Episode 1095
How Does Hebrews 11:1–12 Redefine Courageous Faith Today?
This podcast episode elucidates the profound theme of faith as articulated in Hebrews 11:1-12, emphasizing that faith serves as a firm foundation for existence and is pivotal in the lives of those who trust in God. We explore the narratives of biblical figures such as Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, whose acts of faith exemplify the courage to believe in the unseen and the commitment to communal responsibility. The discourse further posits that faith is not merely individualistic but rather a collective endeavor that urges us to engage in acts of love and solidarity for the common good. Each reflection invites listeners to consider practical applications of their faith, encouraging us to transform our unseen hopes into tangible actions that benefit our communities. Ultimately, we conclude with a prayer that seeks divine guidance in fostering courage, hospitality, and trust in the blessings that can arise from our faith-driven endeavors.
Takeaways:
- Faith acts as the foundation of life, providing meaning and purpose beyond mere existence.
- The stories of biblical figures illustrate the significance of faith in the unseen and unknown.
- Progressive faith emphasizes communal responsibility and compassionate action for the greater good.
- Abraham's journey reflects the importance of hospitality and welcoming strangers in our lives.
- Sarah's unexpected motherhood symbolizes the surprises and blessings that faith can bring into one's life.
- The episode encourages listeners to transform unseen hopes into tangible acts of love and kindness.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker B:Here's today's reading and today's reading is from Hebrews 11, verses 1 through 12 reading from the Message Faith in what We Don't See the fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.
Speaker B:It's our handle on what we can't see.
Speaker B:The act of faith is what distinguishes our ancestors, so set them above the crowd.
Speaker B:By faith we see the world called into existence by God's word, and what we see created by what we don't see.
Speaker B:By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain.
Speaker B:It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference.
Speaker B:That's what God noticed and approved of as righteous.
Speaker B:After all these centuries, this belief continues to catch our notice.
Speaker B:By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely.
Speaker B:They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him.
Speaker B:We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken, he pleased God.
Speaker B:It's impossible to please God apart from faith.
Speaker B:And why?
Speaker B:Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him by faith.
Speaker B:Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land.
Speaker B:He was warned about something he couldn't see and acted on what he could and what he was told.
Speaker B:The result?
Speaker B:His family was saved.
Speaker B:His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the righteous of the believing world.
Speaker B:As a result, Noah became intimate with God by an act of faith.
Speaker B:Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home.
Speaker B:When he left, he had no idea where he was going.
Speaker B:By an act of faith he lived in the country, promised him, lived as a stranger, camping in tents.
Speaker B:Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise.
Speaker B:Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real eternal foundations.
Speaker B:The city designed and built by God by faith Baron Sarah was able to become pregnant old woman that she was at the time because she believed the one who made a promise would do what he said.
Speaker B:That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.
Speaker B:That ends the reading.
Speaker B:I just want to thank you for joining me for a few minutes as we delve a little deeper into this text from Hebrews 11:1 through 12 in the message.
Speaker B:This is a big sweeping landscape of by faith stories about some of the kind of the hall of fame of the Bible, really.
Speaker B:Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah.
Speaker B:It's kind of like a family album, if you will.
Speaker B:People who trusted God when the outcomes weren't visible yet.
Speaker B:And here's kind of the heartbeat of this whole passage.
Speaker B:Phases are handling what we can't see, not blind optimism, more like a steady trust that moves our feet, opens our hands and centers our lives in love.
Speaker B:So let's go a little deeper and look at some points to ponder.
Speaker B:First is that faith is courageous.
Speaker B:Trust in the common good, not just private belief.
Speaker B:Noah builds a ship on dry land.
Speaker B:Progressive faith hears this as a communal responsibility, acting for the sake of others.
Speaker B:Even when the sky looks clear and you're far away from the sea.
Speaker B:Today that can mean climate care, public health, neighborhood solidarity.
Speaker B:I have a weekly podcast for folks impacted by cancer and it's one of the ways I try to live this out.
Speaker B:Because faith doesn't erase fear, but it does show up with hope and humor so people don't have to face that storm alone.
Speaker B:A second point to ponder is that faith makes us migrants of hope.
Speaker B:Hospitality is the map.
Speaker B:Abraham says yes without destination, pinned on the map, living as a stranger.
Speaker B:Intense progressive faith leans towards welcome immigrant, towards welcoming of immigrants, of refuge, of immigrants, refugees and anyone wandering through the transition of grief.
Speaker B:And my wife and I love hiking and wooded parks and there is a an etiquette in that world.
Speaker B:You know, you kind of step aside for some people coming other ways and you you especially if there's something like a scenic place or an overlook, you take your turn.
Speaker B:Abraham, like faith looks like in daily life.
Speaker B:A little bit like this kind of travel light, make room, make space, and treat every fellow traveler as kin.
Speaker B:Another point to ponder is that faith honors bodies and blessed surprises without weaponizing miracle.
Speaker B:Sarah's story is told of a surprise pregnancy late in life, but the deeper truth is God's fidelity to dignity and promise at a progressive point of view.
Speaker B:We honor everybody, every age, every family story chosen or unexpected without turning text into prescriptions.
Speaker B:Names, belongings and blessings matter.
Speaker B:I'm a grandfather of two giggling little girls and I think of Faith is making room for laughter and for tears and for the full worth of every person.
Speaker B:And yes, it means a lot of laughter and understanding.
Speaker B:There's miracles there.
Speaker B:Think about let's think about an action step for this week.
Speaker B:Practice Unseen into action.
Speaker B:This is a process where you can name one unseen hope that you carry, such as justice for a neighbor or courage for treatment of somebody going through cancer.
Speaker B:Or care for our ecology, our environment and choose one concrete move just for a few minutes to send a supportive text or sign up to bring a meal to someone who needs it.
Speaker B:Or email your representative about ecological climate issues.
Speaker B:Or invite somebody for a walk who's a little bit lonely.
Speaker B:Faith moves from invisible intention to visible love.
Speaker B:When we do those things, we'll come back and have a prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker B:I want you to know that we have a resource for you called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker B:I'd love for you to pick it up.
Speaker B:It's free over@voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker B:God of things seen and unseen.
Speaker B:Study our hearts and the road curves on the map is what the road curves and the map is fuzzy.
Speaker B:Give us Noah's courage for the common good, Abraham's hospitality for strangers, and Sarah's trust that surprises can carry blessings.
Speaker B:Be close to those navigating illness, treatment plans and long nights.
Speaker B:Let hope arrive in the form of text or a meal or general humor.
Speaker B:Bless our bodies, our names, and our communities and teach us to turn unseen hopes into small, visible acts of love.
Speaker B:Today, when the laughter comes, remind us that joy is one of your clearest signs of hope.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: ionaires, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow remember.
Speaker A:God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new every morning.
