By Faith: Ordinary People. Extraordinary Possibilities | Part 5: Faith That Finishes

Hebrews 11:33-40 (NLT)

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.

³⁵ Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. ³⁶ Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. ³⁷ Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated . . .

³⁹ All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. ⁴⁰ For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection (finish) without us.

FAITH THAT FINISHES — SURRENDERS ITS

Hebrews 11:39

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith.

FAITH ISN’T TRUSTING GOD TO — ACCOMPLISH MY AGENDA

FAITH IS TRUSTING GOD ENOUGH — TO SURRENDER TO GOD’S

FAITH THAT FINISHES — HANGS ON TO

Hebrews 11:40

God had planned something better…

Hebrews 11:39

…yet none of them received everything God had promised.

NOT BECAUSE GOD HAD FAILED —

BECAUSE GOD WASN’T FINISHED

FAITH THAT FINISHES — KEEPS ITS

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,

Hebrews 12:3 (NLT)

… then you won’t become weary and give up.

WHEN I FIX MY EYES ON JESUS —

JESUS FIXES MY EYES

ORDINARY PEOPLE
EXTRAORDINARY POSSIBILITIES