hebrews 12 expanding the threshold of faithexpanding the threshold of faith

Hebrews 12Hebrews 12

• Expanding the Expanding the threshold of faiththreshold of faith

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith• A deeper dimension of faith A deeper dimension of faith

is available… is available…

• The mystical or experiential The mystical or experiential dimensiondimension

Expanding FaithExpanding FaithEph. 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious Eph. 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious

riches he may strengthen you with riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and that you, being rooted and established in love,established in love,

Expanding FaithExpanding Faithmay have power, together with all the may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of and high and deep is the love of Christ,Christ, and to know this love and to know this love that that surpasses knowledge surpasses knowledge -- that you may -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.fullness of God.

Expanding FaithExpanding Faithmay have power, together with all may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp the saints, to grasp how wide and how wide and long and high and deep is the love long and high and deep is the love of Christof Christ, and to know this love , and to know this love that that surpasses knowledge surpasses knowledge -- that you -- that you may be filled to the measure of all may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.the fullness of God.

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith

• Steps toward an Steps toward an expanded threshold: expanded threshold: Hebrews 12Hebrews 12

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith12:1 Therefore, since we are 12:1 Therefore, since we are

surrounded by such a great cloud of surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with entangles, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before endurance the race that is set before usus


surrounded by such a great cloud of surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us witnesses, let us throw off everything throw off everything that hindersthat hinders and the sin that so easily and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with entangles, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before endurance the race that is set before usus


surrounded by such a great cloud of surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the that hinders and the sin that so easily sin that so easily entanglesentangles, and let us run with , and let us run with endurance the race that is set before endurance the race that is set before usus


Therefore, since we are surrounded Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us entangles, and let us run with run with enduranceendurance the race that is set the race that is set before usbefore us


Therefore, since we are surrounded Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with entangles, and let us run with endurance the race that is endurance the race that is set set before usbefore us

Expanding FaithExpanding FaithLet us Let us fix our eyes on Jesusfix our eyes on Jesus, the , the

author and perfecter of our faith, author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.hand of the throne of God.

Expanding FaithExpanding FaithLet us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the

author and perfecterauthor and perfecter of our faith, of our faith, who for the joy set before him who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.right hand of the throne of God.

Expanding FaithExpanding FaithConsider him who endured such Consider him who endured such

opposition from sinful men, so opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding resisted to the point of shedding your blood.your blood.

Expanding FaithExpanding FaithAnd you have forgotten that word of And you have forgotten that word of

encouragement that addresses you encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's of the Lord's disciplinediscipline, and do not , and do not lose heart when you are reproved by lose heart when you are reproved by him; because the Lord disciplines him; because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he paddles those he loves, and he paddles everyone he accepts as a son."everyone he accepts as a son."

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith5 And you have forgotten that word of 5 And you have forgotten that word of

encouragement that addresses you as encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's Lord's disciplinediscipline, and do not lose heart , and do not lose heart when you are reproved by him;when you are reproved by him;

6 because the Lord disciplines those he 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he paddles everyone he loves, and he paddles everyone he accepts as a son."accepts as a son."paide;uw -paide;uw -““education” or education” or

“training”“training”paide;uw -paide;uw -““education” or education” or

“training”“training”

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith1 Pet. 1:6,7 even though now for a little 1 Pet. 1:6,7 even though now for a little

while, if necessary, you have been while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the distressed by various trials, so that the proof proof of your faith, being more precious of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even than gold which is perishable, even though though tested tested by fire, may be found to by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christthe revelation of Jesus Christ

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith• 1 Pet. 1:6,7 even though now for a 1 Pet. 1:6,7 even though now for a

little while, if necessary, you have little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so been distressed by various trials, so that the that the proofproof of your faith, being of your faith, being more precious than gold which is more precious than gold which is perishable, even though perishable, even though testedtested by by fire, may be found to result in praise fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christof Jesus Christ

Same word in GreekSame word in GreekSame word in GreekSame word in Greek


How it works:How it works:

Knowledge can come from two Knowledge can come from two sources--God’s Word and sources--God’s Word and personal experiencepersonal experience

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith• A book about swimmingA book about swimming

• You may know the physicsYou may know the physics the density of water the density of water the density of a body the density of a body the effect of planing hands the effect of planing hands the effect of fluttering your feet the effect of fluttering your feet

• You may know that others swim and different You may know that others swim and different strokesstrokes

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith• You might become completely You might become completely

complacent about your knowledge of complacent about your knowledge of swimmingswimming

• Even though you Even though you don’t know how to don’t know how to swimswim!!

