I. Hebrews 11-Read
A. Faith-Verse 1-To be able to believe that something exists or that something will happen, without the benefit of first hand knowledge-Seeing, Touching etc...., this is FAITH! John 1:18
B. Through Faith we know that God created the world. Verse
3-Gen. 1:1-5
II. Verse 1-Read
"I care not today........worry is vain." Matt 6:19-21,
Psalms 23:4, 107: 25-28, 103:19, Eccl. 1:1-9, 12:1-14 The Lord
is in control of everything around us. This should not only comfort
us but serve to increase our faith and build up our hope of eternal
life. Because he is in control and knows all that happens, we
should conduct our lives, every second of every day, with the
knowledge that He will bring us into account for all we say and
do!
III. Verse 2-Read
"Tho Tempest............looks on at the strife."
Isaiah 32:1-3, 54:11-14, Matt. 8:24-27, Nahum 1:3-7, Psalms 84:10-11,
II Samuel 22:12-18, Proverbs 17:1- 3. As we encounter many trial
and problems in this life, we need to understand that God, not
man, is in control. The things that happen to us may not be those
that we wish for, but the Lord knows more than we what is best
for us. We need to put our trust and our hope in him, and then
and only then, will we find true peace from the storms of this
life.
IV. Verse 3-Read
A. "I know that he safely.......Jesus walks close to my side." Ezekiel 38:14, Proverbs 19:23, John 12:35-36, Romans 8:1, Col. 2:6. I Thess. 4:1-2
B. Jesus will safely carry us through by walking with us if
we walk with him. It may be our lot in this life to suffer greatly.
How can we tho compare the suffering of Jesus with anything we
must endure? If we do not forsake him, he will not forsake us.
Jesus is prepared to stand behind us at the most important time
for us-in judgment- if we walk by him in this life!
V. Verse 4-Read
"Our Lord will return........heavenly shore." II
Peter 3:10-14, Isaiah 65:17, Rev. 7:17 The prize of an eternal
life beyond that bless heavenly shore is worth all the pain suffering
and troubles that we may have to endure--
NEVER DOUBT THIS!
VI. REFRAIN-Read
A. "Trusting, confiding in his great love." Romans 8:38-39, I Peter 1:7-9, John 3:16. Jesus loved us first-we can trust his love and the promises made because of his sacrifice-the ultimate demonstration of love.
B. "From all harm safe in his sheltering arm" Psalms
119:116-117, Prov. 29:25
Even if we are called upon to sacrifice our very lives for the
cause of Jesus Christ-he is true and just and will save us in
eternity! This is the greatest knowledge that we can have if we
face death.
C. "I'm living by faith and feel no alarm." I John
4:18
We should look to the examples of Noah, Abraham, Sara,
Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab. Having faith in God and living
this faith may bring us to trials and persecutions, but just as
these did, we must endure press forward and conquer or our faith
is vain and the hope that we have is a false one.