Keith Moore True Witness Pt 5 God is Witness

turn with me please this morning attacks the first chapter Acts chapter 1 and then second Timothy chapter 1 acts 1 second Timothy chapter 1 a lot of you guys here Friday night linked with us in Minneapolis great wonderful yeah I could I thought I could feel you through there through the cold in the snow man it was frosty up there I tell you what could we left yesterday to come back in it was three degrees that's not the windchill that was just the air tip man's snow piled up on both sides we're taxing their plane and the airplane sliding around on the ice oh yeah so anyway thank you Lord and the Lord gave us good utterance on being spirit lead and that's not available right now in the word supply but but soon in a few days we'll have that available to you to get there were three sessions of that and very how many think it's very important to learn how to be led by the spirit it is so vitally important so we'll let you will announce and let you know when that's available if you want to get more of that but good to be down here in the sunshine today Acts chapter 1 Acts chapter 1 in verse 8 he says but you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost ghost is an old english word for spirit after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and what what was is the result of this this power you receive you shall be witnesses know that he didn't just say you shall go a witnessing you shall be this is not something you do once in a while this is something you are 24/7 everywhere you go and everything you do you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem in Judea and Samaria until the uttermost part of the earth the witness the the influence of the witness would expand and increase and so more and more would be influenced by the witness let me read this to you from the Living Bible the Living Bible says when the Holy Spirit has come upon you you receive power to testify about me with great effect the week's translation says you should receive power of the kind which God has and exerts after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be those who testify of what they have seen and experienced my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and to the end of the earth now we've already covered a lot of ground in previous sessions on this and we saw that a lot of people have had a wrong idea and it has been perpetuated from the pulpit that in order to witness you had to preach that basically everybody should learn how to preach some kind of evangelistic sermon net and that you had a duty to go out and find people and preach these sermonettes to them and that that is witnessing and that's not what the word says that's us men changing something we read and studied in James and other places first Corinthians that are not many of us try to be preachers not many of us are called to be Bible teachers and preachers now you know there's a there's a large number worldwide but he's talking about percentage-wise not a large percentage of the body of Christ is called an anointed to stand behind a pulpit and preach or teach well how does that correspond with people thinking that everybody should go preach and so what you've had is people who've done nothing because they thought they had to preach and they didn't feel comfortable preaching or they tried at one time and it didn't turn out well hmm they you should see the looks I'm getting across the crap everybody yeah that's right I yeah I know it didn't work out good for me the people to think you know I got I got to learn my verses and then they find somebody and they try to preach to them and they they lost track of what they were doing they couldn't remember their verses and I got a couple of them crossed up and if they can all that and then there when they got through they thought I'm not doing that again so then you got people that go years and do nothing and then you got folks that do too much because they think they're supposed to preach so you know they're always trying to preach to people and and tell them what they believe and tell them something they heard somebody else preach and and don't realize that a lot of these folks want them to hush they don't want to hear what they said hmm right and so people are doing too much because they think they have to preach and people are doing nothing because they think they have to preach and not all of us are called to preach and teach and yet all of us that have received Jesus and the Holy Spirit have received power to do what to be a witness that's not the same thing as being a preacher to testify of what you have seen and heard and no personal eyewitness testimony and you can do that everybody who knows the Lord has a testimony hmm come on coming in here know you're born again I want to know you you know you've met the Lord you know you're born again you were there when it happened is that right you know well then could you testify to that effect could you say I was there I went to the altar or I prayed with the TV or whatever the case might be and the Lord Jesus came into my heart and life and it was real and I know him and he's real to me could you do that with the Bible said there's power in that there's power in that and it is far greater and more important than we've known that's not the same thing as teaching a Bible lesson or trying to preach and it's not telling folks what you believe it's not telling people what you believe or what your church believes and what somebody else preached is telling what you personally know I was there I saw it I heard it how many has the Lord healed you of something huh you were there right you know what happened what could you testify about it could you say hey I was like this this was going on and I needed Denson and I prayed the Lord had mercy on me and next thing you know it turned and changed it and now I'm good and hallelujah huh could you give that testimony how many would say the Lord has helped you and met your needs hmm you were in need you you needed something you didn't know how to get it you weren't in position and you pray yes the Lord you sold a seed whatever the case might be and the Lord set some things in motion and it turned out where you got what you needed it worked out perfectly it's something you couldn't have worked out you couldn't have conceived what