“By Faith…”


BIBLE READING: Hebrews 11 

                When I first began presenting lessons, I had a habit of using Webster’s dictionary to define the term or topic that I was wishing to cover.  For instance, if I was going to preach a lesson on the topic of “Lying”, my opening statement would sound something like this: “Webster’s Dictionary defines “Lying” as “marked by or containing untrue statements”.  My reasoning was simple; by defining the terms I was ensuring that everyone knew exactly what I was talking about.  The writer of Hebrews 11 does the same thing.  Hebrews 11 contains various examples of individuals who were able to accomplish great things in their lives and they were able to do so because of their faith.  So, in the very first verse of the Hebrews 11, he wants to make sure that we are all on the same page of what “faith” really is by defining it. “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it” (Hebrews 11.1-“The International Children’s Bible).  Once we understand the term, we will be readily able to comprehend why these examples were able to do what they did.  For instance, how was Noah able to build an ark with no experience? By faith!  How was Moses able to lead the nation of Israel? By faith! How was Rahab able to save her family? By faith!  These individuals were so “sure of the things we hope for”, even when they could not see it”.  The lesson for us today is this… what have we done “by faith”?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday - October 4, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study TUESDAY BIBLE READING:    Genesis 32:22-32 Do you want to be blessed? That sounds like a rhetorical question, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t want to be blessed? I guess it really depends on your definition of “blessed.” Many people desire blessings that will make them wealthy or, perhaps, material goods. However, being blessed is not limited to those physical things. In fact, sometimes we can be blessed in the most unusual ways. For instance, in Genesis 32:26, we find Jacob wrestling with what we often call an angel. Within the story, Jacob is overtaking the angel and holding him down; refusing to let go until the angel gives him a blessing. The angel obliges Jacob, but not in the way he might have imagined. The angel changed his name from “Jacob” to “Israel,” but he also did something else. He put Jacob’s hip joint out of socket, causing him much pain and difficulty walking. In part, his blessing had to do with him walking with a limp. How is tha...
Read more

Resolutions: Draw closer to God through study of His word

BIBLE READING: John 14.7 Spend time alone with God’s Word.  Besides the spiritual growth we will gain from study, we will also come to know Him better.  Reading His word brings us in touch with Him.  Jesus tells us in John 14:7 – “If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also.”   Just studying the life of Jesus will help us to know God better.   In seeking God’s help, we can draw closer to Him through prayer, meditation, nature, and study.   “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2  I Tim.4:13,15 - “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them.”   Regardless of our circumstances we can rely on God’s unchanging character.  God is good. God loves me. God is with me. God knows my problems. God cares. Romans 8:31(b) tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Make a resolution to slo...
Read more

“Examples”

BIBLE READING: Mark 13- Luke 1 DISCUSSION                                                                                   This past week we have read of some great examples in the bible.   We read in Mark 13 about us being ready and being prepared for when Jesus returns.   We need to all stay awake!   In Mark 14 we read of one action having such an impact.   How this woman gave her very best to Jesus because of her love for Him.   In Mark 15 we read of Pontius Pilate and his desire to keep his power.   He loved his power and did not want to give it up even if that meant sending an inno...
Read more