Result of Faith… (3 points)

• 1^st – Judges – Kings – and Prophets… vs.  32
  • A LOT more FAITH…
    • What more shall I say – for the TIME would FAIL me…
      • The Author has given us THIRTEEN examples of walking by FAITH…
      • A history lesson that has taken us from the book of Genesis through Joshua…
      • And he desired to KEEP going – there were still a LOT more example of FAITH…
      • So MANY he would run out of TIME before he could get to the END of the list!
    • He does throw in SIX final names – without any description of their FAITH…
      • These men represent the HISTORY of Israel in in the Promised Land…
      • They are a SHORT list of the Judges – Kings – and Prophets of Israel…
      • The list is unexpected – because of WHO is in it – and who is NOT!
  • 1^st – By FAITH – Gideon LED an ARMY…
    • After Joshua – a new generation rose that did not know the Lord…
      • The children and grandchildren of those who had come in the Promised Land…
      • Their parents did not pass to them their relationship with God…
      • Instead they left them in a Land littered with temptations / godless people…
      • As a result they turned their back on God – and followed after the world…
      • So in His anger God turned on Israel – and their enemies defeated them!
    • God did not abandon Israel – instead He gave them JUDGES…
      • The JUDGES were not someone who sat in a courtroom – upholding the rules of MEN…
      • JUDGES were the rulers / leaders of Israel – raised up by God to uphold HIS Law!
      • Israel had no need of a King – because God was the one and only King of Israel!
    • Israel would sin – be conquered – and call out for help…
      • God would raise up a JUDGE to save them – and they would return to the Lord…
      • But it did not last – after a period of time – they would rebel again…
      • This CYCLE is repeated over and over – TWELVE times in the book of Judges!
    • The FIFTH judge of Israel – Judges 6-7
      • Judges 6:12 – “The angel appeared to [Gideon] and said – Mighty hero the LORD is with you!”
      • Gideon was NOT a mighty hero – he was HIDING in a pit!
      • When God said he was chosen – Gideon demanded PROOF – tested the Lord with a fleece!
      • But when he stepped out in FAITH – THIRTY thousand men came to fight with him…
      • God made him twiddle that number down to just THREE hundred…
      • Gideon took those THREE hundred – and defeated a foe numbering 135k!
      • We assume we are just ONE person – what can we do make a difference…
      • God does not need an army – He is just looking for ONE who is willing answer the call…
      • All it takes is ONE being willing to WALK by FAITH – to make a difference!
      • Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
  • 2^nd – By FAITH – Barak asked for HELP…
    • The FOURTH judge of Israel – Judges 4-5
      • Barak was NOT a JUDGE – Deborah was the JUDGE of Israel – Judges 4:4
      • She commanded Barak to lead an army to defeat Sisera [general of King Jabin of Canaan]!
      • Judges 4:8 – “Barak said to her – If you will go with me – then I will go; but if you will not go with me – I will not go!”
    • Deborah agreed to go along with him – but a woman would end up defeating Sisera…
      • This has often been seen as a rebuke – as if Barak were wrong for asking…
      • But Deborah was a PROPHET – Barak by FAITH he was willing to ask her for help!
      • I know a lot of husbands who make decisions WITHOUT consulting their wives…
      • Yet God has given great INSIGHT to women – and we would be SMART to ask for it…
      • Men tend to see very well down the road – but MISS what is right in front of them!
      • Wives miss NOTHING- and a wise husband has FAITH to know when to ask for HELP!
  • 3^rd – By FAITH – Sampson was STRONG…
    • The TWELFTH judge of Israel – Judges 13-16
      • Sampson was chosen from God before birth to be a JUDGE of Israel…
      • He had to abide by THREE rules – no drinking / no touching death things / no cutting hair…
      • The result was he was exceptionally STRONG!
      • Do not think of Sampson as a muscle covered body builder…
      • The Philistines could NOT figure out the source of his strength – Judges 16:5
      • Sampson was likely a scrawny little Jewish kid – but EMPOWERED by the Spirit of God!
    • Sampson had limited effectiveness as a JUDGE…
      • He NEVER led Israel to any victories – NEVER once asked God how to use his STRENGTH…
      • Even in his death – he only thought of himself – desiring personal REVENGE…
