Living By Faith: A Journey Of Hope Series

"Living by Faith: A Journey of Hope"

Introduction:

Today, we embark on a journey through the pages of Scripture, delving into the beautiful themes of faith, hope, and perseverance. Our foundation will be found in 1 Peter 1 and Hebrews 11 from the New Living Translation.

Point 1: A Living Hope

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT) - "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation."

Illustration:

- Imagine a ship sailing through a stormy sea. In the midst of turmoil, the captain and crew remain anchored in the hope of reaching a safe harbour. Similarly, as Christians, we have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope sustains us amid life's storms.

Point 2: The Hall of Faith

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 (NLT) - "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

Illustration:

- Think of faith as the unseen bridge that connects our hopes and God's promises. Hebrews 11, often called the "Hall of Faith," showcases individuals like Abraham, Moses, and Noah, who lived by faith, believing in the promises of God even when circumstances seemed impossible.

Point 3: Faith in Action

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) - "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."

Illustration:

- Consider a child taking their first steps. In those wobbly moments, they trust their parents to catch them if they fall. Likewise, faith involves trusting in God's existence and His willingness to reward those who seek Him diligently.

Point 4: Navigating Life's Challenges

Scripture: Hebrews 11:33-34 (NLT) - "By faith, these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword."

Illustration:

- Think of Daniel in the lion's den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. These biblical accounts illustrate that faith empowers us to face life's fiercest challenges with courage, knowing that God is with us.

Conclusion:

In 1 Peter 1, we find the assurance of a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11 takes us on a journey through the lives of faithful men and women who lived with unwavering trust in God. Let us remember that faith is the bridge between our hopes and God's promises. As we navigate life's challenges, may our faith be our anchor, and may we live by faith with great expectation.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the living hope we have through the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to walk in faith, trusting in Your promises and seeking You diligently. May our lives be a testimony of unwavering faith in the face of challenges. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.