Forward-Looking Faith

First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 13:8-10

Second Reading: Genesis 11:27-12:20

Sermon Text: Hebrews 11:8-10

In preparation for morning worship, consider these words from Dr. Michael Horton:

Everyone is driven in the present by an expectation of the future. According to the spirit of our age, we came from nowhere and we are going to nowhere, but in between we can make something of ourselves. Christians are driven by a different story. Our origins are extraordinarily noble, but we rebelled against this dependent glory. Not content to be the moon, reflecting the sun's glory, we demanded to be the sun itself. And yet, some extraordinary events have occurred in history to redeem us - and our history - from sin and death. And the destiny on which we have set our hopes is anything but ordinary. It is nothing less than "the resurrection of the body and life everlasting." One day, there will be no distinction between heaven and earth. Faith will give way to sight. Then we won't live on promises anymore. There won't be an ordinary day. The Next Big Thing is Christ's return. Until then, we live in hope that changes our ordinary lives here and now. (Michael Horton, Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World, p. 203)