do with all my might before him I'll do with all my might before him I'll do whatever I have to do and I love how whatever I have to do and I love how whatever I have to do and I love how right here it shows us that through right here it shows us that through right here it shows us that through Abel's obedience through his Shack Abel's obedience through his Shack Abel's obedience through his Shack bringing God what he wanted it simply bringing God what he wanted it simply bringing God what he wanted it simply says that his offering was acceptable to says that his offering was acceptable to says that his offering was acceptable to God if he wanted his father's if he God if he wanted his father's if he God if he wanted his father's if he wanted his father to accept him and to wanted his father to accept him and to wanted his father to accept him and to be pleased with him Abel's sacrifice was be pleased with him Abel's sacrifice was be pleased with him Abel's sacrifice was a sacrifice they need to be had we know a sacrifice they need to be had we know a sacrifice they need to be had we know that even back in the first beginning of that even back in the first beginning of that even back in the first beginning of the Bible the first book of Genesis the the Bible the first book of Genesis the the Bible the first book of Genesis the first three chapters we have Abel and first three chapters we have Abel and first three chapters we have Abel and God says that Cain God says listen all God says that Cain God says listen all God says that Cain God says listen all you got to do is bring me what I asked you got to do is bring me what I asked you got to do is bring me what I asked well why don't you wrath well why don't you wrath well why don't you wrath what is the spirit what is the attitude what is the spirit what is the attitude what is the spirit what is the attitude all about it's not a big deal all about it's not a big deal all about it's not a big deal bring me what I want I'll be pleased bring me what I want I'll be pleased bring me what I want I'll be pleased with you I'll accept your offering with you I'll accept your offering with you I'll accept your offering everything will be great everything will be great everything will be great but somewhere along the way Cain did not but somewhere along the way Cain did not but somewhere along the way Cain did not have enough faith but thank God for Abel have enough faith but thank God for Abel have enough faith but thank God for Abel because the Bible says Abel had the because the Bible says Abel had the because the Bible says Abel had the faith that even after he's a long gone faith that even after he's a long gone faith that even after he's a long gone his faith is still relevant today his faith is still relevant today his faith is still relevant today number two faith leads us number two faith leads us number two faith leads us it's a relationship with our God look at it's a relationship with our God look at it's a relationship with our God look at verse 5 it says it was by faith that verse 5 it says it was by faith that verse 5 it says it was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without Enoch was taken up to heaven without Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying dying dying he disappeared because God took him 4 he disappeared because God took him 4 he disappeared because God took him 4 before he was taken up he was known as a before he was taken up he was known as a before he was taken up he was known as a person who pleased God what's so strange person who pleased God what's so strange person who pleased God what's so strange about this Enoch characters he never about this Enoch characters he never about this Enoch characters he never died the Bible says he was translated or died the Bible says he was translated or died the Bible says he was translated or whatever that means what I think it whatever that means what I think it whatever that means what I think it translated I think of Star Trek be me up translated I think of Star Trek be me up translated I think of Star Trek be me up Scotty I've never I'm Melissa I've never Scotty I've never I'm Melissa I've never Scotty I've never I'm Melissa I've never watched one episode I never watched a watched one episode I never watched a watched one episode I never watched a full episode of Star Trek I have no idea full episode of Star Trek I have no idea full episode of Star Trek I have no idea what it's about what it's about what it's about but I just remember that the little that but I just remember that the little that but I just remember that the little that I did see they would say something of I did see they would say something of I did see they would say something of that nature and all of a sudden that nature and all of a sudden that nature and all of a sudden materialized with that was Enoch Enoch materialized with that was Enoch Enoch materialized with that was Enoch Enoch simply was here on earth one minute and simply was here on earth one minute and simply was here on earth one minute and gone the next translated to heaven gone the next translated to heaven gone the next translated to heaven straight listen I don't know about you straight listen I don't know about you straight listen I don't know about you but that's quite a relationship with God but that's quite a relationship with God but that's quite a relationship with God that God says you know what you don't that God says you know what you don't that God says you know what you don't have to you don't have to lay in the have to you don't have to lay in the have to you don't have to lay in the gray for the for the next thousands of gray for the for the next thousands of gray for the for the next thousands of years just come on right now I'm gonna years just come on right now I'm gonna years just come on right now I'm gonna take you straight into glory faith calls take you straight into glory faith calls take you straight into glory faith calls us to live a lifestyle of relationship us to live a lifestyle of relationship us to live a lifestyle of relationship with God that's what that's what Enoch with God that's what that's what Enoch with God that's what that's what Enoch did a nickel if they say at least 300 did a nickel if they say at least 300 did a nickel if they say at least 300 years Enoch walked with God listen to me years Enoch walked with God listen to me years Enoch walked with God listen to me saints of God I just don't desire to saints of God I just don't desire to saints of God I just don't desire to serve God so many people settle just to serve God so many people settle just to serve God so many people settle just to serve God well I serve the Lord at that serve God well I serve the Lord at that serve God well I serve the Lord at that first Apostolic Church of Maryville first Apostolic Church of Maryville first Apostolic Church of Maryville that's where I serve they look somebody that's where I serve they look somebody that's where I serve they look somebody let's not just serve God there's so much let's not just serve God there's so much let's not just serve God there's so much more to a walk with God than just more to a walk with God than just more to a walk with God than just serving him I want to serve him but I serving him I want to serve him but I serving him I want to serve him but I want to be more than that I want to be want to be more than that I want to be want to be more than that I want to be called the friend of God I want to know called the friend of God I want to know called the friend of God I want to know him I want to be like Enoch I want to him I want to be like Enoch I want to him I want to be like Enoch I want to walk with him oh I want to be as a deer walk with him oh I want to be as a deer walk with him oh I want to be as a deer panteth after the water brook panteth after the water brook panteth after the water brook so does my soul long to be in the so does my soul long to be in the so does my soul long to be in the presence of my god oh god help me never presence of my god oh god help me never presence of my god oh god help me never just to be content with just to be content with just to be content with just serving just attending just being a just serving just attending just being a just serving just attending just being a part of the church I want to be the part of the church I want to be the part of the church I want to be the bride bride bride come on something I said I want to be come on something I said I want to be come on something I said I want to be the Bride of Christ the Bride of Christ the Bride of Christ number three faith trusts and obeys look number three faith trusts and obeys look number three faith trusts and obeys look look at verse seven it was by faith that look at verse seven it was by faith that look at verse seven it was by faith that Noah built a large boat he built an ark Noah built a large boat he built an ark Noah built a large boat he built an ark to save his family from the flood he to save his family from the flood he to save his family from the flood he obeyed God who warned him about things obeyed God who warned him about things obeyed God who warned him about things that had never happened before by his that had never happened before by his that had never happened before by his faith Noah condemned the rest of the faith Noah condemned the rest of the faith Noah condemned the rest of the world and he received the righteousness world and he received the righteousness world and he received the righteousness that comes by faith he was made right that comes by faith he was made right that comes by faith he was made right his righteousness came because of his his righteousness came because of his his righteousness came because of his faith it's fascinating the story is faith it's fascinating the story is faith it's fascinating the story is fascinating we know the story from fascinating we know the story from fascinating we know the story from Sunday school if you don't know the Sunday school if you don't know the Sunday school if you don't know the story about Noah go home and read it it story about Noah go home and read it it story about Noah go home and read it it is so unbelievably interesting for this is so unbelievably interesting for this is so unbelievably interesting for this one man and his family do something one man and his family do something one man and his family do something that's so out it's mind-boggling he that's so out it's mind-boggling he that's so out it's mind-boggling he didn't build a 15-foot schooner or a didn't build a 15-foot schooner or a didn't build a 15-foot schooner or a 30-foot schooner I mean I could have 30-foot schooner I mean I could have 30-foot schooner I mean I could have understood maybe you know something understood maybe you know something understood maybe you know something thirty feet long guy let's be real here thirty feet long guy let's be real here thirty feet long guy let's be real here let us build something that maybe will let us build something that maybe will let us build something that maybe will fit on this platform here but I believe fit on this platform here but I believe fit on this platform here but I believe if I'm not mistaken I believe years ago if I'm not mistaken I believe years ago if I'm not mistaken I believe years ago before this church was even finished I before this church was even finished I before this church was even finished I went by the dimensions of this church went by the dimensions of this church went by the dimensions of this church and the Ark was not much smaller than and the Ark was not much smaller than and the Ark was not much smaller than this whole 80,000 square foot building this whole 80,000 square foot building this whole 80,000 square foot building stood stories high hundreds of feet long stood stories high hundreds of feet long stood stories high hundreds of feet long it was absolutely amazing this was it was absolutely amazing this was it was absolutely amazing this was something that the typical the typical something that the typical the typical something that the typical the typical person anybody else would have never person anybody else would have never person anybody else would have never even thought to do no less thought that even thought to do no less thought that even thought to do no less thought that God was telling them to do but here we God was telling them to do but here we God was telling them to do but here we have Noah and the Hebrew writer tells us have Noah and the Hebrew writer tells us have Noah and the Hebrew writer tells us that God for warned Noah about something that God for warned Noah about something that God for warned Noah about something which was there was no visible sign of which was there was no visible sign of which was there was no visible sign of it it never rained it it never rained it it never rained they had never seen rain they did not they had never seen rain they did not they had never seen rain they did not know what a flood was they they couldn't know what a flood was they they couldn't know what a flood was they they couldn't even comprehend but it was Noah's faith even comprehend but it was Noah's faith even comprehend but it was Noah's faith in God and Noah's faith in God's Word in God and Noah's faith in God's Word in God and Noah's faith in God's Word they told him I will be obedient in they told him I will be obedient in they told him I will be obedient in whatever he tells me to do I'll do it whatever he tells me to do I'll do it whatever he tells me to do I'll do it down to the very if he tells me what down to the very if he tells me what down to the very if he tells me what kind of wood I'll use that kind of wood kind of wood I'll use that kind of wood kind of wood I'll use that kind of wood when he tells you what kind of pitch when he tells you what kind of pitch when he tells you what kind of pitch I'll use that kind of pitch I'll use that kind of pitch I'll use that kind of pitch I'll waterproof it exactly how he tells I'll waterproof it exactly how he tells I'll waterproof it exactly how he tells me it'll be the exact dimensions I will me it'll be the exact dimensions I will me it'll be the exact dimensions I will not cut any corners I'll not take any not cut any corners I'll not take any not cut any corners I'll not take any shortcuts and because of his faith oh my shortcuts and because of his faith oh my shortcuts and because of his faith oh my god think about this because his faith god think about this because his faith god think about this because his faith taught him to trust and to obey we have taught him to trust and to obey we have taught him to trust and to obey we have a God in 1st Peter if 3 it says when a God in 1st Peter if 3 it says when a God in 1st Peter if 3 it says when once the long-suffering of God waited once the long-suffering of God waited once the long-suffering of God waited look I want you to make sure you see look I want you to make sure you see look I want you to make sure you see this first Peter 3 and 20 it says when this first Peter 3 and 20 it says when this first Peter 3 and 20 it says when once the long-suffering of God waited in once the long-suffering of God waited in once the long-suffering of God waited in the Nate in the days of Noah while the the Nate in the days of Noah while the the Nate in the days of Noah while the ark was a preparing wherein few that is ark was a preparing wherein few that is ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were saved by water and I eight souls were saved by water and I eight souls were saved by water and I love that because we go into baptism love that because we go into baptism love that because we go into baptism here