3 STEPS CLOSER

James 4:8

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

If I asked how many of would like to be closer to God than you are now I daresay most of us would raise our hands or nod assent to such a thought. Close to Thee, Nearer my God to Thee, Oh to be Like Thee …this is the theme of many a song, the heart of many a prayer, and the longing of many a soul. Here are 3 simple steps to be closer to God. Some of these you may already be doing, others may not have occurred to you, but we can all profit from these simple reminders.

 

I. LIVE BIBLICALLY [Joshua 1:8]

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

1. In Thought [2 Cor. 10:5, Phil. 4:8]

-Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

- Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2. In Philosophy [Col. 2:6-10] why we do what we do and how we do it

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

3. In Deed [James 1:22-25]

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

II. WORK LOCALLY “Brighten the corner where you are!”

1. Family [Jn. 1:41, Lk. 8:38-39]

- He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

- Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

2. Friends [Mk. 5:18-19, Jn. 1:45-46, Dan. 2:49]

- And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

-Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

- Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

3. Community [Mk. 5:20, Acts 1:8]

- And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

III. THINK GLOBALLY [Jn. 3:16]

1. Give to missions [Phil. 4:14-19]

- Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2. Go as God calls [Acts 13:1-4]

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said , Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

3. Pray for missions [Eph. 6:18-19]

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly , to make known the mystery of the gospel

AND THERE IS NONE ELSE

Isaiah 45:5  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE KING OF KINGS [v. 1-5, 13-14]

Is. 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Is. 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

Ez. 1:1-2 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Dan. 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

 

II. THE GOD AND SAVIOUR OF ISRAEL [v. 3-4, 15-17, 25]

 

III. THE ONLY TRUE GOD [v. 5-6, 43:11, 44:6-8, Hosea 13:4]

Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

 

IV. CHRIST THE CREATOR [v. 7, 9-12, 18, Jn. 1:1-3]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

V. THE AUTHOR OF SALVATION [v. 8, 22, 24, Heb. 5:9, 12:2]

-And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

-Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

VI. THE GOD WHO SPEAKS [v. 19-21, 23]

LOOK UNTO ME

Isaiah 45:22                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE SIMPLICITY OF THE TEXT - “Look”

1. Any Simpleton can do that [Psalm 119:130]

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

2. The O.T. Example [Num. 21]

“the appearance of a serpent”

3. The N.T. Application [John 3:14-16]

“the appearance of a sinner”

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

II. THE SOURCE OF THE TEXT – “Look unto Me” [v. 22]

1. Not to Self [Titus 3:5]

Not 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;”

2. Not to Religion [Ps. 51: 16-17]

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

3. Not to Others [Acts 4:12]

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

III. THE SUBJECT OF THE TEXT – “Be ye saved”

1. From Damnation [Mark 16:16]

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

2. From the Wrath of God [Romans 5:9]

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

3. To Be with God Forever [Revelation 21:24]

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

 

IV. THE SCOPE OF THE TEXT –

“all the ends of the earth”

[Jn. 3:16, 1 Jn 2:2]

-For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

- And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 GREAT PRAYER REQUESTS

Mt. 23:25-28

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. LORD, MAKE ME CLEAN

1. The Power of Salvation [Mt. 23:25-28, Rev. 1:5]

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

2. The Prayer of Sanctification [Jn. 13:6-10, 17:17]

- Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter . Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

3. The Process of Supplication [Ps. 19:12, 51:2]

- Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

-Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

II. LORD, MAKE ME CLOSE

1. Confession and Profession [Rm. 10:9-13 Eph. 2:13]

-That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

- But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.,

2. Confession and Forsaken [Pr. 28:13]

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

3. Confess and have Forgiveness [1 Jn. 1:9]

-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

III. LORD, MAKE ME CLEAR - clarity

1. Concerning Myself [Lk. 6:41-42]

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

2. Concerning My Lord [Job 42:1-6]

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes

3. Concerning My Obedience to God's Word [2 Cor. 7:8-11]

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

An Old Day Dawning

 On April 12, 2006 I began this blog with the following post:

A New Day Dawning

A father was talking to his son and he told him quite emphatically, "Your mother and I have learned that you have been blogging. We don't know what it is but we want you to stop immediately!"

An acquaintance of mine had been kind enough to blog a few of my outlines, howbeit they had to be edited for size. In some cases it had changed the direction of the whole message. Now I don't blame them for this, had to be done for size, etc. but why not blog my own, then I have control over the direction, the diction, and yes, the occasional disaster! So here we are, a new day dawning.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now here we are 20 years later [to the month not the day] and still slogging and blogging. Thousands of blogs and some boo-boos along the way but still. Haven't missed a week. Not every day but several a week. Several dogs later but from the same location. Some readers have passed off the scene [literally] and others have left for other reasons but new friends have joined us and we rejoice in that. Thanks for tuning in. Wonder if I can make another score of years. Sure do miss those dogs.