• Deep water provides pressure to Deep water provides pressure to develop your knowledge and develop your knowledge and physique to a new level… physique to a new level…


• Example:Example: The royal official The royal official John 4John 4

Expanding FaithExpanding Faith• Example: The royal official Jn. 4Example: The royal official Jn. 4

Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.

Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.


Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.47 When he heard that Jesus had come out 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.his son; for he was at the point of death.

Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.47 When he heard that Jesus had come out 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.his son; for he was at the point of death.


Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.47 When he heard that Jesus had come out 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.his son; for he was at the point of death.48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people 48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe."believe."

Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.47 When he heard that Jesus had come out 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.his son; for he was at the point of death.48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people 48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe."believe."


Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.47 When he heard that Jesus had come out 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.his son; for he was at the point of death.48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people 48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe."believe."49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, 49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."come down before my child dies."

Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Jn 4:46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum.was sick at Capernaum.47 When he heard that Jesus had come out 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.his son; for he was at the point of death.48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people 48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe."believe."49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, 49 The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."come down before my child dies."


Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives."lives."Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives."lives."


Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.

Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.


Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.51 As he was now going down, his slaves 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living.met him, saying that his son was living.

Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.51 As he was now going down, his slaves 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living.met him, saying that his son was living.


Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.51 As he was now going down, his slaves 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living.met him, saying that his son was living.52 So he inquired of them the hour when he 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, began to get better. Then they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."him."

Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.51 As he was now going down, his slaves 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living.met him, saying that his son was living.52 So he inquired of them the hour when he 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, began to get better. Then they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."him."


Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son Jn 4:50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.spoke to him and started off.51 As he was now going down, his slaves 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living.met him, saying that his son was living.52 So he inquired of them the hour when he 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, began to get better. Then they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."him."53 So the father knew that it was at that 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives"; and he himself believed and his lives"; and he himself believed and his whole household.whole household.





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Two different kinds of faith?Two different kinds of faith?




Tested faithTested faith

Word-only faithWord-only faith






StepsSteps::






StepsSteps::

1.God’s Word1.God’s Word






StepsSteps::

1.God’s Word1.God’s Word2.Decision to Believe2.Decision to Believe






StepsSteps::

1.God’s Word1.God’s Word2.Decision to Believe2.Decision to Believe3.Action3.Action






StepsSteps::

1.God’s Word1.God’s Word2.Decision to Believe2.Decision to Believe3.Action3.Action4.Suffering or Testing4.Suffering or Testing






StepsSteps::

1.God’s Word1.God’s Word2.Decision to Believe2.Decision to Believe3.Action3.Action4.Suffering or Testing4.Suffering or Testing5.Mystical faith5.Mystical faith




Word-only Word-only faithfaithPersonal Personal Story:Story:

KarinKarin

Personal Personal Story:Story:

KarinKarin

SummarySummary• Trusting God = a very Trusting God = a very

subjective thing… subjective thing…

• Trusting God at the higher Trusting God at the higher levels:levels:

objective knowledge + objective knowledge + experience under pressureexperience under pressure

SummarySummary• The first step:The first step:• Begin a relationship with Begin a relationship with God based on personal God based on personal trust in the work of Christtrust in the work of Christ


• Comments?Comments?

• Questions?Questions?

hebrews 12 expanding the threshold of faithexpanding the threshold of faith

Documents

expanding faith12

great cloud of witnesses

love of christ

throne of god

fullness of god

right hand

lords discipline

word of encouragement