but look at the first part of this here but look at the first part of this here but look at the first part of this verse the long-suffering of God can you verse the long-suffering of God can you verse the long-suffering of God can you imagine God had to show his patience imagine God had to show his patience imagine God had to show his patience that's how long it took Noah to build that's how long it took Noah to build that's how long it took Noah to build the ark the ark the ark we're talking about an eternal God a God we're talking about an eternal God a God we're talking about an eternal God a God that does not follow time a God that that does not follow time a God that that does not follow time a God that does not he doesn't have a watch on does not he doesn't have a watch on does not he doesn't have a watch on God doesn't care about time God is God doesn't care about time God is God doesn't care about time God is eternal but here he is and he's waiting eternal but here he is and he's waiting eternal but here he is and he's waiting he's waiting for Noah he's like come on he's waiting for Noah he's like come on he's waiting for Noah he's like come on bro you better surely you could find bro you better surely you could find bro you better surely you could find somebody to help you build this Ark somebody to help you build this Ark somebody to help you build this Ark surely besides your boys you can find surely besides your boys you can find surely besides your boys you can find somebody but nobody it was because the somebody but nobody it was because the somebody but nobody it was because the faith of Noah that showed the rest of faith of Noah that showed the rest of faith of Noah that showed the rest of the world was so wicked and vile they the world was so wicked and vile they the world was so wicked and vile they didn't care they wanted nothing to do didn't care they wanted nothing to do didn't care they wanted nothing to do with it but thank God for a man who said with it but thank God for a man who said with it but thank God for a man who said God if you tell me to do it I will do it God if you tell me to do it I will do it God if you tell me to do it I will do it too many times we put flee a fleece out too many times we put flee a fleece out too many times we put flee a fleece out before God and we say God now I know I before God and we say God now I know I before God and we say God now I know I feel like you told me to do this and feel like you told me to do this and feel like you told me to do this and if in a week if in a week I start seeing if in a week if in a week I start seeing if in a week if in a week I start seeing some fruit if in a week there's there's some fruit if in a week there's there's some fruit if in a week there's there's something that shows me that you really something that shows me that you really something that shows me that you really told me to do it then I'll believe it told me to do it then I'll believe it told me to do it then I'll believe it and then I'll continue on here's an OA and then I'll continue on here's an OA and then I'll continue on here's an OA and even God had a show his and even God had a show his and even God had a show his long-suffering because it took him so long-suffering because it took him so long-suffering because it took him so long but it was by faith that Noah long but it was by faith that Noah long but it was by faith that Noah showed us how to trust God and be showed us how to trust God and be showed us how to trust God and be obedient to his word even when it did obedient to his word even when it did obedient to his word even when it did not make sense faith causes us to not make sense faith causes us to not make sense faith causes us to believe that nothing is impossible for believe that nothing is impossible for believe that nothing is impossible for our God look at verse eight it was my our God look at verse eight it was my our God look at verse eight it was my faith that Abraham here we go with faith that Abraham here we go with faith that Abraham here we go with Abraham obeyed God when God called him Abraham obeyed God when God called him Abraham obeyed God when God called him to leave home and to go to another land to leave home and to go to another land to leave home and to go to another land that God would give him an inheritance that God would give him an inheritance that God would give him an inheritance he went without knowing where he was he went without knowing where he was he went without knowing where he was going listening he went without knowing going listening he went without knowing going listening he went without knowing where he was going this was more than where he was going this was more than where he was going this was more than his being called to another country or his being called to another country or his being called to another country or another land or another city he was another land or another city he was another land or another city he was called into a place where he didn't even called into a place where he didn't even called into a place where he didn't even know his final destination and even when know his final destination and even when know his final destination and even when he reached the land that God promised he reached the land that God promised he reached the land that God promised him he lived there by faith for he was him he lived there by faith for he was him he lived there by faith for he was alike a foreigner living in tents alike a foreigner living in tents alike a foreigner living in tents so did Isaac and Jacob who had heard the so did Isaac and Jacob who had heard the so did Isaac and Jacob who had heard the same promise verse 10 says Abraham was same promise verse 10 says Abraham was same promise verse 10 says Abraham was was confidently looking forward to a was confidently looking forward to a was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations a city city with eternal foundations a city city with eternal foundations a city design and built by God it was by faith design and built by God it was by faith design and built by God it was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child that even Sarah was able to have a child that even Sarah was able to have a child though she was barren and she was too though she was barren and she was too though she was barren and she was too old she believed that God would keep his old she believed that God would keep his old she believed that God would keep his promise and so a whole nation came from promise and so a whole nation came from promise and so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead a this one man who was as good as dead a this one man who was as good as dead a nation with so many people that like the nation with so many people that like the nation with so many people that like the stars in the sky and the sands on the stars in the sky and the sands on the stars in the sky and the sands on the seashore seashore seashore there was no way to count them this is there was no way to count them this is there was no way to count them this is where our faith takes on substance right where our faith takes on substance right where our faith takes on substance right here it's a one thing to believe if here it's a one thing to believe if here it's a one thing to believe if something is unlikely but it's going to something is unlikely but it's going to something is unlikely but it's going to happen but happen but happen but believe it something that is reasonably believe it something that is reasonably believe it something that is reasonably impossible this and that's when faith impossible this and that's when faith impossible this and that's when faith really comes into play really comes into play really comes into play that's when faith becomes a substance that's when faith becomes a substance that's when faith becomes a substance that you can actually handle and you can that you can actually handle and you can that you can actually handle and you can say God I don't know how it's gonna say God I don't know how it's gonna say God I don't know how it's gonna happen I can't even imagine how it can happen I can't even imagine how it can happen I can't even imagine how it can happen I'm going on a hundred years old happen I'm going on a hundred years old happen I'm going on a hundred years old my wife is going on 90 how in the world my wife is going on 90 how in the world my wife is going on 90 how in the world can this even take place you promised us can this even take place you promised us can this even take place you promised us a seed that we cannot even number that's a seed that we cannot even number that's a seed that we cannot even number that's impossible impossible impossible but then he brought his faith into view but then he brought his faith into view but then he brought his faith into view and his faith became substance that he and his faith became substance that he and his faith became substance that he can look at and say but I have a God can look at and say but I have a God can look at and say but I have a God who's able I have a got him we know that who's able I have a got him we know that who's able I have a got him we know that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly God is able to do exceedingly abundantly God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask he's able to above all that we could ask he's able to above all that we could ask he's able to do abundantly above all that we can even do abundantly above all that we can even do abundantly above all that we can even think there's nothing impossible for our think there's nothing impossible for our think there's nothing impossible for our God and I think God for patriarchs like God and I think God for patriarchs like God and I think God for patriarchs like Abraham patriarchs like Abraham who can Abraham patriarchs like Abraham who can Abraham patriarchs like Abraham who can say God if you say it's possible then say God if you say it's possible then say God if you say it's possible then it's possible matriarchs like Sarah who it's possible matriarchs like Sarah who it's possible matriarchs like Sarah who laughed at first then said God surely laughed at first then said God surely laughed at first then said God surely you're not talking about me surely you're not talking about me surely you're not talking about me surely you're not referring to me you're not referring to me you're not referring to me but over time her faith built up and God but over time her faith built up and God but over time her faith built up and God gave her a child gave her a child gave her a child it wouldn't look like the impossible it wouldn't look like the impossible it wouldn't look like the impossible became possible faith is the answer when became possible faith is the answer when became possible faith is the answer when there is no other answer because God is there is no other answer because God is there is no other answer because God is faithful and because God is faithful faithful and because God is faithful faithful and because God is faithful then he's worthy of our faith I'm gonna then he's worthy of our faith I'm gonna then he's worthy of our faith I'm gonna say that again because we serve a say that again because we serve a say that again because we serve a faithful God I wish somebody would help faithful God I wish somebody would help faithful God I wish somebody would help me he deserves a faithful people he me he deserves a faithful people he me he deserves a faithful people he deserves people who trust him and people deserves people who trust him and people deserves people who trust him and people who honor him and believe in him because who honor him and believe in him because who honor him and believe in him because he is faithful Abraham along with all he is faithful Abraham along with all he is faithful Abraham along with all these other men and women enlisted as these other men and women enlisted as these other men and women enlisted as chapter they're ordinary people but they chapter they're ordinary people but they chapter they're ordinary people but they live extraordinary lives because of live extraordinary lives because of live extraordinary lives because of their faith I believe we have the their faith I believe we have the their faith I believe we have the opportunity to be among the greatest opportunity to be among the greatest opportunity to be among the greatest heroes of faith because God has done his heroes of faith because God has done his heroes of faith because God has done his part listen to me it's nothing that we part listen to me it's nothing that we part listen to me it's nothing that we can can can it's no great feat none of these people it's no great feat none of these people it's no great feat none of these people did any great thing they just were did any great thing they just were did any great thing they just were obedient to the Word of God they trusted obedient to the Word of God they trusted obedient to the Word of God they trusted God and they said God it's your power God and they said God it's your power God and they said God it's your power I'll be your willing vessel I'll be your willing vessel I'll be your willing vessel we're not asking when we read through we're not asking when we read through we're not asking when we read through this great book of Hebrews this great book of Hebrews this great book of Hebrews we're not asking anybody to do anything we're not asking anybody to do anything we're not asking anybody to do anything extraordinary because all these people extraordinary because all these people extraordinary because all these people we read about they were not superheroes we read about they were not superheroes we read about they were not superheroes they didn't have wings underneath their they didn't have wings underneath their they didn't have wings underneath their robes they were just normal people think robes they were just normal people think robes they were just normal people think God said if you'll do it I'll use my God said if you'll do it I'll use my God said if you'll do it I'll use my power through you and make you into a power through you and make you into a power through you and make you into a great people and into a great nation God great people and into a great nation God great people and into a great nation God is glorified through our obedience is glorified through our obedience is glorified through our obedience through our faith in Him faith points to through our faith in Him faith points to through our faith in Him faith points to a home in heaven I'm so glad that pastor a home in heaven I'm so glad that pastor a home in heaven I'm so glad that pastor preached about heaven on Sunday morning preached about heaven on Sunday morning preached about heaven on Sunday morning I'm so glad because we don't we just I'm so glad because we don't we just I'm so glad because we don't we just don't hear these messages on heaven and don't hear these messages on heaven and don't hear these messages on heaven and hell hell hell we don't hear eternal messages near we don't hear eternal messages near we don't hear eternal messages near enough anymore he's so right so many enough anymore he's so right so many enough anymore he's so right so many times we we preach love and healing times we we preach love and healing times we we preach love and healing inside with you we go through all these inside with you we go through all these inside with you we go through all these things were where we be preaching none things were where we be preaching none things were where we be preaching none of those are bad they're all good we of those are bad they're all good we of those are bad they're all