Eternity in the Thinking of Ancient Believers

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 11:39-40

Through examining Old Testament characters of faith, we get insight into their perspective on eternity. Through the life of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses it is clear that they lived for a future with God in heaven. This hope propelled their faith through the circumstances in which they lived and God's commands for their life.

Three Perspectives on Eternity

Pat Reeder

John 13:1-37

Judas, Peter, and Jesus all show very different views on eternity, demonstrated in the conversation that takes place between them shortly before Jesus was to be betrayed. Judas held the perspective that this life is all there is, which both affected how he lived in this life and the next. Peter, zealous for Jesus, focused on the coming of the Messianic Kingdom and experienced spiritual breaking in this life, but reward and rest in the next. Finally, Jesus himself anticipated his future glory and thus lived his life in obedience to the Father, serving others sacrificially. As we examine our own perspectives on eternity, we should evaluate the lifestyle and results to which those views ultimately lead.

School of Prayer

Jim Leffel

Luke 11:1-13

The habit of prayer is a window into our deepest beliefs; prayer reveals what we really think about the nature of God. Under that framework, we explore the who, what, and how of prayer.

Run the Race

Scott Risley

Hebrews 12:1-13

The Old Testament men and women of faith were able to run the race set before them because their confidence in better things to come. Running the race means living a life of faith centered on God. When running the race we need to realize: this is a marathon?not a sprint; we are running alongside others with the same purpose; and each of our races are individualized. We are to: throw off every hindrance that slows us down; we are not to focus on our sin, circumstances, trials, etc.; and we are not to compare ourselves with those around us.

Moses' Faith

Conrad Hilario

Psalms 77:16-20

Moses was an Old Testament figure who demonstrated Biblical faith [Hebrews 11.1] throughout his whole life. Moses' parents valued God's approval rather than the approval of others, and Moses demonstrated the same faith by fearing God rather than Pharaoh during his time as leader of the Israelites. Moses also placed his trust in God when he led the Israelites through the Red Sea, an impossible situation to overcome if it were not for God's power.

The Patriarchs

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 37:3-45:11

Joseph was a man whose life was characterized by both immense success and intense suffering. Despite the constantly changing circumstances of his life, he maintained his faith in God and adopted a godly perspective on his trials. Joseph's story serves as an example of how God can redeem even the worst circumstances to His glory and our benefit.

The Faith of Moses

Scott Risley

Hebrews 11:23-29

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance of things we cannot see. Moses made a lot of decisions that were seemingly irrational. He rejected Pharaoh's command, he refused Pharaoh's favor, he faced Pharaoh's fury, he kept God's Passover, and he led the people to trust God. Moses made those decisions because his trust was rooted in God, who is bigger than our problems. We too can move forward in faith when our eyes are fixed on God rather than ourselves.

Profiles in Grace (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

Luke 7:36-50

Jesus is invited to dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee. While Jesus is reclining at the table a sinful woman enters the house. She anoints Jesus' feet with oil and wipes them with her hair. Jesus forgives the woman of her sins and instructs Simon on the relationship between forgiveness and love. The woman's response reveals that love is rooted in humility and gratitude which results in peace.\r\n

Abraham's Faith

Conrad Hilario

Genesis 22:1-19

Abraham was an Old Testament figure who demonstrated biblical faith [Hebrews 11.1] throughout his whole life. He was called by God to leave his homeland to go to a distant country, he waited on God to fulfill His promise of a son, and he trusted in God enough to voluntarily sacrifice that same son to Him. Throughout all of these circumstances, Abraham clung to what was unseen, and his perseverance and trust in God influenced the course of human history as a result.