could you could you testify to that hmm well in the courts of our land eyewitness testimony is credible evidence it's evidence and you and I our faith our testimony is hard evidence in this world of the reality of a good God and a faithful God a real God who hears prayers and answers them somebody say I'm a witness I'm a true witness of what the Lord has done for me mr. Wayne why do you have us say those things well if you can't say it in here with us then how you gonna be a witness around other folks that might not be so friendly I mean right I mean there's a number of reasons well you you need to be free and vocal in here besides that the church that's always been the way the church was to operate people have gotten quiet through religious changes made over the years hmm I know the Lord asked me one time I don't mean to hurt a voice but inside me like you speak to any Christian if you learn how to listen I was reading the studying some things in the Old Testament and the Spirit of God prompted me did I notice what kind of people God chose talking about the Israelites what kind of people you know he chose them from among all the nations and groups of that time and I thought no Lord I would what does that mean what kind of people and he gave me this phrase he said they were expressive Souls they were expressive Souls come on say that term out loud now see if you didn't say that just then what would that indicate not not so expressive is that right and he began to remind me if you read the Old Testament you read about the Israelites if they got mad buddy you knew it is that right they strap down their swords and went to war and they hollered and they yelled is that right if they were sad you know tear the clothes through dirt and ashes in the air is that right and wail and cry you could hear mine from all the ways that right and if they're happy Oh buddy kill the fatted calf is that right the Bible said you could hear the music and dancing when you can hear the dancing before you get there not just the music you hear the dancin I mean that's like clogging or something I mean is that right there they're getting with it is that right he said that's the kind of people I chose and there's a lot of qualities and spiritual good qualities that go along with that being stiff and unresponsive is indicative of a hard heart which is not good an unyielding person and unresponsive unyielding individual and sometimes people say well I'm sorry but I just snuff - not me that's I'm I'm just I'm just in luck a lot of times I say you is bound the words you're looking for don't talk to me about where you grew up or your age or your color or your background everybody can be free everybody can be free and he whom the Sun has set free is free indeed and if you're free you're free to believe you're free to love you're free to have joy you're free to have peach you're ready to swing you're free to shout is that right you got no problem sitting up in faith Life Church and making a confession is that right you got no problem with that and when things get right man you bust a move you can break out you could dance you could run why because you're free you're free somebody say I'm free so all this stuff about you know when God's done something for you it's not time for you to choke just isn't good to me well why don't you say thank you why don't you write when God's blessed you with family and friends and you love them it's not time to choke something to go you know I care I'm sorry I just can't express my quit saying that quit saying you can't express quit making excuses about how you grew up about how your daddy was come on are you listening quit it just quit it do you want to please God then yield to his spirit and when it's time to laugh you laugh when it's time to shout you shout when it's time to cry you cry come on are you listening you yield you respond and you'll find something will break inside of you and you'll get loose and you'll get free and you'll be happy about it you'll be happy and all the people that live with you will be happy till they up thank God somebody didn't know what you're getting into when you keep in this church today God is real I said God is real his things are real and you know we are how we have become not how we have to be so you can't teach an old dog new tricks good news you're not an old dog you are a new creation all things have passed away behold all things have become new new you can change it's not Kenya it's William will you are you willing to let the Lord work in you come on everybody pray this prayer put your hand on you midsection here said out loud Lord work in me to will and to do of all your good pleasure work in me in my soul in my mind in my heart that which pleases you well I'm willing to change in Jesus name glory to God you believe that's his will then expect an answer to that prayer expect what will happen is something will be going on and it'll be time for you to express some things and you'll start to choke the Spirit of God ago oh come on here we go and you'll have to decide what you're gonna do and you'll be glad that you do life is short life is very very very short when it comes upon your heart that you love your people tell them you love them tell them is there right grab them hug them tell them tell them you love them tell them they're wonderful hmm don't don't just choke and push stuff down that's that's ignorant that's being dumb and then you see people you know maybe somebody went to heaven before they did and they're crying their eyes out and he even drew totemism number well why not you didn't have any good excuse here's the good news you're alive you're breathing you can have opportunities right now today right express thanks express gratitude say it say it say it thank you lord that's not in my notes anywhere but here we are II second Timothy the first chapter second Timothy one in seven second Timothy one in seven and we're going to read more than one verse here in this chapter it says God has not given us the spirit of fear you know what we're just talking about I mean that's one of the biggest reasons why people choke they're afraid somebody might think I'm weak I'm not a real man I'm crying they're afraid if they open up somebody might laugh at you but forget about all that hmm you be genuine you be real and if they respond wrong they're the