Proper 14

The specific sin which often prevents us from living according to faith is our love for the world. Warn the hearers against the mixed or double loyalty that would cause them to shrink back and be destroyed (10:39). Remind them of the eternal inheritance and assure them of God’s faithfulness. Encourage them to persevere. Proclaim:

“But God Has Promised”

TRUST THE PROMISES OF GOD

To be certain of what you can’t see today

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the worlds were created by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

The pagan world says, “Seeing is believing.”

The world insists that something must be tested.

The world relies on logic to determine if something is true.

The world says, “trust the science”, when the science is ever-changing.

God says that “He created all things out of nothing.”

God spoke it all into existence.

God created us male and female.

To be sure of what you hope for in eternity

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for...” Hebrews 11:8-16

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to min…”

“But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

· When we put our treasure, or hope, or expectations in this world, are we being faithful? Why do we have so many worries in our hearts? It's because our eyes are fixed on things in this world, and not on our heavenly home. The fears, and worries, and anxiety that we so often live with shifts our focus away from God and His promises, and worse yet, off the city that God has prepared for you.

· The problem revealed in this letter is the people of God were drifting away from the strong moorings that faith was tied to. The worries and anxieties of this world sent them adrift. They started to embrace paganism. They were going back to the ceremonies that that Christ had set aside and fulfilled. Some were trying to escape persecution because they confessed Christ.

· Today there's so much cultural pressure for us to turn our back on the object of the truth of Holy Scripture. You know, Jesus never said I am one of the many ways out there, please consider me. Instead he says, I am the way. Christians are under a lot of pressure today to walk away from the faith; to sell out. The pressure is real, some want to escape pressure, to escape persecution of holding onto the Truth.

· The antidote for all this is to see the unseen so strongly by faith that when He said, “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am in your midst,” that He is actually sitting the kitchen table from you. That’s the antidote.

GOSPEL

1. Don't worry because your father cares for the birds and flowers and you are much more valuable than they are so he will certainly provide you with what you need for your life.

2. Don't worry because worrying doesn't do any good anyway. Jesus says who Of you can add a single hour to his life by worrying. Nobody can doesn't do any good.

3. Don't worry because the Pagan world runs after what to eat or drink and you of course Jesus says, or is implying, you're different.

4. Don't worry because your father already knows what you need. It's not as if you have to worry so that he becomes aware of your needs; of course he already knows all those things.

5. Don't worry because you already have the Kingdom; your father has already given you the Kingdom, so instead of worrying you can do as Jesus says: seek his Kingdom.