What does it actually mean to live by faith?

Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith,” but before introducing us these people, the writer first shows us what faith is and why it matters.

Faith is more than agreeing that something is true. It is trusting God’s Word so deeply that it changes the way we live. It gives us assurance about what we hope for, conviction about what we cannot yet see, and strength to endure when life is hard.

In this message, Pastor James O'Dell demonstrates that biblical faith is not blind faith. It rests on the truth of God, receives His promises as certain, and responds in obedience.

Abel shows us faith that worships. Enoch shows us faith that walks with God. Noah shows us faith that works, obeying God even when the fulfillment of His promise is still far off.

The Christian life is a life of patient endurance. Trials will come. Suffering will come. Waiting will be part of the journey. But God has not left His people without what they need.

He gives us faith.

And through that faith, we keep trusting, keep obeying, keep walking, and keep waiting for the One who has promised to come.

What could you possibly trade Jesus for that would actually be better?

After spending ten chapters showing us the supremacy of Christ—our better Priest, better covenant, better sacrifice, and better hope—the writer of Hebrews gives one of his strongest warnings yet: Don’t throw it away.

Hebrews 10:26–39 confronts us with the terrifying reality of abandoning Christ, but it also speaks directly to tired Christians who are tempted to loosen their grip. Remember what you already know. Remember what you have endured. Remember that you possess “a better possession and an abiding one.” And above all, remember that the Coming One is coming.

In this message, Pastor Neil Sandlin discusses three reasons to keep holding fast to Christ:

Because there is nothing else. Because you already know He is better. Because He is coming.

The Christian life isn’t about never struggling, never doubting, or never growing tired. It’s about continuing to trust the One who is worth holding onto.

Whatever the world offers you, it cannot forgive your sin, bring you into the presence of God, or save your soul.

So don’t trade what is eternal for what is temporary.
Don’t shrink back.
Don’t throw away what’s better.

What does all this theology in Hebrews about Jesus actually lead us to do?

Hebrews 10:19–25 answers with a powerful invitation: Come Out and Worship.

Because Jesus has opened the way into God’s presence, we are called to:

Step In — draw near with confidence. Stand Firm — hold fast the confession of our hope. Show Up — gather with God’s people and stir one another toward love and good works.

Christian faith was never meant to stay hidden in the heart. It draws near to God, publicly confesses Christ, and stands alongside His people.

In this message from Hebrews 10:19–25 Pastor Neil Sandlin, we look at why the finished work of Jesus gives us confidence to worship, courage to hold fast, and a reason to keep gathering together as the Day draws near.

The way is open. The Priest is on His throne. The promise is sure. So come out and worship.

The altar had been busy for centuries.

Priests stood. Sacrifices were offered. Blood was shed. And still, sin remained.

Then Jesus offered one sacrifice for all time—and sat down.

In this sermon Pastor James O'Dell discusses how Hebrews 10:11–18 brings the long argument about Christ’s superior priesthood to a powerful conclusion. Jesus has done what no priest, no sacrifice, no religious system, and no human effort could ever do: He has dealt with sin permanently.

His sacrifice is final. His victory is powerful. His people are being made holy. And God says of those who belong to Christ, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

This passage also gives us a beautiful picture of the already-and-not-yet victory of Jesus. Christ reigns now. Satan, sin, and death have been defeated, yet we still feel their presence until the day every enemy is finally placed under His feet.

So what do you do with your sin?

You do not punish yourself for it. You do not try to make up for it. You do not carry what Christ has already carried.

You bring it to Jesus.

Because where there is forgiveness, there is no longer any offering for sin.

For centuries, the altar kept saying the same thing: Not yet.

Another priest. Another animal. Another sacrifice. Another reminder that sin was still a problem.

The Old Covenant was never useless—but it was never the destination. It was a shadow, a signpost, a sketch pointing beyond itself to the One who was coming.

Then Jesus stepped into history and said: “I have come.”