ones making a mistake right not you they need to get free too you can see you can show them a good example right God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind a lot of people are familiar with this verse but verse eight goes with it be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me his prisoner so this not receiving the spirit of fear but having a spirit of power love and sound mind is connected to testifying is connected to being a witness what did our text say in Acts you'll receive what power well this is the spirit the Holy Spirit is the spirit of power and by this power you'll be witnesses he's saying the same thing but you see that he says don't be ashamed somebody say don't be ashamed and if you if you skip on down to verse 12 he say he brings up the thought again he said for the which cause I also suffer these things nevertheless I'm not ashamed now Paul didn't do it all kind of persecution including imprisonment including being stoned and why why over among other things his testimony now he was also a preacher and a teacher but a lot of times he wasn't preaching are just preaching he was giving his testimony have you noticed more than once in the book of Acts he gave his testimony how he was all messed up persecuting the church and one day on the road to Damascus he met two master right see that's not preaching and teaching he's giving his testimony he's telling you he said I was an eyewitness I was on that road Jesus showed up spoke to me I heard him right and he got born again and he's giving his testimony and having him before it was over he gave that testimony in front of Kings didn't he I reckon Caesar himself is that right he did it's recorded and King you know that Felix and Festus and king of Griffin and and and his wife and I mean he gave that testimony over and over again and because of it he was persecuted but notice his response nevertheless what I am NOT I sure I'm not ashamed of this testimony I'm not backing down off of it I'm not changing one because it's the truth I was there it happened to me and he was bold to proclaim it how many think you and I need to be unashamed of what God has done for us and willing as it's right and as the Lord provide opportunity we're willing to testify in front of anybody is that right it's just telling the truth right telling the truth did he save you or not did he heal you or not did he meet your needs or not you were there you're a witness and and we need to do not have the spirit of fear but the spirit of power love and a sound mind and be absolutely on shamed said out loud I am not ashamed of what God has done for me I'm not ashamed to give testimony in front of anybody anywhere anytime hey now I'm not saying you're supposed to try to tell people your testimony everybody everywhere you meet I'm not saying that but there are times when you'll know yet times speak up right look so you're not one of them you go I am actually I am I'm one of the ringleaders of them and don't blink an eye when you say it we're not making any apologies right if they're not one of them they need to become one of them is that right one of them saved one of them failed yes yes hallelujah if you skip down he said I'm not ashamed and he brings this up again a third time he said in verse 15 this you know that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me of whom are Fahd jealous and Hermione's the Lord give mercy to the house of honest sephorus for he oft refreshed me and was what see he keeps bringing this up not ashamed not ashamed and see Paul it was not having at this point he's not having a big meeting in a nice facility he's over in a stinky jail cell is that right and popular and public opinion is not blowin his way hmm he's on the outs with the Jewish leaders is that right a lot of folks are not lining up to be associated with him people are bailing on him hmm but not oniy on a citrus not oniy he showed up he didn't care who seasoned nose I believe in Jesus and I'm Paul's buddy - is there I'm not ashamed who are you here to see not that crazy preacher hey that's my father in the faith yes I'm here to see the man of God hmm you don't want to be seen with him yes I do take my picture standing by the bars with Paul take my picture huh I'm not ashamed I'm not ashamed of my association with Jesus I'm not ashamed of my association with his people his people his ministers his word his church his things don't care who sees and knows and we we need to be this way I said we need to be this way for a number of reasons go with me please - Matthew begin to see what wine go to Matthew please and let's see I tell you what instead of Matthew that you see this and well Matthew Matthew 12 and then we'll go to mark 8 Matthew 12 and Mark a Matthew 12 and 37 one thing I'm seeing as we get into this series on being a true witness I'm learning personally that I did not realize how important our testimony is I saw it a tiny little bit but man the more I get into it our testimony is worth dying over it is one of the most important things going on down here on the earth in our life and I hadn't seen it like I needed to have seen it and perhaps you have it but the Lord is helping us with that we're getting enlightened and what we need to see is to see our witness and testimony through God's eyes as he sees it and I believe as you do well I'm confident from the word as you do we're going to come to an awareness I never knew it was that important I never I never realized it was that big that's significant but notice here we're gonna need two things together and you'll see how they fit jesus said by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned both both ways is going to happen how by your words by what you say you could say by your witness by your testimony by your confession by what you say we didn't read it but in past times we've read revelation we're talked about the accuser of the Brethren that accused them before their God night and day and it said the Saints overcame him how by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death what does that mean they kept that testimony even when it costs them their life would you that's a weak response there well why should we should we they kept their testimony unto death hmm they many of them I mean if you've read church history if you've read history you know there are numerous