NOW FAITH IS – THE CERTAINTY – Episode 1

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AND NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE

I am presenting a study series on faith. Faith is the bedrock of Spiritual Warfare. I will start with Hebrews chapter 11:1 through chapter 12:3. These verses speak clearly about the results of faith and mark out the path we must follow to have the same results in our own lives.

May God bless us as well travel this path and may we find and exercise the faith He has given us, to His credit and Glory!

Hebrews 11:2 “For by it the people of old gained approval.”

It is by the exercising of your faith, that you will be commended as dependable and honest, and your testimony is valued as true.

Verse 3. By faith, we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.

It is by the exercising of your faith, that you will have attained the ability to understand that faith has substance and that substance is the evidence that the things not yet seen, will appear and come to pass.

Verse 4. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

It is by the exercising of your faith, that you will be attested to be righteous.

(We can’t really know why “God had regard for Abel and his offering;  but for Cain and his offering, He had no regard“. But we do know that Cain, because he lacked the faith to trust God, became angry and sinned by killing his brother, then lied to God; now the blood of his sin, “cries out from the ground”.)

Likewise, we cannot know some things about God, but, it is by the exercising of our faith, that we must “do well, and our face will be cheerful, and do not do sin, as it is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (paraphrase Genesis 4:7)

Verse 5. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God.

Although our mortal bodies will see death, by God’s grace and by our faith we will be taken up, having been attested as pleasing to God, we will live eternally in the house of the Lord.

Verse 6. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.

Verse 7. By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

We have been warned about things not yet seen through God’s word, and He has given us and our entire household, Jesus, the ark of our salvation, by which He has offered the entire world salvation, so we can become heirs of righteousness, which is according to the exercising of our faith.

Verse 8. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.

And, It is by the exercising of your faith, that when you are called, you go to a place which you are to receive for an inheritance; not knowing where you might be going.

Verse 9. By faith, he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; verse 10, for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Verse 11. By faith even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Verse 12. Therefore, even from one man, and one who was as good as dead at that, there were born descendants who were just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

Verse 13. All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Verse 14. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. Verse 15. And indeed, if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. Verse 16. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not  ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

There may be times when we feel as though we have not received the promises of God. But, we must press on in faith, and not lose our hope in Him. He as given us the One Main Promise of Christ, Who is our Hope, and He has prepared a city for us, a home for us.

Verse 17. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son; verse 18, it was he to whom it was said, “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” Verse 19. He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.

Verse 20. By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

Verse 21. By faith, Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

Verse 22. By faith, Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

Verse 23. By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

Verse 24. By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, verse 25, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, verse 26, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Verse 27. By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though seeing Him who is unseen.

Verse 28. By faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.

Verse 29. By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were

Verse 30. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days.

Verse 31. By faith, the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

Verse 32. And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

verse 33, who by faith conquered kingdoms,

performed acts of righteousness,

obtained promises, s

hut the mouths of lions,

verse 34, quenched the power of fire,

escaped the edge of the sword,

from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war,

put foreign armies to flight.

Verse 35, Women received back their dead by resurrection;

and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

verse 36, and others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment.

Verse 37. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tested, they were put to death with the sword;

they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,

Verse 38, (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes in the ground.

Verse 39. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, verse 40, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us, they would not be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:1, exhorts us, saying, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, verse 2, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Verse 3. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Thus says the Lord. Amen and Amen!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The following chapters in this series are Biblical teaching on the exercising of your faith and the outcomes. This is not just for reading, but, for you and me to learn to exercise our faith and to see these outcomes in our own lives.

Go to, Episode 2 – FAITH IS

(The following contains deep Spiritual Truth. Only Believers and Followers of Jesus need to proceed)

URGENT NOTICE:

CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF WISDOM

The mission of The Whitestone Fellowship Rev2:17 is to “Inform, Inspire, Influence, Ignite”. The idea behind our mission is to LEARN and APPLY.  The converse is that “Un-applied knowledge is just useless information”.

