Church 5/15/2021
Offertory scripture:
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
Psalm 35:27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2035:27&version=NIV
Well-being = prosperity = Shalom = Ease, favor, health, peace, prosperity (financial, emotional, spiritual), safety, wholeness
Say it: to get us to believe it in our hearts, and not just our minds.
He wants you to give so you can be while in your finances.
Forgive so that you can be whole in your relationships.
Sermon message:
Strong faith, part 5
The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’”
Isaiah 7:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%207:9&version=NIV
Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”
Isaiah 7:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%207:9&version=NLT
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
Isaiah 7:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%207:9&version=KJV
Reminder passage:
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:6&version=NIV
Faith transcends natural law.
To wit:
In Joshua's time, his troops marched around Jericho and then yelled, and the wall fell down. Not only so, the wall fell onward. Both go against natural law, law of war, etc.
Peter followed Jesus' direction to go get a coin out of a fish's mouth. This goes against natural law and law of supply and demand.
A woman grabbed Jesus' cloak and instantly was healed. This violates the natural laws of medicine.
To get more faith, read the word of God.
This way we can reach into the spiritual world and bring into the natural world things that haven't materialized yet.
Faith is important. Feasting on the word of God also is important.
Thesis tonight:
Faith is an offering and an offering is worship.
One of the most powerful books in the Old Testament is the book of Isaiah.
One of the most powerful books in the New Testament is the book of Hebrews. This book tells us that Jesus is the end of the law. It tells us how important faith is, what faith is, and examples God uses to tells us about both.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
Hebrews 11:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:4&version=NIV
Background behind Cain and Abel:
Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground.
Genesis 4:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%204:1-2&version=NLT
A common question: (for some reason) Where did Cain get his wife?
From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
Acts 17:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%2017:26&version=NLT
Cain's wife was also born from Adam and Eve. However, this is not considered inbreeding. Considering that in the beginning, the entirety of humanity consisted of Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel (since murdered and died)... any other humans would have had to come from Adam and Eve. The gene pool was not what it is now. It wasn't until later, when God gave the law, that it was a problem to marry and have relations with people that were technically close family members. So while Cain's wife was technically also his sister, her pool of genetics was considered different enough from Cain's that they could marry and have children.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
Romans 5:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:12&version=NLT
The Gospel depends on us understanding that we all have sinned, and that we came from Adam and Eve; therefore we also need to understand that we need a savior.
Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:19&version=NLT
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:19&version=KJV
Point #1: Faith offers an acceptable offering of worship.
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Genesis 4:3-5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%204:3-5&version=NIV
There's a time of worship. There's a place of worship. There's the offering of worship.
Abel gave God his best. Cain did not. Also Abel gave God what He wanted, but Cain gave God only what he felt like giving.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Hebrews 13:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2013:15&version=NIV
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2013:15&version=KJV
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2013:16&version=NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2012:1&version=NIV
Point # 2: God tried to help Cain and tries to help us.
“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Genesis 4:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%204:6-7&version=NLT
Much has been made about God rejecting Cain, but the reality is Cain rejected God.
Point #3: Cain's faith was weakened because he refused to offer worship
Giving will strengthen our faith.
And our faith increases our giving.
When we withhold worship to God, it weakens our faith.
Abel physically died but went right to God. Cain lived but had a miserable life. Abel got the better deal by far.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
Hebrews 11:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:4&version=NIV
Abel's story and legacy lives on even though he passed away.
Bottom line: Faith is an act of worship.
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