- Men's Breakfast tomorrow at 8:00am come join us!
- Presbyterian Women will meet Tuesday at 9:45 AM
- Kids for Christ our afterschool program for children in K-5 will resume Tuesday September 8. The church van picks the children up from school at 3:30 and we are done at 5:00.
- Our Wednesday evening Presbyterian Youth Fellowship will resume September 9th, we will meet from 6-7:30 dinner will be provided.
- The Presbyterian Women's study guides are now available in the church narthex. Please pick up the one with your name on it.
- Presbyterian Women's Hill Country Fall Gathering will be held at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, Saturday September 12, from 9:00 to to 2:00. RSVP to Kathy McNeil 830-997-2376.
Scripture
Hebrews 11:1-16 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [2] For by it the people of old received their commendation. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
[4] By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. [5] By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. [6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [7] By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
[8] By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. [10] For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. [11] By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. [12] Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
[13] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. [14] For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. [15] If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Questions for Reflection
- What do you consider the greatest example of faith you have ever seen? Why?
- What role does faith play in approaching and pleasing God? (11:6)
- How does faith change a person’s focus and perspective? (11:13-16)
- What prompts committed followers of Christ to continue to exercise faith even when He never seems to “come through” for them?
- Why do you think the author said that “the world was not worthy of” the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11?
- How do you think the individuals praised in Hebrews 11 were looked upon by those of their day?
- Why do you think God sometimes leaves us in the dark about His will?
- What are some examples from your life of both trusting God and doubting Him?
