08/02/26 - Worship Guide: A Legacy of Faith

1. Yield

2. Speak to the Mountains

3. There's Nothing That Our God Can't Do

Message:A Legacy of Faith

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”  Hebrews 11:1-4 (ESV)

Faithfulness creates a legacy for future generations. 

FAITH IS CONCRETE, NOT ABSTRACT

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”                Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

FAITH LEADS TO BLESSING AND TO A GOOD WITNESS

“For by it the people of old received their commendation.” Hebrews 11:2 (ESV)

“trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”                Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) 

“For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.” 
1 Corinthians 3:19 (ESV)
 
 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all. 
   James 1:5 (ESV) 

FAITH LEADS TO ACTION, NOT JUST BELIEF

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”  Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)

“Is my faith active enough today that it will still be speaking tomorrow?”

MOVING FORWARD

Read: Hebrews 11:1-4

Faith Exercise: 

Along with the great and small names listed in Hebrews 11, I was reminded of the story in the bible about the woman with an issue “of” blood.  The bible states in Mark 5:25-34, “... when she heard “of” Jesus”.   The preposition “OF” caught my attention.   Two tiny letters used to “establish a connection, relationship, or point of reference”, and yet quite powerful.  I saw this as a “grain of mustard seed”.   The woman had been shunned for 12 years from the synagogue, relationships, and community; she was exiled and alone.  So how could her faith have grown?  Because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.   Somehow, she “heard of Jesus,” and hearing this gave her a tiny amount of faith, which drove her to action to go and find Jesus.  Those tiny words caused her to believe in her heart, “ ... If I can only touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed”.    

Live:  

Isolation leaves us all prey to the schemes and tactics of the enemy.  Insulate our minds with God’s word, lean in to hear “of” Jesus, learn “of” Jesus, hide God’s word in our heart.  Remember the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and the Word is Jesus.    Heart check – is there anything blocking our hearing?   Is our faith growing because we have decided to “hear”?  Are we taking our faith and moving to action?  As we know, faith without works, meaning that we did not do anything with the faith that we heard- well, it is dead.    When we hear “of” Jesus, when we hear “of” His promises, let us be moved to action to become more like Him.  

Pray:  

Father God, thank you for Hebrews 11 and the reminder of all those who have gone before us and the measure of faith that each of them had to do what you called them to do and the action they took.  Some of them never saw the fulfilment of the promise, but remained faithful even to death, yet still believing.   I pray today that we all will have open “ears” to hear what you are saying to us; growing our faith; and moving us to action.  When we hear “of” Jesus, let us rise and move with excitement and anticipation.   All glory and honor be to your name!