numerous times were Christians men and women were given a choice recant your faith deny your confession or die today hmm be thrown to the Lions be put on the rack have you have you be run through with a sword be pushed off a cliff I mean it's happened thousands and thousands and thousands of times still that's what it's about to say it's still happening in other countries particularly yes people are dying for their faith and they could be free if they would just recant their testimony but I'll tell you what if it ever comes to that choice with you I'm gonna tell you right now which one to pick I said I'm gonna tell you right now which one to pick choose death over losing your testimony because you're gonna die anyway is that right so you're gonna die anyway just a few more breaths you're gonna be out of here and what's gonna happen when you die who you're gonna see who you don't see well what do you want the last words out of your mouth to be right before you see him I don't believe in him I'm recanting all that Christian stuff no no no the Bible actually says that if you if you die for your testimony you receive a better resurrection and what does that mean I don't know all it means but sounds good to me how about you sounds good to me now I'm not talking about being foolish and running off somewhere and trying to get killed for being a Christian that's tempting God I said that's tempting God and you could just just have your life cut short for no reason and not receive any reward for it but every one of us it might it might not be death but every one of us will have situations in our life where the spotlights on us and it turns to us for a testimony and what are we gonna say and do it might be at the workplace it might be in your neighborhood or wherever it might be but it's going to come down to it what do you stand for who do you stand for is that right what is your witness what is your testimony and it's going to be time for you to stand up and testify and if you'll do it in faith power will come Oh somebody say power power will come you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you'll testify about me now in mark eight did you go there mark the eighth chapter and verse 38 mark 838 whoever therefore Jesus said shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his father with the Holy Angels this is serious isn't verse 39 what is it what part is that can we go to 39 there is no 39 that's what I was wondering about I'm putting two scriptures together here if you go back to Matthews account not right now but he links both together there's more than one of these accounts in the Gospels where he talks about the other side to that if you'll confess me before men I'll confess you before the father we read about it some of this in Timothy as well both ways and we see when he comes so do you want to be ashamed of him down here Timothy talked about if we deny him deny us but it can't deny himself but if we confess him he'll confess us how many want the master to claim you in front of God in front of the Angels in front of three realms and and all the beings on that day to come or do you want him to be ashamed of you now here's something we need a revelation of we have a testimony we have a witness whether we give it or not but God is witness and he bears witness God testifies let me read some scripture to you how many need some scripture on that I would like some either way God testifies and he testifies to specific things Romans 1 9 you don't have to turn to these but I'll just read them to you they'll put them up on the screen for us Romans 1:9 begins by saying for God is my witness now we've heard that phrase before but it's probably just been a religious something - you didn't even know didn't even think about what it meant what it means what the witness do a witness testifies about what about what they have seen and heard and know elsewise you don't qualify to be a witness what you're saying is hearsay well what's God testifying about what he sees what he's heard what he knows about you and me Paul said God's my witness in first Timothy 2:5 excuse me Thessalonians 1st Thessalonians 2 5 he makes this for this statement God is witness and again in verse 10 he said you are witnesses and God also now in in job 1619 listen to this I like this one job 1619 he said behold my witness is in heaven and my record is on high but the Youngs literal translation author of Young's concordance he said low in the heavens is my witness and my testifier in the high places that's that's the literal rendering my testifier is in the high places glory to God God testifies well Jesus will confess us in that day if we confess him here in them that's why you heard us sometimes if we give altar calls I'll refer to this often times because I believe it to be so significant you can't be a closeted Christian that's what water baptism is about it's about publicly demonstrating letting everybody see and know I mean there's some countries today that if you get baptized in water publicly your family will cut you off you'll lose your job here for identify with him and so it's not okay that you work at a place for ten years and nobody there knows you're a Christian come on are you listening that you're around people year after year and if somebody asked them are they a Christian they've they wouldn't know because you're you're ashamed of it and you won't say anything about it and I'm talking about talking about trying to push something down people's throat that's I'm not trying to preach just talking about when it comes up and it will come up when it comes up and you know it's time to testify right that you don't run and hide you don't change the subject you don't look down in the floor you don't action you don't apologize for believing in him right you are unashamed and if you practice doing this in life at work at home relatives friends then if you ever need to do it in front of a firing squad you'll be ready is that you you'll be ready but if you can't do it at the watercooler you probably gonna fold like a wet sack at the firing squad you'll be crying and asking for momma say anything they want you to say come on home with me that's no way to live God didn't give us the spirit of fear we're not gonna live like cowards he gave us the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind and I'm not ashamed