May 26
- 27, 2007 HEROES! Hebrews
12: 1 - 3, Selected
THE HERO IN YOU!
(Senior Pastor Roger Storms)
FAITH DESCRIBED!
*** Hebrews 11:1-2 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen. [2] For by it the men of old gained approval.”
[New American Standard Version]
FAITH DEFINED!
*** Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those
who earnestly seek him.” [New International Version]
• They saw the Evidence for God and believed and were satisfied!
• Observed God-Acts
in their lives and in the lives of others and
determined that God is real and interactive with those who seek Him!
• They stepped across the line…Simple Trusting Faith!
*** Hebrews 11:39-40 “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. [40] God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” [NIV]
*** Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore….” [NIV]
HOW WE CAN BE A FAITH HERO!
1. BY BEING ENCOURAGED
BY THE CHEERS!
*** Hebrews 12:1a “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses….” [NIV]
• When you think things don’t make sense - remember
Noah!
• When you think God is asking too much - remember Abraham!
• When you think that the effort is too great – remember Moses!
• When you think that you are not good enough – remember Rahab!
• When you don’t see the outcome you expect – remember the Magnificent 7+!
6. Proverbs 12:25 “…a word of encouragement does wonders!” [Living Bible]
My prayer is that CCC will be The Place for Encouragement!
*** 1 Thes. 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” [NIV]
*** Hebrews 3:13 “Encourage one another daily,
as long as it is called Today….” [NIV]
*** Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in
the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more….”
[NIV]
*** Psalm 31:24 “So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” [New Living Translation]
2. BY LETTING GO OF THE HINDRANCES!
*** Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud
of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles….” [NIV]
*** Eph. 4:22-24 “You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. [23] But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, [24] to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy.” [New Century Version]
“God will never deliver us
from our friends; He will only deliver us from our enemies!
In order to have victory, your weakness must become your enemy!”
– Larry Jackson
3. BY NEVER GIVING UP!
*** Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud
of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us.” [NIV]
*** 2 Thes. 3:13 “And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.” [NIV]
*** Hebrews 12:3 “Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.” [NCV]
*** Hebrews 12:3 “When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” [Message Bible]
4. BY FOLLOWING THE GREATEST
FAITH-HERO!
*** Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter
of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [NIV]
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the
race marked out for us. [2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter
of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him
who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary
and lose heart.” [NIV]