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Faith

   Hebrews 11:29-40 and 2:1-2

   Good News Translation (GNT)

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29  It was faith that made the Israelites able to
   cross the Red Sea as if on dry land; when the
   Egyptians tried to do it, the water swallowed
   them up.
30  It was faith that made the walls of Jericho
   fall down after the Israelites had marched
   around them for seven days.
31  It was faith that kept the prostitute Rahab from
   being killed with those who disobeyed God,
   for she gave the Israelite spies a friendly
   welcome.
32  Should I go on? There isn't enough time for
   me to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson,
   Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.
33  Through faith they fought whole countries
   and won. They did what was right and
   received what God had promised.
   They shut the mouths of lions,
34  put out fierce fires, escaped being killed
   by the sword. They were weak, but became
   strong; they were mighty in battle and
   defeated the armies of foreigners.
35  Through faith women received their dead
   relatives raised back to life. Others, refusing
   to accept freedom, died under torture in order
   to be raised to a better life.
36  Some were mocked and whipped, and others
   were put in chains and taken off to prison.
37  They were stoned, they were sawed in two,
   they were killed by the sword. They went
   around clothed in skins of sheep or goats -
   poor, persecuted, and mistreated.
38  The world was not good enough for them!
   They wandered like refugees in the deserts
   and hills, living in caves and holes in the
   ground.
39  What a record all of these have won by their
   faith! Yet they did not receive what God had
   promised,
40  because God had decided on an even better
   plan for us. His purpose was that only in
   company with us would they be made perfect.

   God Our Father
  1  As for us, we have this large crowd of
   witnesses around us. So then, let us rid
   ourselves of everything that gets in the way,
   and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly,
   and let us run with determination the race that
   lies before us.
  2  Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom
   our faith depends from beginning to end.
   He did not give up because of the cross!
   On the contrary, because of the joy that was
   waiting for him, he thought nothing of the
   disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now
   seated at the right side of God's throne.

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   Commentary taken from
   'The Applied New Testament Commentary'
   (Kingsway)

Faith

  Hebrews 11.29-40 and 12.1-2

When Pharaoh saw the firstborn of Egypt killed by the destroying angel, he decided to let the Israelites go. Then he changed his mind and sent the Egyptian army to capture them.

The Jews were afraid and began to rebuke Moses. But by faith Moses said to the Jews:
"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today"

Forty years after being delivered from Egypt, the Jews entered the promised land. First it was necessary to conquer the people who had been living there.

God told the Jewish leader, Joshua, how to capture the city. Joshua's faith in God surely must have been great.

Rahab had hidden the spies in her house. She knew through faith that the Jews would destroy Jericho. She gave help and thereby saved her own life.

The writer gives examples of some other Jewish leaders in the Old Testament, who through faith accomplished great works for God.

The two women whose sons were raised from the dead are mentioned in 1 and 2 Kings. Other men of faith refused to be released from death, because they didn't desire to be "resurrected" in this world, but preferred a better resurrection in heaven.

The Old Testament heroes who suffered severely, because of their faith, all remained firm to the end. In worldly men's eyes these heroes of faith were unworthy; but in God's eyes they were fully worthy to inherit the heavenly city of God.

None of these Old Testament heroes of faith received what had been promised - that is, the promise of a Saviour. However, these Old Testament men of faith will one day receive full salvation just as we will.

When Christ comes again, these Old Testament heroes, together with us who have believed in Christ, will be resurrected and receive eternal life.

Hebrews CHAPTER 12 v 1-2
Jesus the Supreme Example of Faith
These Old Testament heroes are here called witnesses, because through their lives they gave witness to their faith.

The life of a follower of Jesus is like a race. Before the race begins, runners take off all unnecessary clothing and fine clothes and jewellery. Such clothes will hinder the runner.

In the same way, there are many things in our Christian lives, which are not wrong in themselves, but which hinder us in our spiritual race. We all must examine ourselves to see if there are any such hindrances in our lives.

We must remember that what is a hindrance in one person's life may not be a hindrance in another's.

But sin, on the other hand, always slows everyone down. Small sins, if not thrown off, will grow large and soon entangle us.

Our Christian life, however, is different from a race. In a race only one runner wins. In our Christian lives, everyone who finishes the race gets the same prize - eternal life.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author (or pioneer) of our faith. He Himself is the supreme example of faith. He endured the cross, scorning its shame.

If we persevere in faith until the end, we too will be exalted with Jesus. We too will share in the joy that was set before Him. That work of faith which Jesus has started within us He will also bring to perfection.

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