good we gotta have them but I thank God here in gotta have them but I thank God here in gotta have them but I thank God here in Hebrews chapter 11 heaven his reference Hebrews chapter 11 heaven his reference Hebrews chapter 11 heaven his reference as a beautiful thing that is our eternal as a beautiful thing that is our eternal as a beautiful thing that is our eternal reward verse 13 look at it all these reward verse 13 look at it all these reward verse 13 look at it all these people died still believing what God had people died still believing what God had people died still believing what God had promised them they died victorious promised them they died victorious promised them they died victorious believing what God had promised them believing what God had promised them believing what God had promised them even many of these people Abraham he even many of these people Abraham he even many of these people Abraham he never saw he never saw descendants as a never saw he never saw descendants as a never saw he never saw descendants as a SAN of the Seas he never saw his SAN of the Seas he never saw his SAN of the Seas he never saw his descendants as the stars in the sky he descendants as the stars in the sky he descendants as the stars in the sky he only got to see his great great only got to see his great great only got to see his great great grandchildren maybe he never saw all the grandchildren maybe he never saw all the grandchildren maybe he never saw all the descendants but he died and he said god descendants but he died and he said god descendants but he died and he said god I believe that your promises are yin I believe that your promises are yin I believe that your promises are yin amen they did not receive what was amen they did not receive what was amen they did not receive what was promised but they saw it all from a promised but they saw it all from a promised but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it they saw the distance and welcomed it they saw the distance and welcomed it they saw the vision that God had given them and they vision that God had given them and they vision that God had given them and they welcomed even though they could not welcomed even though they could not welcomed even though they could not enjoy the promise themselves they had enjoy the promise themselves they had enjoy the promise themselves they had vision they saw and they vision they saw and they vision they saw and they welcome date they agreed that they were welcome date they agreed that they were welcome date they agreed that they were foreigners in nomads here on earth foreigners in nomads here on earth foreigners in nomads here on earth obviously people who say such things are obviously people who say such things are obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can looking forward to a country they can looking forward to a country they can call their own if they had longed for call their own if they had longed for call their own if they had longed for the country they came from they could the country they came from they could the country they came from they could have gone back to it but that's not what have gone back to it but that's not what have gone back to it but that's not what they did they were looking they were they did they were looking they were they did they were looking they were looking for a better place they were looking for a better place they were looking for a better place they were looking for a heavenly home looking for a heavenly home looking for a heavenly home that is why God is not ashamed to be that is why God is not ashamed to be that is why God is not ashamed to be called their God for he has prepared a called their God for he has prepared a called their God for he has prepared a city for them growing up I remember when city for them growing up I remember when city for them growing up I remember when I was about ten years old a book came I was about ten years old a book came I was about ten years old a book came out called a pilgrims progress anybody out called a pilgrims progress anybody out called a pilgrims progress anybody remember that book if you haven't read remember that book if you haven't read remember that book if you haven't read it ok there's a DVD out now get the DVD it ok there's a DVD out now get the DVD it ok there's a DVD out now get the DVD it's easier matter of fact I think it it's easier matter of fact I think it it's easier matter of fact I think it came around house the other day my came around house the other day my came around house the other day my wife's probably looking at like what is wife's probably looking at like what is wife's probably looking at like what is this but let me kind of give a backstory this but let me kind of give a backstory this but let me kind of give a backstory on a pilgrims progress you see I grew up on a pilgrims progress you see I grew up on a pilgrims progress you see I grew up without a TV and the Christian bookstore without a TV and the Christian bookstore without a TV and the Christian bookstore every once a while they would show a every once a while they would show a every once a while they would show a reel-to-reel remember that and it had reel-to-reel remember that and it had reel-to-reel remember that and it had just come out on reel-to-reel film and just come out on reel-to-reel film and just come out on reel-to-reel film and sister Jeter this was my big opportunity sister Jeter this was my big opportunity sister Jeter this was my big opportunity to go watch a moving picture I think it to go watch a moving picture I think it to go watch a moving picture I think it sound like I grew up in the 20s or sound like I grew up in the 20s or sound like I grew up in the 20s or something that film scared me to death something that film scared me to death something that film scared me to death it's all about well it's very biblical it's all about well it's very biblical it's all about well it's very biblical but it's it's all about traveling but it's it's all about traveling but it's it's all about traveling through this world that's not our home through this world that's not our home through this world that's not our home and it was going through all these and it was going through all these and it was going through all these horrible things and as a 10 year old kid horrible things and as a 10 year old kid horrible things and as a 10 year old kid no Schnitzer I was just like horrified I no Schnitzer I was just like horrified I no Schnitzer I was just like horrified I mean he was again he was in quicksand mean he was again he was in quicksand mean he was again he was in quicksand and he all this stuff was happening to and he all this stuff was happening to and he all this stuff was happening to him as he was traveling through the land him as he was traveling through the land him as he was traveling through the land that was not his own and and it was it that was not his own and and it was it that was not his own and and it was it was all about this pilgrims progress in was all about this pilgrims progress in was all about this pilgrims progress in fact I bought it for my girls I could fact I bought it for my girls I could fact I bought it for my girls I could scare them but all these people that we read about but all these people that we read about Abraham Isaac Jacob all all of these Abraham Isaac Jacob all all of these Abraham Isaac Jacob all all of these great patriarchs in their matriarch all great patriarchs in their matriarch all great patriarchs in their matriarch all these great people they were all looking these great people they were all looking these great people they were all looking for a place that they could call home for a place that they could call home for a place that they could call home and not even on earth and a lot of and not even on earth and a lot of and not even on earth and a lot of people think that they were looking for people think that they were looking for people think that they were looking for the Promised Land in and I understand the Promised Land in and I understand the Promised Land in and I understand that that's where God settled them but that that's where God settled them but that that's where God settled them but they were looking for a place whose they were looking for a place whose they were looking for a place whose builder and maker was God builder and maker was God builder and maker was God they knew that where they were this was they knew that where they were this was they knew that where they were this was not my home this I'm just a passing not my home this I'm just a passing not my home this I'm just a passing through god help us listen we are in a through god help us listen we are in a through god help us listen we are in a first world nation and the more I travel first world nation and the more I travel first world nation and the more I travel to third world nations and make so much to third world nations and make so much to third world nations and make so much sense it makes so much sense in a third sense it makes so much sense in a third sense it makes so much sense in a third world when they have nothing and they're world when they have nothing and they're world when they have nothing and they're thinking of themselves if if I could thinking of themselves if if I could thinking of themselves if if I could just get out of this hole and if I could just get out of this hole and if I could just get out of this hole and if I could just get to heaven they read they read just get to heaven they read they read just get to heaven they read they read the Bible it talks about gates of pearl the Bible it talks about gates of pearl the Bible it talks about gates of pearl and streets of gold and walls of Jasper and streets of gold and walls of Jasper and streets of gold and walls of Jasper and in 10,000 by 10,000 city and beauty and in 10,000 by 10,000 city and beauty and in 10,000 by 10,000 city and beauty and they're living in huts and they're and they're living in huts and they're and they're living in huts and they're living in dirt and they're living in living in dirt and they're living in living in dirt and they're living in sewage sometimes I'll worry about us sewage sometimes I'll worry about us sewage sometimes I'll worry about us here in the first world because that's here in the first world because that's here in the first world because that's not what we're living and that's why I not what we're living and that's why I not what we're living and that's why I appreciate pastor preaching about heaven appreciate pastor preaching about heaven appreciate pastor preaching about heaven because we got to be reminded that this because we got to be reminded that this because we got to be reminded that this is not our home and although this is so is not our home and although this is so is not our home and although this is so beautiful and although we live in in beautiful and although we live in in beautiful and although we live in in pleasures and we have things that are pleasures and we have things that are pleasures and we have things that are our grandparents who never had in our grandparents who never had in our grandparents who never had in previous generations could never even previous generations could never even previous generations could never even dream of we have technology that does dream of we have technology that does dream of we have technology that does things for us that people how to do he things for us that people how to do he things for us that people how to do he washing machines and dryers and things washing machines and dryers and things washing machines and dryers and things that we take for granted things that we that we take for granted things that we that we take for granted things that we think is owed to us your washer goes out think is owed to us your washer goes out think is owed to us your washer goes out in so we're staying your life well I Got in so we're staying your life well I Got in so we're staying your life well I Got News watch a little Little House on the News watch a little Little House on the News watch a little Little House on the Prairie brother Sullivan see them taking Prairie brother Sullivan see them taking Prairie brother Sullivan see them taking days to wash clothes wash their two sets days to wash clothes wash their two sets days to wash clothes wash their two sets of clothes their two outfits that they of clothes their two outfits that they of clothes their two outfits that they get to where they got to keep on washing get to where they got to keep on washing get to where they got to keep on washing them every other day got to keep on them every other day got to keep on them every other day got to keep on watching those two those two outfits all watching those two those two outfits all watching those two those two outfits all they can afford and live with no heat no they can afford and live with no heat no they can afford and live with no heat no air no modern technology nothing like air no modern technology nothing like air no modern technology nothing like that and that and that and sometimes I wonder Oh God do we as the sometimes I wonder Oh God do we as the sometimes I wonder Oh God do we as the modern Apostolic Church have we created modern Apostolic Church have we created modern Apostolic Church have we created a society it's so pleasant it's so a society it's so pleasant it's so a society it's so pleasant it's so wonderful that we consider this our home wonderful that we consider this our home wonderful that we consider this our home we're comfortable here this is where we're comfortable here this is where we're comfortable here this is where this is where we have church we have for this is where we have church we have for this is where we have church we have for the colored lights and and we have the the colored lights and and we have the the colored lights and and we have the instruments that are in round glass instruments that are in round glass instruments that are in round glass enclosures and and we have everything enclosures and and we have everything enclosures and and we have everything that we could ever dream of cameras and that we could ever dream of cameras and that we could ever dream of cameras and we have screens and all these great we have screens and all these great we have screens and all these great technologies and and we live in homes technologies and and we live in homes technologies and and we live in homes that have air and homes that have heat that have air and homes that have heat that have air and homes that have heat if we drive nice cars and and some if we drive nice cars and and some if we drive nice cars and and some people are driving cars that drive people are driving cars that drive people are driving cars that drive themselves must be nice I want to get themselves must be nice I want to get themselves must be nice I want to get one one day but God let us never ever be one one day but God let us never ever be one one day but God let us never ever be content to call this our home the faith content to call this our home the faith content to call this our home the faith that every single one of these people that every single one of these people that every single one of these people had was I've got a place I'm headed had was I've got a place I'm headed had was I've got a place I'm headed that's so much better even Abraham that's so much better even Abraham that's so much better even Abraham Abraham was so rich he was so blessed by Abraham was so rich he was so blessed by Abraham was so rich he was so blessed by God but even Abraham said this is not my God but even Abraham said this is not my God but even Abraham said this is not my home I'm just passing through home I'm just passing