of him nor his hallelujah so I could give you other scriptures but God bears witness and testifies and I go to first Peter with me first Peter 1 and let's look at specific quickly what God testifies about Jesus had said if you're ashamed of me and my words before this wicked and adulterous generation unless you stop why would he say that because it is so foolish to care what some of these people think who are they what does it matter what they fake I know sometimes people have said negative stuff about me and I and at first response I started to take it to heart and let it bother me and the Lord had prompt me said who are they what does it matter what they said brother brother Kenneth Copeland miss Gloria Copeland they've been criticized by experts and he said some he and he said this one time I thought it's great and I know he's got personal experience he said no matter what kind of article they put in the paper about about you just remember day after tomorrow that'll be in the bottom of a birdcage and the bird knows what to do with it [Applause] and so much of the sir I don't care if it was on the five o'clock news how many understand all the stuff that's on the five o'clock news last week how much of it do you remember right now I mean it's it is so transitory and so much of it matters so little and not at all and and and to take it to heart and to get hurt over it and offended and all twisted up it's just being foolish and that's why Jesus is saying you're gonna be ashamed of me and my words in front of this bunch this evil adulterous generation why would I even care what a lot of them might say because their words so many people's words in this earth when they come out of their mouths they fall and they hit the ground and that's it and they don't mean anything and never will but what God thinks and what he says matters and is forever and so he went on to say if you'll confess me before men everybody say before men can you see both of these are before men what does it mean before men in front of people right in front of people if you'll confess me in front of people I'll confess you in front of the Father in front of the Holy Angels oh come on do you want I want that now I want that this coming today when all of us are going to stand before him and I'm counting on I'm counting on Jesus when it comes to my turn and I step up Jesus gonna smile and go yeah he's mine he's mine boys mine Keith is mine I know it he confessed me in the earth he was not ashamed of me in the earth and I'm standing up saying in front of the father and all the angels and heaven earth and hell Keith Moore is mine what will that be worth to you on that day well then what should you and I be doing now every opportunity right we do not shun and we do not were not ashamed to say yes yes Jesus is mine right yes he's my lord he's my Savior yes I'm one of them that's right tongue talking healing believe in prosperity bunch - yeah I'm all of it I'm a full gospel that's me hmm hey let them what will they think whoa does it matter Oh much what do you think and if they're not thinking right they need to get converted they need to come on in and they're not gonna change if you're trying to adapt to them why should they want what you say you are if you act like you're ashamed of what you are why should they want to come be a part of what you're a part of you'll never bring it up never act like it's important hmm try to hide it try to cover it up come on somebody said out loud I am not ashamed to confess Jesus in front of anybody I'm a true witness and I'm a bold witness of what the Lord has done for me I've preached myself happy again is good I preached myself happy huh how many said we're not talking my fantasy we were in just a few more days a few more breaths you're not gonna be standing before the Lord we're gonna be standing there I wanna hear I wanna hear Keith is mine I want to hear him say that to the Father I want to hear him say that before the angels and all of y'all and everybody else is that right everybody else does that and then I want him to turn and look at me they say Keith well done well done boy you were faithful over a few things now I'm gonna make you ruler over all of this and I'm gonna dance Mina I'm gonna bust a move I'm out more shout come on are you imma shout and all y'all gonna join with me right and I'm on join with you when it's your turn and we don't rule and reign with him we're gonna be with him forever that's not a fairy tale it's reality but right now right here I'm a witness I'm a witness you go to first Peter 1 1st Peter 1 and verse 7 he says this he says that the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes you know the Bible tells us there's coming a time when even the very elements of this earth are gonna melt with fervent heat somebody said you believe in global warming no I go beyond that I believe in global melting he said gold as precious as it is even the elements there it's all gone and yet your faith is gonna remain and survive all of that it's more precious than gold that perishes though it be tried with fire now look at this last part that it might be found what might be found our faith be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ Poteau who's gonna praise our faith who's gonna honor our faith God counts faith most precious to him it is very precious and you got to remember who we're talking about the creator of the universe the heavens and the earth and out of all the things that he's created to him faith is so valuable and so precious that it is the thing it's impossible to please him without faith is actually rare in the earth a lot of people think it's common and then we'll look at all these churches and look at oh no no it's so rare that the scripture says Jesus talked about when the Son of Man returns shall he find faith in the earth there's a religion as common that's not the same thing as faith now go with me to the book of Hebrews 11 the great faith chapter and I believe you'll see something maybe that hadn't stood out to you as much you'll see the continuity of this thought throughout this whole chapter that God is witness and God bears testimony to our faith Hebrews 11 and 1 in the Lord good to us to give us such good things open our eyes and and bless us of you you might think it's funny if you could you know yesterday we flew in and got