Faith Icons (Part 1 of 6)

FAITH ICONS (Part 1 of 6)
Hebrews 11
vv. 1-2: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”

Kids love to emulate (EM-u-late)—meaning to copy—people they admire. Those who love to read, absorb themselves into adventure stories, imaging they are the hero, or heroine.

God has His heroes, too. They are His kids who grew into people of great faith. The author of the book Hebrews, possibly Apollos1 or Barnabas2, around 70 A.D., listed God’s heroes in Chapter 11.

1Apollos is a Christian from Alexandria who learned Scripture from Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28). He ministered at Corinth (Acts 19:1; see also 1Corinthians 1:12, 3:3-8, and Titus 3:13).

2Barnabas is a disciple, originally called Joseph (Acts 4:36). He was also a prophet (Acts 13:1), and apostle (Acts 14:14). He brought Paul before the apostles (Acts 9:27), and accompanied him to Antioch (Acts 11:22-29), (Galatians 2:1-13), and on the first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). Together at the Jerusalem Council, they parted company over John Mark (Acts 15:37-39). They were co-workers in 1Corinthians 9:6 and Colossians 4:10.

Details of martyred Christians, because of their faith, can be found in texts other than the Holy Bible, such as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. But Hebrews 11:35-36 tells about death by torture to people referred to as “others”. Verse 38 pays them tribute by saying, “the world was not worthy of them.” Each one died courageously for their faith in Jesus.

While most of us are not tested to this extreme, Christians are still persecuted throughout the world. Religious freedom is a rare blessing, and it’s never free. Paul had a tremendous attitude about being persecuted for his faith in Jesus. In Acts 20:22-24 he said, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

This series will outline the faith heroes of Hebrews 11. I call them icons, because they’re symbols, representing those whose faith we can emulate today.

Take Home Nugget

Would you boldly claim Jesus Christ as your Messiah, Lord, and King?

DEDICATED TO ACTIVE AND VETERN SOLDIERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. MAY THE LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU.

J.D. Griffith

When pressures mount because we walk
The path of truth and right,
We can rejoice to know that we
Are pleasing in God’s sight.

D. De Haan

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