Epistle for October 17, 2008
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation October 17, 2008
Men Who Willingly Offered Themselves
(Nehemiah 11:1-36)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Under Nehemiah's resettlement program, the leaders of the
people dwelt in Jerusalem, and lots were cast to select one
out of ten of the rest of the people to move into the city, v. 1.
2. "The people blessed all the men who willingly offered
themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, v. 2.
3. The families who moved into Jerusalem are listed, vv. 3-24.
4. The families who lived in villages outside Jerusalem are listed,
vv. 25-36.
II. Meditation: on other men who willingly offered themselves
1. "My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves
willingly with the people," Judges 5:9. (Deborah's song of
victory).
2. "Amasiah . . . who willingly offered himself to the Lord, and
with him 200,000 mighty men of valor," II Chronicles 17:16.
(One of King Jehoshaphat's military officers.)
3. "According to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they
were freely willing . . . that we should receive the gift . . . not
only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the
Lord," II Corinthians 8:3-5. (Paul about the Macedonian church.)
4. "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that
I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down
Myself," John 10:17-18. (Jesus Christ about His coming crucifixion)
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of these examples
1. Persons who willingly offer themselves contribute to spiritual victory through
their good influence which causes others also to enlist in God's righteous
cause.
2. Persons who willingly offer themselves can be used by the King as courageous
leaders in the battle against the forces of evil.
3. Persons who willingly offer themselves are the generous, dependable supporters
who contribute most significantly to underwrite financially the missionary and
charitable enterprises of the kingdom of God.
4. Persons who willingly offer themselves are following the example of the Lord
Jesus . . . in sacrificial service.
IV. As a Christian, I need to willingly offer myself . . .
1. As a worthy example (good influence) for other believers to follow.
2. As a courageous warrior engaged in spiritual warfare.
3. As a faithful, generous financial supporter of God's work.
4. As one who exhibits the submissive, sacrificial spirit of Jesus Christ.
Pleasing God Without Faith: IMPOSSIBLE!
(Hebrews 11:1-40)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the grounds of faith
1. Faith is seeing the invisible, Hebrews 11:6, 27. Faith is the evidence of
things not seen, v. 1. Faith says, "GOD EXISTS."
2. Faith is understanding the impossible, v. 3. Faith is accepting the
fact that by God's word the universe was formed. Faith says, "GOD CREATED."
3. Faith is embracing the future in the present . . . in the "NOW" , v. 6. Faith is
The substance of things hoped for, v. 1. Faith says, "GOD REWARDS."
(This chapter lists persons in the Bible's "Faith Hall of Fame," vv. 4-40.)
II. Meditation: on the types of faith
1. INTELLECTUAL faith involves the mind. I know that God is ABLE to do anything
I request, Ephesians 3:20.
2. EMOTIONAL faith involves the heart. This is what, with all my heart, I really WANT
God to do!
"He shall give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4 . . . if you "delight
yourself in the Lord."
3. VOLITIONAL faith involves the will. A person chooses to believe a promise of God
and ACTS as if it already were an accomplished fact, I John 5:14-15.
III. Revelation: on the activities of faith
1. First, God shows man His plan and man believes. Elijah (I Kings 18:1-2) and Jesus
(John 5:19-20; 8:28-29) followed this pattern.
2. Secondly, man acts on God's revealed plan and confesses (testifies to what God is
going to do), I Kings 18:41 and Mark 11:22-24.
3. Thirdly, man perseveres until God acts, I Kings 18:42-46. Between God's promised
blessings and our receiving of them, there always is a testing time. Elijah prayed
seven times before the tiny cloud appeared! (See II Corinthians 1:20 and
Hebrews 10:23, 45-46)
IV. Applications: as a Christian, what is my level of faith? (Isaiah 43:1-4)
1. RED SEA FAITH. This type of faith first sees God's miraculous power at work, then
moves out. Exodus 14:21-22 illustrates "KINDERGARTEN" faith.
2. JORDAN RIVER FAITH. This type hears God's word, believes, steps out in faith,
and then sees God's miraculous power at work. This is "ELEMENTARY SCHOOL"
faith, as illustrated in Joshua 3:15-17. RED SEA faith sees God act, then moves;
JORDAN RIVER faith hears God and moves, then sees God act.
3. FIERY FURNANCE FAITH. This highest type of faith is illustrated in the story of the
three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, Daniel 3:16-18. They said, "God is able to
deliver us," (intellectual faith). Further, "God is going to deliver us," (heart or
emotional, "desiring" faith). Then the three Hebrews hit the pinnacle of true faith,
saying, "But even if God does not deliver us, we will remain true to Him!"
This is volitional ("will") faith . . . the faith level of spiritual maturity.
"Thinking is one thing on one has ever been able to tax."
- Charles F. Kettering
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