Hall of Faith Inductees
The Call of Every Believer
How are you running the race set before you? What would others say about your life?
(Fill in the blank with your name): By faith _________ did…
As children of God, we are called to live by faith. “And without faith, it is impossible to please God…”
On the journey as a follower of Christ, have you ever felt tempted to throw in the towel and quit?
- LOOK BACK (cf. Heb. 10:32-35a). Looking back will remind you how faithful the Lord has been and will refresh your mind and heart to see how far He has brought you (cf. Ps. 77:11-12; Ps. 103:2; Ps. 143:5)
- LOOK FORWARD (cf. Heb. 10:35b-39). Looking forward keeps our minds on our future glory and strengthens our hearts to persevere in the present (cf. Rom. 8:18; 1 Cor. 9:24-25; Heb. 12:1-3)
“Don’t ring the bell!” “Don’t shrink back!” Live by FAITH and please the Lord.
It is important for us to not only know what genuine biblical faith is but also to be able to clearly articulate what it is to others (cf. 1 Pt. 3:15).
- Genuine biblical faith is the gift of God. It is not something we can conjure up inside ourselves (cf. Eph. 2:8)
Three aspects of genuine biblical faith:
1. The assurance of biblical faith (11:1)
- Living by faith is not just a feeling, wishfully hoping that what you believe is true
- Living by faith is living with a deep conviction, being sure and certain that what God says is true and right (e.g. Rom. 8:38-39)
Do your thoughts, words, and actions affirm that you have genuine saving faith? If so, rejoice and live by faith because we have a sure and steadfast anchor that stabilizes our souls amidst the storms of life. The promises of God, which are yes in Christ (cf. 2 Cor.1:20), are firm and secure and will hold us steady (cf. Heb. 6:19). If your thoughts, words, and actions don’t affirm saving faith, then why not?
2. The object of biblical faith (11:1,3)
- Living by faith is fully trusting in God and not in ourselves or anything else (cf. Isa. 26:3; Jer. 17:7-8; Ps. 20:7; Prov. 3:5-6)
- Two things we can be sure and certain of:
- What we hope for – things in the future that have not yet happened (cf. Rom. 8:24-25)
- What we do not see – things in the past we were not there to see, i.e. the creation of the world (cf. 11:3)
Who or what are you placing your faith in? If it is anything or anyone other than Christ, you cannot please God and you will be eternally disappointed. It's not about how much faith you have, what makes faith so powerful is the object of your faith (cf. Mt. 17:20). Biblical faith gets its assurance by focusing on its object – which is ultimately Christ (cf. Heb. 12:1-2).
3. The favour that comes from living by biblical faith (11:2)
- Living by faith will result in God being pleased with you (cf. Heb. 10:38; 11:6)
- Living by faith will result in receiving eternal commendation (salvation) rather than eternal condemnation (separation from God)
It is only by faith that anyone, in any time, can be considered righteous in the eyes of God (cf. Rom. 4:1-2; cf. Gen. 15:6). Faith is not exemplary good work that God rewards. It is simply the gift of God and the sole means by which we receive salvation through Jesus Christ. Have you received the gift of faith and are you living by it?
“My righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him” (Heb. 10:38).
Series Information
