Over the last few weeks during our Spartan Faith series, we've been looking at the ancient heroes of faith found in Hebrews 11. In many ways, these heroes of the faith are all part of God's DREAM TEAM and worth looking up to in our spiritual journeys. We've learned from the lives of heroes such as Gideon, Noah and Abraham, even though they haven't always gotten everything right...However, one thing they have in common is that they have learned to put their FAITH IN ACTION. Today, we're continuing to learn together by looking at examples from several members of God's Dream Team in Hebrews 11.
BARAK
Another hero mentioned in Hebrews 11 is Barak, who was a General in Israel's Army. Barak actually reported to Deborah, a Judge in Israel who called Barak to take his Army and protect Israel against the invaded Canaanites. In Judges 4:8, we see Barak asked Deborah to join him...to help him... because he knew he needed a team to do this great act of faith! Deborah offered that support to Barak to give him courage to charge into battle. Sure enough, faith came before the victory, and together God gave Barak and Deborah the victory...so they could set Israel free from the Canaanites!
SAMSON
Next, we see Faith in Action through the life of Samson. While Samson was a member of the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11, he was also a man who struggled with weakness - compromising his purity and holiness at times - when the pressure was on. However, God used him powerfully when he put his FAITH into ACTION, by giving him victory over 1,000 Philistines. Like Samson, it's important for us to understand that we don't have to be "perfect" to be used powerfully by God! For example, our Dream Teams at Liquid are the incredible team of people who make Sundays happen at our church. While this is a team of amazing people using their gifts and talents to serve at Liquid, you need to understand that we are all ordinary, flawed men and women, who God is redeeming by His grace. We're serving Him BY FAITH in the power of HIS SPIRIT!
DAVID & SAMUEL
As we look at the "Hall of Faith" we also have a lot to learn from the examples of David and Samuel. See, Samuel's mission from God was to find the next King of Israel. In 1 Samuel 16:7, at the house of Jesse, God told Samuel to "look at the heart" instead of the outward appearance... and God led Samuel to choose David, the youngest son and underdog, as the next King of Israel. Samuel mentored David to raise him up as a faith-filled leader for Christ among the next generation. Likewise, when you step out in faith to serve God, He can do mighty works through your faith!
GOD'S DREAM TEAM
Like how Samuel passed the baton of faith-filled leadership to Samuel, God is passing the baton to the modern church to be heroes of faith for the next generation of believers in 2019. It's like God has a Dream Team for the ages running a relay race.... Noah ran the first leg, passed the baton to Abraham, who passed it to Isaac, and so on through the Old and New Testament. As modern-day believers, God has passed the baton to the church to have Spartan Faith... and be a part of his Dream Team!
As we live our lives here on this Earth, we can serve others and care for them as our way of bringing Heaven into Earth. Will you be a part of God's Dream Team? For practical ways to put your faith into action, you can explore options to serve on a Dream Team at Liquid Church. Not only will you make an incredible contribution to Liquid... but you'll meet some awesome people living out their Spartan Faith in the process! To explore teams and learn more, click here.