through home I'm just passing through listen people might look around and say listen people might look around and say listen people might look around and say these are the will water plays and these these are the will water plays and these these are the will water plays and these are the great I don't even care because are the great I don't even care because are the great I don't even care because this is not even my home this is not who this is not even my home this is not who this is not even my home this is not who I am I'm seeing a city whose builder and I am I'm seeing a city whose builder and I am I'm seeing a city whose builder and maker is God maker is God maker is God I like this next one in verse 17 faith I like this next one in verse 17 faith I like this next one in verse 17 faith is willing to be tested it was by faith is willing to be tested it was by faith is willing to be tested it was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a that Abraham offered Isaac as a that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him sacrifice when God was testing him sacrifice when God was testing him Abraham who had received God's promises Abraham who had received God's promises Abraham who had received God's promises listen he had already been told by God listen he had already been told by God listen he had already been told by God that he'll be the father of a great that he'll be the father of a great that he'll be the father of a great nation receive God's promises was ready nation receive God's promises was ready nation receive God's promises was ready to sacrifice his only son Isaac even to sacrifice his only son Isaac even to sacrifice his only son Isaac even though God had told them that Isaac is though God had told them that Isaac is though God had told them that Isaac is the son from whom your descendants will the son from whom your descendants will the son from whom your descendants will be counted be counted be counted Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died God Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died God Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died God was able to bring him back to life again was able to bring him back to life again was able to bring him back to life again and in a sense I like this in a sense and in a sense I like this in a sense and in a sense I like this in a sense Abraham did receive his son Abraham did receive his son Abraham did receive his son from the dead and it says that because from the dead and it says that because from the dead and it says that because in his own mind he had already made up in his own mind he had already made up in his own mind he had already made up his mind my son is dead but I've got his mind my son is dead but I've got his mind my son is dead but I've got enough faith in a God who could bring my enough faith in a God who could bring my enough faith in a God who could bring my son back to life son back to life son back to life see that's not a big deal to us because see that's not a big deal to us because see that's not a big deal to us because we read we read about Lazarus we read we read we read about Lazarus we read we read we read about Lazarus we read about Jesus coming back to life we read about Jesus coming back to life we read about Jesus coming back to life we read about we read about a percent a funeral about we read about a percent a funeral about we read about a percent a funeral processional and Jesus walking up and processional and Jesus walking up and processional and Jesus walking up and saying hey alright well we understand saying hey alright well we understand saying hey alright well we understand Jerry's his daughter who has been dead Jerry's his daughter who has been dead Jerry's his daughter who has been dead people are more than people are crying people are more than people are crying people are more than people are crying and Jesus comes in Jerry's house we've and Jesus comes in Jerry's house we've and Jesus comes in Jerry's house we've read the stories about people that are read the stories about people that are read the stories about people that are dead they come back to life but nobody dead they come back to life but nobody dead they come back to life but nobody had ever come back to life in Abraham's had ever come back to life in Abraham's had ever come back to life in Abraham's day nobody had ever been dead and been day nobody had ever been dead and been day nobody had ever been dead and been resurrected resurrected resurrected but somewhere somewhere Abraham had but somewhere somewhere Abraham had but somewhere somewhere Abraham had enough faith within himself to say I've enough faith within himself to say I've enough faith within himself to say I've never seen it happen but I just believe never seen it happen but I just believe never seen it happen but I just believe that if my God wants me to sacrifice my that if my God wants me to sacrifice my that if my God wants me to sacrifice my own son he'll raise him back from the own son he'll raise him back from the own son he'll raise him back from the dead I've never seen it happen I've dead I've never seen it happen I've dead I've never seen it happen I've never seen it I can't prove it I don't never seen it I can't prove it I don't never seen it I can't prove it I don't have the science behind or even have the science behind or even have the science behind or even understand miracles Abraham didn't even understand miracles Abraham didn't even understand miracles Abraham didn't even thinking in ways of miracles all he thinking in ways of miracles all he thinking in ways of miracles all he could think was I just believe if God could think was I just believe if God could think was I just believe if God gave me a promise I've got enough faith gave me a promise I've got enough faith gave me a promise I've got enough faith that he's a promise keeper if he said that he's a promise keeper if he said that he's a promise keeper if he said that my offspring would be as the sand that my offspring would be as the sand that my offspring would be as the sand of the sea and as the stars of the of the sea and as the stars of the of the sea and as the stars of the heavens I just believe that my God could heavens I just believe that my God could heavens I just believe that my God could raise my son back up from the dead it raise my son back up from the dead it raise my son back up from the dead it was Abraham's faith that said I'm was Abraham's faith that said I'm was Abraham's faith that said I'm willing to be tested I'm not beyond willing to be tested I'm not beyond willing to be tested I'm not beyond being tested I'm not beyond heaven being tested I'm not beyond heaven being tested I'm not beyond heaven trials in my life I'm not ELISA the trials in my life I'm not ELISA the trials in my life I'm not ELISA the Bible says to take joy in the Bible says to take joy in the Bible says to take joy in the difficulties of life James 1 and 1 look difficulties of life James 1 and 1 look difficulties of life James 1 and 1 look at this it says James a servant of God at this it says James a servant of God at this it says James a servant of God this is how James begins a servant of this is how James begins a servant of this is how James begins a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad twelve tribes which are scattered abroad twelve tribes which are scattered abroad greeting he says my brethren count it greeting he says my brethren count it greeting he says my brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers all joy when you fall into divers all joy when you fall into divers temptations knowing this then the trying temptations knowing this then the trying temptations knowing this then the trying of your faith listen the trying of your of your faith listen the trying of your of your faith listen the trying of your faith worketh patience but let patience faith worketh patience but let patience faith worketh patience but let patience have her perfect work that she may be have her perfect work that she may be have her perfect work that she may be perfect and entire wanting nothing count perfect and entire wanting nothing count perfect and entire wanting nothing count it all joy Hebrews 12 Hebrews twelve and it all joy Hebrews 12 Hebrews twelve and it all joy Hebrews 12 Hebrews twelve and one says wherefore see we are also one says wherefore see we are also one says wherefore see we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of compassed about with so great a cloud of compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses talking about these on witnesses talking about these on witnesses talking about these on injector eleven let us lay aside every injector eleven let us lay aside every injector eleven let us lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily weight and the sin which does so easily weight and the sin which does so easily beset us and let us run with patience beset us and let us run with patience beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking the race that is set before us looking the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of unto Jesus the author and finisher of unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set our faith who for the joy that was set our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising before him endured the cross despising before him endured the cross despising the shame is set down at the right hand the shame is set down at the right hand the shame is set down at the right hand on the throne of God look at this right on the throne of God look at this right on the throne of God look at this right here it's saying even Jesus thought it here it's saying even Jesus thought it here it's saying even Jesus thought it of joy he looked at it as this is my of joy he looked at it as this is my of joy he looked at it as this is my opportunity to be tested this is my opportunity to be tested this is my opportunity to be tested this is my opportunity as flesh to be tried this is opportunity as flesh to be tried this is opportunity as flesh to be tried this is my opportunity I can give myself and my opportunity I can give myself and my opportunity I can give myself and Jesus was our perfect example don't you Jesus was our perfect example don't you Jesus was our perfect example don't you think for one minute that you're gonna think for one minute that you're gonna think for one minute that you're gonna have faith and it's not going to be have faith and it's not going to be have faith and it's not going to be tested don't you think in your walk with tested don't you think in your walk with tested don't you think in your walk with God if you're a new convert if you just God if you're a new convert if you just God if you're a new convert if you just you just got into this thing if if you you just got into this thing if if you you just got into this thing if if you just receive the Holy Ghost thing you just receive the Holy Ghost thing you just receive the Holy Ghost thing you just started to walk in if you just if just started to walk in if you just if just started to walk in if you just if you just got to the cross and and now you just got to the cross and and now you just got to the cross and and now you're living for God and you're living you're living for God and you're living you're living for God and you're living right you've got filled with the spirit right you've got filled with the spirit right you've got filled with the spirit don't think for a minute that it's gonna don't think for a minute that it's gonna don't think for a minute that it's gonna be an easy street from here because it's be an easy street from here because it's be an easy street from here because it's gonna be hard there's gonna be some gonna be hard there's gonna be some gonna be hard there's gonna be some tests there's gonna be some trials but tests there's gonna be some trials but tests there's gonna be some trials but you ought to be able to say I'm gonna you ought to be able to say I'm gonna you ought to be able to say I'm gonna take him with joy I'm not gonna walk take him with joy I'm not gonna walk take him with joy I'm not gonna walk into this thing with fear I'm not scared into this thing with fear I'm not scared into this thing with fear I'm not scared of what might happen I'm just gonna walk of what might happen I'm just gonna walk of what might happen I'm just gonna walk in and say Lord if this is what you in and say Lord if this is what you in and say Lord if this is what you require of me I'm gonna do with a smile require of me I'm gonna do with a smile require of me I'm gonna do with a smile on my face I'm gonna do it with joy with on my face I'm gonna do it with joy with on my face I'm gonna do it with joy with happiness I'm gonna give everything I am happiness I'm gonna give everything I am happiness I'm gonna give everything I am in order to show you that my faith means in order to show you that my faith means in order to show you that my faith means more than my trials with joy we have more than my trials with joy we have more than my trials with joy we have faith and we seek God above all things faith and we seek God above all things faith and we seek God above all things verse 20 verse 20 verse 20 see faith believes God is at work in all see faith believes God is at work in all see faith believes God is at work in all circumstances it was by faith that Isaac circumstances it was by faith that Isaac circumstances it was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future in his promised blessings for the future in his promised blessings for the future in his sons Jacob and Esau it was by faith that sons Jacob and Esau it was by faith that sons Jacob and Esau it was by faith that Jacob when he was old and dying blessed Jacob when he was old and dying blessed Jacob when he was old and dying blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed and each of Joseph's sons and bowed and each of Joseph's sons and bowed and worshiped as he leaned upon his staff it worshiped as he leaned upon his staff it worshiped as he leaned upon his staff it was by faith that Joseph when he was was by faith that Joseph when he was was by faith that Joseph when he was about to die said confidently that the about to die said confidently that the about to die said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt he people of Israel would leave Egypt he people of Israel would leave Egypt he even commanded them to take his bones even commanded them to take his bones even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left here we have a with them when they left here we have a with them when they left here we have a trio of extraordinary men of faith where trio of extraordinary men of faith where trio of extraordinary men of faith where God is at work in each one of their God is at work in each one of their God is at work in each one of their circumstances circumstances circumstances Isaac blesses his sons and looking into Isaac blesses his sons and looking into Isaac blesses his sons and looking into the future with eyes of faith Jacob who the future with eyes of faith Jacob who the future with eyes of faith Jacob who had become Israel on his deathbed he had become Israel on his deathbed he had become Israel on his deathbed he blesses Joseph's sons and he worships blesses Joseph's sons and he worships blesses Joseph's sons and he worships the Lord it's all vision he wants God the Lord it's all vision he wants God the Lord it's all vision he wants God they want God to be a part of their they want God to be a part of their they want God to be a part of their family they want God to be a part of who family they want God to be a part of who family