Pastor Wes Morris

Hebrews 11:8-11 (TLB) Abraham trusted God, and when God told him to leave home and go far away to another land that he promised to give him, Abraham obeyed. Away he went, not even knowing where he was going. And even when he reached God’s promised land, he lived in tents like a mere visitor as did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise.

Abraham did this because he was confidently waiting for God to bring him to that strong heavenly city whose designer and builder is God.

Sarah, too, had faith, and because of this she was able to become a mother in spite of her old age, for she realized that God, who gave her his promise, would certainly do what he said.

✓ FAITH OBEYS BEFORE IT UNDERSTANDS.

Hebrews 11:8 (NIV) Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Luke 5:5 (NIV) “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”

✓ FAITH ENDURES THE IN-BETWEEN SEASONS.

Hebrews 11:9 (TLB) And even when he reached God’s promised land, he lived in tents like a mere visitor...

✓ FAITH HOLDS ON TO WHAT GOD HAS SAID, EVEN WHEN WE HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET.

Hebrews 11:11 (NLT) It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.

II Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) We walk by faith, not by sight.

I. SAY “YES” TO ONE SMALL ACT OF OBEDIENCE.

John 2:7-8 (NLT) Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

Psalm 119:60 (GNT) Without delay I hurry to obey your commands.

II. FOCUS ON WHAT GOD IS DOING, NOT WHAT I’M FEELING.

Psalm 42:5 (NLT) Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God!

III. SPEAK GOD’S PROMISES OVER MY SITUATION.

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Pastor Bria Bradshaw

John 11:17–27 ESV Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

✓ Yesterday’s Disappointments

John 11:21 “Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

John 11:32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

✓ Tomorrow’s Distance

John 11:23-24 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

Key Thought: Jesus doesn’t just want us saved, He wants us ALIVE!

1. We Come Alive

Galatians 2:20 ESV I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2. The World Comes Alive

Romans 6:4-5 ESV We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Pastor Bria Bradshaw

John 8:12 (ESV) Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

The Problem: We can give off the illusion of light in the way we live, but it is artificial.

Genesis 1:1–5 (ESV) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Genesis 1:14-19 (ESV) And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night…” 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars…19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

The more Jesus shines in me, the better He shines through me.

1. Let the light in to transform.

Question: Is there any place within me where God doesn’t have the freedom to shine?

2. Let the light in to reveal the truth.

Question: Where in your life are you telling God, “I’m good. I’ve got this part right.”?

3. Let the light in to lead you.

Question: Are you done leading you?