Sunday, October 2, 2011
Led by Eric Gintert
"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith." Luke 17:5
Hebrews
11:1 - 12:13... This week we discussed the meaning of faith and the
cloud of witnesses before us who set an example of faith for us. We
learned that it takes faith to know and understand that God is the
creator of all. We also went through each of the people from Hebrews
11 and their acts of faith toward God:
- Abel - Cain brought his gift before God first, and then Abel brought his gift. Abel's gift was accepted because he gave with his heart in faith. Cain's gift was rejected because he was only trying to do good works without faith. Read Genesis 4:3-5
- Enoch - By faith, Enoch was translated (or changed/transformed) because he pleased God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. To believe means to trust and follow (it isn't just words, but actions). If you truly believe in God you will diligently seek Him. Read Genesis 5:23-24
- Abraham
- Abraham had faith to follow God to an unknown place. God just said
"Go" and he went. He was looking for a city whose builder was God... he
had his eyes set upon the Lord. Also, when God told him to place his son
on the altar for a sacrifice, he obeyed and had faith and showed God
that he trusted Him even with his most precious son. Read Genesis 12:1 and Genesis 22:1-13
- Sara - When her womb was barren and she was past child
bearing age, Sara had faith when she was told that she would have a
child because she judged God faithful who had given her a promise. This
did not mean that she didn't waver in her faith... she gave her
handmaiden to her husband because she didn't see things happen in her
timing. Read Genesis 17:15-19
- Isaac - By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, prophesying of things to come which he had not seen yet. Read Genesis 27:26-40
- Jacob - Jacob blessed both of the sons of Joseph (not just the first born, but both) knowing by faith that both would become great people in the future. Read Genesis 48
- Joseph - On his deathbed, by faith, Joseph prophesied to his brethren that God would one day bring them out of Egypt. Read Genesis 50:24
- Moses - By faith,
Moses' parents hid him for 3 months being unafraid of the kings
commandment to kill all the baby boys. Moses, also by faith, choose not
to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter but rather to be named among
those being persecuted and rejected for God's name. By faith forsaking
Egypt, keeping the passover, and passing through the Red Sea with no
fear of man or king. Read Exodus 2:1-2, 11
- Walls of Jericho - By faith the impossible happened
when the walls of Jericho fell down do to the people's trust in God's
commandment. Read Joshua 6
- Rahab - Rahab hid the spies who came into the land and had faith that she would be protected when they came back to destroy. Read Joshua 2
- And many more which were not recorded: Gideon, Barak (not Obama ;-D ), Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and the prophets
The promise that all these above did not receive was Jesus, but they were looking forward to Him.
We need to run with patience the race that is set before us, being wise as serpents and gentle as doves (See Matthew 10:16).
Children's Lesson: "Jesus is Born"
Read Luke 5:7
Questions to Answer:
1. What building was so full of people that there was no room for Mary and Joseph?
2. Where did Mary and Joseph stay in Bethlehem?
3. What did Mary and Joseph name the baby?
4. Where did Mary lay baby Jesus?
5. Who is God's Son?
Bible Verse:
"He loved us, and sent his Son." 1 John 4:10
Prayer Requests
Vicky S. - cold
PAETEC employees losing their jobs
Nick L. - drove a car for first time after mowing accident
Our Assembly - wisdom and understanding if we should expand out internet capabilities
Del M. - job
Ed G. - surgery on October 14
Pastor Youcef - in prison in Iran for his Christian faith and will possibly be executed soon
Comments