Faith: Standing on Promises and Embracing Hope

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Beyond Optimism

Faith is often misunderstood as mere optimism or a collection of religious experiences. However, true faith is much deeper and more profound. It is not about having the right answers or feeling good; it is about standing on God's promises, waiting for His timing, and hoping in what we cannot see. This kind of faith is grounded in the assurance and certainty of God's word and His creation. It is a confident trust in God's character and His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak or uncertain.

True faith is not passive; it is an active, living trust in God. It involves a deep-seated assurance that what God has promised will come to pass, even if we do not see it immediately. This kind of faith is exemplified in Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This assurance and certainty are grounded in God's creation and His promises. [03:24]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are tempted to rely on optimism or past experiences rather than trusting in God's promises. How can you shift your focus to stand on God's word and wait for His timing?

Day 2: Faith in Action

Genuine faith demands that we rely on God's promises and react to them with action. Abraham's journey to an unknown land and Sarah's belief in God's promise of a child are prime examples of this. Faith is not passive; it stirs us towards good deeds and active trust in God's word. When God calls us to step out in faith, it often requires us to leave our comfort zones and trust Him with the unknown.

Abraham's journey to an unknown land and Sarah's belief in God's promise of a child, despite her old age, illustrate the reliance and reaction that faith demands. Abraham left everything familiar to follow God's call, and Sarah trusted God's promise even when it seemed impossible. Their actions were a direct response to their faith in God's promises. This kind of faith requires us to take steps of obedience, even when we do not see the full picture. [11:02]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to take a step of faith? What action can you take today to demonstrate your trust in His promises?

Day 3: Patience and Perseverance in Faith

Faith often requires us to be patient and persevere through challenges. Noah's long years of building the ark and the diverse experiences of the faithful in Hebrews 11 teach us that faith is not about immediate results but about enduring trust in God's plan. Noah's obedience in building the ark, despite the ridicule and the long wait, exemplifies the patience and perseverance that faith demands.

The faithful in Hebrews 11 faced various trials and challenges, yet they stood firm in their faith. Some experienced miraculous deliverance, while others faced severe trials. This diversity in faith's application and outcomes teaches us that faith is not about fairness but about trusting God's plan. It requires us to endure and remain steadfast, even when the outcome is not what we expected. [16:39]

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can you practice patience and perseverance, trusting that God is working out His plan even if you do not see immediate results?

Day 4: Hopefulness in Unseen Promises

Part of faith is having hope in God's promises, even when we do not see them fulfilled immediately. The faithful in Hebrews 11 saw God's promises from a distance and welcomed them. As Christians, we must learn to say no to worldly pleasures and yes to God's promises, maintaining hope in His future plans. This hopefulness is a crucial aspect of faith, as it keeps us focused on God's promises rather than our current circumstances.

The faithful in Hebrews 11 were commended for their hope in God's promises, even though they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetime. They trusted that God would fulfill His promises in His timing. This kind of hope requires us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in God's greater plan. It involves a confident expectation that God will do what He has promised, even if we do not see it right away. [24:49]

Romans 8:24-25 (ESV): "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you are waiting to see fulfilled? How can you cultivate hope and trust in God's timing, even when the fulfillment seems distant?

Day 5: The Need for Help and Community

Faith is not a solitary journey. We need the help of others and stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Hebrews 12 describes this cloud of witnesses that supports us in our walk of faith. Our faith journey is interconnected with others, and we must learn from their experiences and support each other. This communal aspect of faith reminds us that we are part of a larger legacy, and our faith journey is enriched by the support and encouragement of others.

The cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12 serves as an example and encouragement for us to persevere in our faith. We are not alone in our journey; we have the support of those who have gone before us and those who walk alongside us. This communal aspect of faith is vital, as it provides us with the strength and encouragement we need to continue in our walk with God. We are called to support and uplift one another, sharing our experiences and learning from each other. [26:12]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: Who are the people in your life that support and encourage your faith journey? How can you actively seek to support and encourage others in their walk with God today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Hebrews 11, exploring the essence of faith through the lives of those who stood on God's promises. We began with a personal story about an unexpected conversation on a flight, which led us to question and define what true faith is. Faith is often misunderstood as mere optimism, religious experiences, or having the right answers. However, genuine faith is standing, waiting, and hoping in God's promises, even when we cannot see the outcome.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This assurance and certainty are grounded in God's creation and His promises. We examined the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Noah, and others who exemplified faith through reliance on God, action, patience, and perseverance. Abraham's journey to an unknown land and Sarah's belief in God's promise of a child, despite her old age, illustrate the reliance and reaction that faith demands.

