Heroes of Faith 

Sunday Worship on 21st July 2024 was led by the Ladies Fellowship

Hebrews Chapter 11 and 12 resonate with examples of people who exercised faith in God: their actions were governed by the truths they received.  Promises were held on to even if the fulfilment was not immediately evident. We may well regard them as heroes!  

The heroes  '… conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,  quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again... ' (Hebrews 11:32-35 NIV)

Using this passage we were reminded of five groups of Biblical heroes:

• Daniel;  who 'shut the mouths of lions'

• Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego; who 'quenched the fury of the flames'   

• Gideon and his warriors;  who 'routed foreign armies' 

• The Widow of Zarephath and Elijah;  who 'received back their dead, raised to life again'

• Sampson;  whose 'weakness was turned to strength'

The examples were applied to us in the words of Hebrews chapter 12: 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.'  (NIV)