they want God to be a part of who they will be and who they'll be come they will be and who they'll be come they will be and who they'll be come here Joseph is he's so confident in here Joseph is he's so confident in here Joseph is he's so confident in God's work in Egypt and he's so God's work in Egypt and he's so God's work in Egypt and he's so confident of the freedom that they're confident of the freedom that they're confident of the freedom that they're gonna enjoy someday somewhere along in gonna enjoy someday somewhere along in gonna enjoy someday somewhere along in the future even Joseph realizes Egypt is the future even Joseph realizes Egypt is the future even Joseph realizes Egypt is not our home we don't belong here in not our home we don't belong here in not our home we don't belong here in Goshen we don't belong here in Egypt Goshen we don't belong here in Egypt Goshen we don't belong here in Egypt land this is not our home we're just land this is not our home we're just land this is not our home we're just passing through but Joseph understood passing through but Joseph understood passing through but Joseph understood that even I'm dying I'm about to go to that even I'm dying I'm about to go to that even I'm dying I'm about to go to the grave but he said I want you to dig the grave but he said I want you to dig the grave but he said I want you to dig up my bones and I want you to take my up my bones and I want you to take my up my bones and I want you to take my bones with you when you leave this place bones with you when you leave this place bones with you when you leave this place one day because I sure don't want to be one day because I sure don't want to be one day because I sure don't want to be left behind in this place called Egypt left behind in this place called Egypt left behind in this place called Egypt God has got to be at work in everything God has got to be at work in everything God has got to be at work in everything we do every troublesome story in the we do every troublesome story in the we do every troublesome story in the Bible God was at work even when it Bible God was at work even when it Bible God was at work even when it looked like the impossible was taking looked like the impossible was taking looked like the impossible was taking place God was at work and I ask you place God was at work and I ask you place God was at work and I ask you tonight in your story in your story when tonight in your story in your story when tonight in your story in your story when you're in trouble and I even talked to you're in trouble and I even talked to you're in trouble and I even talked to some of you tonight who told me one some of you tonight who told me one some of you tonight who told me one thing after another that was going wrong thing after another that was going wrong thing after another that was going wrong and this they failed in my health failed and this they failed in my health failed and this they failed in my health failed in this area my health failed in this in this area my health failed in this in this area my health failed in this area I area I area I you know tonight that God is at work you know tonight that God is at work you know tonight that God is at work even when it seems like the impossible even when it seems like the impossible even when it seems like the impossible is taking place even when it seems like is taking place even when it seems like is taking place even when it seems like nothing else could go wrong I want you nothing else could go wrong I want you nothing else could go wrong I want you to know that God is right there in the to know that God is right there in the to know that God is right there in the middle of your life and if you have middle of your life and if you have middle of your life and if you have enough faith to believe in him and to enough faith to believe in him and to enough faith to believe in him and to walk the walk and talk to talk and just walk the walk and talk to talk and just walk the walk and talk to talk and just say God my body belongs to you say God my body belongs to you say God my body belongs to you I'm the Temple of the Holy Ghost I'm I'm the Temple of the Holy Ghost I'm I'm the Temple of the Holy Ghost I'm filled with your spirit that means that filled with your spirit that means that filled with your spirit that means that I'm your Temple whatever you'd have in I'm your Temple whatever you'd have in I'm your Temple whatever you'd have in my body that's what's gonna happen Oh my body that's what's gonna happen Oh my body that's what's gonna happen Oh God I with joy I'm gonna keep on walking God I with joy I'm gonna keep on walking God I with joy I'm gonna keep on walking forward I would so I'm gonna let you get forward I would so I'm gonna let you get forward I would so I'm gonna let you get in the middle of my life I'm gonna make in the middle of my life I'm gonna make in the middle of my life I'm gonna make sure that I understand that you're at sure that I understand that you're at sure that I understand that you're at work in every single circumstance I'm work in every single circumstance I'm work in every single circumstance I'm almost done faith follows God's lead almost done faith follows God's lead almost done faith follows God's lead faith always follows God as a leader faith always follows God as a leader faith always follows God as a leader verse 23 look at 23 it was by faith and verse 23 look at 23 it was by faith and verse 23 look at 23 it was by faith and Moses's parents hid him for three months Moses's parents hid him for three months Moses's parents hid him for three months when he was born they saw that God had when he was born they saw that God had when he was born they saw that God had given them an unusual child I like that given them an unusual child I like that given them an unusual child I like that and they were not afraid to disobey the and they were not afraid to disobey the and they were not afraid to disobey the king's command it was by faith that king's command it was by faith that king's command it was by faith that Moses when he grew up refused to be Moses when he grew up refused to be Moses when he grew up refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter he called the son of Pharaoh's daughter he called the son of Pharaoh's daughter he chose to share the oppression of God's chose to share the oppression of God's chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting people instead of enjoying the fleeting people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin he thought it was pleasures of sin he thought it was pleasures of sin he thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ better to suffer for the sake of Christ better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt for than to own the treasures of Egypt for than to own the treasures of Egypt for he was a looking ahead he he was looking he was a looking ahead he he was looking he was a looking ahead he he was looking ahead to his great reward ahead to his great reward ahead to his great reward it was my faith in Moses who left the it was my faith in Moses who left the it was my faith in Moses who left the land of Egypt not fearing the Kings land of Egypt not fearing the Kings land of Egypt not fearing the Kings anger he kept right on going because he anger he kept right on going because he anger he kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is kept his eyes on the one who is kept his eyes on the one who is invisible I love that right there he invisible I love that right there he invisible I love that right there he kept his eyes on the one who was kept his eyes on the one who was kept his eyes on the one who was invisible it was by faith that Moses invisible it was by faith that Moses invisible it was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep commanded the people of Israel to keep commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and a sprinkle blood on the the Passover and a sprinkle blood on the the Passover and a sprinkle blood on the doorpost so that the Angel of Death doorpost so that the Angel of Death doorpost so that the Angel of Death would not kill their firstborn sons oh would not kill their firstborn sons oh would not kill their firstborn sons oh my god my god my god he will always lead us if we have faith he will always lead us if we have faith he will always lead us if we have faith in in in him Moses all throughout the Old him Moses all throughout the Old him Moses all throughout the Old Testament Testament Testament Moses in the people of the Old Testament Moses in the people of the Old Testament Moses in the people of the Old Testament had every opportunity of all people had every opportunity of all people had every opportunity of all people Moses had the opportunity to say you Moses had the opportunity to say you Moses had the opportunity to say you know what I think I'm gonna live on easy know what I think I'm gonna live on easy know what I think I'm gonna live on easy street street street he been even raised in Pharaoh's house he been even raised in Pharaoh's house he been even raised in Pharaoh's house even raised in the king's house in the even raised in the king's house in the even raised in the king's house in the palace of all people he could have said palace of all people he could have said palace of all people he could have said you know what I think I will let this you know what I think I will let this you know what I think I will let this one pass in the next guy surely there's one pass in the next guy surely there's one pass in the next guy surely there's somebody else who could be a better somebody else who could be a better somebody else who could be a better leader than I could be I believe in I'm leader than I could be I believe in I'm leader than I could be I believe in I'm living in high-roller living in high-roller living in high-roller lifestyle I don't I don't think I want lifestyle I don't I don't think I want lifestyle I don't I don't think I want to be a slave I think I'm good where I'm to be a slave I think I'm good where I'm to be a slave I think I'm good where I'm at right now but he said I would rather at right now but he said I would rather at right now but he said I would rather be a slave I would rather live in be a slave I would rather live in be a slave I would rather live in oppression and being under pressed oppression and being under pressed oppression and being under pressed society than leaving this palace of sin society than leaving this palace of sin society than leaving this palace of sin and this palace that represents and this palace that represents and this palace that represents everything in this world I would much everything in this world I would much everything in this world I would much rather be in the people of God I would rather be in the people of God I would rather be in the people of God I would rather be named of Christ and his people rather be named of Christ and his people rather be named of Christ and his people in the church than the treasures of in the church than the treasures of in the church than the treasures of Egypt I'm so thankful that this young Egypt I'm so thankful that this young Egypt I'm so thankful that this young man named Moses had enough sense and had man named Moses had enough sense and had man named Moses had enough sense and had enough faith in God to say I can do enough faith in God to say I can do enough faith in God to say I can do something and make a change where maybe something and make a change where maybe something and make a change where maybe nobody else can do it everybody else nobody else can do it everybody else nobody else can do it everybody else they've all got their heads home because they've all got their heads home because they've all got their heads home because they've been slaves for some 400 years they've been slaves for some 400 years they've been slaves for some 400 years but here I am I'm I'm the grandson of but here I am I'm I'm the grandson of but here I am I'm I'm the grandson of the king Here I am I've got my shoulders the king Here I am I've got my shoulders the king Here I am I've got my shoulders back I've got my head up I've never been back I've got my head up I've never been back I've got my head up I've never been beaten I've never had anything I've beaten I've never had anything I've beaten I've never had anything I've never had a whip swung at me oh I've never had a whip swung at me oh I've never had a whip swung at me oh I've never been beaten with a stick I've never been beaten with a stick I've never been beaten with a stick I've never had somebody scream in my face or never had somebody scream in my face or never had somebody scream in my face or yell at me I've got a good self-esteem yell at me I've got a good self-esteem yell at me I've got a good self-esteem maybe I can do something and I can be maybe I can do something and I can be maybe I can do something and I can be something of God but we know that's not something of God but we know that's not something of God but we know that's not what really happened because it was what really happened because it was what really happened because it was Moses who said I I don't have the right Moses who said I I don't have the right Moses who said I I don't have the right speech I can't speak well it was Moses speech I can't speak well it was Moses speech I can't speak well it was Moses when God started dealing with his heart when God started dealing with his heart when God started dealing with his heart at the burning bush and said hey I need at the burning bush and said hey I need at the burning bush and said hey I need you to go back into Egypt and draw my you to go back into Egypt and draw my you to go back into Egypt and draw my people out of that place it was Moses I people out of that place it was Moses I people out of that place it was Moses I said no I don't think I have the answers said no I don't think I have the answers said no I don't think I have the answers to leader to leader to leader don't think that people will believe in don't think that people will believe in don't think that people will believe in me I just don't think that I have the me I just don't think that I have the me I just don't think that I have the charisma in order to be a public figure charisma in order to be a public figure charisma in order to be a public figure I just don't think that I'm qualified to I just don't think that I'm qualified to I just don't think that I'm qualified to be a leader and I don't know about you be a leader and I don't know about you be a leader and I don't know about you but I can relate to all that I could but I can relate to all that I could but I can relate to all that I could relate to all that maybe some of you can relate to all that maybe some of you can relate to all that maybe some of you can too I've got a lot of those same too I've got a lot of those same too I've got a lot of those same insecurities but the truth was Moses insecurities but the truth was Moses insecurities but the truth was Moses wasn't qualified but he was called and wasn't qualified but he was called and wasn't qualified but he was called and God will always equip who he calls he God will always equip who he calls he God will always equip who he calls he will give you the skill set that you will give you the skill set that you will give you the skill set that you need to fulfill the Kali that he's need to fulfill the Kali that he's need to fulfill the Kali that he's called you into and Moses is a proof and called you into and Moses is a proof and called you into and Moses is a proof and we can look at him and looking at we can look at him and looking at we can look at him and looking at