Faith also requires patience and perseverance, as seen in Noah's long years of building the ark and the diverse experiences of the faithful in Hebrews 11. Some experienced miraculous deliverance, while others faced severe trials, yet all stood firm in their faith. This diversity in faith's application and outcomes teaches us that faith is not about fairness but about trusting God's plan.

Moreover, faith involves hopefulness and help. We are called to be hopeful in God's promises, even when we do not see them fulfilled immediately. We also need the help of others, standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, as described in Hebrews 12. This communal aspect of faith reminds us that we are part of a larger legacy, and our faith journey is interconnected with others.

In conclusion, faith is a dynamic and multifaceted journey that requires standing on God's promises, waiting for His timing, and hoping in His unseen plans. It demands reliance, action, patience, perseverance, hopefulness, and help from others. As we navigate our unique situations, let us be inspired by the examples in Hebrews 11 and strive to live lives that are "too good for this world."

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Key Takeaways

1. Faith is Not Optimism or Religious Experience: Faith goes beyond positive thinking or past religious experiences. It is not about having the right answers or feeling good. True faith is standing on God's promises, waiting for His timing, and hoping in what we cannot see. This kind of faith is grounded in the assurance and certainty of God's word and His creation. [03:24]
2. Faith Requires Reliance and Reaction: Genuine faith demands that we rely on God's promises and react to them with action. Abraham's journey to an unknown land and Sarah's belief in God's promise of a child are prime examples. Faith is not passive; it stirs us towards good deeds and active trust in God's word. [11:02]
3. Patience and Perseverance in Faith: Faith often requires us to be patient and persevere through challenges. Noah's long years of building the ark and the diverse experiences of the faithful in Hebrews 11 teach us that faith is not about immediate results but about enduring trust in God's plan. [16:39]
4. Hopefulness in Unseen Promises: Part of faith is having hope in God's promises, even when we do not see them fulfilled immediately. The faithful in Hebrews 11 saw God's promises from a distance and welcomed them. As Christians, we must learn to say no to worldly pleasures and yes to God's promises, maintaining hope in His future plans. [24:49]
5. The Need for Help and Community: Faith is not a solitary journey. We need the help of others and stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Hebrews 12 describes this cloud of witnesses that supports us in our walk of faith. Our faith journey is interconnected with others, and we must learn from their experiences and support each other. [26:12]
### [26:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - Opening Prayer
[01:36] - Airplane Story and Defining Faith
[03:24] - What Faith is Not
[06:06] - Genuine Faith Explained
[07:15] - Hebrews 11:1 and Definition of Faith
[09:06] - Faith and Creation
[11:02] - Reliance and Reaction in Faith
[12:25] - Examples of Reliant Faith: Abraham and Sarah
[13:46] - Faith Requires Action
[15:13] - Patience and Perseverance in Faith
[16:39] - Example of Noah
[19:19] - Diverse Outcomes of Faith
[20:44] - Unique Situations and Faithfulness
[22:07] - Life's Unfairness and Faith
[23:33] - Hopefulness and Help in Faith
[26:12] - Standing on the Shoulders of Others
[30:38] - Eugene Peterson's Insight on Faith
[32:07] - Encouragement to Respond in Faith
[33:44] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 11:1, how is faith defined? What are the key elements of this definition?
What actions did Abraham take that demonstrated his faith, as described in Hebrews 11:8-10?
How did Sarah exhibit faith according to Hebrews 11:11-12? What was the outcome of her faith?
In Hebrews 11:32-40, what are some of the diverse outcomes experienced by those who had faith?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon mentioned that faith is not merely optimism or religious experience. How does this understanding challenge common misconceptions about faith? [03:24]
How does the example of Noah building the ark illustrate the patience and perseverance required in faith? [16:39]
The sermon emphasized the need for community in our faith journey. How does Hebrews 12:1-2 support this idea of a "cloud of witnesses"? [26:12]
What does it mean to have hope in God's promises, even when they are not immediately visible or fulfilled? How does this shape our daily lives? [24:49]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you mistook optimism or a religious experience for genuine faith. How did this affect your relationship with God? [03:24]
Abraham took a significant step of faith by leaving his home without knowing his destination. What is a step of faith that God might be calling you to take today? How can you prepare for it? [11:02]
Noah's patience and perseverance were evident in his long years of building the ark. What is a current situation in your life that requires similar patience and perseverance? How can you stay encouraged during this time? [16:39]
The sermon highlighted the importance of community in our faith journey. Who are the "cloud of witnesses" in your life that you can lean on for support and encouragement? How can you actively seek their help? [26:12]
Hebrews 11:13 describes the faithful as seeing God's promises from a distance and welcoming them. How can you cultivate a hopeful attitude towards God's promises in your life, even when they seem distant? [24:49]
The sermon mentioned that faith requires action. Identify one specific way you can put your faith into action this week. How will you ensure you follow through? [13:46]
Consider the legacy of faith you are building. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith journey positively impacts those around you and future generations? [26:12]

