ENCOURAGED BY OTHERS

Hebrews 10:39 (ESV) — 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

I. FAITH IS

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

“The biblical definition of faith…is not about being a positive thinker. Instead, we are called to take our trust and place it in something outside ourselves.” Michael Kruger in Hebrews For You p. 163

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) — 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Faith gets its assurance by focusing on its object – which for us, ultimately, is Christ.” Michael Kruger in Hebrews For You p. 167

Faith is assured that what is hoped for will become a reality. It is convinced that the unseen promises of God will be fulfilled.[1]

II. FAITH PLEASES HIM

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) — 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

“The “Hall of Faith” is not a list of demigods who did what we cannot. They are forefathers and foremothers, painfully human and made strong in God, and their stories are recorded to motivate us toward the same perseverance.” Article by Greg Morse Staff writer, desiringGod.org February 13, 2022

Hebrews 11:13 (ESV) — 13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

“Scripture insists that Moses was a man of great faith, someone whose trust in God is to be imitated (Deut. 34:10–12; Heb. 11:24–28). At the same time, the Word of God tells us that the faith of Moses was by no means perfect and that he sometimes doubted and was slow to believe the Lord. This should be encouraging to us, for while we must always strive to be quick to trust God’s Word, the fact that Moses can be remembered as a great man of faith despite his faith’s imperfections shows us that we, too, can have a great and strong faith even if our trust in the Lord wavers at times.” February 17, 2022 TableTalk Devotion

H. James 5:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

J. “Faith is the rock-solid trust that when God makes a promise, it is true and right. It is absolute assurance and confidence that God’s word can be relied upon.” Michael Kruger in Hebrews For You p. 164

[1] Schreiner, T. R. (2021). Hebrews (T. D. Alexander, T. R. Schreiner, & A. J. Köstenberger, Eds.; p. 339). Lexham Press.