Faith is a widely misunderstood concept in our world. Many people think that faith is naive or foolish. We are told that faith is opposed to logic and reason; or that faith is for the weak of mind and spirit. But for Christians, faith is simply trust in the Word and Promise of the one true God.
Because His Word endures forever and is unbreakable, faith which relies on His Word rests on the firmest of foundations and brings: 1)ASSURANCE in every circumstance, 2)ENDURANCE in the face of trials, 3)DISCIPLINE that stands against our sinful nature and sanctifies us, and 4)UNSHAKEABLE PEACE, since our lives are in the hands of the living God, who loves us and is victorious over all of our enemies.
As we study Hebrews 11-13, we pray that God will help us to stand firm in this one true faith, in worship and in loving service in our church and our community.
Dear people of God, do you notice how I begin most every message that I preach. I begin with this greeting: Grace, Mercy and Peace be to you…it actually comes from the New Testament epistles, but it is also the custom of many preachers to use that greeting at the beginning of a sermon. We begin with the Peace of God. And we end too, with the Peace of God. The last words I say to you in today’s message;…
Grace, Mercy and Peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen These last few weeks we’ve been studying the book of Hebrews, and asking the question, “What does faith have to do with Faith?” And why are Christians everywhere called to to walk by faith, to live by faith? Two weeks ago, we learned that Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Faith clings to the unbreakable…
Grace, Mercy and Peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. — Dear people of Faith, Last week I posed this question to you: What does faith have to with Faith? Why is this the name that the people of God here at this congregation chose to be known by? And why is it a name that we, too ought to exemplify in our lives as God’s people? Last week we studied…
Grace, Mercy and Peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. — Well this is a special day. Last week I had the honor of being installed as your pastor. And today I have the privilege of proclaiming God’s Word to you for the very first time. Now I’m not a mystic, I’m not always looking for signs everywhere. But I find it interesting, maybe even providential, that the epistle texts in our lectionary…
