Many of the stories that the author of Hebrews (and it most likely, almost certainly, wasn't Paul) uses here are stories where action was the result of faith. In a very concise and nutshell version of the sermon, our faith requires action. Believing and not acting out upon and in that faith accomplishes very little (generally).
I compare this message in Hebrews and the message found in the Letter from James. Though Hebrews wasn't written by Paul, I do believe it was composed by a follower/disciple of Paul. And as such, I contrast the general misunderstanding of James and Paul's conflict on faith and works. Though they certainly bunted heads on other issues, I really don't think there was a chasm between them on this issue.
Take a listen to the video, it wasn't a long sermon even though it was perhaps a little longer than most Thursday night messages. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the message.
I'm a bit behind with the blog as Gail and I took a couple of days last week and went up to Minnesota for the "Minnesota Blue Grass Festival". The Festival is out in the country near Richmond, MN and we spent two days there enjoying the music and festivities. We had planned to then spend one day at the "Minnesota Irish Festival" in St. Paul, but, that day it decided to rain... pour actually. So we decided to just bounce around and see what else we could find in that area to see or do. It was a great trip but of course, we are happy to be home and back into our regular routine.
With that I need to run, please have a very blessed week and remember to...
Be a blessing to someone today!
In His Love & Grace,
Roy
Hebrews 11:29-12:2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Faith of Other Israelite Heroes
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient,[a] because she had received the spies in peace.
32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two,[b] they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.
The Example of Jesus
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,[c] and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of[d] the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Footnotes:
a) Hebrews 11:31 Or unbelieving
b) Hebrews 11:37 Other ancient authorities add they were tempted
c) Hebrews 12:1 Other ancient authorities read sin that easily distracts
d) Hebrews 12:2 Or who instead of
James 2:14-26 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Faith without Works Is Dead
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters,[a] if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
Footnotes:
a) James 2:14 Gk brothers
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