Hall of Fame
Last winter I had the opportunity to go to the Football Hall
of Fame in Canton, Ohio for the first time. I know, it’s incredible to believe
that I have grown up only 30 minutes from the Hall of Fame and only just got a
chance to visit. My good friend and former youth group member, Brad Kappler,
insisted on taking me. And I am so glad he did!
We had a great time looking through the story of
professional football. There is so much history right here in Canton in regards
to the beginnings and development of the NFL. Then walking through the hall
with all the bronzed heads of the best of the best. It is just an amazing time.
Brad is passionate about sports and especially football. He
has been to the Hall of Fame many times and he enjoyed sharing with me all his
favorite sections. He is a real fan and it was fun listening, learning and
seeing what he was showing me. Thanks for a great time Brad!
Hall of Faith
You know, that experience reminded me a lot of the
opportunity we have every day. Did you know that there is a “Hall of Fame” in
the Bible? Some have called Hebrews 11 the “Hall of Faith.” We get a chance to
read through the heroes of the faith and learn from their stories. In hearing
their names and the brief biography, we can then look back into the Bible and
learn more about them.
As we see the fuller story, you may ask, “are these really
heroes of the faith?” David was an adulteress and a murder. Rahab was a
prostitute. Abraham and Sarah doubted.
When you read the stories in Genesis, Joshua, Judges, 1
& 2 Samuel, and others, you begin to see the utter humanness of these
people. They were not perfect. They definitely had sins. But more than that,
they had faith in God’s promises. The believed in God and it was accounted to
them as righteousness.
You see when we believe in Jesus Christ and trust what He
has done for us on the cross, God no longer sees us as rebellious sinners, but
as His righteous and adopted children. He sees Christ in us because of our
faith in Jesus.
That is how He sees the individuals in Hebrews 11. They are
a great crowd of witnesses to His redemptive plan and purpose. Their story
gives us hope and brings excitement.
Your Story
Your story carries similar weight to theirs. Can you believe
that? If you trust in Jesus, you belong with them. As you faithfully live out
your life, God is working in and through you in ways you cannot even fathom.
Consider king David with me. He had no idea that he would be
considered part of the Hall of Faith. He was living his life and doing his own
thing. He actually stopped doing what he was supposed to do and ended up
sleeping with another man’s wife and killing that man to cover up his sin.
Despite his best efforts, he could not hide this sin from God.
When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David was convicted
to the core. Psalm 51 tells us about David’s repentant heart. What stands out
to you in this psalm?
There is so much to learn, but one thing that always stands
out to me is what follows confession of sins. He acknowledges his sin against
God and ask for forgiveness, but the says in verse 13 that when he is forgiven
he will tell others.
David quickly turns from mourning over sin to rejoicing in
Jesus. He wants others to know about a great God who will forgive sins (1 John
1:9). The overflow of joy that comes from a heart turned to God is a heart that
wants to tell others about God.
Your story matters! If you trust Jesus then your part of His
Hall of Faith. You are the prize he went to the cross for. He has bought you
and forgiven you and He wants to boast about you. You have been ransomed! He wants you to tell others
of His loving kindness and goodness.
What is your story? Have you recognized your sinfulness?
Have you repented from your sins and confessed them to God? Have you
experienced forgiveness and the joy of knowing Jesus? If you said yes to these,
are you telling others your story?
The Bible says, “let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” So
I’m challenging you to say it! Tell your story! Tell it with joy and
excitement!
If you are not excited about your story, is it because you
don’t believe? Is it because you don’t feel worthy of being loved by God? Is it
because you don’t feel you deserve to be forgiven?
Listen! Jesus loves you for who you are! Nothing you can do
will make Him love you less and nothing you do will cause Him to love you more.
You cannot earn His love. He offers it freely to all who will trust Him. Will
you trust Him today?
Your story could begin right now. You can join the Hall of
Faith. When you do, tell your story!
Here is Jamie Grace sharing her story:
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