Sermon Central
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Learning From God's People
Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 23, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: We must realize that it is in order to stimulate and sustain this faith, God allows the soul to be buffeted and swept away by the raging torrent of so much distress, so many troubles, so much embarrassment and weakness, and so many setbacks. For it is
Hebrews’ Hall of Great Faith – Hebrews 11
Illustration:Definition of faith: Hebrews 11:1. "What is faith, unless it is to believe what you cannot see." (Augustine)
Faith is derived from the Word of God: Romans 10:17
Faith’s demand: Hebrews 11:6
Faith’s design: 2 Corinthians 5:7
The dualism of faith: Hebrews 4:2
Faith’s duty: Romans 1:17--live by it.
Richard Mayhue, Divine Healing Today, Moody
1.Aim: To lead the people to an understanding of how great faith overcomes all problems.
2. Explanation of the Aim: Jesus said, “All things are possible for those who believe.” (Mark 9:23)
The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is a collection of great people of faith who conquered over difficulties with God’s power.
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. God commends people who grow strong in faith being fully persuaded that what He promises will be fulfilled with His sovereign power.
The encouraging list of people whose faith allowed them overcome any adversity is a testimony to how we can do the same. John wrote, “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (I John 5:4,5)
The maturity of our faith will directly determine the kinds of hardships we will be able to overcome.
3. The Bible Story – The writer of Hebrews chronicles an example of the heroes of the faith in this inspiring eleventh chapter. It does not contain all of the past demonstrations of faith, but it encourages us to imitate the faith of people like Abraham, Noah, and Moses.
Later in reflecting on such great lifestyles of faith, the same writer gives us an exhortation that says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7)
4. Learn to follow the faith of great leaders who exhibit the qualities of uncompromising belief in God and His promises as those seen in Hebrews chapter 11. Even though not all heroes of the faith immediately experienced triumph over their difficult circumstances, God’s greater purposes were fulfilled through their trust and obedience to Him.
5. Consider what great people of faith have in common.
Why did God commend the faith of Abraham, Noah and Moses in this passage.
Ask the people how the early missionaries who came to Africa to preach the gospel exhibited great faith.
Do you know of anyone in your community that they would say has “great faith in God and His promises”.
6. The BIBLE STORY seeks to teach the people that the godly will suffer persecution, but through faith in Christ’s power and truth we can overcome any difficulty.
7. What is The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES in this passage? Are you allowing yourself to make choices that are based on faith?
Do you see how you can believe God to give them the power to replace worry with faith, anger with love, fear with assurance, loneliness with friendliness; confusion with direction; hostility with peace and fear of death with assurance of salvation through Christ.
7. Consider what great people of faith have in common. Herre are some examples of what are some of the qualities of a person with great faith? (Courage, knowledge of God’s attributes, intimate communications with the Lord in prayer, kingdom priority values, humility, dependence on God for everything, discipline to spend quality time in studying and meditating on Biblical principles and verses)
8. Faith is the eye of the soul because it looks upon the great truths of God and see them as reality. Just as our physical eye sees people, place and things, so our spiritual eyes fo faith allows us to realize the reality of God’s promises.
9. The more mature we are in faith the clearer we are able to realize God’s will for our life. Faith does not doubt what God shows us in the light when dark time come to us.
10. Faith finds expression in the calamities of life because it knows that God is able to work all things together for good. Noah trusted that God would use the flood for His higher purposes even though many had to suffer on the earth. While Noah waited for God to carry out His plans, he endured terrible criticism, mocking and misunderstanding from the local community. We too can believe that God will carry out His higher purposes in our lives regardless of the adverse circumstances we might be facing. Faith accepts what God allows to come into our lives and sees everything as an opportunity from the Sovereign Lord of All.
11. Faith expresses itself in the commonplace areas of life. How we believe God should influence how we relate to all people from the greatest to the least. Faith knows that there is a Spirit led way for doing and relating to everyone.
