The difference between being amazing and ordinary is having faith.
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Hebrews 11 Summary
Hebrews 11 is often famously referred to as the 'Hall of Faith,' as it catalogs many Old Testament heroes, demonstrating that they were not necessarily extraordinarily talented individuals, but rather that that they all had a very ordinary faith through which God used them to do amazing things.
None of the heroes mentioned in this chapter fully received the things they were promised in spite of their tremendous faith (v39). Because we've come to know Christ and His Word, we've received far more than anyone listed in this chapter, but we too continue to look forward to the day when our faith is made perfect (complete - v40).
Dig Deeper
Notice how many of these faith heroes are mentioned because they took a position that caused them to be at great odds with the society they lived in:
Noah's construction of a life saving ark was a condemnation of the world (v7).
Abraham could have easily contented himself with the riches and possessions he had, but he kept moving forward following God faithfully because he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God (v10).
Moses
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God (v24-25).
was not afraid of the anger of the king (v27).
Rahab the prostitute turned on her own people in order to obey God in faith.
Many faced unimaginable torture and death for not conforming themselves to their culture (v35-38).
All of these heroes shared the mindset described of Moses in v26:
They considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than ____________________, for they were looking to the reward.
As you are called to step out in faith and look far different than our rapidly declining society, what is it that you need to fill in that blank with?
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The one who formed the universe at His command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (v3).
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask that God will help you live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
