JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
Faith is defined as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is an action word, invariably, faith is believing even when it’s not appearing possible to you.
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith is content that will help us in the right application of our faith and towards getting the desired results.
TEXT: Hebrew chapter 12 vs. 1 -2: 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The gospel through faith brings liberation, critical thinking, knowing why things are the way they are, and possible solutions.
Christ is the dividing line of transformation from old to new.
Jesus as the author and the finisher of our faith has brought disparity between religion and faith.
     Your Christianity must be:
- Inquisitive: Making inquiries about things from God and man, things you are not comfortable with.
- Your Christianity must be recreative: Recreating your family history. Every family has a history that can be recreated if you see the need and reasons to do that. Never allow what you don’t like about your family to continue even in your own time.
- Your Christianity must bring relevance while you are still alive.
JESUS AS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH
- i) We are witnesses of the gospel, a witness is an influencer.
- ii) Fight to become an effective witness of the gospel.
iii) There is no time you look up to Jesus and you will get no help. No challenge can make the word of God of no effect.
- iv) Serving Jesus has a testimony that must be revealed.
- v) Our sufficiency is God who created the heavens and the earth.
- vi) Cattle upon the thousand hills belong to our God.
MEN WHO LOOKED UP TO JESUS
We will have a detailed study of men who looked up to Jesus as the finisher of their faith.
Men who believed him above all odds put their life at stake for what they believed.
Daniel chapter 3 vs. 10-17 days:Â 10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall and worship the golden image:
11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it is so, our God whom we serve can deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
In the above scripture, these Hebrew men were ready to die for what they believed; they have faith in the God of the heavens and the earth, with the confidence that he will never allow them to be put to shame. What a great faith indeed.
The question is, can we trust God so much more that we have no alternative plans? Can we put our lives on the line because of what we believe, and the faith we have in God?
Sin takes away a man’s destiny from the destination God has prepared for him. Modecias enemy was who God used to decorate him, so shall it be unto you as look unto Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith.
Till we all win.
Eboh Solomon.