      • He left behind NO children – and a nation STILL oppressed by the Philistines!
    • Which makes it all the more amazing to see him HERE…
      • God did not see what Sampson did – He saw his FAITH…
      • The greatest men in the Bible – were GREAT for what they DID – but what they believed!
      • God is not after what we can do for Him – He wants us to know Him…
      • Through faith in Jesus – like Sampson – we become the great men / women of God!
  • 4^th – By FAITH – Jephthah made a VOW…
    • The EIGHTH judge of Israel…
      • Jephthah had a rough childhood – an illegitimate son of a prostitute…
      • His brother resented him – refused to share their inheritance – and drove him out!
      • By he was the ONLY one willing to step up and save Israel from the Ammonites…
      • By FAITH He made a vow to the Lord before he went into battle – Judges 11:30-31
      • If God gave him victory – the first thing out of his house – he would offer as a burnt offering!
    • When he returned home – his only daughter ran out dancing to greet him…
      • Jephthah tore his clothes in sorrow – I made a VOW I cannot break – Numbers 30:2
      • What happened to the daughter is NOT clear – there are two opinions…
      • Jephthah never let her get married – so she was dedicated to the serve of the Lord!
      • Jephthah offered her as a burnt sacrifice – though God certainly did NOT condone it!
      • God openly condemned the pagan practice of child sacrifice – Deuteronomy 18
      • If a FATHER hears a VOW and does not agree – HE can negate the vow – Numbers 30:5
      • If we make a VOW contrary to the Word of God – He does not hold us to our VOW!
      • Too often people speak – then take the time to think about what they said…
      • Better to think first about what we are going to say – the consequence of our words…
      • Then have to take back quick words – promises we are wish we had not made!
      • Proverbs 13:3 – “Those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” [NIV]
  • 5^th – By FAITH – David KILLED a giant…
    • The SECOND King of Israel…
      • David is mentioned in over ONE THOUSAND verses in TWENTY-EIGHT books of the Bible!
      • But if there is ONE story that emphasizes WALKING by FAITH – it is Goliath!
    • Goliath – was THREE meters tall – a descendant of Anak [Nephilim] – Numbers 13:33
      • Nephilim – the result of the marriage of demons and women – Genesis 6:4
      • Goliath had bronze armor that weighed more than 57kg…
      • The armor covered his body – from head to toe he was protected from attack…
      • His spear was like a beam – the iron tip weighed almost 7kg…
      • All of Israel was TERRIFIED to face him – EXCEPT one young shepherd boy!
    • When Goliath saw David – he MOCKED…
      • Goliath could only SEE David – but by FAITH – David could SEE the Lord!
      • David answered – you come with sword and spear – I come in the name of the Lord!
      • And this day the Lord will defeat you – and I will cut your head off…
      • Because the battle belongs to the Lord – and He gives the victory – I Samuel 17:45-47
      • Too often we get caught up in our problems – and we forget the power of our God!
      • NO circumstance is too difficult – NO Giant to powerful – NOTHING is impossible…
      • The creator of heaven and earth – God almighty – can handle ANY problem we have!
      • We may see a CHALLENGE – God sees the OPPORTUNITY to show His power!
      • As we remember who is with us – by FAITH we realize big Giants are no match for us!
  • 6^th – By FAITH – Samuel HEARD the Lord…
    • Samuel and the PROPHETS…
      • Samuel here is lumped in with ALL of PROPHETS of Israel…
      • That list would include Elisha – Jeremiah – Daniel – Jonah – through to Malachi!
      • The purpose of the PROPHET was to PROCLAIM the Word of God to the people!
      • I Samuel 3:1 – “The word of the LORD was rare in THOSE DAYS…”
    • By FAITH – Samuel heard and shared the Word of God…
      • When he was still a young boy – sleeping in the Tabernacle – God called his name…
      • I Samuel 3:10 – “Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered – Speak for Your servant hears.”
      • The days of Samuel are just like TODAY – a Word from the Lord is RARE…
      • God still wants to SPEAK to His people – but the question is who is LISTENING…
      • From the moment we get up – to the moment we go to bed we are busy…
      • We tend to be so BUSY in life we RARELY have a moment to LISTEN to the Lord…
      • We wonder why God is SILENT – He is not SILENT – by FAITH we just need to LISTEN!

