Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It’s a beautiful day that the Lord has made, and we gather here in His name, united in spirit, ready to receive the Word He has prepared for us today. We are here to immerse ourselves in the divine wisdom of the scriptures, to draw closer to our Creator, to learn, and to grow.

We turn our hearts and minds today to the book of Hebrews, chapter 11. This chapter, often referred to as the Hall of Faith, showcases the lives of those who lived by faith, who held fast to the promises of God, who trusted in His unfailing love and unwavering faithfulness. These are the saints who found favor with God, who lived out His rewards in their lives, and whose stories inspire us to do the same.

As we open the Word together, let’s read Hebrews 11 in its entirety. I invite you to follow along in your own Bibles or listen as I read aloud.

Fervent Faithfulness

Faith is a powerful force. It's the very essence of our relationship with God. It's the foundation upon which we build our lives as followers of Christ. But what does it mean to be fervently faithful? It means to be passionately committed, to be unwavering in our trust in God, to be steadfast in our belief in His promises.

Faithfulness requires discipline, dedication, and determination. It requires a willingness to surrender our own desires and plans to the will of God. It requires a heart that is fully committed to seeking God's kingdom first, above all else. But the rewards of such faithfulness are immeasurable. The peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from living a life of fervent faithfulness to God are beyond anything this world can offer.

Let's look at the lives of the saints in Hebrews 11. They were ordinary men and women, just like us, but they lived extraordinary lives of faith. They trusted in God's promises, even when they couldn't see the fulfillment of those promises. They persevered in the face of trials and tribulations, not because they were strong, but because their faith in God was strong. They were fervently faithful, and because of that, they found favor with God and experienced His rewards.

Abraham, for example, was called by God to leave his homeland and go to a place he did not know. He didn't question God's command. He didn't hesitate. He packed up his belongings, gathered his family, and set out on a journey to an unknown destination, simply because God told him to. That's fervent faithfulness. And because of his faithfulness, Abraham became the father of many nations, just as God had promised.

Then there's Moses, who chose to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. He looked to the reward that God had promised, and he led the Israelites out of slavery and into the Promised Land. That's fervent faithfulness. And because of his faithfulness, Moses experienced the power and presence of God in ways that few people ever have.

And let's not forget Rahab, a prostitute who hid the spies sent by Joshua and helped them escape. She believed in the God of Israel, even though she was a Canaanite. She risked her life to protect God's people, and because of her faithfulness, she and her family were spared when Jericho was destroyed. That's fervent faithfulness. And because of her faithfulness, Rahab became part of the lineage of Christ.

Finding Favor with God

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