Honoring Our Faith: Lessons from Our Fathers

Summary

Today, we gathered to give thanks to God for His faithfulness, His goodness, and His sustaining power through every season of our lives. As we lifted our voices in gratitude, we remembered that God has made a way for us—seen and unseen—and that His grace has carried us through dangers, hardships, and moments when we could not see a way forward. Reflecting on my own journey and the collective journey of our people, I am reminded that if we had ten thousand tongues, we could not thank Him enough for all He has done. Jesus is our rock, our healer, our Savior, and the very foundation upon which we stand.

On this Father’s Day, we honored not only our earthly fathers but also our Heavenly Father, who laid out a plan of salvation before the foundations of the earth. We also paid tribute to the historic Black church, which has served as a father to generations, teaching us how to survive, persevere, and thrive in the face of adversity. The Black church has been a miraculous, courageous, and resilient institution, guiding a whole race of people through some of the harshest conditions this country has ever seen. Our church fathers handed down a survival kit—tools and lessons that have preserved our faith and our dignity.

From Hebrews 10, we drew out four essential lessons for our survival kit. First, we must protect the faith that has been handed down to us, especially in times of suffering and persecution. Our ancestors leaned into their faith during hardship, making the church an oasis of hope and dignity. Second, we are called to foster compassion, even when we ourselves are suffering. The church has always modeled restraint with compassion, serving others and refusing to let bitterness take root. Third, we must keep looking forward, practicing delayed gratification and holding onto the hope of a better possession—a lasting reward that God has promised. Our ancestors endured much, often without seeing the fruit of their labor in this life, but they held onto hope for the next. Finally, we are called to finish strong, refusing to shrink back or give up, but instead preserving the faith and passing it on to the next generation.

Let us honor our fathers and ancestors by living out these lessons—protecting the faith, fostering compassion, looking forward with hope, and finishing strong. May we be a people who center our lives on Jesus, who is able to keep us from falling, and who calls us to run this race with endurance.

Key Takeaways

- Protecting the Faith in Hardship
Our ancestors and church fathers understood that faith is most precious when life is most difficult. In times of suffering and public reproach, they leaned into their faith rather than pulling away, making the church a sanctuary of hope and dignity. This teaches us that adversity is not a reason to abandon faith, but an invitation to guard and deepen it, ensuring it remains a source of strength for ourselves and future generations. [01:04:42]

- Compassion in the Midst of Suffering
Even while enduring their own trials, the early church and the Black church modeled compassion for others, serving and sympathizing with those in need. True spiritual maturity is revealed not in how we treat others when life is easy, but in our capacity to show restraint and compassion when we are justified in anger or pain. This kind of compassion keeps our hearts from being consumed by bitterness and reflects the heart of Christ to the world. [01:12:51]

- The Power of Delayed Gratification and Hope
Maturity in faith means learning to look beyond immediate relief and trusting in God’s promises for a better and lasting possession. Our ancestors often endured decades or lifetimes of hardship without seeing the fulfillment of their hopes in this world, yet they held fast to the assurance that God’s reward is sure. This teaches us to anchor our hope in eternity, not in temporary circumstances, and to persevere with confidence that God is faithful. [01:19:44]

- Finishing Strong and Refusing to Shrink Back
The call is to be a people who do not shrink back in the face of adversity, but who press forward in faith, preserving our souls and our communities. When we draw back, we risk spiritual decay, but when we endure, we honor the sacrifices of those who came before us and ensure the faith is passed on stronger to the next generation. Finishing strong is not just about personal victory, but about communal legacy and faithfulness. [01:31:30]

- Passing Down a Living, Growing Faith
To truly honor our ancestors and church fathers, we must not only preserve the faith they handed down but also nurture and expand it. This means teaching the next generation to call on Jesus, to value the church as an oasis, and to live lives marked by compassion, hope, and perseverance. Our legacy is not static; it is a living faith that must be grown, loved, and handed on in even better condition than we received it. [01:36:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[44:56] - Praise and Thanksgiving: God Made a Way
[47:26] - The Goodness of Jesus: Personal Testimony
[49:00] - The Power of the Name of Jesus
[50:20] - The Blood of Jesus and Our Salvation
[53:54] - God’s Faithfulness to the Black Church
[55:57] - Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:32-39
[58:31] - Lessons from Fathers: The Survival Kit
[59:42] - Protecting the Faith in Hardship
[01:06:37] - The Church as an Oasis and Source of Dignity
[01:12:51] - Fostering Compassion in Suffering
[01:19:44] - Delayed Gratification and Enduring Hope
[01:28:41] - Holding On Through Long Seasons of Waiting
[01:31:30] - Finishing Strong: Refusing to Shrink Back
[01:36:10] - Passing Down a Living Faith
[01:52:38] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “A Survival Kit from Our Fathers”

