EXTRAORDINARY FAITH: UNLOCKING A LIFE OF FAITH

Hebrews 11:30-12:2

Door #1 – Faith in the best of times

Close and lock the window of disbelief

Hebrews 11:30  NLT

It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.

Close and lock the window of cultural confusion 

31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Close and lock the window of fear

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon,  

Close and lock the window of sin

Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions,34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

In other words:  

It is up to us to do what is possible, and leave the impossible to God.   

Faith that requires God to act, is the greatest faith there is.  

Now let’s take our master key and open another door of faith. 

Door #2 – Faith in worst of times 

Hebrews 11:35b (NLT)

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Job 13:15 

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

But we are not alone!   WE have God who gives us the grace and the strength in our weakness to persevere.  

And , we have the witness of those who have gone before us.   

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Until that day comes, let’s open one more door….

Door #3 – Faith for a lifetime 

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.