So, then, what is wisdom?

One source defines it this way, “There is a very clear difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is merely “knowing”, learning, or understanding facts as they pertain to certain situations. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to apply that knowledge to given situations.”

There seems to be a critical lack of wisdom in our world, and it seems to be getting worse.

The Bible uses the word “Wisdom” over 200 times. Here are just a few of examples of how the Bible defines “wisdom”:

Exodus 35:31 “And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship”

Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.”

Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.”

Many of us hear lectures and sermons in Church, on TV, the radio or the internet, that impart valuable information and knowledge. But often, the message is delivered in such a way that the application is either weak, missing or is superficial.

What I mean by this is that many Bible-based sermons start with information about a Bible ‘story’ (hearing), then tend to give a third-person view of the information (observation), then tends to end with a “motto” or a “moral” (the close) instead of clear instruction on how to use or apply what the Bible teaching.

The goal of preaching the Bible is to

• Inform in order to teach,
• Inspire a person to learn what he or she has heard,
• Influence that person to become a source of the truth, and
• Ignite the person to continuous action.

Here is an example from John chapter 15

Abiding in Christ, The Vine:

John 15:1  says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Verse 2. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. Verse 3. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Verse 4. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. Verse 5. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Verse 6. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. Verse 7. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Verse 8. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

There is much to say, to teach and to preach from this section of Scripture. But, I want us to focus on learning and using word. Let’s start with the “WORD”.

This teaching is by Jesus and is obviously “inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”. In other words, YOU CAN and MUST USE IT.

John 15:3, says, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.“

John 15:7, instructs, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

1. INFORM – TO TEACH: This “WORD” is from the Greek word, “Logos”. It is the sayings of God, a decree, mandate or order, the moral precepts given by God. It is prophecy given by the prophets which denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ. His personal wisdom and power in union with God, in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world’s life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds.

2. INSPIRE – TO LEARN: “You are already clean because of the WORD”. “Clean” comes from the Greek word, “katharos” which means you are already made clean, pure as if you have been purified by fire (cauterized). Likewise, a vine is cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit.

Because of this WORD, you are made ethically clean, free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt, free from every admixture of what is false. The embracing and consumption of Word makes you sincere genuine, blameless, innocent, unstained with the guilt of anything.

3. INFLUENCE – TO BECOME A SOURCE OF TRUTH: “because of the word which I have spoken to you”. This WORD is from God and is both PROPHETIC and CAUSATIVE. God foretells, proclaims and creates the Truth IN YOU and THROUGH YOU! This is the Work of God through you! Embrace it and let the WORD OF GOD abide in you.

4. IGNITE – ACT CONTINUOUSLY: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

This time, “WORD” is from the Greek “Rhema” which means, that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, a thing spoken, a spoken word.

We are taught, and we learn, we are informed and inspired as the Living Logos of God abides within us. Now that WORD wells up inside us and spills out of our mouth as the Rhema, the Spoken Word of God. We are but the clay and the Potter is announcing the most profound Truths through His willing and submitted servant.

ABIDE. This is critical. It is essential to “Abide in Christ”. It is to remain, to sojourn, tarry, not to depart, to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually, to remain as one, not to become another or different. This is the only way.

ABIDE: This is critical. It is essential that His Words abide in you. His WORD is to remain IN YOU, to sojourn IN YOU, tarry IN YOU, not to depart FROM YOU, to continue to be present IN YOU, to be held IN YOUR MIND AND HEART, kept IN YOUR MIND AND HEART continually, to remain as one, not to become another or different. This is the only way.

ASK: “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, and you and your house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”.

Don’t shrink back. Accurately handle the Word of God. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK and Let’s GO and get allow Him to get this done!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

ADDITIONAL READING: “For Such A Time As This“ by Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX. (reprinted below).

(Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”). – Esther 4:13-14

Many people quote Mordecai’s rebuke to Esther as a life-verse which is to represent prestige, power and favor. You’ll see shirts, hats, mugs and social media posts that proudly ring out, “for such a time as this.”

But few people truly connect the context of the verse with how they are using it. Esther was being scolded for her self-indulgent, self-preserving mindset. Esther was being reproofed for living large and embracing royalty over service. Through those telling words, Mordecai was reminding Esther that she had been chosen to set her own interests aside, let go of her own ambitions and face an enemy full-on.

She was to risk her life and her legacy with no guarantees of a positive outcome. That’s the “for such a time as this” Esther was challenged to accept. And that’s the “for such a time as this” God also sets before you.

He didn’t place you where you are so you could eat figs all day long or post pictures of yourself on social media.

It is God who has given you your job, position, resources, education and more. It is God who has opened the opportunities for you to optimize for His kingdom purposes. He didn’t place you where you are so you could eat figs all day long or post pictures of yourself on social media. He’s placed you where you are because you are in the midst of a battle; a war. You are in the midst of a seismic conflict involving Good versus Evil.

To miss your kingdom assignment because you have become too caught up in your personal kingdom itself is the greatest tragedy you could ever face.

To miss your kingdom assignment because you have become too caught up in your personal kingdom itself is the greatest tragedy you could ever face. An entire nation was grateful for how Esther responded to Mordecai’s rebuke. Their lives were spared. How many can be spared in the culture where we live today when we choose to step up to service, even if it involves sacrifice?

To miss your kingdom assignment because you have become too caught up in your personal kingdom itself is the greatest tragedy you could ever face. Click To Tweet.

This is a sermon I gave at a small church. I love the participation of those who were there.  I hope this LONG sermon can bless you.

(You can listen to this audio as you read along, and, you can pause the audio to follow links, then resume audio when you are ready.)

“The one who endures to the end, he will be saved” – Jesus, Matthew 24:13

Are you ever puzzled by some things Jesus says?

Jesus says again, in Matthew 10:22, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

I have recently had some lively discussions about the meaning and implications of what JESUS said when telling His disciples about His coming and the end of the world. (Matthew 24)

Jesus tells His disciples they will face many trials, challenges, persecutions and even martyrdom. Many Christians will suffer tribulation just before His return and the end of the age.

He warns us that “it is the one who ENDURES TO THE END, is he who will be saved”.

Jesus’ plain words should be enough. So, why the puzzle? Why the controversy?

I believe there is controversy because many people, including many of my friends and acquaintances, jump to these conclusions:

1. Many jump to the conclusion that Jesus is NOT saying “You can lose your salvation” (And this can make them very angry because this view does not fit their religious doctrine of “eternal security”) And, they are very adamant!

2. Many others jump to the conclusion that Jesus is saying that you CAN lose your salvation”. These folks say, “SEE, I TOLD YOU SO!!! (And this view makes them resolute because this DOES fit their religious doctrine.) And, they are very adamant!

3. While some jump to the conclusion that Jesus is saying it’s all about maturing in your faith, probably in an attempt to avoid controversy.

4. And yet, others say that they just don’t know what He means.

I have read many commentaries on these verses, and although these are studied opinions, most are a jumble of opinions based on denominational and religious doctrines.

Perhaps we are just asking the wrong questions?

Many theologians and bible teachers will hammer the pieces of this puzzle into place, to fit their religious doctrines, whether they fit or not.

These verses are very important to the believer. Ask yourself,

• • Does one perish if he or she does not “endure to the end”?
  • And, what is it we should ENDURE?
  • What END is it that I am to endure to?
  • What will I be SAVED to or from?
  • Why does it matter?

Believe me when I say that Jesus was clear. He has more to say on this matter in His discourse, found in Chapter 24 of Matthew. He gives grave warnings about enduring and being ready for His Return and the End of the Age.

