Hebrews 11:1-3; Hebrews 11:39-40; Hebrews 12:1-2

1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.

2 It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval.

3 It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

39 What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised,

40 because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect.

1 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.

2 Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.