Scripture and looking from a distance we Scripture and looking from a distance we Scripture and looking from a distance we can look from generations many many can look from generations many many can look from generations many many hundreds of generations later we can hundreds of generations later we can hundreds of generations later we can look back at him and think of him as look back at him and think of him as look back at him and think of him as some great mighty man that led the some great mighty man that led the some great mighty man that led the people of God out of Egypt but that's people of God out of Egypt but that's people of God out of Egypt but that's not who he was he might have been not who he was he might have been not who he was he might have been educated in the finest education houses educated in the finest education houses educated in the finest education houses he he might have been raised with the he he might have been raised with the he he might have been raised with the best he might have have a gold spoon best he might have have a gold spoon best he might have have a gold spoon that he was grooved to he grew up with that he was grooved to he grew up with that he was grooved to he grew up with in his mouth and all those things that in his mouth and all those things that in his mouth and all those things that we say about people that grow up in that we say about people that grow up in that we say about people that grow up in that fashion fashion fashion but he did not believe in himself maybe but he did not believe in himself maybe but he did not believe in himself maybe because he committed murder I would because he committed murder I would because he committed murder I would think of that would have something to do think of that would have something to do think of that would have something to do with him maybe he knew he did some with him maybe he knew he did some with him maybe he knew he did some things that he should have never done things that he should have never done things that he should have never done even though he thought he had a good even though he thought he had a good even though he thought he had a good excuse excuse excuse maybe he looked back and he had maybe he looked back and he had maybe he looked back and he had conviction and and he always to live conviction and and he always to live conviction and and he always to live with those things and over the years as with those things and over the years as with those things and over the years as he lived outside of Egypt over the years he lived outside of Egypt over the years he lived outside of Egypt over the years and the wilderness he began to think in and the wilderness he began to think in and the wilderness he began to think in 40 years I'm just not good enough and I 40 years I'm just not good enough and I 40 years I'm just not good enough and I can't do it well God looked at him and can't do it well God looked at him and can't do it well God looked at him and said I gave you a call many years ago said I gave you a call many years ago said I gave you a call many years ago and I'm coming back to you I'm gonna and I'm coming back to you I'm gonna and I'm coming back to you I'm gonna find you in the wilderness where you've find you in the wilderness where you've find you in the wilderness where you've run off to I'm gonna find you because if run off to I'm gonna find you because if run off to I'm gonna find you because if I wanted you to be a leader 40 years ago I wanted you to be a leader 40 years ago I wanted you to be a leader 40 years ago when you were coming out of the house of when you were coming out of the house of when you were coming out of the house of Pharaoh I still want you to be a leader Pharaoh I still want you to be a leader Pharaoh I still want you to be a leader today and although you've ran from your today and although you've ran from your today and although you've ran from your calling Moses I'm calling you back I calling Moses I'm calling you back I calling Moses I'm calling you back I want you to get back in this thing and I want you to get back in this thing and I want you to get back in this thing and I want you to leave my people and deliver want you to leave my people and deliver want you to leave my people and deliver my people out of my people out of my people out of oppression I don't know who I'm speaking oppression I don't know who I'm speaking oppression I don't know who I'm speaking to your night but I believe there's to your night but I believe there's to your night but I believe there's somebody here tonight who you've run somebody here tonight who you've run somebody here tonight who you've run from your calling God has made it plain from your calling God has made it plain from your calling God has made it plain he's he's spoken into your mind so many he's he's spoken into your mind so many he's he's spoken into your mind so many times I don't know maybe he used to be a times I don't know maybe he used to be a times I don't know maybe he used to be a Sunday school teacher used to be a song Sunday school teacher used to be a song Sunday school teacher used to be a song leader leader leader used to be in the music he used to be in used to be in the music he used to be in used to be in the music he used to be in I don't know an usher something and you I don't know an usher something and you I don't know an usher something and you thought to yourself over tile I just thought to yourself over tile I just thought to yourself over tile I just don't think I can do it I just don't don't think I can do it I just don't don't think I can do it I just don't think I'm that type of person anymore I think I'm that type of person anymore I think I'm that type of person anymore I want you to know if God has called you want you to know if God has called you want you to know if God has called you into something he's not gonna let you into something he's not gonna let you into something he's not gonna let you just go off in the wilderness and forget just go off in the wilderness and forget just go off in the wilderness and forget all about your calling he's gonna find a all about your calling he's gonna find a all about your calling he's gonna find a way to find you because like I said way to find you because like I said way to find you because like I said before if he's giving you a calling he's before if he's giving you a calling he's before if he's giving you a calling he's gonna give you the skill set in order gonna give you the skill set in order gonna give you the skill set in order for you to do whatever God has qualified for you to do whatever God has qualified for you to do whatever God has qualified you to do faith always allows God to you to do faith always allows God to you to do faith always allows God to work through it think about evangelism work through it think about evangelism work through it think about evangelism and it is this something that we talk and it is this something that we talk and it is this something that we talk about we we train leaders we talk about about we we train leaders we talk about about we we train leaders we talk about this it's Bible study teachers you know this it's Bible study teachers you know this it's Bible study teachers you know if you think that you're gonna if you think that you're gonna if you think that you're gonna understand the Bible from front to back understand the Bible from front to back understand the Bible from front to back and you're gonna you're gonna understand and you're gonna you're gonna understand and you're gonna you're gonna understand every little question that somebody every little question that somebody every little question that somebody could come up with another snitch so we could come up with another snitch so we could come up with another snitch so we know if you're gonna wait till you think know if you're gonna wait till you think know if you're gonna wait till you think you know it all you ain't never gonna you know it all you ain't never gonna you know it all you ain't never gonna teach a Bible study because you could go teach a Bible study because you could go teach a Bible study because you could go on Bibles theologian theology seminary on Bibles theologian theology seminary on Bibles theologian theology seminary you could go on get your done you're you could go on get your done you're you could go on get your done you're still not going to know the answer to still not going to know the answer to still not going to know the answer to every question in this word right here every question in this word right here every question in this word right here when it comes to disciple and somebody when it comes to disciple and somebody when it comes to disciple and somebody you just gotta wade into the water and you just gotta wade into the water and you just gotta wade into the water and just say God I've got enough faith in just say God I've got enough faith in just say God I've got enough faith in you to believe that you can show me you to believe that you can show me you to believe that you can show me that's what Moses was doing when Moses that's what Moses was doing when Moses that's what Moses was doing when Moses went in to deliver the people out he was went in to deliver the people out he was went in to deliver the people out he was just saying God I can't do it but if you just saying God I can't do it but if you just saying God I can't do it but if you can work through me I've got enough they can work through me I've got enough they can work through me I've got enough they by faith it was Moses who brought those by faith it was Moses who brought those by faith it was Moses who brought those plagues he went before Pharaoh he and plagues he went before Pharaoh he and plagues he went before Pharaoh he and arrow way before Pharaoh and Pharaoh arrow way before Pharaoh and Pharaoh arrow way before Pharaoh and Pharaoh didn't wanna let the people go but it didn't wanna let the people go but it didn't wanna let the people go but it was because Moses had faith in God that was because Moses had faith in God that was because Moses had faith in God that ten plagues take places because Moses ten plagues take places because Moses ten plagues take places because Moses had faith in God that he caused the had faith in God that he caused the had faith in God that he caused the people he said you better put blood on people he said you better put blood on people he said you better put blood on your doorpost so that the death angel your doorpost so that the death angel your doorpost so that the death angel will fly over it will not come upon your will fly over it will not come upon your will fly over it will not come upon your family family family he who said come on I've got the staff he who said come on I've got the staff he who said come on I've got the staff and God told me to put it out over this and God told me to put it out over this and God told me to put it out over this red sea and I just believe by faith that red sea and I just believe by faith that red sea and I just believe by faith that God can deliver us out of the hand of God can deliver us out of the hand of God can deliver us out of the hand of Pharaoh and his army and his chariots Pharaoh and his army and his chariots Pharaoh and his army and his chariots and his horsemen and it was by faith in and his horsemen and it was by faith in and his horsemen and it was by faith in somebody here tonight has got to have somebody here tonight has got to have somebody here tonight has got to have enough faith to say God if you've called enough faith to say God if you've called enough faith to say God if you've called me to do it even if I don't believe in me to do it even if I don't believe in me to do it even if I don't believe in myself as long as you believe in me I myself as long as you believe in me I myself as long as you believe in me I can be successful in the kingdom of God can be successful in the kingdom of God can be successful in the kingdom of God somebody shout amen when it comes to somebody shout amen when it comes to somebody shout amen when it comes to stewardship we kind of trust in God and stewardship we kind of trust in God and stewardship we kind of trust in God and have faith in God if you think that you have faith in God if you think that you have faith in God if you think that you gotta have more resources before you gotta have more resources before you gotta have more resources before you start allowing yourself here to give start allowing yourself here to give start allowing yourself here to give give offerings into bring your time and give offerings into bring your time and give offerings into bring your time and listen you're never ever gonna be a listen you're never ever gonna be a listen you're never ever gonna be a tither you're never ever gonna be tither you're never ever gonna be tither you're never ever gonna be responsible and be a good steward over responsible and be a good steward over responsible and be a good steward over what is God's if you think you've got to what is God's if you think you've got to what is God's if you think you've got to have a certain amount before you get have a certain amount before you get have a certain amount before you get started but you've got to have enough started but you've got to have enough started but you've got to have enough faith to step in and let God lead you faith to step in and let God lead you faith to step in and let God lead you even when you don't think that you're even when you don't think that you're even when you don't think that you're able one more faith steps into action able one more faith steps into action able one more faith steps into action when you don't know what's next when you don't know what's next when you don't know what's next faith steps into action when we don't faith steps into action when we don't faith steps into action when we don't know what's coming next verse 29 says it know what's coming next verse 29 says it know what's coming next verse 29 says it was by faith that the people of Israel was by faith that the people of Israel was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though went right through the Red Sea as though went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground but when the they were on dry ground but when the they were on dry ground but when the Egyptians tried to follow they were all Egyptians tried to follow they were all Egyptians tried to follow they were all drowned it was by faith that the people drowned it was by faith that the people drowned it was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for of Israel marched around Jericho for of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days and the walls came crashing seven days and the walls came crashing seven days and the walls came crashing down it was by faith that Rahab the down it was by faith that Rahab the down it was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the prostitute was not destroyed with the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey people in her city who refused to obey people in her city who refused to obey God for she had given a friendly welcome God for she had given a friendly welcome God for she had given a friendly welcome to the spies faith doesn't require us to to the spies faith doesn't require us to to the spies faith doesn't require us to figure it all out figure it all out figure it all out in fact calls us to serve and we have no in fact calls us to serve and we have no in fact calls us to serve and we have no idea how it's going to turn out it's all idea how it's going to turn out it's all idea how it's going to turn out it's all about acting without knowing that's what about acting without knowing that's what about