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### Bible Reading

Hebrews 10:32-39 (ESV)
> 32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
> 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
> 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
> 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
> 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
> 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
> 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
> 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

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## Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 10:32-34, what kinds of hardships did the early believers endure, and how did they respond to them?
2. In the sermon, what are some specific ways the historic Black church served as an “oasis” and source of dignity for its people? [[01:06:37]]
3. What does the writer of Hebrews say is the result of “shrinking back” from faith? [[01:31:30]]
4. What are the four lessons the pastor says our “survival kit” should include, as learned from our fathers and ancestors? [[59:42]]

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## Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the early church and the Black church were able to show compassion to others even while they themselves were suffering? What does this reveal about spiritual maturity? [[01:12:51]]
2. The pastor says that adversity is not a reason to abandon faith, but an invitation to guard and deepen it. Why might hardship actually strengthen faith rather than weaken it? [[01:04:42]]
3. The sermon talks about “delayed gratification” and holding onto hope for a better possession. What does it look like to practice this kind of hope in our lives today? [[01:19:44]]
4. The pastor warns that when we “shrink back,” it brings decay to our souls and even to our communities. What are some signs that a person or a community is shrinking back from faith? [[01:31:30]]

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## Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that our ancestors leaned into their faith during hardship, making the church a sanctuary of hope. When you face difficulties, do you tend to lean into your faith or pull away? What would it look like for you to “protect the faith” in your current season? [[01:04:42]]
2. Compassion in the midst of suffering is a mark of spiritual maturity. Can you think of a time when you were hurting but still found a way to serve or encourage someone else? What helped you do that, or what held you back? [[01:12:51]]
3. The sermon challenges us to look forward with hope, even when we don’t see immediate results. Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to wait on God’s promises? How can you remind yourself of the “better possession” God has promised? [[01:19:44]]
4. The pastor said, “Finishing strong is not just about personal victory, but about communal legacy and faithfulness.” What does it mean for you to finish strong in your faith, and how might that impact the next generation? [[01:31:30]]
5. The Black church handed down a “survival kit” of faith, compassion, hope, and perseverance. Which of these do you feel strongest in, and which do you want to grow in? What is one step you can take this week to develop that area?
6. The sermon calls us to pass down a living, growing faith. Who in your life are you intentionally investing in or encouraging in their faith? If you’re not currently doing this, what is one way you could start? [[01:36:10]]
7. The pastor mentioned that sometimes, when life gets easier, we can drift from God. Are there any comforts or blessings in your life that might be making you less dependent on God? How can you refocus your heart on Jesus as your foundation? [[01:11:15]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you protect and grow your faith, to show compassion even in hard times, to hold onto hope, and to finish strong—passing on a living faith to the next generation.

Devotional

Day 1: Protecting the Faith in Hardship
The faith handed down by our spiritual ancestors was not merely a set of beliefs, but a lifeline in the midst of suffering and oppression. In times when the world demeaned and devalued them, the church became an oasis—a place to gather, to be affirmed, to find dignity, and to have hope restored. Our forebears leaned into their faith, especially when hardship was constant, knowing that true rest and refreshment are found in the Lord. They understood that in the absence of hardship, it is easy to stray, but in the midst of adversity, faith becomes the anchor that holds us fast. Today, we are called to protect and preserve this faith, ensuring that it remains a refuge and a source of strength for generations to come. [01:11:15]

Hebrews 10:32-34 (ESV)
"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one."

Reflection:
What is one way you can intentionally lean into your faith today, especially in an area where you feel pressure to pull away or become discouraged?

