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THE BETTER FAITH
by Pastor Mike Fortune
August 18, 2012
Intro Vid: Faith in Humanity
The better faith...
- Draws others near to God (Hebrews 10:19-25; James 4:8-10)
- Lets God judge (Hebrews 10:26-31; Deuteronomy 32:35; Luke 12:4-5; Revelation 20:11-15)
- Waits for Jesus to come (Hebrews 10:32-39; Habakkuk 2:3-4; Hebrews 9:28; 10:25; 10:37)
All Scripture from NLT
Hebrews 10:19-39
19And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 26Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27There is only the terrible expectation of God's judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us. 30For we know the one who said, "I will take revenge. I will pay them back." He also said, "The LORD will judge his own people." 31It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 37"For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away." 39But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
Deuteronomy 32:35
35I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.'
Luke 12:4-5
4"Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.5 But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear.
Revelation 20:11-15
11And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Habakkuk 2:3-4
3If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. 4"Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.
Hebrews 9:28 / 10:25 / 10:37
28Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 37"For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.