Christ Is The Better Conduit Pt.3: Hall of Faith

Opening:

story

There was a man who prided himself on being exceedingly punctual. He followed a very precise routine every morning. His alarm went off at 6:30 AM. He rose briskly, shaved, showered, ate his breakfast, brushed his teeth, picked up his briefcase, got into his car, rode the ferry across to the downtown business area, got off the ferry, walked smartly to his building, marched to the elevator, rode to the seventeenth floor, hung up his coat, opened his briefcase, spread his papers out on his desk, and sat down in his chair at precisely 8:00 AM. Not 8:01 AM, not even 7:59. Always at 8:00 AM.

He followed this same routine without variation for eight years, until one morning his alarm did not go off, and he overslept fifteen minutes. When he did awake, he was panic-striken. He rushed through the shower, nicked himself when he shaved, gulped down his breakfast, only half-way brushed his teeth, grabbed up his briefcase, jumped into his car, sped to the ferry landing, jumped out of his car, and looked for the ferry.

There it was, out in the water a few feet from the dock. He said to himself, "I think that I can make it," and he ran down the dock towards the ferry at full speed. Reaching the edge of the pier he made an enormous leap out over the water and miraculously landed with a loud thud on the deck of the ferry. The captain rushed down to make sure he was alright.

The captain said, "Man, that was a tremendous leap, but if you would have just waited another minute, we would have reached the dock, and you could have walked on."

Recap- Faith That Prevails

The People of Faith (V.32)

Gideon (Judg. 6–8).

He had 30,000 soldiers against an enemy of 135,000 soldiers. With only 300 soldiers he caused the 135,000 to flee.

Barak (Judg. 4, 5).

Along with Deborah, Barak did great things for God through his faith.

Samson (Judg. 1–16).

Samson did impossible things when the Spirit came upon him.

Jephthah (Judg. 11:1–12).

He did wonders for the Lord

David (1 Sam. 17:32–35).

David slew Goliath. “I come to you in the name of the Lord.”

Previously, he killed a lion and a bear.

Samuel (1 Sam. 3:18; 7:1–17).

Samuel had faith, and the Israelites were miraculously delivered from the Philistines.

The Prophets and Faith (Vv.32b–35a)

Conquered kingdoms (2 Sam. 8).

David overcame kingdoms for the glory of God.

Enforced Justice (Gen. 16:6).

Abraham overcame and fought for righteousness.

Obtained promises (Num. 14:30).

Promises were obtained for the promised land.

Stopped the mouth of lions (Dan. 6).

Daniel could sleep with the lions and have faith in God for protection.

Quenched fire (Dan. 3).

The Hebrew men refused to bow.

Escaped swords (1 Sam. 17).

David escaped Goliath’s sword.

In weakness made strong (Heb. 11).

Sarah had a son when she was ninety years old.

Might in War (1 Sam. 17:5).

The Philistines fled when David slew Goliath.

The dead raised (1 Kings 17:17–24).

Elijah raised the widow’s son.

The Punishment and Faith (Vv.35b–38)

Endured torture (Gen. 39:20).

Joseph’s suffering.

Endured mockings and Flogging (Jer. 37:16).

Jeremiah suffered for God.

Suffered Stoning (2 Chron. 24:20).

Zechariah’s suffering.

Sawed in two.

History says Isaiah was cut in half by a saw.

Slain with sword (1 Sam. 22:18).

Saul slew a priest.

Suffered wanderings.

No permanent home.

The Promise of Faith (Vv.39-40)

Patient (v. 39).

All these died, not seeing the promise of the Messiah fulfilled. Still they kept faith in God.

Promise (v. 40).

We have the Messiah, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible.