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Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 15 August 2021 : “These all died in faith”

Text: Hebrews 11:13-16
15 August 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. Focus for Jul-Aug 2021 pulpit series – By faith

a. To learn how we can apply our faith
b. Without faith, it is impossible to please God   (Hebrews 11:6)

2. Hebrews 11:13-16 – The example of the saints in the Old Testament

a. Gives us a glimpse of how they applied their faith
b. Teaches us how we too can apply our faith in life

THEIR PERCEPTION OF GOD’S PROMISES

1. God’s promises to the saints of old

a. Many precious promises
b. But not all were fully realised in their lifetime   (Hebrews 11:13)

2. How the saints of old perceived God’s promises

a. Saw God fulfilling His promises in the future   (Hebrews 11:13)
b. Assured that God’s promises were as good as fulfilled   (Hebrews 11:13)
c. Embraced God’s promises in their life   (Hebrews 11:13)

3. We too can learn to perceive God’s promises

a. Psalm 23 – God’s precious promises for us
i. To be our shepherd   (Psalm 23:1)
ii. To be with us   (Psalm 23:4)
iii. To show us His goodness and mercy   (Psalm 23:6)
iv. To dwell in His house forever   (Psalm 23:6)
b. We can learn to perceive His promises by
i. Trusting that they will be fulfilled
ii. Being assured that they are as good as fulfilled
iii. Embracing them in our life

THEIR PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS LIFE ON EARTH

1. How the saints of old regarded themselves

a. Strangers – not part of this world   (Hebrews 11:13)
b. Pilgrims – this world is a temporary stay   (Hebrews 11:13)

2. Why they had such a perspective

a. They saw heaven as their homeland   (Hebrews 11:14-16)
b. To them, heaven was far better than this world   (Hebrews 11:16)

3. We too can have this same perspective

a. We share the same homeland as the saints of old – heaven!
b. We too can learn to see ourselves as
i. Strangers in this world – we don’t belong here
ii. Pilgrims in this world – we are just staying here temporarily

THEIR PRACTIAL EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

1. They spoke of their faith

a. Confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth   (Hebrews 11:13)
b. Declared plainly that they sought heaven   (Hebrews 11:14)

2. They lived their earthly life focused on heaven

a. Did not return to their physical homeland   (Hebrews 11:15)
b. Chose to focus on heaven instead   (Hebrews 11:14, 16)

3. They called upon God

a. They learned to call God their God   (Hebrews 11:16)
b. They learned to call upon God in prayer

4. Like the saints of old, we can cultivate practical expressions of faith!

a. To speak of our faith to family and friends
b. To focus on heaven instead of worry about our life on earth
c. To call upon God in prayer everyday

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR US ALL

1. Let us learn to apply our faith like the saints of old

a. To perceive God’s promises
b. To have the perspective of being strangers and pilgrims on earth
c. To cultivate practical expressions of faith

2. If we can apply our faith, the Lord will

a. Be pleased with our faith
b. Not be ashamed of us

3. May we learn to apply our faith and hold fast to it till the end of life!