IMPERFECT PEOPLE IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD

ACTS 12:1-5a

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE IMPERFECT CHURCH

1. Praying Without Ceasing [v. 5]

Rm. 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

1 Th. 1:2-3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1 Th. 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

1 Th. 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

2 Tm. 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

2. Praying Without Believing Faith [v. 12-16]

3. Hearing Without Speaking [v. 17, James 1:19]

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 

II. THE IMPERFECT CHRISTIAN

1. Safely Sleeping [v. 6, Psalm 4:8]

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

2. Comprehending Slowly [v. 7-12, Luke 15:17]

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

3. Glorifying God Freely [v. 17, Jude 1:25]

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.

 

III. WHEN THE PERFECT MEETS THE IMPERFECT

1. The Angel and the Prisoner [v. 7-10]

2. The Angel and the King [v. 18-23]

3. The King’s Word and THE KING’S WORD [v. 1-4, 23-25]

GET A HOLD OF THIS!

Gn. 15:1, Rm. 10:17

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FAITH IS BETTER THAN FEAR [v. 1] "Fear not"

Oftentimes in the Bible the words "fear not" are found. Most of those times it is God or His representative talking. Most of those times it is predicated on God's presence, God's power, or God's promises.

1. God’s Presence

Gn. 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee

Dt. 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Chr. 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Heb. 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2. God’s Power

Is. 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Mt. 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

3. God’s Promises

Gn. 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Josh. 8:1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Is. 41: 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

Lk. 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

II. GOD IS BEFORE US [Gn. 15:1] "I am thy shield"

1. This Should Produce Joy

Dt.  33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!

Ps. 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

2. This Should Produce Faith

2 Sm. 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

Ps. 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Pr. 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

3. This Should Produce Assurance

2 Sm. 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Ps. 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Ps. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Eph. 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

III. GOD IS BEST FOR US! [Gn. 15:1] "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

1. Paul Got a Hold of This

2 Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Eph. 1:18-20 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph. 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph. 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

2. Peter Got a Hold of This

1 Pt. 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

2 Pt. 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

3. Jude Got a Hold of This

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

DO YOU HAVE A HOLD ON THIS?

GOD WILL SEE TO IT

GENESIS 22:1-18

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The term "JEHOVAHJIREH" only appears once in the Scriptures right here in our text. In the strictest sense it is the name of a place not a title for God, but Abraham's intent is to name a place bearing testimony of who God is and what He will do. Jehovah, or more properly, Yahweh is the eternal, self-existent One without beginning or end. "Jireh" is a form of the verb "to see" and is usually translated "see" or "appear" in the Old Testament. How it became synonymous with "God will provide" should be made clear during this message.

 

I. NOTE WHAT GOD WAS NOT DOING!

1. God was NOT approving human sacrifice- He knew what He was going to do! [Is. 46:10]

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

"It was not Isaac's life that God wanted; it was Abraham's heart, and He got it!" Lehman Strauss

2. God was NOT tempting Abraham to do evil [Gn. 22:1, Jm. 1:13]

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

If someone offered me an Outlaw Ribeye 30 min. before I needed to preach I might say, “Oh, don’t tempt me.” Nothing sinful about it.

3. God was not trying to prove Abraham's faith to Himself [Rm. 4:1-3, Jm. 2:21-24]

- He was testing (proving) Him before men. Did Abraham love Yahweh as much as the heathen loved their false gods? (remember Job and Satan, the test was good for Job, proved something to Satan and us)

-What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

- Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

"God never puts us to the test until: we are ready for it and He has made preparation for our victory." -L.S.

 

II. NOTE THE SUCCESS OF ABRAHAM

Abraham was not a success because he was some super-perfect Christian. Abraham didn't fully understand but:

1. He Fully Trusted [Heb. 11:17-19]

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

2. He Fully Submitted [Jm. 2:23, Is. 41:8, Jn. 15:14]

-And 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.

-But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

-Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

3. He Fully Worshipped [Gn. 22:5- 1st use of "worship" in the English Bible, in the Hebrew the same word is used in 18:2, 19:1]

"When the heart is right in God's sight, no sacrifice is too great to offer Him, and this is the only kind of worship He accepts." -L.S.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

III. NOTE THE PROVISION OF GOD

The word "provision" comes from two words [pro=before, vision=to see] and thus means to see beforehand. God sees all things beforehand (an attribute we call foreknowledge) and then He prepares and provides beforehand (ex. the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world). So, Abraham was saying "the Lord will see to it", i.e., "the Lord will provide!"

 

1. God Provided Abraham a Glimpse of Jesus. [Gn. 22:8, 14 (future tense), Jn. 8:56]

-Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

2. God Provided Us Examples of Behavior [1 Cor. 10:11, 2 Pet. 2:6]

-Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

-And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.

3. God Provided All with the Means for Pleasing Him [Heb. 11:6, 39-40]

-But 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.

-And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.