Sermon Central
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People Of Faith Series
Contributed by William Lock on Mar 4, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: We should Look to people of Faith as a source of encouragement for the future.
“Faith…this is what the ancients were commended for.” (NIV)
FAITH
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see.
PAST HEREOS OF FAITH
The Examples of Abel, Enoch, and Noah
The Faith of Abraham
The Faith of Moses
The Faith of Other Israelite Heroes
HISTORY
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PAST?
THEREFORE…LET US…
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE JOURNEY!
THE HISTORY OF Your CHURCH
WHEN WAS IT ESTABLISHSED? BY WHOM?
WHERE DID THEY MEET?
WHO WERE SOME OF THE EARLY MEMBERS?
WHO WERE SOME OF THE EARLY PREACHERS?
WHY ARE THESE CHRISTIANS REMEMBERED AS PEOPLE OF FAITH?
HOW DOES THAT HELP US LOOK FORWARD?
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE JOURNEY!
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PAST IN HEBREWS 11
ALLOW THEIR FAITH (FAITH OF THE PAST HEROES) TO PROJECT THE READERS VISION FORWARD
BASED ON HOW PEOPLE LIVED IN THE PAST WE ARE TO MODEL FAITHFUL BEHAVIOR THAT LOOKS FORWARD TO GOD’S PROMISES
certain of what we do not see
Vs. 1…certain of what we do not see.
Vs. 3.. the universe…what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Vs 5… Enoch did not experience death; he could not be found,
Vs. 7… Noah, warned about things not yet seen
certain of what we do not see
vs. 8 Abraham…did not know where he was going.
vs. 10…he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
vs. 13-16…They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance…..they are looking for a country of their own….they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.
certain of what we do not see
vs. 19…Abraham reasoned God could raise the dead
vs. 20…Isaac blessed…in regard to their future.
vs. 22…Joseph…spoke about the Israelite exodus
vs. 23…Moses’ parents…saw he was no ordinary child
vs. 26-27…Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ…because he was looking ahead to his reward….he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
certain of what we do not see
vs. 30…the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched
vs. 32-33…Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms… and gained what was promised;
vs. 39…commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
vs. 40… God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
WHAT PROMISES DO I BELIEVE IN FAITH THAT GOD HAS ALREADY PROVIDED EVEN WHERE I CAN’T SEE HIM PROVIDING?
HOW MUCH OF MY FAITH IS ONLY DOING WHAT I ALREADY SEE AND KNOW TO BE TRUE? AND HOW MUCH OF IT IS BASING MY LIFE ON THINGS UNSEEN?
HOW MUCH OF MY FAITH IS DOING THE THINGS I’M COMFORTABLE WITH BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROVEN COMFORTABLE RESULTS?
AS A CHRISTIAN MY GOAL IS TO BE STRETCHED TO LIMITS WHERE I KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THIS ISN’T ME, THIS IS GOD WORKING THROUGH ME. IT’S IN THOSE MOMENTS THAT I’VE REALIZED WHAT LIVING FAITHFUL IS ALL ABOUT. TRUSTING IN THINGS UNSEEN, IN PROMISES THAT I KNOW GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR ME!
“Faith…this is what the ancients were commended for.” (NIV)
Ancient Words (Song)
