Introduction
A. Why do Christians give up their faith?
B. What are we discouraged by?
C. Have we forgotten JESUS?
What is our Purpose?
Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
What are your desires?
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith
Heb 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
As Christians, we are running the Christian Race and we must have…
A. STRATEGY 1Co 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
B. EXCELLENCE 1Co 9:25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
C. FOCUS 1Co 9:26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
D. ENDURANCE 1Co 9:27But I keep under my body, and bring into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The Faith of Godly People
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Why are they such great encouragers?
A. DESIRE - to please God. Heb 11:6. What is your desire?
B. FAITH - on substance of things hope for and evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1.
C. ENDURANCE - in times of trials and testing (discipline).
D. PROMISE - faith in spite of not seeing the promise. Heb 11:13, 39-40.
Questions:
A. How have they diligently seek God?
B. What they need to overcome?
C. What were their rewards?
Examples:
A. Noah – built an ark. (Heb 11:7)
Seek - Built the ark which saved his family, preach salvation.
Overcome - Not seeing (invisible), ridicules and disbelief.
Reward - Saved from the flood; righteousness.
B. Abraham – left his home. (Heb 11:8-10)
Seek - Went out of his home town to a foreign land and lived in tents.
Overcome - Discomfort, dangers and discouragements.
Reward - Started the journey of faith but did not received the land but is in paradise now.
C. Moses – left the palace. (Heb 11:24-27)
Seek - Chose to serve his people and left the palace.
Overcome - Gave up status, wealth. Suffering, reproach, fear of the king.
Reward - Faithful, eternal reward.
Summary
A. Purpose/ Desire/ Faith
B. Encouragements - Faithful people in the Bible
Questions
A . What do your seek?
B. What you need to overcome?
C. What are your rewards?