acting without knowing that's what faith is it's acting without knowing faith is it's acting without knowing faith is it's acting without knowing I just believe that if if Hebrews I just believe that if if Hebrews I just believe that if if Hebrews chapter 11 was still being written it chapter 11 was still being written it chapter 11 was still being written it would say something like this him say by would say something like this him say by would say something like this him say by faith faith faith Karen Kirby was one of the founding Karen Kirby was one of the founding Karen Kirby was one of the founding teachers of apostolic Christian Academy teachers of apostolic Christian Academy teachers of apostolic Christian Academy not knowing that she would spend her not knowing that she would spend her not knowing that she would spend her last days teaching kindergarten teaching last days teaching kindergarten teaching last days teaching kindergarten teaching kindergarteners to read while suffering kindergarteners to read while suffering kindergarteners to read while suffering from cancer but where will we be today from cancer but where will we be today from cancer but where will we be today with our sister Karen Kirby I don't know with our sister Karen Kirby I don't know with our sister Karen Kirby I don't know if on her deathbed if she thought that if on her deathbed if she thought that if on her deathbed if she thought that all her promises had taken place but oh all her promises had taken place but oh all her promises had taken place but oh god I'm so thankful she was faithful I'm god I'm so thankful she was faithful I'm god I'm so thankful she was faithful I'm so I'm so thankful she was faithful to so I'm so thankful she was faithful to so I'm so thankful she was faithful to the end I'm so thankful listen my the end I'm so thankful listen my the end I'm so thankful listen my daughter was in her kindergarten class I daughter was in her kindergarten class I daughter was in her kindergarten class I I'm so thankful that she taught up until I'm so thankful that she taught up until I'm so thankful that she taught up until the last day where she had no more the last day where she had no more the last day where she had no more strength and they finally took her to a strength and they finally took her to a strength and they finally took her to a hospital that she would never return hospital that she would never return hospital that she would never return from I'm so thankful that she pressed on from I'm so thankful that she pressed on from I'm so thankful that she pressed on to the very end because she had faith to the very end because she had faith to the very end because she had faith the belief if I keep on keeping on the belief if I keep on keeping on the belief if I keep on keeping on maybe somebody that's following me will maybe somebody that's following me will maybe somebody that's following me will keep on keeping on and we got people keep on keeping on and we got people keep on keeping on and we got people sprinkled all throughout this sanctuary sprinkled all throughout this sanctuary sprinkled all throughout this sanctuary they came up under sister Karen Kirby they came up under sister Karen Kirby they came up under sister Karen Kirby and again I asked you where with so Osby and again I asked you where with so Osby and again I asked you where with so Osby today if it wasn't for sister Karen today if it wasn't for sister Karen today if it wasn't for sister Karen Kirby Kirby Kirby but don't be sorry don't feel sorry but don't be sorry don't feel sorry but don't be sorry don't feel sorry brother Isaac don't feel sorry for your brother Isaac don't feel sorry for your brother Isaac don't feel sorry for your mother because she's got her eternal mother because she's got her eternal mother because she's got her eternal reward she's got her she's wearing her reward she's got her she's wearing her reward she's got her she's wearing her crown she's got her eternal reward what crown she's got her eternal reward what crown she's got her eternal reward what about this by faith lolly left a about this by faith lolly left a about this by faith lolly left a well-paying job and moved into Tennessee well-paying job and moved into Tennessee well-paying job and moved into Tennessee and built churches what about that man and built churches what about that man and built churches what about that man who could have had anything he could who could have had anything he could who could have had anything he could have lived in any lifestyle he wanted to have lived in any lifestyle he wanted to have lived in any lifestyle he wanted to but he was in his heart he would be but he was in his heart he would be but he was in his heart he would be listen some of you don't even know this listen some of you don't even know this listen some of you don't even know this but he would build spec homes he would but he would build spec homes he would but he would build spec homes he would take six eight months and build a spec take six eight months and build a spec take six eight months and build a spec home and he would come to Pastor copper home and he would come to Pastor copper home and he would come to Pastor copper and he would say I'm about to sell it and he would say I'm about to sell it and he would say I'm about to sell it I'm about to close on the house he said I'm about to close on the house he said I'm about to close on the house he said in every bit of profit I make on this in every bit of profit I make on this in every bit of profit I make on this house I'm bringing a check right to the house I'm bringing a check right to the house I'm bringing a check right to the church in all those months in my church in all those months in my church in all those months in my of working up at 5 a.m. and getting to of working up at 5 a.m. and getting to of working up at 5 a.m. and getting to work and not leaving until 7 8 o'clock work and not leaving until 7 8 o'clock work and not leaving until 7 8 o'clock at night and in trying to make deadlines at night and in trying to make deadlines at night and in trying to make deadlines that man he could have had anything he that man he could have had anything he that man he could have had anything he wanted to sister Li they could have had wanted to sister Li they could have had wanted to sister Li they could have had anything they wanted to but they always anything they wanted to but they always anything they wanted to but they always were sacrificing it was the faith they were sacrificing it was the faith they were sacrificing it was the faith they had that a church was being built here had that a church was being built here had that a church was being built here in Mirabeau and a church was being built in Mirabeau and a church was being built in Mirabeau and a church was being built in Knoxville a church was being built in Knoxville a church was being built in Knoxville a church was being built and Clinton some of the greatest and Clinton some of the greatest and Clinton some of the greatest churches were being built because a man churches were being built because a man churches were being built because a man had faith to leave a country that he had faith to leave a country that he had faith to leave a country that he lived in a state that he lived in and lived in a state that he lived in and lived in a state that he lived in and come to Tennessee and say I will give up come to Tennessee and say I will give up come to Tennessee and say I will give up my resources what about this one what my resources what about this one what my resources what about this one what about our missionaries by faith Scotty about our missionaries by faith Scotty about our missionaries by faith Scotty and Gladys Graham made a decision to and Gladys Graham made a decision to and Gladys Graham made a decision to live in a double-wide mobile home and live in a double-wide mobile home and live in a double-wide mobile home and give hundreds of thousands of dollars give hundreds of thousands of dollars give hundreds of thousands of dollars into Africa into the churches of Africa into Africa into the churches of Africa into Africa into the churches of Africa when they could have built any size home when they could have built any size home when they could have built any size home they wanted to build on any Hill in they wanted to build on any Hill in they wanted to build on any Hill in Texas they want to build on but here Texas they want to build on but here Texas they want to build on but here they are taking everything that they're they are taking everything that they're they are taking everything that they're earning from properties they own well earning from properties they own well earning from properties they own well over a million dollars worth of over a million dollars worth of over a million dollars worth of properties and all that income was properties and all that income was properties and all that income was coming in and before they were even coming in and before they were even coming in and before they were even appointed missionaries brother sister appointed missionaries brother sister appointed missionaries brother sister kay know you know this before they're kay know you know this before they're kay know you know this before they're even appointed missionaries they were even appointed missionaries they were even appointed missionaries they were already sending that money overseas to already sending that money overseas to already sending that money overseas to help build churches and to help train help build churches and to help train help build churches and to help train people listen people have given up even people listen people have given up even people listen people have given up even in our lifetime we can't look just back in our lifetime we can't look just back in our lifetime we can't look just back at the Bible and see where people have at the Bible and see where people have at the Bible and see where people have sacrificed people in our own lifetime sacrificed people in our own lifetime sacrificed people in our own lifetime have given up things that they could have given up things that they could have given up things that they could have lived so much in will to win souls have lived so much in will to win souls have lived so much in will to win souls by faith Jim and Rita Schneider sent the by faith Jim and Rita Schneider sent the by faith Jim and Rita Schneider sent the retirement money to Africa to build retirement money to Africa to build retirement money to Africa to build churches when they could have been churches when they could have been churches when they could have been driving around in a six-figure sports driving around in a six-figure sports driving around in a six-figure sports car by faith Kenny and penny carpenter car by faith Kenny and penny carpenter car by faith Kenny and penny carpenter made a decision to take a small whole made a decision to take a small whole made a decision to take a small whole mission church that a lot of successful mission church that a lot of successful mission church that a lot of successful evangelists that were booked a year out evangelists that were booked a year out evangelists that were booked a year out would have never taken but they looked would have never taken but they looked would have never taken but they looked and they said by faith God if you've and they said by faith God if you've and they said by faith God if you've called us into this little town called called us into this little town called called us into this little town called Miravalle I think we're gonna go and Miravalle I think we're gonna go and Miravalle I think we're gonna go and we're gonna just see what God can do and we're gonna just see what God can do and we're gonna just see what God can do and see what God wants to do in our lives see what God wants to do in our lives see what God wants to do in our lives and what you know there's some and what you know there's some and what you know there's some thirty-five years later look what the thirty-five years later look what the thirty-five years later look what the Lord has done but it's all because of Lord has done but it's all because of Lord has done but it's all because of the faith whoo well the story of Hebrews the faith whoo well the story of Hebrews the faith whoo well the story of Hebrews chapter 11 is understanding that God is chapter 11 is understanding that God is chapter 11 is understanding that God is a rewarder and even if we can't imagine a rewarder and even if we can't imagine a rewarder and even if we can't imagine it there will be a reward even if we it there will be a reward even if we it there will be a reward even if we don't even get to experience the promise don't even get to experience the promise don't even get to experience the promise will come to pass will come to pass will come to pass open up without faith it is impossible open up without faith it is impossible open up without faith it is impossible to please and for he that cometh to God to please and for he that cometh to God to please and for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a must believe that he is and that he is a must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek rewarder of them that diligently seek rewarder of them that diligently seek Him Him Him he's a rewarder this is not this is not he's a rewarder this is not this is not he's a rewarder this is not this is not a naming cleanness blabbin grab a a naming cleanness blabbin grab a a naming cleanness blabbin grab a message this is a message about faith message this is a message about faith message this is a message about faith but it's a principle they that have but it's a principle they that have but it's a principle they that have faith in God please God and when you faith in God please God and when you faith in God please God and when you please God good things happen to you and please God good things happen to you and please God good things happen to you and if not to you good things gonna happen if not to you good things gonna happen if not to you good things gonna happen to your children maybe your children to your children maybe your children to your children maybe your children maybe your grandchildren your children's maybe your grandchildren your children's maybe your grandchildren your children's children maybe we never seen the children maybe we never seen the children maybe we never seen the promises take place in our life promises take place in our life promises take place in our life maybe we work our knuckles to the bone maybe we work our knuckles to the bone maybe we work our knuckles to the bone and we do everything we can to sacrifice and we do everything we can to sacrifice and we do everything we can to sacrifice but if it means that my grandkids are but if it means that my grandkids are but if it means that my grandkids are gonna be saved and we're gonna be in a gonna be saved and we're gonna be in a gonna be saved and we're gonna be in a house of God house of God house of God and they're gonna be taught the Word of and they're gonna be taught the Word of and they're gonna be taught the Word of God by Holy Ghost anointed preachers and God by Holy Ghost anointed preachers and God by Holy Ghost anointed preachers and teachers my god I'm willing to do teachers my god I'm willing to do teachers my god I'm willing to do anything I'll have whatever faith I've anything I'll have whatever faith I've anything I'll have whatever faith I've gotta have I am with this by faith the gotta have I am with this by faith the gotta have I am with this by faith the vast majority of firsts type of solid vast majority of firsts type of solid vast majority of firsts type of solid church of maryville gained sacrificially church of maryville gained sacrificially church of maryville gained sacrificially for over 10 years to see a building for over 10 years to see a building for over 10 years to see a building completed that would give glory to God completed that would give glory to God completed that would give glory to God to have an edifice this is a way just to have an edifice this is a way just to have an edifice this is a way just dedicated I know we've been talking dedicated I know we've been talking dedicated I know we've been talking about this place and listen we've got a about this place and listen we've got a about this place and listen we've got a lot to be proud of it's nothing we've lot to be proud of it's nothing we've lot to be proud of it's nothing we've done it's all about God but I think God done it's all about God but I think God done it's all about God but I think God for the faith of the families the for the faith of the families the for the faith of the families the marival miracle as so many people don't marival miracle as so many people don't marival miracle as so many people don't realize they think that this building is realize they think that this building is realize they think that this building is a miracle miracle what they don't a miracle miracle what they don't a miracle miracle what they don't realize is the miracle was really being realize is the miracle was really being realize is the miracle was really being done in our homes done in our homes done in our homes the miracle the miracle the miracle really being done with the blessings really being done with the blessings really being done with the blessings were taking place at home this is just were taking place at home this is just were taking place at home this is just the overage of what God was doing maybe the overage of what God was doing maybe the overage of what God was doing maybe we had people being healed 2008 half the we had people being healed 2008 half the we had people being healed 2008 half the church lost their jobs and and we saw it church lost their jobs and and we saw it church lost their jobs and and we saw it was no time oh you've got a job you've was no time oh you've got a job you've was no time oh you've got a job you've got a job you've got everybody was got a job you've got everybody was got a job you've got everybody was getting their jobs like that people are getting their jobs like that people are getting their jobs like that people are getting better jobs when you read in the getting better jobs when you read in the getting better jobs when you read in the paper that everything unemployment was paper that everything unemployment was paper that everything unemployment was at an all-time high but somehow we at an all-time high but somehow we at an all-time high but somehow we looked around and people in this church looked around and people in this church looked around and people in this church had jobs it well I was gonna say I don't had jobs it well I was gonna say I don't had jobs it well I was gonna say I don't know why but I do know why because by know why but I do know why because by know why but I do know why because by faith you were sacrificing and because faith you were sacrificing and because faith you were sacrificing and because of your faith because of the faith that of your faith because of the faith that of your faith because of the faith that came from this church a miracle took came from this church a miracle took came from this church a miracle took place and people had things and were place and people had things and were place and people had things and were promised things and promises were promised things and promises were promised things and promises were fulfilled fulfilled fulfilled they were unimaginable sure I don't know they were unimaginable sure I don't know they were unimaginable sure I don't know about you something inside of me the about you something inside of me the about you something inside of me the desire to please God lately in my life desire to please God lately in my life desire to please God lately in my life I've always wanted to please God but I've always wanted to please God but I've always wanted to please God but something of recent something inside of something of recent something inside of something of recent something inside of me and in reading this Hebrews chapter me and in reading this Hebrews chapter me and in reading this Hebrews chapter 11 something Wells up inside of me says 11 something Wells up inside of me says 11 something Wells up inside of me says what more can I do to prove my what more can I do to prove my what more can I do to prove my faithfulness to God and say why don't we faithfulness to God and say why don't we faithfulness to God and say why don't we stand together because I want his pray stand together because I want his pray stand together because I want his pray uh a simple prayer that I want us to uh a simple prayer that I want us to uh a simple prayer that I want us to pray together but what more can we do pray together but what more can we do pray together but what more can we do looking over all life if you close your looking over all life if you close your looking over all life if you close your eyes and bow your heads I want you to eyes and bow your heads I want you to eyes and bow your heads I want you to think in your life what is it that we think in your life what is it that we think in your life what is it that we can sacrifice what is it that we can say can sacrifice what is it that we can say can sacrifice what is it that we can say god I'm willing to do without it might god I'm willing to do without it might god I'm willing to do without it might be something so simple as fasting some be something so simple as fasting some be something so simple as fasting some meals it it might be something so simple meals it it might be something so simple meals it it might be something so simple as fasting some entertainment I don't as fasting some entertainment I don't as fasting some entertainment I don't know something they would draws closer know something they would draws closer know something they would draws closer to God and get us out of the hectic to God and get us out of the hectic to God and get us out of the hectic world that we live in and the busyness world that we live in and the busyness world that we live in and the busyness that we live in on somehow someway maybe that we live in on somehow someway maybe that we live in on somehow someway maybe we could pray a prayer of faith and I'm we could pray a prayer of faith and I'm we could pray a prayer of faith and I'm not talking about a prayer of healing not talking about a prayer of healing not talking about a prayer of healing but I'm I'm talking about God I want to but I'm I'm talking about God I want to but I'm I'm talking about God I want to pray that my lifestyle is a lifestyle of pray that my lifestyle is a lifestyle of pray that my lifestyle is a lifestyle of faith faith faith he's lift up your hands come on let's he's lift up your hands come on let's he's lift up your hands come on let's pray this prayer pray this prayer pray this prayer right now come on I don't want to pray right now come on I don't want to pray right now come on I don't want to pray we're not praying for healing if you got we're not praying for healing if you got we're not praying for healing if you got sickness in your body we could pray for sickness in your body we could pray for sickness in your body we could pray for that at another time but right now I that at another time but right now I that at another time but right now I just want us to pray God I want to just want us to pray God I want to just want us to pray God I want to increase my faith and I need you to help increase my faith and I need you to help increase my faith and I need you to help my unbelief where where I don't have my unbelief where where I don't have my unbelief where where I don't have faith I need you to help me Lord God faith I need you to help me Lord God faith I need you to help me Lord God ahead ahead ahead I want faith as Abraham had faith I want I want faith as Abraham had faith I want I want faith as Abraham had faith I want faith Oh God like Moses had faith faith Oh God like Moses had faith faith Oh God like Moses had faith I want faith Oh God the faith that Noah I want faith Oh God the faith that Noah I want faith Oh God the faith that Noah had in building something who couldn't had in building something who couldn't had in building something who couldn't imagine for something that he had never imagine for something that he had never imagine for something that he had never witnessed or seen God what kind of faith witnessed or seen God what kind of faith witnessed or seen God what kind of faith could I have in my life that I can prove could I have in my life that I can prove could I have in my life that I can prove to you Lord God that I'm faithful come to you Lord God that I'm faithful come to you Lord God that I'm faithful come on first Apostolic Church come on we on first Apostolic Church come on we on first Apostolic Church come on we can't get so comfortable though we just can't get so comfortable though we just can't get so comfortable though we just think that we can just hear a message think that we can just hear a message think that we can just hear a message about a lifestyle of faith and it's about a lifestyle of faith and it's about a lifestyle of faith and it's believing we can just go home and get believing we can just go home and get believing we can just go home and get our decaf coffee and put on our nightcap our decaf coffee and put on our nightcap our decaf coffee and put on our nightcap and go to bed come on somebody god help and go to bed come on somebody god help and go to bed come on somebody god help us right now in this room to realize us right now in this room to realize us right now in this room to realize Lord God we have got to be people of Lord God we have got to be people of Lord God we have got to be people of faith look out we gotta live a life of faith look out we gotta live a life of faith look out we gotta live a life of faith it's not something that I used as faith it's not something that I used as faith it's not something that I used as a spare tire it's not something I use a spare tire it's not something I use a spare tire it's not something I use whenever I have a problem or have a whenever I have a problem or have a whenever I have a problem or have a sickness it's not something I've got a sickness it's not something I've got a sickness it's not something I've got a well up inside of me whenever things go well up inside of me whenever things go well up inside of me whenever things go wrong you at all times there finals you need Karami Karami Karami come on out here i hear the prayer the come on out here i hear the prayer the come on out here i hear the prayer the saints huh I hear the prayer of the saints huh I hear the prayer of the saints huh I hear the prayer of the season I had people I hear people that season I had people I hear people that season I had people I hear people that have suffering going on their life have suffering going on their life have suffering going on their life they're saying god I'm going through it they're saying god I'm going through it they're saying god I'm going through it but god I still believe Lord garments but god I still believe Lord garments but god I still believe Lord garments you can do anything for me I still have you can do anything for me I still have you can do anything for me I still have enough faith even though it looks like enough faith even though it looks like enough faith even though it looks like impossibility yes Lord yes for your slow impossibility yes Lord yes for your slow impossibility yes Lord yes for your slow years though oh god I wanna give you my years though oh god I wanna give you my years though oh god I wanna give you my very best help me remember calories cost help me remember calories cost say lift up your hands and sing lift up your hands and sing I my sacrifice my sacrifice remember CalPERS remember CalPERS come on lift up your voice a come on lift up your voice a come on lift up your voice a Oh Oh thank you calories comes say Oh God as we leave this place the say Oh God as we leave this place the nine Lord God help us go out into a nine Lord God help us go out into a nine Lord God help us go out into a community that needs you God into a community that needs you God into a community that needs you God into a community that's hungry on commedia community that's hungry on commedia community that's hungry on commedia that's hurry co-workers a student body that's hurry co-workers a student body that's hurry co-workers a student body Lord God and needs to hear what we have Lord God and needs to hear what we have Lord God and needs to hear what we have to say Lord and what your word reveals to say Lord and what your word reveals to say Lord and what your word reveals to your people God I pray that we would to your people God I pray that we would to your people God I pray that we would live this life of faith O God that you live this life of faith O God that you live this life of faith O God that you could change this whole world around us could change this whole world around us could change this whole world around us lo we want to turn this city upside down lo we want to turn this city upside down lo we want to turn this city upside down and Lord it's only gonna happen if we and Lord it's only gonna happen if we and Lord it's only gonna happen if we have enough faith in you Lord God to have enough faith in you Lord God to have enough faith in you Lord God to draw people unto you no because you said draw people unto you no because you said draw people unto you no because you said if you could draw men unto your self if you could draw men unto your self if you could draw men unto your self Lord if you would be lifted up you would Lord if you would be lifted up you would Lord if you would be lifted up you would draw all men to you and Lord that's our draw all men to you and Lord that's our draw all men to you and Lord that's our job is to lift you up Oh God Oh in Jesus job is to lift you up Oh God Oh in Jesus job is to lift you up Oh God Oh in Jesus name help us logon lay out lay some name name help us logon lay out lay some name name help us logon lay out lay some name upon our heart Lord lay a name a upon our heart Lord lay a name a upon our heart Lord lay a name a co-worker upon our heart Lord God that co-worker upon our heart Lord God that co-worker upon our heart Lord God that we can invite to church that we could we can invite to church that we could we can invite to church that we could speak life into their life low we can speak life into their life low we can speak life into their life low we can speak hope into their life in Jesus name speak hope into their life in Jesus name speak hope into their life in Jesus name Lord God poured in Jesus they bring us Lord God poured in Jesus they bring us Lord God poured in Jesus they bring us back to Sunday Lord God ready to worship back to Sunday Lord God ready to worship back to Sunday Lord God ready to worship you once again in Jesus name I pray you once again in Jesus name I pray you once again in Jesus name I pray and but I said amen god bless you love and but I said amen god bless you love and but I said amen god bless you love you all so much you're dismissed in you all so much you're dismissed in you all so much you're dismissed in Jesus name Jesus name Jesus name looking forward to seeing you all on looking forward to seeing you all on looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday morning goblets