here afternoon sometime I went home I was tired I took a nap I got up I'm by myself at the house Phyllis is preaching in Branson today and then later tonight you know ten eleven twelve o'clock one two o'clock I'm at the desk studying and if you come up behind me you might have been amused by somebody once in a while I just go glory to God well that's good oh that's good thank you for giving that to us because I you know truth and revelation does not originate with me or any man or woman it comes through us comes from him and through us and we'd have nothing and couldn't see or know it unless he revealed it unless he gave it to us but aren't you thankful I'm thankful that he shows us things and gives us they're rich they're precious they're valuable and what do they do for us what comes by the hearing of his anointed word faith the very thing we're talking about that is so precious to God and pleases him so much that God Himself will testify about it in time to go we talked about the Lord acknowledging and saying yeah you know Keith is one of mine or your name Bob Susie who's one of mine but what else is going to go along with that the Lord is going to say their faith is real their faith in me their faith in the father their faith in the blood their faith in what I've said is genuine it's authentic it's been proven and it was proven in the earth for seventy years whatever it was that you are it was proven in the earth it was demonstrated over now their faith has passed the tests like gold refined in the fire the impurities burn out and what's left is pure gold hallelujah and you and I we've been through the fire we've been through the wind we've been through through the flood the trial of our faith come on are you listening and when we come out nothing but pure faith pure faith pure faith that is sopra that this is this is not temporal this is eternal you will have this faith and it will continue to develop and grow a million years from now you'll still have it enlist increase and grow but it is it is so precious this pure faith that God Himself will acknowledge it and praise it like we acknowledged him down here and praised him in front of evil and adulterous generation we didn't care if they Martin scoffing life if somebody's making fun of you you just think about what it's going to be in that day when you get there you can just zone out and go to your happy place it's right and the any ugly thing that people say you just keep thinking consider the source what in the world do they know about they don't have a clue because if they did they'd be over here with me right they'd be over here with me that'd be one of them now notice this anybody read Hebrews 11 before what's the theme of it but you'll notice something else is a companion thing with the subject of faith here notice see if you recognize it faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen keep going for by it by faith the elders did what obtained a good report now this word report is the same word sometimes translated testified or testimony Young's literal translation says it like that in this were the elders testified of listen to the amplified verse - by faith the men of old had divine testimony born to them and obtained a good report who testified about it well in this book right here whose testimony is this six so much of this is we know it's God's Word but so much of it is God's witness about Moses Abraham David is that right this is the old what what what's a testament record of a testimony who gives a testimony witness and so whose witness and testimony is this God's and what's he testifying about Hebrews eleven is a summary of all these accounts throughout the the Word of God there and that God was bearing divine testimony to them verse four go to verse four this just keeps coming up through this chapter by faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain by which he did what he obtained what witness that he was righteous who was the witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts and by it he being dead yet speaks we're talking about Abel in 2014 Sarasota Florida hmm Abel hadn't been on the earth in a long long long time and yet the faith of Abel is still being witnessed being testified by God himself why are we talking about it today because God testified about it had it recorded in this book and reminded us of it today now here's here's a thought reckon he values your faith like he does Able's yeah you know he does he's no respecter of persons if you'll have faith like Abel God will respect you and testify about it just like you did him some people scoff and mock about offerings but it just shows their ignorance what did God testify about huh reread it specifically God testified of what his gifts you know what the mark the first murder on the planet was over and offering that's how serious this thing is why because where your treasure is there's your heart it reveals your heart and so Cain the Bible said he came and brought some stuff it didn't even describe it so the indication is something he could live without but Abel he brought of the fat of the flock and the best as I say sometimes he went out to the the flock and he looked and you know there's all these sheep and there's JJ and he's a great sheep but he's got one ear that flopped so for a little you know and looked over here and boo boo boo boo was a good seat but boo boo is one legs a little bit shorter than the other kind of kind of walks funny and he kept looking through the flock and then he saw how'd you know who it was laughing he's so fluffy fluffy fluffy the prettiest sheep in nine counties fluffy had nine blue ribbons fluffy they're no sheep around like fluffy and enable said God is getting fluffy I'm giving fluffy to God why don't people give better it's not got nothing to do with what they can't afford it's got to do with what they love most come on can you see this it's about your heart it's about your faith how when people saw I can't afford the time it's got nothing to do with the 40 it's about faith I can't afford to give that's just untrue it's about you it's about your faith you know hello showed me this one time and and we're not getting ready to take up another offering don't you concern we've already had the offer but the Lord showed me somebody in an offering and and and the Lord met with them they had a five