Matthew Trexler | REFOCUS | April 24, 2022
Hebrews 12:1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
“Keep Believing”
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when called 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.
Genesis 12:4 “So Abram went…”
Faith = Moving forward even when it doesn’t make sense.
Refocusing our faith like Abraham requires risk-taking.
1. Am I following God in a way that requires faith?
2. Do I do anything in my life that requires courage and confidence?
Refocusing our faith is living against all hope.
Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the Lord…
Romans 4:18-21 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
1 Samuel 12:16 Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.
Refocused faith gives you confidence to keep believing and courage to keep going.
Refocused faith helps you focus on God’s character not life’s circumstances.
“I get it, Life hasn’t measured up for you, your expectations have not been met. You are not alone; it’s true everyone-it was for me. I thought there was a plan, and I waited and I waited. I got older and so did Sarah, and we scratched our heads I even tried to figure out on my own. But I hung on I kept believing. Today are you disappointed, disillusioned? If so let me tell you just keep believing, are you confused, do you think you missed God’s plan, don’t give up. There is a picture as a pioneer of this whole deal I can see it from my view and you don’t want to miss out. This picture when completed is worth fitting into, and let me tell you it is coming together piece by piece, and your going to love it. DON’T GIVE UP!”