• 2^nd – Two RESULTS… vs. 33-38
  • 1^st – VICTORY by FAITH… vs. 33-35
    • The author now changes tactics – rather than giving people as EXAMPLE of FAITH…
      • He gives us STORIES that display what happens to those who WALK by FAITH…
      • TWO kinds of STORIES – one that end in VICTORY / the other that seem to end in DEFEAT!
    • Through FAITH – [10 EXAMPLES]
      • Subdued kingdoms / Worked righteousness / Obtained promises!
      • The first three EXAMPLES are more generic – and could refer to any number of STORIES…
      • SUBDUED – to resist or stand up against – KINGDOMS – wicked government…
      • By doing so they brought back RIGHTEOUSNESS – and the PROMISES of God!
      • Stopped the mouths of lions – the prophet Daniel – Daniel 6
      • Quenched the violence of fire – Hananiah / Mishael / and Azariah – Daniel 3
      • Women received their dead raised to life again – the prophet Elisha – I Kings 17:23
      • Escaped the edge of the sword / Out of weakness were made strong…
      • Became valiant in battle / Turned to flight the armies of the [invaders]!
      • These four EXAMPLES are also generic – could refer to any number of STORIES…
      • But there is a PROGRESSION – FIRST – they FLED from the sword [they were defeated] …
      • But in their DEFEAT [weakness] – they were made strong [turned to the Lord] …
      • Then they became MIGHTY in the battle – and in turn their enemies FLED!
    • This LIST makes you want to stand up and CHEER…
      • It is like the rising crescendo of powerful symphony – urging us to shout for Joy!
      • Walking by FAITH is AMAZING – we can topple wicked governments…
      • Stop the mouth of THE lion [satan] – rescue people from THE fire [hell] …
      • By faith we can bring the DEAD back to LIFE – all through Jesus!
      • Not because of OUR power – we would turn and run if we ONLY had our strength…
      • But when we WALK by FAITH – and find TRUE power…
      • When we depend on the POWER of God – our ENEMIES are the ones who RUN!
      • II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient… for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
  • 2^nd – DEFEAT by FAITH… vs. 35-39
    • Through FAITH…
      • Others were tortured – not accepting deliverance – they might obtain a better resurrection…
      • TORTURED – only here NT – [tympanum] wheel used to stretch and dismember victims…
      • REFUSING to be delivered – presumably by denying God…
      • Instead choosing to DIE by FAITH – hoping for the RESURRECTION!
      • As exciting as the FIRST list was – the SECOND is even more sobering!
      • Still others [heteros] had trial of mockings and scourgings – chains and imprisonment!
      • They were stoned – Zechariah [son of Jehoiada the priest] – II Chronicles 24:20-21
      • They were sawn in two [long ways] – tradition says Manasseh did this to the prophet Isaiah!
      • Were tempted / were slain with the sword!
      • During the reign of King Ahab – wicked Jezebel slaughtered the prophets – I Kings 18:4
      • To the point where Elisha claims to be the ONLY prophet of God left – I Kings 19:4
      • It would have been a REAL temptation – to deny God – and LIVE!
      • They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins – Elisha wore goatskin– II Kings 1:8
      • Being destitute / afflicted / tormented – all of these are in the PRESENT tense!
      • They wandered in deserts and mountains – in dens and caves of the earth!
      • After defeating the 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel – Elisha RAN for his life!
      • I Kings 19:2 – “Jezebel sent this message to Elijah – May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you…” [NLT]
    • A VERY different list…
      • We look at these TWO very DIFFERENT lists – one full of VICTORY and the other DEFEAT…
      • And it is natural to question if BOTH could be the result of WALKING by FAITH!
      • But LIVING for Jesus is NOT a guarantee of VICTORY in THIS life – John 16:33
      • WALKING by FAITH can just as easily COST us our life!
      • We often FORGET that of the TWELVE apostles – only ONE did not die a violent death…
      • John only lived to be an old man – because he did NOT die when they tried to BOIL him alive!
    • Of whom the world was not [imperfect] worthy…
      • Do NOT miss this one comment – the world was NOT worthy of these men!
      • When Steven was stoned to death after confronting the Jews – Acts 7:56
      • They were CUT to the heart – and rushed at him to STONE him to death!
      • He looked up and saw Jesus – STANDING at the right hand of the Father in heaven…
      • Jesus does not STAND at the right hand – He sits – Colossian 3:1 / Hebrews 8:1
      • Here and here ONLY do we see Jesus standing in Heaven…
      • Jesus stood because He was PROUD of His son – He was cheering him as he came home!
      • WALKING by FAITH can have TWO very different results – VICTORY or DEFEAT [in this life]
      • But no matter the outcome – we NEVER lose – because the WORLD is not worthy…
      • Those who WALK by FAITH will one day get to hear – well done good and faithful servant…
      • Not because of what we did for the Lord – but because of what Jesus did for us…
      • And every hardship – sorrow in this life will have been worth it – because we are home!

Are made PERFECT [complete] the same way – by FAITH in finished work of the CROSS!

3^rd – Conclusion of Faith… vs. 39-40

1^st – Good Testimony… vs. 39

All these [EXAMPLES] having obtained a good TESTIMONY [μαρτυρέω] through FAITH…

TESTIMONY [aorist / passive] – where we get the word MARTYR…

ALL of these men and women had a TESTIMONY – because they WALKED by FAITH…

They did not EARN their TESTIMONY – it was GIVEN [passive] to them…

And they got it at the end of their lives [aorist] – having finished their RACE!

What kind of TESTIMONY do we want our lives to have…

How much MONEY we made – how many THINGS we owned…

None of these things hold up in the light of ETERNITY!

Everything in this life will pass – only what we do for Christ will LAST!

We RECEIVE a good TESTIMONY – when we WALK by FAITH!

2^nd – Perfection… vs. 40

[They] did not receive the promise [they looked forward to the CROSS] …

God having provided something better for us [we look back at the CROSS] …

That they should not be made perfect apart from us!

Because we ALL – OT believers – NT believers – and us today…