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Hebrews 12:3-11

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.     In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.     And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?     “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.     For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”     It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?     If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.     Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?   ...

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. The review of the history of the faithful men and women in the previous chapter should have an impact on our lives today.  It is vital that we remember the past as we live in the present and prepare for the future.  The goal is that we too can live a life of faith.  There are three faith producing habits all of us should strive to form.   LOOK BACK: The faith of the men and women in the past who accomplished much, sacrificed much, and died without seeing the fullness of their promises come to fruition, should impact us. ...

Hebrews 11:32-40

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.     Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.     Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.     They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.     And all these, though commended through their ...

Hebrews 11: 29-31

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.     By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.     By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. Judgment is coming to all of mankind.  This has been repeatedly demonstrated throughout the history of the world.  Because of God’s grace, deliverance from judgment is available through faith in Christ.  As Israel leaves Egypt and enters the promised land, there are multiple demonstrations of God’s ability to deliver.  These demonstrations all have one thing in common: God’s grace.  Faith is certainly present, but in every case is imperfect.  Fortunately, God’s grace is greater than our faith.   FAITH DELIVERED ISRAEL FROM EGYPT: In ...

Hebrews 11:23-28

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.     By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.     He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.     By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.     By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. True faith will always be demonstrated in our lives in tangible ways.  This is clearly seen in the life of Moses.  From the time he was born, his family demonstrated faith t...

Hebrews 11:17-22

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”     He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.     By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.     By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.     By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. Faith is demonstrated through the works that we do and the words that we say.  None of us are perfect in our works or words, but there are moments in time where we have an opportunity to exercise faith in decisive moments.  The patriarchs of Israel were all flawed ind...

Hebrews 11:13-16

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.     For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.     If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.     But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. The faith described in this chapter has an eternal outlook.  Too often the struggles and disappointments we face on this fallen planet discourage us and facilitate doubt.  The function of faith in our lives is to help us take our eyes off the temporal and set them on the eternal.  This is what the heroes of faith listed in this chapter were able to do. ...