Let the Elders Testify
Pastor Erickson preaches from James 2 and Hebrews 11, teaching that faith without works is dead and letting the elders of Hebrews 11 such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph and Moses testify of how they put action with their faith. He calls the church to share their faith and to take a real step of obedience, whether for healing, deliverance or a promise God has given.
The message in 6 points
Faith that acts sets the elders apart
He reads James 2:17 and Hebrews 11:1-2. Many people had faith, but the elders were set apart because they put action with their faith, and Hebrews 11 is like an old-fashioned testimony service where the elders testify.
1:23:58Why testimonies build faith
Pastor Erickson explains what a Pentecostal testimony service was and why many of them ended. Still, hearing what God did for someone else brought faith into the house, and he points people to small groups as a place to share testimonies today.
1:27:23Even the devils believe
From James 2 he shows that believing God is one is not enough, because even the demons believe and tremble. Revelation is where we start but not where we end, and action has to go with our faith.
1:35:29The fat that gives the flavor
He tells of grilling a steak with all the fat cut off and finding it tasteless. In the same way God requires the flesh to work along with the spirit, so a miracle, a healing or a restored marriage takes something physical, not just the spiritual.
1:43:19Let the elders testify
He calls the elders of Hebrews 11 up one by one: Noah built a ship on dry land and saved his family, Abraham left his land, Sarah judged God faithful, Joseph and Moses acted on what they could not yet see. Faith is acting like God is telling the truth.
1:48:30Our faith completes their story
These elders never received the promise, but God provided something better for us, and their faith is not made complete apart from ours. He calls people to the altar to ask what God is telling them to do and to put action with their faith for healing, a promise or deliverance.
2:01:24
In his words
“There was something about a testimony service that brought faith into the house because we just understood if God did it for you”
“Faith is not an emotion, faith is not a feeling, faith is, the Bible says, a substance. Faith is evidence. Faith is us acting like God is telling the truth.”
“It's going to take a roadblock that you're gonna have to say, I don't care what I have to do, I'm gonna put some action to my faith.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
James 2:17-24
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:1-2
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
King James Version.
Titus 3:5
5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:6-8
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:11
11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:20-24
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:28-33
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:35-37
35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
King James Version.
Hebrews 11:39-40
39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
King James Version.
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