Living in the Light – “Faithfulness to Jesus” (Hebrews 11)

Host: Anne Graham Lotz
Date: January 18, 2026
Podcast: Living in the Light

Episode Overview

In this episode, Anne Graham Lotz explores the foundational nature of faith for Christians, centered on Hebrews 11. She unpacks what biblical faith truly is, how it is essential to living a life pleasing to God, and how it enables believers to leave a lasting, godly legacy in the midst of an ungodly world. Through personal stories, scriptural illustrations, and practical encouragement, Anne calls listeners to anchor their faith in God’s Word and pass it on to the next generation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Faith as a Legacy: The Relay Race Analogy

• Anne likens the journey of Christian faith to a relay race, emphasizing the importance of passing the “baton” of truth from one generation to the next, especially within the home but also beyond family boundaries (02:00).
  • Quote: “The baton represents the truth that leads to faith in God. And one generation passes the truth that leads to faith in God to the next...” (03:35)
  • Passing that baton smoothly is critical; Anne shares how Olympic runners are disqualified for dropping it outside the passing zone.
  • Spiritual application: There’s a strategic “passing zone” opportunity—often within our homes or wherever influence is available—to share faith.

2. Faith is a Necessity, Not an Option

• Faith is foundational, not a special gift for a few but a vital necessity for all Christians (05:20).
  • Quote: “Faith is not an option in the Christian life. It’s not what some people have and some people don’t. It’s an absolute, vital necessity…without faith, it’s impossible to please God.” (05:45)

3. Defining Biblical Faith

• Hebrews 11:1 is pivotal: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
  • Biblical hope is certainty—not wishful thinking. (07:15)
  • Anne distinguishes between uncertain hopes (“hope it doesn’t rain”) and biblical hope (“I am certain because God has said so”).
  • Anchoring faith: True faith anchors itself in the promises of God’s Word, not in circumstances or wishful desires (09:30).
    • Quote: “Biblical hope is being absolutely certain of what we don’t see…you put your faith down in God’s Word, so we can take the promises…” (10:10)

4. Faith Anchored in God’s Promises

• Anne recounts personal and family applications of faith—praying over her children and grandchildren (10:40), trusting in God’s word for strength during challenging weeks (11:20), and viewing faith as an “anchor for the soul” (13:15, Hebrews 6:19).
• Quote: “He was always watching over my children and my grandchildren. So you just put your faith down in God's Word.” (10:55)

5. Faith Is Certain of Honor and Reward

• Living by faith means seeking God’s approval over the world’s, and trusting in eternal rewards:
  • Citing Paul—“I have fought the good fight...there is in store for me the crown of righteousness...” (17:55; 2 Timothy 4)
  • Jesus speaks of coming and “my reward is with me” (19:10; Revelation 22:12).
  • On eternal reward: “If it’s nothing more than his pleasure in my life and in the lives of those I love, then that would be enough. That’s a reward.” (21:00)
• The life built on obedience to God’s word results in lasting, eternal “gold, silver, precious stones,” not fleeting “wood, hay, stubble” (22:00).

6. Faith Is Certain of God Himself

• God as Creator and Authority: Anne stresses the importance of believing in God as the Creator, not in evolution: “When you come to God by faith, you’re certain of him, that he is the creator. He’s an authority over everything.” (24:00)
• God is accessible: “Anyone who comes to him must believe that he is… and that he rewards those who seek him.” (25:15)
  • Memorable moment: Anne marvels at “the One who rules the universe… we can come to Him,” and emphasizes the relationship available through Jesus (26:10).

7. Personalizing Faith & Anchoring it in Scripture

• Anne challenges listeners not to hang their faith on tradition, pastors, or family, but to anchor it in God’s own Word (27:30).
  • Quote: “Your faith needs to be anchored in the word of God. That’s why it’s very important that you read it for yourself…” (28:50)
• The importance of first-hand, daily engagement with Scripture for personal and generational legacy.

8. Purpose-Driven Faith: Bringing Glory to God

• All Hebrews 11 figures lived for God’s glory: “To know God and to make Him known.”
• Anne recalls her own catechism: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” (30:15)

9. Worship as Foundational Faith: Lessons from Abel

• True worship comes God’s way, “established at the cross,” anchored in the blood sacrifice God requires.
• The story of Cain and Abel illustrates the cost of godly worship and the power of leaving a spiritual legacy (32:00).
  • Despite Abel’s death, his example led Seth and his generation to call on the Lord (Genesis 4:26).

10. Practical Illustration: Nighttime Worship & Spiritual Warfare

• Anne candidly recounts being attacked by negative thoughts at night and combating them through worship: reciting the names of Jesus alphabetically until peace returned (38:30).
  • Quote: “I just need to praise the Lord… I laid in bed and I started going through the ABCs of the names of Jesus… my thoughts were purified.” (39:20)
• The power of worship to overcome darkness and regain spiritual strength.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Generational Faith: “The way we leave a legacy, a godly legacy, in an ungodly world... is through being faithful to Jesus.” (04:57)
• On Hope: “Biblical hope is not a hope-so, biblical hope is being absolutely certain of what we don’t see.” (08:10)
• On Eternal Rewards: “I don’t want to put ashes in his nail-scarred palm. I want to have a crown to lay down before him.” (22:40)
• On God’s Accessibility: “It just washes all over you that when you come to him by faith… you’re certain of him. He’s the Creator and He’s the one who became your Savior because he loves you so much…” (26:45)
• On Divine Approval: “Are you tempted sometimes to go after the world’s honor and the world’s acclaim… when God had something so much grander?” (17:10)
• On Worship as Warfare: “I laid in bed and I started going through the ABCs of the names of Jesus... my thoughts were purified and I went to sleep.” (39:20)

Important Timestamps

• 00:05 – Introduction to faith and Hebrews 11
• 02:00 – Relay race analogy and passing generational faith
• 05:20 – Faith is a necessity, not an option
• 07:15 – Defining biblical faith and biblical hope
• 10:40 – Applying faith to family and personal challenges
• 17:55 – Eternal rewards and living for God’s honor
• 24:00 – Certainty of God as Creator
• 27:30 – Anchoring faith in scripture
• 30:15 – Purpose-driven life and glorifying God
• 32:00 – The story of Abel: worship and legacy
• 38:30 – Overcoming spiritual attack with worship

Summary Takeaways

• Faith is central and essential to Christian life, not optional or mystical—it is absolute trust in the Word of God.
• A life of faith is one that leaves a lasting spiritual legacy, both in family and broader community, by intentionally passing on truth.
• Faith must be anchored in God’s Word, not tradition or external voices.
• True faith is purpose-driven, grounded in glorifying God and making Him known.
• Worship, especially in adversity, is both foundational to faith and a weapon against spiritual darkness.
• The rewards of faith are real—both in this life and the next, culminating in God’s approval and eternal joy.

For More:
Bible studies, messages, and resources can be found at annagrahamlotz.org.