Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I warmly welcome you all to this blessed gathering, where we come together as one family, united by our faith, to seek wisdom and understanding from the Word of God. Today, we are going to open our hearts and minds to a passage from the book of Hebrews, a passage that speaks to the very core of our Christian journey.

Our Scripture for today comes from Hebrews 10:19-39. It reads:

[Read passage]

This passage presents us with three powerful points to ponder: holding fast to our faith, harnessing hope in hardship, and honoring God through perseverance. In these trying times, these three points are more relevant than ever. They are the pillars that uphold our Christian life, the guideposts that lead us through the storms of life.

In the words of Alan Redpath, "Reverent fear of God is the key to faithfulness in any situation." This is what our passage is reminding us today. We are called to be faithful, to hold on to our faith, to keep going, no matter what.

It is not always easy, my dear friends. We are often faced with trials and tribulations that test our faith, that challenge our hope, that demand our perseverance. But remember, we are not alone in our struggles. We have a great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who has opened a new and living way for us, who is always there to guide us, to strengthen us, to comfort us.

Holding Fast to our Faith

As we immerse ourselves in the profound wisdom of the Scripture, we find a recurring theme that resonates with our daily lives. It's a theme that echoes in every corner of our existence, a theme that is as old as humanity itself, yet as fresh as the morning dew. It's the theme of faith - a steadfast faith that remains unshaken in the face of trials and tribulations, a faith that is not swayed by the winds of change, a faith that is anchored in the rock-solid foundation of God's Word.

Questions: What does it mean to hold fast to our faith? How does it relate to our daily lives? How does it shape our relationship with God and with others? These are the questions we will try to answer as we delve deeper into the Scripture.

What faith is: Faith is not just a belief in something; it's a deep-seated conviction, a firm trust in God's promises. It's a confidence that God will do what He said He would do, even when everything around us seems to suggest otherwise. It's a certainty that God is who He says He is, even when our circumstances try to tell us otherwise.

Not a static state: It's a dynamic process. It's not something we possess once and for all; it's something we grow in day by day. It's not something we achieve; it's something we receive, something we nurture, something we cultivate. It's like a seed that needs to be watered and tended to grow into a strong, fruitful tree.

Clinging to our faith, no matter what: It means not letting go of our faith, even when the storms of life are raging around us. It means keeping our faith alive, even when everything else seems to be dying. It means standing firm in our faith, even when the ground beneath us is shaking.

More questions: How do we hold fast to our faith? How do we keep our faith alive in the midst of trials and tribulations? How do we stand firm in our faith when everything else is shaking?

Not a feeling, a choice: It's a decision we make every day, every moment. It's a commitment we renew every time we face a challenge, every time we encounter a difficulty. It's a resolve we reinforce every time we choose to trust God, every time we choose to rely on His promises, every time we choose to follow His guidance.

Not a solitary endeavor, a communal journey: It's a journey we undertake together, as a community of believers. It's a journey we share with others, as we encourage each other, as we support each other, as we pray for each other. It's a journey we embark on with God, as we seek His presence, as we seek His wisdom, as we seek His strength.

Not a passive state, an active pursuit: It's a pursuit we engage in every day, as we read the Scripture, as we pray, as we worship. It's a pursuit we commit to every moment, as we seek to know God, as we seek to love God, as we seek to serve God. It's a pursuit we dedicate ourselves to, as we strive to live a life that reflects God's love, that reflects God's grace, that reflects God's glory.

Not a burden, a blessing: It's a blessing we receive from God, as we trust in His promises, as we rely on His provision, as we rest in His presence. It's a blessing we share with others, as we testify of God's goodness, as we testify of God's faithfulness, as we testify of God's love. It's a blessing we celebrate, as we rejoice in God's salvation, as we rejoice in God's redemption, as we rejoice in God's restoration.

Harnessing Hope in Hardship

The writer of Hebrews, in the passage we are reflecting on, speaks to us about the importance of hope, especially in times of hardship ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO