Decision Time

Scott Risley

Hebrews 12:14-29

We can learn two lessons from the Old Testament story of Jacob and Esau. Lesson one: no amount of temporary pain is worth trading away God's Will for our lives. Esau's decision led him to miss the opportunity to play a key role in God's plan. Lesson two: some choices produce irreversible consequences; Esau's choice did. When we face trials in our lives, we are called to make a decision. Will we give in to temporary pleasures that are distancing us from God, and consequently, miss out on God's plan? Or will we draw near to God in the midst of our pain, and choose to trust that our decisions for God in this life will reap eternal rewards?

Running the Race

Conrad Hilario

Colossians 1:28-29

God has given each Christian a unique role in His plan to reach those who do not know Him, and the author of Hebrews compares this plan to an individual endurance race that each person is running. While the race might be tiring and difficult, Christians are to resist the temptation to quit by fixing their eyes on Jesus, the forerunner who empathizes with Christians in their suffering. During this race, God disciplines Christians to refine their character and prove His love for them, and we can experience the benefits of God's discipline if we are willing to submit to it.

Moses' Faith

Conrad Hilario

Psalms 77:16-20

Moses was an Old Testament figure who demonstrated Biblical faith [Hebrews 11.1] throughout his whole life. Moses' parents valued God's approval rather than the approval of others, and Moses demonstrated the same faith by fearing God rather than Pharaoh during his time as leader of the Israelites. Moses also placed his trust in God when he led the Israelites through the Red Sea, an impossible situation to overcome if it were not for God's power.

The Patriarchs

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 37:3-45:11

Joseph was a man whose life was characterized by both immense success and intense suffering. Despite the constantly changing circumstances of his life, he maintained his faith in God and adopted a godly perspective on his trials. Joseph's story serves as an example of how God can redeem even the worst circumstances to His glory and our benefit.

Abraham's Faith

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 22:1-19

Abraham was an Old Testament figure who demonstrated biblical faith [Hebrews 11.1] throughout his whole life. He was called by God to leave his homeland to go to a distant country, he waited on God to fulfill His promise of a son, and he trusted in God enough to voluntarily sacrifice that same son to Him. Throughout all of these circumstances, Abraham clung to what was unseen, and his perseverance and trust in God influenced the course of human history as a result.

Living Faith From Ancient Lives

Dennis McCallum

Genesis 6:11-14

Chapter 11 began by describing what faith is: confidence in what is yet to come. Now the author dives into examples of men and women of the Old Testament who acted in obedience in this type of faith. He begins his list of faithful people with Abel, Enoch and Noah. All of them obeyed God in faith even though they did not have any firm assurance and proof of what God asked of them. In the end, their faithful obedience was rewarded with righteousness and a relationship with God.

What Is Faith?

Dennis McCallum

John 20:27-29

Chapter 11 begins by describing faith as having confidence in what is yet to come. The Bible's definition of faith differs from today's culture, where faith is more like a feeling or wishful thinking. The passage continues to describe what believers have faith in, one of those being how God created the world by his command. The Biblical perspective of the universe's origin is then contrasted to modern beliefs of the world's starting point. Lastly, we look at why God has faith in a high priority and that faith is the only requirement needed to connect and start a relationship with God.

The Danger of Saying "No" to God

Chris Hearty

Exodus 17:1-7

Jesus is superior to Moses because of His deity and position as God's son, and the author of Hebrews exhorts his audience to hold firmly to the grace that Jesus offers instead of Old Testament rituals. He also warns believers of the dangers of a hardened heart through the example of the Israelites' refusal to enter the Promised Land. It is never too late to return to God and experience His grace.

Leading and Following God's Way

Ryan Lowery

1 Peter 5:1-7

God uses delegated human leaders to serve Christian communities. Though no person is completely adequate for leadership, there are Biblical principles to help those chosen for the job. Scripture says that: 1) we aren't meant to lead alone; 2) God's leadership is different than the world's leadership; 3) spiritual leadership is primarily through example; and 4) spiritual leadership is a good investment. Ultimately, both leaders and those who follow them are called to have humility and trust in God.