Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. As we gather here today, in the warm embrace of our sanctuary, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a profound revelation. A revelation that is not only about the pages of the Holy Bible, but one that is about ourselves, our faith, and our commitment to the path of righteousness.

We are about to embark on a voyage through the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, specifically verse 13:

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth."

There is a remarkable depth and richness in these words, a depth that invites us to reflect, to question, and to grow. It is the essence of our faith, the cornerstone of our belief, and the beacon that guides us in the darkest of times.

As we ponder on this verse, we are reminded of the powerful words of the esteemed Christian author, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened." Isn't that a beautiful image? Faith ascending the steps built by love, peering through the windows opened by hope. This, dear friends, is what we are called to do. We are called to build our belief, to become bold in our faith, and to behave as believers.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the opportunity to gather in Your name, and for the gift of Your Word. As we reflect on the words of Hebrews 11:13, we ask that You guide us, inspire us, and strengthen our faith. Help us to build our belief, to become bold in our faith, and to behave as believers. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Building Belief

Building Belief

As we reflect on the verse from Hebrews, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of faith. Faith, as we know, is not something that we are simply born with. It is not a gift that is handed to us, fully formed and ready to use. Instead, it is something that we must cultivate, nurture, and grow. It is a seed that is planted within us, and it is our responsibility to ensure that it grows into a strong, sturdy tree.

This process of growth is not always easy: There will be times when we may feel lost or uncertain, times when our faith may waver or falter. But it is in these moments that we must remember the words of Hebrews 11:13. We must remember that faith is not about receiving the things promised, but about seeing them from a distance and welcoming them with open arms.

Belief: When we think about faith, we often think about it in terms of belief. We believe in God, we believe in His promises, and we believe in His plan for us. But belief is not something that comes easily. It is not something that we can simply decide to have. It requires effort, dedication, and commitment.

Metaphor: Belief is like a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger it gets. The more we exercise it, the more resilient it becomes. And just like a muscle, belief needs to be challenged in order to grow. It needs to be stretched, pushed, and tested. This is where the second aspect of our reflection comes into play.

The challenges that we face in life: They’re not obstacles to our faith, but opportunities for growth. They are not roadblocks, but stepping stones. They are not meant to discourage us, but to strengthen us. When we face challenges, we are given the chance to exercise our belief, to test our faith, and to grow stronger in our commitment to God. This is not to say that challenges are easy. They are often difficult, painful, and overwhelming. But it is through these challenges that we learn to trust in God, to rely on Him, and to believe in His promises.

Trust: This is an integral part of belief. Without trust, belief is empty and meaningless. Trust is what gives substance to our faith, what gives depth to our belief. It is what allows us to see the promises of God from a distance and to welcome them with open arms. But trust, like belief, is not something that comes easily. It is not something that we can simply decide to have. It requires effort, dedication, and commitment. It requires us to let go of our fears, our doubts, and our insecurities. It requires us to surrender ourselves completely to God, to put our faith in Him, and to trust in His plan for us.

Surrender: This is perhaps the most difficult part of belief. It is not easy to let go of our control, to relinquish our power, and to submit ourselves to the will of God. But it is only through surrender that we can truly believe. It is only through surrender that we can truly trust. And it is only through surrender that we can truly grow in our faith.

Becoming Bold in Faith

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