and a twenty and a hundred and some of the things in their wallet and the Lord dealt with them to give the hundred now he doesn't always deal with you to give the biggest thing you got I'm not saying that but on this occasion he dealt with them the Lord did that with him to give the hundred and so they went to get it and then they thought hold on now I got to put gas in the car and then we're not going on we got to do this and and by the end of the week got to have that and so they reached over and got to ten or the twenty well if the Lord that was them to give the hundred why didn't they do it huh they might say couldn't afford it but that's not true it's about well it's about faith you know what the problem was they weren't convinced God could get it back to him by the time they needed it that's the deal they weren't convinced if they did this that they would have it to pay the bill to fill the car whatever they weren't convinced and so because of fear that you might not have it that you might not get it in time faith and fears the issue not amounts not a 40 why wouldn't you give your best sheep cuz it's your best sheep it's the best one you got and so thoughts of fear would come you know Fluffy's like this don't show up every day right I mean you may not find another fluffy like this rest of your life you're just gonna give fluffy that's fear right and it makes you go get boo boo because boo boo we pretty sure we can find another boo boo but fluffy fluffy is high-dollar sheep right fluff is my breeding stock Fluffy's my you know we fluff his pitchers in the livestock papers I mean you know first thing people don't want to know is what happened to fluffy but when you have faith come on am i getting off on a sidetrack you read the verse what happened why label in Hebrews 11 Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain how did he do it by faith that's why he did that's why Cain didn't do a good job was because of fear and lack of faith Abel overcame his fear what what fear was that he decided I love God more than I do anything else I want to honor God Fluffy's the best I got and I believe God is so good and so faithful I'll have several Fluffy's that right after this I'm not going to lose I'm not going to go down right I will have everything I need God is the creator of Fluffy's right here he's not gonna leave me hanging I'm not gonna wind up in the worst shape as a result of this I'm gonna wind up in better shape and so because of his faith not only did he go ahead and do it and give it but he did it gladly he did it willingly he did it in expectation that he's not losing but he's just honoring God and and knows that under God he will honor but as a result of that what happened by which Abel obtained witness that he was righteous God showed up on the scene and said he received Abel's offering and it was good and right and Cain's was not and that's what made Kane some man he eventually murdered his brother over even though God told Cain look if you'll get it together as this Keith Moore paraphrase if you'll get if you get it right I'll receive you I'll accept you just like I did Abel but how many know you can't fool God you can't playing and your heart's not right you'll even try he knows he knows but God testified of Abel's gift of his offering and even today all these centuries later it's talking his gift his offering is talking and God is talking about his offering it's a witness in the earth to this very moment isn't it it's a witness did you know the things you and I do in this earth can be a witness not only to our generation but even the future generations I told Phyllis and I talked about this a while back I said have you thought about this Lord tarries is coming in a short time you and I could be out of here you know get get old and run run your full race and course and then leave and go to heaven and we could be enjoying heaven and these churches and ministries could still be producing fruit down here on the earth while we're in heaven not even working said have you thought about that and things anything that we did to obey God can still be speaking I said it can still be speaking and what's bigger than that God Himself can be bearing witness to it testifying that it's right that it's real that is good and you're still racking up on your investment not even working hanging out in heaven having fun in heaven and it's just fruit being produced right and left in the earth that makes me happy that makes our man I'm I'm happy about that don't misunderstand me not planning on leaving anytime soon but if I live another you know 50 60 years whatever it is it'll go it's gonna go like that won't it we're gonna be out of here keep reading can you see coupled with faith witness and testimony let's read just a couple more of these and then I think we will be done for the day we can unhook hook back up here next time the Bible said in verse five very next verse by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death and was not found because God had translated him for before his translation what happened see that's how the that's how the book the chapter starts out in verse 2 talking about testimony as pertains to faith before Enoch left this place God translated him now that's amazing the man didn't die he didn't die translate is like transport you're in one place and then you're taken and transported to another place this happened in the book of Acts who was a Philip was translated to Azotus he was in one town next thing you know he's over there only thing I found faster than a good jet I'd like to learn more about it this is think of how many cities you could hit in a day doing that the Bible talks about tasting of the powers of the world to come I believe this is part of it in time to come you and I are not going to be limited like we are now this guy I'm looking forward to finding out about it God had translated him for before his testimony excuse me his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God what was the testimony he pleased who gave the testimony God gave the testimony that God was pleased with what his faith God was so pleased with enix faith that he said why don't you just stay with me no needing you going back today you just stay here with me and he was translated verse 6 but without faith that god holds precious and testifies about it's impossible