JESUS The Beginning and Ending of Our Faith

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JESUS The Beginning and Ending of Our Faith

• Jesus Christ is our perfect pattern for us to set
  our eyes on as we endure in our walk.

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Introduction

• Man has an insatiable desire to be his own lord.
• Our experience and more importantly, the
  scriptures reveal this fact.
• Our philosophy is I choose my own destiny. Such
  a philosophy puts us in the drivers seat.
• Thus, we plan to direct our lives in the pursuit
  of what we want, when and how we achieve to get
  what we want.

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Introduction

• The problem or unseen blessing is that
  reality (or God Himself) thwarts our plans. Prov.
  169
• He wants so much more and greater a life than we
  can ever imagine.
• So, He intercedes on our behalf to bring us to
  salvation and continue our walk with Him. Rom.
  828 (Acts 826 Acts 101)
• Our jealous God wants us, however, to fix our
  eyes on His Son and give up our plans for His.
• Such necessitates ridding ourselves of the sin
  that weighs us down and keeps us from finishing
  our walk of faith that began in Jesus.

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The Cloud of Witnesses

• They are human examples that testify of their
  faith in God.
• Even though some (the Patriarchs) did not receive
  the promise, were assured of them. Heb. 1113
• Even though some were tortured and died for their
  trust in God. Heb. 1135-38 (Acts 7 121-2
  1637 etc.) Matt. 510 Jas. 112
• To live as they did could only mean they were
  convinced and convicted of Gods heavenly promise.

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The Cloud of Witnesses

• Thus, with their faith they looked forward to
  their heavenly country. Heb. 1113, 39-40
• Their faith was in the ultimate promise of Gods
  eternal salvation.
• With their faith they were able to lay aside the
  weights of sin and walk in this world as
  pilgrims.
• Their faith ended as it started looking to their
  coming Savior they walked not with the world,
  but with God.

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Jesus The Source and Perfecter of Our Faith

• Therefore, we likewise need to run the race with
  endurance. Heb. 121
• We want to lay aside every weight yet we often
  weigh ourselves down with all that the world
  alluresonly to feel the weight of sin when we
  notice how we are running.
• We also need to be on guard for the sin which so
  easily ensnares our lives. Gal. 61
• It is the love of this world and the pleasures of
  sin that not only keeps us from enduring in the
  race, such disqualifies us from it!

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Jesus The Source and Perfecter of Our Faith

• To find success, we need to set our sight on the
  Savior. Heb. 122
• He is the author and finisher of our faith with
  joy He endured the cross He despised shame.
• With His pre-eminent example we place our
  confidence in Him to lead us through this life.
• We are able to endure the sufferings necessary
  for walking with Him.
• We count it all joy when we endure afflictions
  for His namesake.
• In the end we know we have the crown of life.

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Conclusion

• Look at all that others have done in the name of
  a promise they did not see.
• How much more for us today, having not only the
  great men of faith, but Jesus Himself, as the
  perfecter of our faith that we can set our eyes
  on Him to walk through this life?