Hebrews 11
February Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Read: Hebrews 11
How much faith do we need to have for God to move majorly in our life? I mean, when we read this chapter, Noah must have had a great amount of faith to build a giant boat when it hadn’t rained for years. Abraham definitely had faith if he was going to kill his son Isaac. Sarah was 99 years old when she gave birth, but her faith must have not been lacking. Moses truly had faith if he was going to go against the most powerful man in the world and lead a million people across the Red Sea. As we read this chapter, our minds are probably thinking, “If I want God to use me in a big way, I need to have more faith than anyone else.” But let me tell you, that thinking is wrong. So how much faith do we need to have for God to move majorly in our life?
Thankfully, Jesus answers this question for us. In Matthew 17:20, it says, “Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
We need mustard seed sized faith. These “Hero’s of the Faith” that we read about in Hebrews 11, they made mistakes and they failed at times. But they also had mustard seed sized faith and God used them to do mighty things.
But let’s also be clear, faith does not always produce an easy earthly life. We saw in verses 32-35a that some people did great things because of faith, but on the flip side, verses 35b-38 discusses how people were tortured, imprisoned, and beaten for their faith. Faith should not be based on external circumstances. True faith is from the heart and is shown through external actions.
So let me be blunt and ask: Where is your faith lacking? In what ways are you doubting God in your life? How can you have mustard seed sized faith? Are you willing to have faith in all circumstances even if it means persecution?
By: Brice Stockton
Read: Hebrews 11
How much faith do we need to have for God to move majorly in our life? I mean, when we read this chapter, Noah must have had a great amount of faith to build a giant boat when it hadn’t rained for years. Abraham definitely had faith if he was going to kill his son Isaac. Sarah was 99 years old when she gave birth, but her faith must have not been lacking. Moses truly had faith if he was going to go against the most powerful man in the world and lead a million people across the Red Sea. As we read this chapter, our minds are probably thinking, “If I want God to use me in a big way, I need to have more faith than anyone else.” But let me tell you, that thinking is wrong. So how much faith do we need to have for God to move majorly in our life?
Thankfully, Jesus answers this question for us. In Matthew 17:20, it says, “Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
We need mustard seed sized faith. These “Hero’s of the Faith” that we read about in Hebrews 11, they made mistakes and they failed at times. But they also had mustard seed sized faith and God used them to do mighty things.
But let’s also be clear, faith does not always produce an easy earthly life. We saw in verses 32-35a that some people did great things because of faith, but on the flip side, verses 35b-38 discusses how people were tortured, imprisoned, and beaten for their faith. Faith should not be based on external circumstances. True faith is from the heart and is shown through external actions.
So let me be blunt and ask: Where is your faith lacking? In what ways are you doubting God in your life? How can you have mustard seed sized faith? Are you willing to have faith in all circumstances even if it means persecution?
By: Brice Stockton
9 Comments
For by it, faith, the men of old gained their approval (NASB). Or another way of saying it, they received their commendation (ESV). God gives witness on their behalf that they lived for Him and thus granted them something that could not be taken away, a divine and everlasting approval.
This hardly seems fair. I give to Christ my weak, and small little trust that can hardly be measured and in return God says that He finds no shame in me, He says He is my God, He identifies with me, and in fact, He has prepared a city for me, (v.16) that I might enjoy Him and heaven forever. He truly is the rewarder of of those who seek Him, isn't He?
“It was by faith”
We hear these 4 words over and over in chapter 11. I pray that someday my children & grandchildren will be able to say the same about the lives Tina and I have led. I thought about 2005: It was by faith that Tim & Susan Parsons moved to Lexington and started CPC. It was by faith that young Todd Thomas chose to leave Boyce College after graduation and join the Parsons in a new venture that had no guarantee of success. It was by faith that............ This is the story of God’s people since Adam & Eve. Sometimes God calls us to things that may not make since to our friends, family, and the world around us but we must respond in faith to God’s calling. Have a blessed day Jumpstart readers.
Amen!
Verse 25 "choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin"
That verse made me do a double take. Not that it was completely new, but just the stark difference that has compared to my life sometimes. I pursue comfort so often and masquerade it with good reasons. I pray often for God to take control and take me wherever, but a true answer to this prayer will be suffering at some point. That's where I need more faith. To trust that God truly knows best and all suffering/lack of comfort that may come is what I need most when that moment comes.
Their weakness was turned to strength.
Yes, indeed.
We talked last night in Connect Group and Nick preached Sunday about when we say no for others because we don't think they are able to be saved. What a lack of faith on our part! I think this is something we all struggle with, and I am just as guilty. However, if we had that mustard seed sized faith in those situations, God could do big things! I love this chapter and all of the great examples of faith. We can learn so much, because these people were faced with some really big situations that we can't even fathom, but they kept their faith, so why can't we have a little faith to have a conversation with our lost neighbor or co-worker or family member? This chapter is a great reminder that God can use us in big ways if we only believe in Him!
I think I ran out of highlighter on that chapter. Absolutely my favorite chapter cross referencing so much of the Old Testament. Even though they were all sinners their faith was credited to them as righteousness. They all displayed a confidence that nothing was impossible for God and many of these things we would scoff still today. Am I confident in my faith in all matters? Something I need to evaluate for sure!!!
I LOVE this chapter. Something new always stands out and it’s incredibly encouraging. Today I really appreciated that God can do incredible things with just the tiniest bit of faith, the size of a mustard seed. A mustard seed is only 1-2 millimeters in diameter! Just crazy to think about. Great job today Brice!
Amen! Such a great reminder that we don’t need massive faith. Just a little bit of hope in the things we can’t see. Just a little bit of assurance of things we hope for. And God will multiply it!