Hebrews 11:1-40

"Holy Father, in whom all faith is safe, I cannot imagine what it would be like to be asked to do what you asked Abraham to do. He was willing to..."

Once we grasp the robust definition of faith, we understand why active faith is so important to us! Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins remind us what genuine faith looks like using the examples of the people in Hebrews 11 and the definition of faith the Holy Spirit gives us in this chapter and the three principles that make faith real.

"Dear Father, trustworthy God, You alone are worthy of faith, for you alone have the power to keep promises. Increase my faith, Lord. May I have the....."

What are you searching for? Our true home is in heaven, it is our homeland to which we are journeying.

Do you notice the folks around you who are the true heroes? Phil Ware shares about two people passing from life and how their quiet lives of service were essential to the work of God's Kingdom.

Where are you from? They had a heavenly accent. They spoke in such a way that everybody knew they were on a journey, one that would end in heaven. They knew, as the old hymn says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through." They were on their way to the city God

How can change be a constant that ties us to the past and gives us hope for the future? Change is a constant so how we deal with it is crucial and is part of our heritage as God's people.

Why is it so easy to look backward instead of forward? Tom Norvell talks openly with the Lord about how hard it is to look forward and not backward and push on to the Lord's horizon.

Are you a giant or a burden? We stand on the shoulders of giants and have the blessinmgs we have because of their sacrifices.

"It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow,..."

"[Moses] thought that being insulted for Christ would be better than having the treasures of Egypt. He was looking ahead to his reward. Faith led Moses..."

Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:39-40 -- These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with usa would they be made perfect.

Believing in God's faithfulness can be hard in difficult seasons and during those times, we need to look to Jesus for help and say, 'Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.' Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word about committing to believe even when our challenges are difficult and life is hard, along with a closing blessing for worship from home with

Have you found home? Tom Norvel writes about his daughter moving and how his heart is still in a quest for home and that after she settles in to this place, he hopes she still continues her quest for home.

In a world swirling with heavy clouds and looming headlines, we mothers hold a massive opportunity! Melissa Troyer looks at everyday life, her children, and the horrifying images and videos and cries of mothers and children, and sees an opportunity to teach our children to say, But God!

Make that last effort to make it home! Tom Norvell reminds us that we will all have difficult points in our journey, but let's finish strong, especially when we find ourselves in the home stretch.

Where do you want to be right now? So many things make us long to be somewhere different.

Can we ever really go home again? As much as we would like to go home again, we must remember that home is not a place until we are home with God.

"It was by faith that Moses prepared the Passover and spread the blood on the doors so the one who brings death would not kill the firstborn sons of..."

"It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened..."

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And...."

"Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. "

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

"Behold the epitaph of all those blessed saints who fell asleep before the coming of our Lord! It matters nothing how else they died, whether of old..."

Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:16 -- 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:3 -- By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:6 -- And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:8 tniv -- By faith Abraham when called by God to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went even though he did not know where he was going!

Inspirational illustration of Hebrews 11:13 -- All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and stranger

What is it that you are pursuing with all your might? We should pursue our spiritual growth and goals with all our passion, just like olympic athletes pursue theirs.

That passion to pursue Jesus must never die! Phil Ware continues his series tied to Thanksgiving called "...and thankful" and this week he is thankful for the longing to move toward Jesus and pursue the things of God.

Why does time move so much more quickly now that I'm older? Phillip Morrison shares ideas and input on our perception of aging and birthdays.

Who lives in your home? We must not get too attached to home here on earth, it is just a temporary place and we are transients here.

How can we honor those who have meant so much to us in the past? One of the very best ways to honor the memory and life of someone we respect who has died is to use what they have taught us and shown us to bless the living.

Someone who is without faith in God doesn't yearn for answers for their deepest questions from God. Our questions as believers can be signs that we are reaching out to God for reassurance. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us in word and video that faith is not about always having the answers and never having doubts, but persevering on the journey to Jesus.

Sin is very misleading Sin is deceptive and offers shortcuts that ultimately enslave.

Where is your real home? We are not at home until we are home with God.

How in the world can you make something straight out of something crooked? God can take broken, weak, and unfaithful people and make something meaningful and important out of their lives.

"Dear Precious One, Encouragement matters! You were not created to do life alone. We — Father, Son, and Spirit — made Adam to need Eve....."

The final destination of our journey to faith often depends upon the orientation of our hearts. James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us to look at C.S. Lewis and his journey of faith along with a broken-hearted father and see how we might be able to find faith in our own lives.

I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! James Nored and Phil Ware look at C.S. Lewis and his struggle to find faith and our own challenges in believing.

Have we really demonstrated that we truly believe? Bill Sherrill challenges us to go beyond simply believing in God to believing God and doing what he says, which is true faith.

Jesus rose from the dead, so we choose to live based on the conviction that this world is not our home, while we long for our lasting and more glorious one! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember the life-changing implications of Jesus' resurrection.

What comes first, seeing or believing? Some things we have to believe before we can see them!

So what are you going to hang on to during the Rubel Shelly uses an acronym and a website to remind us that it is going to be okay.

How beautifully these three words speak to the fullness of our Christian walk! Bill Sherrill reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and love -- not just as theological concepts, but as integrated real-life motivation and actions.

So where is your faith growing? Russ Lawson reminds us that our faith needs to keep growing and going in the direction of faith, believe but help my unbelief.

Where's his voice calling you? Phil Ware talks about the call of Abraham and the trip to The Community he and the team going there is about to embark upon.

Can we really learn anything from Noah? We must remember that faith should move us to obey and to act and to be faithful.

Leaving home or just taking a new journey? Her grandmother leaves home and leaves all her stuff behind and begins a new journey of faith.

Will I follow on the journey, or will I choose to let where I am, where I'm comfortable, and what I have hold me in bondage? James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the call of the Lord to leave and follow no matter the cost.

What's left when it's all over? Phil Ware stays with The Story theme and reminds us again of Joseph and his faithfulness.

Are you still a child at heart? Ron Rose challenges us to mystery, kingdom, living as we remain childlike but not childish.

These three lurk in the shadows seeking to derail us and do us in. Russ Lawson talks about fear, uncertainty, and doubt, or FUD, and how God's word and God speaks into each of these to give us life.

Why would anyone want to write about a hooker on a Christian website? Rahab is the story of a prostitute who became a spiritual hero. Her story is important for all of us to know.

Lots of people are worried about the future during this election. Not me. There is a lot of stress and worry over the future during this election cycle. There is a different way.

Some things you have to believe or you have nothing worth believing in! Phil Ware continues his series on I AM, God's handwritten messages from heaven and focuses on the bottom line faith requirement -- Jesus is God come in human flesh.

"Dear Precious Disciple, So what did I write in the dirt with My finger? I know many of you have wondered this about the episode in the verses below...."

Do you really believe in the God of power? Bill Sherrill reminds that if we don't believe in the God of power today, it will be hard for those who don't believe in God to listen to us talk about the great deeds of God from long ago.

If we listen carefully to God’s unfolding story, there are many strong women of faith who played key roles in the life of God's people! Phil Ware continues his series on the role of women and their importance in the story of God's unfolding grace.