By Faith: The Red Sea
(Hebrews 11:29)

I. The Red Sea: When you are trapped by circumstances, trust in God’s deliverance. (Hebrews 11:29)
A. God can make a way where there is no way. (Exodus 14:13-21)
B. The way God opens up for you will still require faith. (Exodus 14:22; Isaiah 43:2-3)
C. Know the difference between faith and presumption. (Exodus 14:23-28)

By Faith: Moses
(Hebrews 11:24-26)

I. Faith refuses to identify with the world no matter what the world offers.
A. Faith refuses the temptation of worldly power and influence. (Hebrews 11:24; Exodus 2:10; Acts 7:22)
B. Faith recognizes that the pleasures of sin are only for a season. (Hebrews 11:25; Psalm 16:11; 1 Timothy 6:17)
C. Faith is not distracted by worldly riches or wealth (Hebrews 11:26; 1 Timothy 6:9-10)

II. Faith chooses to identify with Christ and his people no matter what the consequences.
A. Faith willingly suffers persecution along with the people of God (Hebrews 11:25; John 15:19)
B. Faith regards disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than worldly riches (Hebrews 11:26; Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 9:4-5)

By Faith: Moses and His Parents
(Hebrews 11:23, 27-28)

I. Do not obey commands that go against God. (Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 1:17; Daniel 6:10; Acts 5:29)
A. Moses’ parents hid Moses because they saw that he was no ordinary child. (Exodus 2:1-4)
B. Moses’ parents were not afraid of the king’s command.

II. Do not fear the reaction of others when you seek God. (Hebrews 11:27)
A. Moses left Egypt not fearing the king’s anger. (Exodus 12:31-42)
B. Moses endured because he saw Him who is invisible.

III. You will not suffer the same consequences as those who refuse God. (Hebrews 11:28)
A. Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood. (Exodus 12:21-28)

By Faith: Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
(Hebrews 11:20-22)

I. Isaac: Trusting God with your children’s future. (Hebrews 11:20)
A. God chose Jacob over Esau before they were born. (Genesis 25:21-28)
B. Isaac gives Esau’s blessing to Jacob. (Genesis 27:1-40)

II. Jacob: Trusting God rather than trying to control people or events. (Hebrews 11:21)
A. Jacob gives Manasseh’s blessing to Ephraim. (Genesis 48:1-20)
B. Jacob worshiped God as he leaned peacefully on his staff. (Genesis 47:28-31)

III. Joseph: Trusting God to fulfill his larger purpose and plan for the world. (Hebrews 11:22)
A. Joseph speaks about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. (Genesis 15:13-16, 50:24)
B. Joseph gives instructions concerning his bones. (Genesis 50:25)

By Faith: His Only Son
(Hebrews 11:17-19)

I. Faith recognizes that God sometimes tests us. (Hebrews 11:17a)
A. God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-2)
B. God tests us so that we may know what is in our heart. (1 Peter 1:7)

II. Faith obeys God even when we don’t understand. (Hebrews 11:17b-18)
A. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only begotten son. (Hebrews 11:17)
B. Isaac was the key to the fulfillment of God’s promises. (Hebrews 11:18)
C. God calls us to obey even when we do not understand. (Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 55:8-9)

III. Faith trusts God to work out all the details (Hebrews 11:19)
A. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead. (Genesis 22:5; Romans 4:17)
B. Isaac is a figure or parable of Jesus (Genesis 22:7-8; John 1:29, 3:16)

By Faith: Abraham and Sarah
(Hebrews 11:11-12)

I. Faith believes God’s promises against all odds. (Hebrews 11:11)
A. Nothing is impossible for God. (Genesis 12:2,7, 15:5-6)
1) Sarah was “past the age.” (Genesis 17:16-21)
2) Sarah was barren. (Romans 4:18-21)
3) God sometimes “stacks the odds.” (Judges 7:1-12; John 11:1-11)
B. God is always faithful to keep his promises. (Romans 8:32)

