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The Transformative Power of Faith

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       By Faith -9 TITLE: The Transformative Power of Faith TEXT: Hebrews 11:23-29 THESIS: Faith is a powerful, transformative force that not only preserves and identifies us as God’s children but also separates us from worldly distractions and empowers us to endure hardships.   TRUTH: Consider the life of William Wilberforce, a British politician and pastor during the late 18 th and early 19 th centuries. Driven by his deep faith, Wilberforce saw beyond the social norms of his time, which often overlooked the dignity of enslaved individuals. His faith served as both a compass and a wellspring of strength, guiding him to dedicate his life to abolishing the slave trade.   In the face of fierce opposition and societal apathy, Wilberforce’s faith propelled him forward. He consistently presented bills to Parliament and rallied public support, undeterred by the hardships he faced. His belief that every person is created in the i...
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The Enduring Power of Faith

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     By Faith- 8 TITLE: The Enduring Power of Faith TEXT: Hebrews 11:20-22 THESIS: The examples of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph illustrate that true faith consists of profound hope and trust in God, especially at the end of life, expressed through passing on the promises of God to the next generation, witnessing and worshiping amid adversity, and envisioning a hopeful future that extends beyond one’s own existence.   TRANSITION: One great example of this is….   TRUTH: John Paton was born in Scotland in 1824. He felt a strong calling to minister to the lost souls of the South Seas Island, particularly after learning about the violent and cannibalistic practices of the people living there. Despite warnings from everyone about the dangers, Paton was resolute. He and His wife, Mary, set sail for the New Hebrides in 1858.   Their arrival was met with hostility. Within a few months, Mary tragically dies from complications after g...
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Location: Edmond, OK, USA
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The Essence of Faith

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       By Faith- 7 TITLE: The Essence of Faith TEXT: Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 22:1-14 THESIS: The passage shows that the faithful worshipers will hold nothing back but will obediently give to God whatever he asks, trusting that “the Lord will provide.”   TRUTH: Last week, I spoke to you about Pilgrim's Progress. I want to start this morning by telling you a little story about the man who wrote the book. When John Bunyan was jailed for preaching the gospel, he became deeply concerned about his family. He was particularly grieved about his little blind daughter, for whom he had a special love. He wrote, “I saw in this condition I was a man who was pulling down his house upon the head of his wife and children. Yet, though I, I must do it; I must do it.” He truly embraced the hymn writer Cowper, “The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be, help me to tear it from Thy throne and worship only Thee.”   TRANSITION   ...
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Location: Edmond, OK, USA
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The Journey of Faith

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     By Faith -6 TITLE: The Journey of Faith TEXT: Hebrews 11:8-16 THESIS: The journey of faith requires embracing the unknown, living as pilgrims in a world that is not our home, and holding steadfast to God’s promises.   TRUTH: In the 1950s, Jim Elliot, along with a group of friends, felt called to share the Christian faith with the people of Ecuador, particularly the Huaorani (or Waodani), who were known for their resistance to outside contact.   Jim Elliot and his companions -Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian -prepared extensively, learning the language and culture, all the while believing that their mission was divinely ordained. The Huaorani lived deep in the jungle and had little interaction with the outside world, leading a lifestyle that was both rich and yet marked by violence and fear of outsiders.   After months of planning and a few successful initial contacts from the air, the group d...
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