The most important thing about correctly understanding scriptures and the Words of Jesus, is this:

Romans 1:16-17, tells us that, “The gospel, is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

• • You cannot experience the power of God, and
  • You cannot experience the righteousness of God, and
  • You cannot LIVE BY FAITH
  • If You do not possess and believe the entire Word of God.

Want to know more? This is important because it affects how YOU respond to Jesus’ command to BE READY for “His coming, and of the end of the age”.

If so, then let’s first get these verses in CONTEXT, and then we will look at the wording from the original language:

Matthew 24:3 says, “As He (Jesus) was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age”?

Verse 4. “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

Verse 5 . “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

Verse 6. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

Verse 7. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

Verse 8. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Verse 9. “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

Verse 10. “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.

Verse 11. “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

Verse 12. “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.

Verse 13. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

THE CONTEXT

“The one who endures to the end, he will be saved” refers to Jesus’ coming, and of the end of the age.

THE WORDS

Now, let’s take a closer look at the words Jesus used to tech His disciples:

Endures: Strong’s concordance #5278, hupomeno, also from Strong’s concordance, #5259 and #3306 = endure, take patiently, tarry behind, abide, suffer 1.

1) to remain

1a) to tarry behind

2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee

2a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ

2b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments

It is in the ‘aorist tense’ which is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time.

IN OTHER WORDS: “The one who HAS ENDURED, IS ENDURING and CONTINUES ENDURING to the end, he will be saved” in relation to “the sign of Jesus’ coming, and of the end of the age”

End: Strong’s concordance #5056 = telos = to set out for a definite point or goal; the end, the uttermost, finally.

1) end

1a) termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be (always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time)

1b) the end

1b1) the last in any succession or series

1b2) eternal

1c) that by which a thing is finished, its close, issue

1d) the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose

IN OTHER WORDS: “The one who has endured, is enduring and continues enduring TO THE END, of “the signs of Jesus’ coming, and of the end of the age” he will be saved”.

SAVED: Strong’s concordance #4982 = sozo = safe, save, make whole, heal, be whole.

1) to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction

1a) one (from injury or peril)

1a1) to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health

1b1) to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue

1b) to save in the technical biblical sense

1b1) negatively

1b1a) to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment

1b1b) to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance

IN OTHER WORDS: “THE ONES who have ENDURED, are enduring and continue enduring TO THE END of “the signs of Jesus’ coming, and of the end of the age”, HE “THIS SAME ONE, THESE SAME ONES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, will BE SAVED, from perishing, saved in the biblical sense, delivered from the penalties of the Messianic judgment; saved from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance”.

In JESUS’ Words: “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved” – PERIOD.

We must GET READY, BE READY and STAY READY and endure to the end.

Whether you believe

• you can lose your salvation, or you believe
• you cannot lose your salvation, or you believe that maybe
• you were never saved in the first place, or you think this is about
• you’re maturing in your faith or
• you just don’t know

One thing you better know is that you must

1. Get Ready – Make Jesus your Lord and Savior.

2. You can only come to God and be saved by His Grace and by your faith, believing that

3. Jesus died for your sins and that

4. God raised Him up from the grave after three days in the tomb,

5. Jesus saves you from your sins and

6. Jesus saves you from perishing (going to eternal torment in hell)

7. Jesus has forgiven you and given you a new life of hope, promise

8. The one who endures to the end, he will be saved” – Jesus, Matthew 24:13

In support of enduring to the end, The Apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day;and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7 – 8

Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

No man or woman can determine your salvation in Christ. Only God, alone, knows. But, unless you ENDURE TO THE END, you will know you whether you have finished the race and will be welcomed into His Waiting Arms.

Keep on Enduring! Let’s Walk by the Spirit, let’s not grow weary, let’s finish the race, let’s endure to the end.

Your Brother and Friend

Mike Young

PS:  Please, let’s “come out of the building” and let’s go, daily, in obedience to Him, on the greatest adventure of our lives. JOIN Him in ministry. Be the Organic Church on the move.