He did not bring another sacrifice. He became the sacrifice. He came in a body, perfectly obeyed the Father, and offered Himself once for all.

And at the cross, the endless repetition finally stopped.

Not yet became I have come. More is needed became Enough.

In Hebrews 10:1–10, we see why Jesus is the sacrifice that stopped the sacrifices—and why our confidence before God can never rest in our performance, our guilt, or our attempts to make things right.

The shadow has served its purpose. The reality has arrived.

What if the greatest gift of salvation is not simply escaping judgment, but entering the presence of God?

In Hebrews 9:1–14, the tabernacle stands like a living parable. The priests serve continually in the Holy Place, the sacrifices keep being offered, and the incense keeps rising—but the curtain remains closed. The way into the Holy of Holies has not yet been opened.

Then come the words that change everything: “But when Christ appeared…”

Jesus enters the true and better Holy of Holies, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood. He secures eternal redemption, cleanses the guilty conscience, and opens the way into the presence of God once for all.

This sermon explores why the Old Covenant could bring worshipers near but never all the way in, why the first room had to give way, and how Christ opened the way for us to draw near with confidence.

Israel’s story is the story of a faithful God and an unfaithful people. They had God’s law, His covenant, His priests, His sacrifices, and His promises—and still they did not continue in His covenant.

In this sermon from Hebrews 8:7–13, Pastor Neil Sandlin examines why the Old Covenant could reveal the problem of sin but could not fix what was broken in the human heart. Then we turn to the astonishing promises of the New Covenant: God writes His law on our hearts, brings us into a true relationship with Himself, forgives our sins completely, and gathers one people from both Jew and Gentile through Jesus Christ.

The New Covenant is not built on a better promise from us to God. It is built on better promises from God to us, all secured by the blood, priesthood, and finished work of Jesus.

The Old Covenant said, “If you will.”

The New Covenant says, “I will.”

And because Jesus is the Mediator and Guarantor of this covenant, every promise is certain.

In Hebrews 8:1–6, the writer makes the point crystal clear: “We have such a high priest.”

Jesus is not serving in an earthly tent, a shadow, or a copy. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, ministering in the true heavenly sanctuary. His saving work is finished, His priestly ministry continues, and His people are secure because He is the guarantor of a better covenant.

In this sermon Pastor James O'Dell, discusses how no one needs to run back to old shadows when we have the substance in Christ. Jesus has offered Himself once for all, sat down in victory, and now ministers for His people with compassion, power, and perfect sufficiency.

Because we have Jesus, we have a better priest, a better covenant, and a sure salvation.

In Hebrews 7:20–28, we’re reminded that Jesus doesn’t just save a little, help a little, or get us part of the way home. He saves “to the uttermost.”

Why? Because Jesus is not a temporary priest with a limited ministry. He is the better High Priest, appointed by the Father, guaranteed by oath, alive forever, and always interceding for His people.

In this sermon Pastor Neil Sandlin looks at what Jesus is doing right now. He died once for all, rose from the dead, entered the heavenly sanctuary, and now continually represents His people before the Father. So Christian, your hope is not hanging on the strength of your faith. It is resting on the strength of your Savior.

Jesus saves completely, continually, and eternally.

What makes a person fit to stand before a holy God? Can religious rituals, good works, church membership, or human effort give us access to God’s presence?

In Hebrews 7:11–19, Pastor James O'Dell discuses why the Old Covenant priesthood could never accomplish what sinners truly need. The Levitical priests, sacrifices, and law could reveal sin, but they could not remove it. They could point forward to salvation, but they could not provide it.

This passage introduces us to Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, Jesus possesses an indestructible life, offers a perfect sacrifice, and provides complete access to God for all who trust in Him. Through Christ alone, sinners are forgiven, clothed in righteousness, and invited to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence.

Join us as we continue our study through Hebrews and see why Jesus is the better priest, the better hope, and the only way to God.