Sermon Clips

1. "Faith is standing, waiting, and hoping. Please don't misunderstand me. It's not the physical act of doing these things. If standing up on your own two feet was faith and all of us who could walk would have faith, faith is standing on the promises of God, something we do. We talked about last week. Faith is waiting for God to move rather than running out ahead. And faith is hope in what we cannot see." [06:43] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Faith is the solid ground that we stand on while we hope. The word certain here, it means evidence. So faith is the evidence, the proof of things we do not see. The writer tries to explain it a little bit more, what he's trying to get across here. So in verse three, he says, by faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." [07:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Faith requires reliance and reaction. Relying on God and his promises will always be part of the life of faith that we live. Learning to rely on the message of scripture can sometimes be really challenging because we look around at the world today, all the terrible things happening, and maybe you're in a season of struggle right now. Maybe it's a season of struggle in your career or in your marriage or a season of struggle with your kids and you know you need to rely on the promises of God, but what you're facing is hard, it's tough." [10:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Faith requires reaction. James tells us that our faith demands action, that faith without that action is dead. It's not just something you say. Faith is not just something you feel. It's not even, just something you believe. It is something that you have that stirs you towards action. Here's what James does. He gives us a hypothetical situation in James 2, 15. And he says this, suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food, no clothing. You say, goodbye, have a good day, stay warm and eat well. But then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" [13:46] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Faith requires patience and perseverance. So if our definition of standing, waiting, and hoping, that's our definition of faith. And standing is going to require reliance and reaction. Then when we are waiting, we've got to have patience and perseverance. Most of us are probably not lining up for this expression of faith. Most of us are not going, man, I can't wait to be patient again. I can't wait to have to persevere through something again. Most of us are not in that boat." [15:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Faith must require patience and perseverance. While we wait, it's because faith is diverse. Yeah, some people in scripture had great faith, incredible faith, and they overthrew kingdoms and they shut the mouths of lions and they quenched the fires of flame. And other people had the exact same faith, the same kind of grounded faith, and yet they were tortured and they were whipped. They were jeered at and killed. Faith is diverse. It's diverse in its application and, in its outcomes." [19:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Faithfulness is diverse. That's why you got to have patience and perseverance while you wait. How is God calling you to be faithful? In your unique situation. Each one of us in here has a unique situation that God has placed us in. How are you supposed to be faithful in that? How are you being patient? How are you persevering? He will give you the strength to do that through the Holy Spirit. It lives inside of you, but you've got to be willing to step out in faith and you've got to be willing to sometimes just wait." [20:44] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Faith requires hopefulness and help. Part of faith is having this hopefulness in something that we cannot see yet. We're in this culture that builds itself on things that it can see. And so we build our lives around the car, and the house, and the lawn, and the mall, and the stadium, and the applause, and the votes, and the immediate rewards. And that's what those in this world are constantly chasing after. And sometimes we get caught up in that. But as Christians, we should respond to the world like the faithful people in Hebrews 11 did." [23:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I believe in Christ because I believe God told us the truth. So faith is going to require hope in something we've not seen yet, but we will see someday. It's not that we have some sort of blind faith either. We've just learned to see with our ears. We have a hopefulness in the promises of God, and along with that hopefulness, faith also requires help. I don't care who you are or where you come from, whether you're the first follower of Christ in your family or you're the hundred and first follower of Christ in your family, you at times will need help." [24:49] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Faith requires. And there are a lot of really good people serving the kingdom of God who came from just that one church. And for 60 years, we had no idea the help that he had given. Grandma didn't even know. I wouldn't suggest that, but she didn't even know. I always knew I was standing on his shoulders because I'm his grandson. I did not realize how many other hundreds of people, were standing on his shoulders too, because he just decided, I'm going to faithfully help. And in my mind, he was too good for this world." [28:59] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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