Day 2: Fostering Compassion and Restraint
Even while enduring their own trials, the faithful before us modeled compassion and restraint, serving others with joy and refusing to let bitterness take root. They showed sympathy to the suffering, forgave those who wronged them, and maintained unity in the body of Christ, knowing that the blood of Jesus knows no color line. This kind of compassion is not weakness, but strength—restraint in the face of opposition, and a refusal to let anger or bitterness define us. When we respond by the Spirit rather than the flesh, we become living examples of Christ’s love, keeping our hearts open and our communities whole. [01:16:30]

Galatians 5:19-24 (ESV)
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Reflection:
Who is someone you find difficult to show compassion to right now, and how can you practice restraint and kindness toward them today, even if you feel justified in your frustration?

Day 3: Looking Forward with Endurance and Hope
Our ancestors and the early church understood the power of delayed gratification—of looking beyond present suffering to the promise of a better and lasting possession. They endured hardship not because they expected immediate relief, but because their hope was anchored in God’s unchanging promise. This maturity of faith allowed them to persevere, trusting that even if they did not see the fulfillment of every promise in this life, God’s reward awaited them in the next. We are called to cultivate this same endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on the hope that does not disappoint. [01:19:44]

Hebrews 10:35-37 (ESV)
"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay.'"

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you are tempted to give up hope or settle for immediate comfort? How can you choose today to trust God’s promise and wait with endurance?

Day 4: Finishing Strong—Refusing to Shrink Back
We are not a people who shrink back or give up when times get hard. Our spiritual legacy is one of perseverance, of holding fast to the faith even when the world tempts us to walk away. To finish strong means to keep moving forward, to preserve and grow the faith that was handed down to us, and to pass it on to the next generation in even greater strength. When we refuse to shrink back, we not only preserve our own souls but also strengthen our communities, honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us. [01:31:30]

Hebrews 10:38-39 (ESV)
"'But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."

Reflection:
What is one step you can take today to actively grow and strengthen your faith, rather than shrinking back or remaining stagnant?

Day 5: Passing Down a Living Faith
The faith we have received is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be lived out, grown, and handed down. Our ancestors made sure we had a church to worship in and a faith to call our own; now it is our turn to honor their legacy by centering our lives on Christ, building up the body, and ensuring that the next generation receives a faith that is vibrant and strong. This means praying, serving, loving, and teaching with intentionality, so that the story of God’s faithfulness continues to be told and experienced in new ways. [01:35:30]

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV)
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection:
How can you intentionally share your faith story or a lesson from your spiritual journey with someone younger or less experienced in the faith this week?

Quotes

As I've been reflecting over my own experience in growing up in church, church, I'm at a point in my life where I can genuinely and sincerely say, thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord, for all that you've done for me. God, you've been so good, so good, so good, and if I had 10 ,000 tongues, as the old saints would say, I could not thank you enough for how good you've been. [00:46:32]

Oh, you just need to taste and see this morning that the Lord is good. He'll be your rock in a weary land. He'll be your bridge over troubled waters. Ezekiel said, he's my wheel in the middle of a wheel. He's the balm in Gilead. He's whatever you need him to be. He's the great I am. [00:47:14]

And I can say, I can truly say that the Lord has blessed me, been good to me, made ways for me, opened doors for me, healed my body, saved me, set me free, picked me up, turned me around, and placed my feet on some solid ground. The Lord has been good to me. [00:47:38]

If it had not been for Jesus on our side, God, I don't know where I would be. I know I would be lost, tossed to and fro by the whims of life. I know I would be lost like a ship with no anchor. But Jesus, you stepped in at the right time and you changed my life. You changed my life. [00:51:48]

If it had not been for the sacrifice that you made on Calvary's cross, we would not be standing here as free people. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you've done, all that you're doing, all that we believe that you will do. [00:53:08]

We thank you for our Heavenly Father first and foremost, our Heavenly Father who has had a plan of salvation laid out for us even before the foundations of the earth. [00:53:34]

We can open our eyes and look into today. We can open our eyes and look into today. to see that, God, you're still faithful. You're the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, and you are a faithful God. [00:54:19]

Our job as fathers is to teach our kids and to help our kids to learn how to survive and preserve the faith that has been handed to them in a dark and dying world. [01:00:03]

