“Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise.” We know faith is the victory, but the faith also provides an example for us of endurance and reward. While the Christians addressed were in danger of apostacy, today’s Scripture challenges us to look to faith as an example, see faith as that which will carry us through trials, and to cling to faith as the vehicle for victory.
FAITH EXEMPLIFIED–HEBREWS 11:24-12:2
Lists of great examples are common in ancient and modern literature. The faithful of Hebrews 11 are put forth to encourage faithfulness in the readers. The pinacle of chapter 11 is actually in 12:1-2–as we are instructed to “look to Jesus”.
Faith helps us operate with God’s perspective–Hebrews 11:24-26.
Faith helps us manage our priorities–Hebrews 11:27-28.
Faith makes salvation possible–Hebrews 11:29-31.
Faith makes us strive for greatness in His service–11:32-38.
Faith is the motivation and the victory–12:1-2.
We are surrounded by great witnesses.
We are loosing the hindrances.
We are looking to Jesus.
FAITH CONSIDERED–HEBREWS 12:3-17
Christians are in constant need of encouragement. The original readers were suffering socially and would soon be position to suffer physically becuase of and on behalf of the faith. Hebrews 12:3-17 provides the chief text on God’s use of discipline, pain, and suffering on earth.
Suffering is necessary and beneficial for the faithful–Hebrews 12:3-11.
Suffering requires diligent reinforcement of the faithful–Hebrews 12:12-17.
FAITH REWARDED–HEBREWS 12:18-29
While the Old Testament provides extravagant glimpses of God’s glory, the New Testament provides a greater reality. Christians come not to a barrier, but with the greater challenge and blessing of an invitiation to be close to God.
The reality of faith supercedes the reality of Sinai–Hebrews 12:18-24.
Christians have a better assembly
Exodus 19:18; 20:18
2 Corinthians 3:9
The reality of the new Christian kingdom supercedes the glory of teh transient kingdom which has passed away–Hebrews 12:25-29.
We must be more careful to be faithful–Hebrews 12:25.
We must be more diligent to be ready for eternity–Hebrews 12:26-27.
We must be more thankful to be a part of the lasting kingdom–Hebrews 12:28-29.
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