to please him didn't say challenging or difficult it's what I mean that means no way there's no way we can please him without this precious thing called faith for he that comes to God must not optional must believe that he is how many would put up a hand and say I absolutely believe that he is that means you believe he's real you believe he exists you believe he's God do you you're not struggling with it you're convinced you're persuaded and you're happy about it but you got to go on beyond that you've got to believe something else and you must not optional you must believe that he is what a rewarder who he's a good God you draw near to him he draws near he responds to you ask it'll be given seek you'll find knock it'll be open to you you got to believe that when you get serious about God you get real about God you start reaching out to him praying and believe in something's gonna happen something good is going to happen reward from God is coming back to you not we'll see if anything happens oh it will happen something will happen but if you say well I don't know maybe it will maybe it won't then you're not doing this you're not believing that he is a rewarder oh thank you lord for times sake just skip on down to verse 39 you'll see that all through this chapter not just faith but faith and witness are recurring things faith and testimony and the big thing here is who's testifying God Himself is testifying about these people's faith and we've got to remember who we're talking about the Almighty who creates stars solar systems you talk about somebody who's seen it all what what impresses him Jesus the Bible said is the as he walked the earth is the Express image of the father's person everything jesus said and did is a direct revelation of the father himself who he is what he is how he is and you see do you remember what Jesus got excited about more than one occasion he said and here's two Keith Moore paraphrase if you feel if you'll allow me he said Wow now that's good faith that's great faith I hadn't seen faith like that in the whole country you know some occasions his staff was standing right there it was Jesus impressed when people had strong faith did it did it minister to him what did he get excited about it he come in and publicly about it and said this is great faith this is wonderful why would he do that he only said what he heard the father say he is expressing the father's heart and that's that's why without faith it's impossible to please him and all these obtained a good he talked about all the people in Hebrews 11 that he's mentioned in these previous verses they obtained a good report that word reports the word for testimony through faith they didn't they didn't receive all of it God for us he had something better provided that apart from us they might not be made perfect this skip on down to the twelfth chapter in verse one this wasn't written in chapter and verse is all written together after saying all of that about faith and witness notice how he ends up wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with what so great a cloud of witnesses witnesses witnesses let us lay aside every weight let's lay aside the sin it does so easily beset us let us run with patience the race that is set before us what race what race it's a it's a faith race and it's a witness race what are we doing in this race what are we doing down here we're doing the same thing they were doing their time on earth has come and gone we're right in the middle of ours I wasn't soon be past what did they do out of all the millions that were on the planet how many understand there are millions and millions and men and millions of millions of names that are not in Hebrews 11 why because they came they saw they lived ho-hum they died hmm they got up when school came back got up went to work came back wash the clothes comb the hair come on are you hit me got up I went back to bed and when it when they had opportunities to stand up for God and to believe God and to do things for God and they step out and obey Him in faith they didn't they didn't they didn't they didn't oh but the eyes of the Lord are scanning searching to and fro throughout the earth and though it's not common everywhere there is faith I said there is faith there's faith in the hearts of the and that's what happened in their generation Abraham had faith hallelujah Moses had faith David had faith come on can you see this Abel had faith these individuals in their life and in their generation had faith and so when it came time to believe God they did not falter they did not fail they believed him they stood up they confessed him they acted on his word and now for centuries they've been in heaven with proven faith hallelujah they have joined the great cloud of testifiers witnesses with the testimony and now God Himself testifies about them you know soon and very soon who are you and I gonna be you know where we go we're gonna join that great class we're gonna be another another witness they go they're gonna greet us with open arms they're gonna greet what we one of them I said because we want you should have shouted about that we one of them we're one of them we're one of them we're one of them they gonna greet us and God Himself will bear witness to our faith too because he's no respecter of persons real faith is real faith wherever you find it what you save another time I am a true witness bold unashamed witness of what the Lord of all that the Lord has done for me praise go stand on your feet everybody oh praise be to Jesus praise be to the master praise be to the Lord lift up our hands lift up our praise lift up our thanks Lord thank you thank you for giving us the light to be a witness thank you thank you thank you that we're not lost we're not in the dark thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you just go ahead lift up your hands lift up your voice tell him that you're thankful that you can be a witness you're thankful that you've got some genuine faith in your heart that can please him thank you lord we're not in the dark we're not lost we're not left out thank you thank you for including us letting us have a part letting us be a part thank you thank you thank you thank you

Channel: Free Word of God

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Length: 80min 3sec (4803 seconds)

Published: Sat Aug 16 2014