The historic black church has been a father to a whole race of people for generations in this country. And if you ask me, I would say that it is the most miraculous, courageous, and resilient organization that this country has ever seen. [01:00:15]

But you would not be sitting here this morning. You would not have what you have this day in this life if it had not been for some church fathers who ushered in the faith that we know today we would not be here the way that we are. [01:01:08]

When times got hard, they never pulled away from the faith, but they would lean in so that they could protect the faith. And so what you had all over this country, you had different churches and different places and different locations and different denominations working in unity with the same Bible and the same Jesus to bring about change and encouragement and strength in a community. [01:05:03]

Our fathers understood what Sabbath was all about. They understood that true rest and refreshment was found in the Lord. See, they knew what self -care was all about. See, self -care for our ancestors was church on Sunday morning. [01:06:34]

In the absence of hardship, believers tend to stray away from the Lord. But because they lived and breathed hardship 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, they never had the temptation to stray away from the Lord. [01:10:42]

They may not have been to seminary. They may not know the Bible inside out. They may not even know how to read. But they knew how to call on the name of Jesus in the midst of trouble, in the midst of hardship, in the midst of pain. [01:11:50]

Are we teaching them what it looks like to call on that name in the morning, in the midday, and in the midnight hour? Are we preserving the faith for them just as it has been preserved for us? Are we protecting the faith? [01:12:15]

They were going through their own traumatic experiences but they still found enough capacity in their hearts to serve other people. We would say they need to be taken care of let's show our sympathy to them and they are saying yeah we're gonna be alright let's show some sympathy to some other people. [01:13:28]

This is one of the best lessons a father can teach their child their children or their child is restraint with compassion in the face of opposition now I'm not saying fathers don't teach your children how to protect themselves but I'm saying in the face of opposition our default it should be restraint with compassion to joyfully serve others even when we feel justified in our anger our bitterness and even in rebellion. [01:15:50]

If the blood of Jesus knows no color line then the church must never be a place of segregation but a refuge for all who seek God in the context of this is not just racial unity in Christ for the oppressed but also for the oppressor everybody should be working towards racial unity in the body of Christ because to Jesus it don't matter if you're black you're brown you're yellow you're purple or you're blue the only color that matters to Jesus is red because that's the color of his blood it's his blood that unifies us and brings us together. [01:16:51]

If you are in Christ you don't just respond according to the flesh anymore you now respond by the spirit and when the spirit is at work in you it causes you to respond differently it allows you to have restraint and compassion even when everything else around you suggests that you ought not have it. [01:20:54]

One of the signs of maturity is your ability to delay gratification and look forward to pleasure to relief to rest you can look forward you don't have to have it right now. [01:23:40]

They had come face to face with this reality that you can find trouble be in Christ and have done nothing wrong let me say that again let me say it this way trouble can find you and you having done nothing wrong and you being in Christ they were face to face with this reality that suffering might just be a part not might just be is a part of what it means to be a Christian. [01:24:06]

I may not be able to count on the government I may not be able to count on my neighbor I may not be able to count on the police I may not be able to count on Congress I may not be able to count on my doctor my lawyer my financial advisor I may not be able to count on this life but one thing I can count on is that one day the sweet chariot is going to swing low and pick me up one thing I can count on is that trouble don't last always. [01:27:01]

Even if your life is horrible you always have a next life to look forward to if you're in Christ. [01:33:52]

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Now the writer of Hebrews is warning and encouraging the church do not lose ground do not lose ground do not allow the hardship and the persecution and the pain to allow you to go backwards do not shrink back keep moving forward so that you can preserve he says that's not who we are we're not a people who shrink back that's not who we are we're not a people that give up that's not who we are a people that walk away from the faith that's not who we are hold it together and we do this we keep the faith to the preserving of the soul. [01:34:18]

If we want to honor our ancestors if you want to honor the sacrifices the prayers the fasting the giving the building of your ancestors the way you do that well is by taking the faith that they handed down to you not only preserving it but growing it and building it and praying for it and loving it and serving it that we might preserve it and pass it down to the next generation in a better way than what we got it we are those type of people. [01:36:29]

Chatbot

What lessons do fathers pass down for spiritual survival

How does faith foster resilience in difficult times

Why is finishing strong essential for believers