Faith Is the Assurance of Things Hoped for

In one paragraph

Ray closed out the Hebrews series by reading through chapter 11, the well-known "hall of faith," and letting the chapter frame what faith actually is and how it unites believers across all of history. The sermon was structured around the opening and closing verses of the chapter, which Ray called the bread of the sandwich, with the middle section saved for the following week. Communion followed,...

Read together

1. Romans 15:13 quoted during Advent candle lighting as a benediction on hope
2. Hebrews 10:36-39 closing verses of chapter 10 used as jumping-off point: call to endurance, the righteous shall live by faith, we are not of those who shrink back
3. Habakkuk 2:3-4 identified as the Old Testament source for the righteous shall live by faith, quoted about the vision tarrying but certainly coming
4. Hebrews 11:1-40 read aloud in full as the main text, defining faith and listing the ancients who gained approval through it
5. Romans 14:22-23 cited twice: faith as personal conviction before God, and whatever is not from faith is sin
6. James 4:13-15 quoted on not knowing what tomorrow holds and saying if the Lord wills
7. James 4:17 to know to do the right thing and not do it is sin
8. Ephesians 2:8-9 cited to show salvation is by grace through faith, not works, so no one can boast
9. Romans 1:16-17 used as benediction: not ashamed of the gospel, righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, the righteous shall live by faith

Talk about it

1. Ray described hope in the Bible as 'an absolute certainty that has not yet come to pass' rather than a wish that might or might not happen. How does that definition change the way you think about the things you are currently hoping for?
2. Ray pointed out that Abraham laughed when God told him Sarah would conceive, just as Sarah did, but we tend to only remember Sarah's laughter. Why do you think we remember one and forget the other, and what does that say about how we read the stories of people in the Bible?
3. Looking at the list of people in Hebrews 11, Ray noted that none of them were perfect and some were included seemingly to make that point clear. Which of those figures do you find most surprising to see on the list, and what does their inclusion say to you about what God looks for in a person?
4. Ray read from Romans 14 that 'whatever is not done from faith is sin,' and said that everything we do needs to be done out of conviction before God. What is one area of your life where you are acting out of habit or pressure rather than out of that kind of conviction?
5. Ray said that God's apparent delay in fulfilling His promises is actually good for us, and that the people in Hebrews 11 did not receive what was promised because 'apart from us they would not be made perfect.' What does it mean to you personally that you are part of why God has waited, and how does that shape the way you think about your role in spreading the gospel?