| Hebrews 11:8-12:2 |
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(v. 11:8-40) We see a number of man and women of faith, there stories told, and we learn the following about faith:
Faith Anticipates - it looks to the future. We can only really see the future with faith. Without faith we have no idea what the future holds. With faith God gives us clarity of where history is going and we have answers to the really important questions about what the future holds. (ex. v. 11:10)
Faith Acts - Faith acts in the present anticipating the future. Faith is not fatalism, thinking that whatever happens is going to happen, so I shouldn't do anything. Instead with a view of the future we live and act in the present with anticipation (ex. v.11:32-35)
Faith Risks - With faith we take certain risks in the present, to grab hold of the future. We even make sacrifices in the present, to grab hold of the future, and in that process we end up redeeming the present. Abraham by faith journeyed to a place he didn't know, and thus opened up blessing and opportunity for himself, and his descendents. We may choose sufferings in the present, in light of what it will hold for us in the future (ex. v.11:36-38)
Faith Dares - Faith does things that seem completely irrational. It does things like Abraham sacrificing the son that God promised he would build a great nation through his descendants. It approaches a body of water like the Red Sea, when rational thinking would tell you that you are now cornered by your enemies. (ex. v. 11:11-12 & v.11:17-19)
Faith Preservers - Faith hangs tough through situations. No mater how difficult they may get, it has a focus beyond them and a trust within them. It may seem like everything is falling apart, and you may not even see what you had hoped, but you hang in there. (ex. v. 11:13-16 v.11:39-40)
(v. 12:1-2) We should be inspires as we see how the men and women of faith testify to us about living a life of Faith. We should set aside any hindrance, especially the clicking in of unbelief, and run with perseverance. But it's not enough to be inspired we need to look passed them to Jesus, because He empowers us. He is not up there watching us, but He is in us. He started faith is us, always available, and He is the one that will see it to it's completed work. |
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