The  Centrality of Christ
A study in the book of Hebrews

Faith
Hebrews 11-12:3

Crestview Family,

After 10 chapters in the Book of Hebrews, the writer weaves together an amazing tapestry of God fearers and persons of faith.  An understanding of the essence of faith is embodied in every name mentioned in this magnificent list.  The essence of faith is embedded in the ‘story.’  In God’s story woven together with the faith of God’s people throughout history reveals the hope followers of Jesus carry with them every day.  

The writer says things like this, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for (promises fulfilled/resurrection!) and assurance about what we do not see (God and the fully fulfilled promises of God yet to come).”   And like this, “We look forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God.”  And this, “They persevered because they saw him who is invisible.”  And this, “People of faith who conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of flames, escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.  Women received back their dead, raised to life again.  Others were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment, put to death by stoning; sawed in two; killed by the sword.  They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated – the world was not worthy of them.  These were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”       

Gonna be fun telling this story, God’s story, on Sunday.  See you then,

Pastor Mark