Text:Hebrews 11:1, 2; Matthew 8:28-ff.
Today, we continue in our Sunday Adventures as we journey through faith. Faith is doing the right thing especially in the face of adversity or opposition from the world and it’s system. Faith has action and can be seen by self and others. Faith is to be shared and passed on to those around us. It is contagious if you would. Faith strengthens the faithful and encourages the faint of heart. Faith allowed Peter to walk on water, live to tell about it, and mist likely never forgot it. I am sure that experience stayed with Peter all his life and allowed him to find strength in the Truth of the Lord and the very person of Jesus Christ.
Today we see that faith is tied and proportionate with hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Our hope drives our faith and gives us vision and purpose. Where does your hope rest? Are you hoping in world things and ideas or are you hoping in Christ alone. Are you looking for the return of the King? Are you living in the fact that we are more than conquerors? Where is your hope today and your faith will be close by.
When Jesus cast our the demon named legion, some very interesting things happened. The demons noticed Christ far off and began the dialogue with Him. They pleaded to be cast into the herd of swine which Jesus granted because it served His purpose of showing the disciples and all of us the difference between this world and His kingdom to which we belong. The things of this earth come and go like fortunes and fame. Only what is done fro Christ will last for all or eternity.
The interesting fact that reminds us of hope is found in one of the statement by the demon. He asked Christ if He has come to torment him before time. What does this mean? Even the demons know that Christ is the Victor and there is a time coming when the King will return and sit on His rightful throne. This hope allows us to laugh in the face of this world and anything it throws at us. It can be scary. Fear is a tactic of the devil and when God’s people stand in hope, fear is vanquished and faith is realized. You and I can stand strong in this world knowing the True King!