Learning to Trust Jesus, Part 5 The Many Faces of Faith

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 11:30-40

Memory Verse:  “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.”  Hebrews 11:39, NIV

Faith that receives the promise of God looks differently depending upon whose life it is in!

1.  Faith wears many faces! Verses 30-32
     A.  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses!
     B.  Joshua gets bypassed for the group!
     C.  Rahab gets the headlines even as a prostitute!
     D.  Male/female, individual/group, well known/obscure, major/minor, expert/novice
     E.  Anyone can have faith, and most who have it are never noticed for it!
     F.  If you are in it for the public affirmation, forget it!

2.  Faith walks many paths! Verses 33-35a
     A.  Wants the life that God gives: v. 33 “received what God had promised” NLT
     B.  Wins Battles:
           > Conquered Kingdoms
           > Administered Justice
           > Shut the mouth of lions
           > Quenched the fury of flames
           > Escaped the sword
           > Weakness turned to strength
           > Powerful in battle, routing armies
           > Receiving healing

     C.  Withstands Trials: v. 35, “placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.” NLT
           > Tortured
           > Choose to Refuse Release
           > Faced jeers and flogging
           > Endured chains of imprisonment
           > Stoned to death, sawn in two, killed by the sword
           > Homeless wanderers: Verses 37-38
           > The world was not worthy of them!!!

3.  Faith seeks one object! Verses 39-40
     A.  Faith seeks Jesus! Faith doesn’t rest short of it’s goal in Christ! Hebrews 11:10
     B.  Faith makes it possible for us all to reach that same goal together in Christ! You can be faithful!
     C.  Faith is not satisfied with something less than the best, it seeks something better! v. 40
     D.  By-product of faith is the fame of a good name: Proverbs 22:1

SO WHAT?

• Be the person God made you to be!
  
• Be content not being the person you want to be or that others think you should be!
  
• Be willing to follow God through good and bad circumstances!
  
• Is Jesus your goal?