They main verse in Luke 5 is verse 26.

Even though Peter’s plea, and his repentant heart, and his example to us in verse 8 is central to coming before God, Luke 5:26 is more important.

And even though the miracle in verse 25 reveals the deity of Jesus, verse 26 is more important.

And even though Jesus saying He came to earth not for those who think they are spiritual, but for those who know they are not (verse 32), verse 26 is more important.

Why?

Because glorifying God is the most important thing, and the highest joy we can have.

But why?

Because Jesus came to earth to reconcile man to God. He came to humble himself, and make a way for God to be reconciled to sinners. Jesus came to point everyone to God. So, in verse 26, when they glorify God, Jesus is accomplishing what a He set out to do.

There’s a lesson here… A lot of things are spiritually important and a lot of things bring spiritual joy, but the greatest is seeking to glorify God.

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

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Ah, this is good and encouraging

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Rahab the prostitute is listed amongst the great people of faith in Hebrews 11.

She says something extraordinary in Joshua 2:8-11. She says she knows God. Look at the end of Joshua 2:11. Oh! My!

In the wrenching passage in Romans 1:18-32 about the terrible layers of sinfulness of those who reject God, Paul says they same thing. They know God. They, like Rahab, know not only his existence, but his nature of being holy and sovereign over all mankind. Paul says it twice. They know God.

We think too often that those who are not saved do not know God and His ways. Rahab and Paul disagree.

This is really good news. It’s not our job to start from scratch to convince the unsaved that they are fallen. God has already done that work (and he does it regularly). Our job is to remind them of what they already know. Every unbeliever has sensitivities to their flaws, mistakes, and the shame and regret they live with.

When we want to reach an unbeliever start with what they already know. They want good news about how difficult it is to be human.

 

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Short and helpful

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In Hebrews 11 the word commend shows up five times. It is one the words from which we are to understand the chapter. We should pay close attention to it.

We all like to be commended. It’s a compliment, a pleasure. It speaks to our character. It does our hearts good.

The chapter is about faith. God commends faith. That might seem obvious. It might even seem small. It is not.

Like Jesus (Matthew 8:10, 9:2, 9:22, 9:29, 15:28, 21:21), God is looking for people with faith that that trusts Him no matter what, and looks to Him no matter how desirable the world looks and sounds.

 

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This is a big deal

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Hebrews 11 starts with a truth, but it is not a complete truth.

The truth is that faith is the assurance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). But that is not a complete or full truth. If we hope for world peace and the eradication of cancer before sunset, we will miss the point.

What is the hope being referred to then? The chapter tells us. God, no matter the circumstances, will move all things forward to according to His will, namely that He is at work in the world and in our lives and we can trust that our obedience is the right response to our hope.

This is a deep truth. And we need deep truths. Life can be a like a rollercoaster in complete darkness. Things in the world and in our lives are moving fast, and we don’t know where it is all headed. The deep truth is that the world has always been in God’s hands. That is where our hope and trust and faith should always be.

 

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There is value in this

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“By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.”

Imagine you’ve seen and experienced all ten plaques in Egypt. Imagine you’re convinced God is at work and liberation from slavery is near.

Then imagine you stand before the Red Sea and the deadly, angry Egyptian army is behind you. Them imagine, “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”

And then imagine you are one of these people, “The people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Faith is trusting God that He will command the walls of water to remain walls of water. Faith, in this situation, is clearly trusting God to do what only God can do.

It’s good to think about faith. And it is good to think about and examine our own faith. Much of life is hard. And much of life is being aware of our shortcomings. And both of those are a lot to bear.

Trust God. Chose to believe that God has your best in mind. Decide you are going to trust God even when things look grim and you feel small and hopeless. The circumstances of life are meant (are sent!) to turn on our eyes and hearts towards God.

Live by faith. Walk with God. Choose to trust Him wherever he leads you and whatever he brings your way. He knows what he is doing.

 

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This is helpful

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You might think Hebrews 11 ends oddly.

When Scripture was written there were no chapter breaks or verse numbers.

Hebrews 11 actually ends at Hebrews 12:2. Jesus is the conclusion and fulfillment of Hebrews 11.

Don’t miss the implication of this. The great people of Hebrews 11, people we should definitely admire, are secondary to Jesus. 

Little Historical Footnote: Some Old Testament chapter and verses were added as early as the 4th century, but the latin Old Testament with chapter and verses, as we know them today, begun in the 1200’s. The greek New Testament was done in the 1500’s. The first English translation of the Latin Bible, with chapters and verses, was done in 1382.

 

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9 Mythes about hell

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The list of people in Hebrews 11 is impressive. Their faith and the strength of their faith is an encouragement.

Take Moses for example. Twice it says he chose hardship over the easy life (verse 25, “mistreated” & verse 26 “reproach”).

He chose God, by faith, rather then “enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” That phrase alone is mature. To see sin as fleeting is healthy. 

He believed, by faith, that bearing “the reproach of Christ [was] greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.”  Egypt had lots of treasure. To Moses, Jesus was greater than extravagant, over-the-top wealth, never-ending. Wow!

There’s a lot there to think about. And there’s a lot there to mature into.

 

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Unexpected and unfortunate, but understandable and maybe wise

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Good men, were reading Hebrews 11 this month!

It’s one of the treasures of the Bible. And it is one of the rare chapters in the Bible for content and emphasis. For many it is one of the most beautiful chapters in the Bible.

The more you read it, the more you’ll see.

It’s about people and their faith. How they lived by faith. How they trusted God. How they stood strong. And how they were rewarded.

Please give it a read through. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you’ll read it once a day, it’ll surely increase your maturity.

 

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This is difficult, but wise

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You have probably noticed that the word “see” shows up throughout John 9. Nine times in fact.

We are not so good sometimes at seeing spiritual things. From pride to distraction, we can miss the very things God wants us to know and do and feel.

On the upside, it is God who initiates and always re-initiates the work of opening our eyes. Trust this. Believe this. Even when we are stubborn or dull or clueless, God is at work.

Trust that what we do see, even thinly today, God was behind opening our eyes. And He is at work today.

Wanna see more? The Pharisees were not humble. That’s what causes blindness to spiritual things. They thought they were awfully wise and savvy and experienced. The path to seeing more is admit we are human and blind and we need God to open our eyes (ee verses 40 and 41).

 

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Things we have no say in

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In the argument between the man born blind and the Pharisees, a picture is painted to Jesus. The blind man paints it.

Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. John 9:30-33

Can you see the picture? He describes Jesus in his own way, from his own experience and knowledge. He describes the miracle he received, that Jesus is not a sinner, that God listens to people like Jesus, and that if Jesus was not from God, He could do nothing.

If we think about it we too could give a picture of Jesus; what we know of Him by knowledge and experience.

That’s something to think about. Seriously. Don’t make it long or complicated. No need to write it out. Mentally list your picture of Jesus. Let your picture sweetly sink into your thinking and emotions.

 

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The problem of evil

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