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Faith’s Conviction

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      By Faith -11 TITLE: Faith’s Conviction (Contra Mundum) TEXT: Hebrews 11:31; Joshua 2:1-24 THESIS: In exploring the narrative of Rahab, her journey reflects the essence of informed, confessing , courageous , and obedient faith despite her marginalized status as a Gentile prostitute in a corrupt city. By faith, she lived against the world.   TRUTH: Students of church history will be familiar with the phrase contra mundum (against the world), which the early church father Athanasius used to describe his situation in the fourth century. Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, about AD 295, and he died in AD 373, full of years and honors. His life was not easy. These were the years of the great trinitarian controversies, and for much of that period, Athanasius was almost the sole defender of what today we recognize as orthodox Christianity. Essentially, Athanasius defended that he was fully God.   Athanasius was opposed on ever...
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Faith in Action

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       By Faith- 10 TITLE: Faith in Action TEXT: Hebrews 11:28-29 THESIS: Faith in God’s promises and divine power serves as the pathway to redemption and deliverance, not only from physical dangers but also from spiritual bondage and eternal separation from Him.   TRUTH: Hudson Taylor was a pioneering missionary whose profound impact on Christianity in China during the 19th century is still felt today. Born in Barnsley, England, on May 21, 1832, Taylor experienced a powerful call to missions at the age of 17, after learning about the spiritual conditions in China. In 1853, he traveled to China, where he became known for his unconventional approach of dressing like a Chinese man and immersing himself in the local culture and language. This adaptability set him apart, especially at a time when many Western missionaries clung to their traditional Western ways.   In 1865, Taylor founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) with a visio...
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Location: Edmond, OK, USA
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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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Location: Edmond, OK, USA
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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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