Stepping Out in Faith

In this passage of scripture we are given a list from the beginning of time up to the moment of pepole who were faithful and were a testimony of what it means to faithful. ( Read through the examples) It beigins with a definition of faith in verses 1-3

Hebrews 11:1–3 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith is the things hoped for. Salvation, eternal life.

Faith is the what is the very base of the world and its foundation is tings we cannot see or really completly grasp. But still this litany of people trusted in God and were never disappointed.

We can find this throughout history in the lives of people like the missionary Lottie Moon in China, D.L Moody in Chicago, Henry Blackaby in Saskatoon and I could go on and on. People who trusted that God would led them and that He would do a great work if they were faithdful to trust His directing.

In our text today found in

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We see that when it comes to faith it is not just for a few chosen individuals that God uses it is for all who have recieved Jesus as Lord. Faith is the starting point of our journey with God and it is the ending point that need to press on to.

Faith has no majical formual, it does not exclude any of us or let us off the hook. Faith must be the fabric of a life that follows Jesus.

Lay aside every wieght weight in our lives. What is holding you back.

Luke 9:59–62 NKJV

59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

2. Give up the sin the ensares you. Problem is we like to hang on to those things.

Luke 9:41 NKJV

41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

3. Focus on Jesus not the world. He will give you the Faith you need..

Luke 17:5–6 NKJV

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Our journey of faith needs to only begin small. It is not that God is asking you to start your Faith in such a big way as we see in Hebrew 11. Do you think these people were giants of the faith from the very start.. Think of Moses he was afraid he was inadquate to speak for God. Yet he would by faith led the people of Israel out of Egypt throught the desert, through the sea on dry ground, he would help the people trust God to feed them each day with food from heaven, But his first encounter with God was a little shakey.

I know that the first time I was asked to preach I would think are you sure God this was a good idea. When God would take my family to Oklahoma I would ask was this a good idea and when we had cupboards empty except for the roaches and sliver fish that shared then with us. And let me not forget the fleas that took up residence in the house with us and the poisones spiders on the poarch. I had to look to Jesus and say Lord I believe help my unbelief.

He would time after time take care of us.

I am not alone in this many, many before me who trusted God would see God work.

Luke 17:6 NKJV

6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.