II. God works through your faith in his promises to bring great blessing. (Hebrews 11:12)
A. God will bring great blessing to you. (Genesis 15:1-3)
B. God will bring great blessing to others through you. (Genesis 15:5; Galatians 3:6-9)

By Faith: The Patriarchs
(Hebrews 11:13-16)

I. Heaven is where all God’s promises will ultimately be fulfilled. (Hebrews 11:13a)
A. We do not receive all of God’s promises while here on earth. (John 11:25-26)
B. We only glimpse the glories of heaven from afar off. (1 Corinthians 2:9, 13:12)

II. We are strangers and pilgrims here on earth (Hebrews 11:13b-16a)
A. We do not belong here. (Genesis 23:4; 1 Peter 1:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
B. We can’t go back. (Genesis 24:1-4, 28:1-5)
C. We can only look forward. (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Corinthians 7:31; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:2; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:4)

III. Heaven is our true home (Hebrews 11:16b)
A. God is not ashamed to be called our God. (Exodus 3:6; Hebrews 2:11; Revelation 21:3)
B. God has prepared a place for us. (John 14:1-3; Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:1-2)

Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?
(Luke 24:1-12)

I. Looking for Jesus among the dead. (Luke 24:1-3)
A. The women on Easter morning.
B. Frank Morison, Who Moved the Stone?

II. The Good News of Easter. (Luke 24:4-8; Romans 10:9)

III. How will you respond? (Luke 24:9-12)
A. The women’s response: Believe and share. (Luke 24:9-10; Romans 10:9)
B. The apostles’ initial response: Don’t believe, and do nothing. (Luke 24:11)
C. Peter’s response: See for yourself. (Luke 24:12, 33; 1 Corinthians 15:5)

Four Triumphal Entries
(Psalm 24)

I. The earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:1-2)
A. The ark – a physical symbol of God’s presence on earth. (Exodus 25:22)
B. Palm Sunday – Jesus and the donkeys- “The Lord needs them.” (Matthew 21:3)
C. Christ’s ascension – “All authority in heaven and on earth…” (Matthew 28:18)

II. Only the righteous may approach God (Psalm 24:3-6)
A. The ark – Uzzah’s death reminds us that none of us are righteous. (2 Samuel 6:1-6, 12-15)
B. Palm Sunday – Jesus is righteous and makes us righteous. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
C. Christ’s ascension – Jesus brings the righteous dead to heaven. (Ephesians 4:8; Hebrews 12:22-24)

III. Open the gates for the King of Glory! (Psalm 24:7-10)
A. The ark – God’s glory fills Solomon’s temple. (1 Kings 8:10-11)
B. Palm Sunday – Jesus cleanses the earthly temple. (Matthew 21:10-13)
C. Christ’s ascension – Jesus returns to the heavenly temple in glory. (John 17:1,4-5; Hebrews 9:24)

IV. Future Fulfillment- His Second Coming. (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:6-12; Revelation 19:11-16; Psalm 24:9-10)

By Faith: Abraham (Part Two)
(Hebrews 11:9-10)

I. Set out in faith (Hebrews 11:8)
A. Follow God’s leading promptly. (Mark 1:18; Luke 9:59-62)
B. Trust God to cover your losses. (Genesis 12:1; Mark 10:29-30)
C. Don’t wait for full information. (Genesis 12:1; John 16:12)

II. Continue to walk by faith. (Hebrews 11:9)
A. Don’t expect instant results. (Genesis 12:7; Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8)
B. Don’t get too comfortable in one place. (Genesis 23:4; Acts 7:5)
C. Remain in God’s promises. (Joshua 21:45)

III. Look forward in faith to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise. (Hebrews 11:10)
A. Remember God operates in eternity, not just in time. (Romans 8:18; Hebrews 13:14)
B. Remember God’s plan is bigger than you!