The bible is very clear that faith that saves is also faith that works. As followers of Jesus we live with the knowledge that God is working in us to make us more like him, and this is part of the Gospel that we've been given. James raises our expectations for the working of our faith in our lives.

This week, Brian concludes our series on faith by pointing us to Jesus who is "the founder and perfecter of our faith" and encouraging us to "run with endurance" - Hebrews 12:1-2

Listen to Suzella share her story of knowing Jesus through sickness and struggles; how he holds her cares for her and calls her into the adventures of church planting.

Noah's faith in God lead him to do what he had asked and receive what was promised. Noah obeyed God despite not seeing all that lay ahead, no matter how foolish it may have seemed to the world around him.

The writer to the Hebrews holds up Moses as an example of someone who's faith lead them to act out the will of God fearlessly in the face of frightening things. Again and again in scripture instructs us to not be afraid but to look to God to be our security.

Rahab’s life was messy, yet when she saw God at work she was willing to risk it all to be saved. Rahab's faith is not simply a passive belief but one that causes her to act in a way that will rescue her and her family. Rehab's decisive faith in acting on behalf of God’s people leads her to be transformed from a prostitute to a matriarch of the faith. In spite of her past she is able to enter into God's blessing.

One of the key characteristics of Christian faith is that it is able to endure hardship, waiting and trial. The writer to the Hebrews points to the example of Abraham and Sarah, who, taking hold of the promises of God, were willing to leave all that they knew to follow Him. Enduring years of frustration and fruitlessness, they held on to the promises of God.

Hebrews 11 teaches us about the faith that we need to endure the suffering of life and the difficulties that come from following Jesus. These Christians have suffered for the cause of Christ. The author is working to encourage us to continue forward with Jesus and to not give up. Chapter 10 ends with the encouraging words that “we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (10:39). Chapter 11 describes those who did not shrink back but had faith and encourages us to follow their examples.

The message of the Christmas story is that God is Emmanuel - God with us! The one who would come to save, rescue and reveal would be none other than God Himself.

We continue our series exploring the attributes and character of God, and build up to Christmas by zooming in on Isaiah 9:6. Jesus, the promised saviour would reveal himself to us as our "Prince of Peace"