On Sunday, Jan.13, 2013, Pastor Lois Blakey-Paige of New Canaan Worship Center in Richmond, Virginia preached a sermon from Hebrews 10:35-39.
[Whenever Pastor preaches from Hebrews, she tells the congregation to turn to the book names after the one who should make the coffee in the morning: "He Brews."]
Pastor Paige briefly reviewed what she said in last week's sermon about pressing: Press through the past. Press in the present. Press for the future. She reiterated that we should live in the now instead of regretting what we did wrong in the past or dwelling on what will happen in the future because we can't change the past or the future anyway.
Then the pastor preached using the title:
"A Relationship of Confidence and Faith"
She said the mystery of God is not in a formula but in a faith. She encouraged the congregation not to throw away their confidence. Pastor Paige gave three ways we can have a relationship of confidence and faith.
A faith that is focused
Stay focused on God. God wants people to know that where He needs to be, He will show up. Being focused is not looking to the past or the future, but it is living one day at a time. It is living in the now.
A faith through forbearance
We can have a faith through perseverance and patience. God has already put a limit on our test before it comes. Then God comes quickly to end your test if you have not given up.
A faith that is fortified
In order to have a relationship of confidence and faith, we should not shrink back, but be fortified by being around fortified people. To have a fortified faith is to build a fort around yourself. To have a fortified faith is to have a relationship with God.
Jesus came with the confidence of going back to His Father. Whatever He did, He was focused. Whatever He did, He did it through forbearance. Whatever He did, He had a fortified faith.
Jesus did what He did so that we too can have a relationship of confidence and faith. ---In Jesus' name!
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