Faith in Hard Times

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.  And what more shall I say?  I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets,  (Hebrews 11:31,32)

• John Wycliffe would be in my “Hall of Fame of Christian Heroes”.
•  Nothing was more important to him than getting the Bible and its message into the language and hearts of people.
•  In the second part of Hebrews 11 the writer continues to illustrate the importance of faith by referring to Old Testament characters.

1.  THOSE WHO ANTICIPATED GOD’S PROMISES (Hebrews 11:17-22)

•  Abraham’s submission.  (11:17-19)
•  Isaac’s perception (11:20)
•  Jacob’s anticipation (11:21)
•  Joseph’s conviction (11:22)

2.  MOSES AND THE BELIEVING MULTITUDE (Hebrews 11:23-29)

•  Faith conquers our fears (11:23)
•  Faith determines our options (11:24-26)
•  Faith sharpens our vision  (11:27)
•  Faith recognises our dependence  (11:28)
•  Faith overcomes our difficulties (11:29)

3.  LIFE IN THE LAND OF PROMISE  (Hebrews 11:30-32)

•  Undaunted faith (11:30)
•  Adventurous faith  (11:31)
•  Diversified faith  (11:32)

4.  UNKNOWN CONQUERORS AND SUFFICIENT STRENGTH  (Hebrews 11:33-40)

•  A faith which inspired heroism.  (11:33-35a)
•  A faith which encouraged fortitude.  (11:35b-38)
•  A faith which awaited fulfilment  (11:39-40)

Bible readings:  Exodus 2:1-10, Hebrews 11:17-40