Heroes Of Faith Series

Heroes of Faith

Hebrews Chapter Eleven

Scripture Reading 11:1-7

1. Our author finished chapter ten with the admonition not to “draw back unto perdition”.

2. In this chapter we see our author encouraging his readers to push on to the “saving of the soul”.

Divine Spectacle

During an interview with Mr. Lincoln long after he had been inaugurated President, a friend asked him if he loved Jesus. The President buried his face in his handkerchief and wept and sobbed. He then said amid his tears, "When I left home to take the chair of the State I was not then a Christian. When my son died-the severest trial of my life-I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg, and looked upon the graves of our dead who had fallen in the defense of their country, I then and there committed myself to Christ. I do love Jesus. The spectacle of that crucified One which is before my eyes is more than sublime-it is Divine."

A gentleman having an appointment to meet President Lincoln at five o’clock in the morning went a quarter of an hour before the time appointed. While waiting for the appointed time he heard in the next room a voice as if in grave conversation, and asked an attendant standing by, "Who is talking in the next room? "It is the President, sir," replied the attendant. "Is anybody with him?" the gentleman inquired. "No; he is reading the Bible." "Is that his habit so early in the morning?" "Yes, sir, he spends every morning from four o’clock to five in reading the Scriptures and praying."

I. Faith Before the Flood (1-7)

a. A Explanation of Faith (1-3)

i. “Faith Is” (1)

1. “substance of things hoped for”

a. A better translation for substance (KJV) or assurance (NASV) would be “title deed.”

b. “things hoped for” is something the Hebrew writer has spoken much about.

(Heb 3:6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

(Heb 6:11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

(Heb 7:19) For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

2. “evidence of things not seen”

a. I think if we view heaven as a “title deed”, then faith is the guarantee.

b. Calvinist use this text to prove the doctrine of election by emphasizing the word “evidence”, and is therefore since God give the elect faith, it is proof of their salvation.

ii. “Good Report” (2)

1. Men, who have been faithful, have been approved by God.

2. Faith is not a gift given to us by God, but rather is something we work at.

(Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(2Ti 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(Joh 6:28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

(Joh 6:29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

iii. “Through Faith We Understand” (3)

1. We God says that he created the world we can believe him through faith.

2. Even the elements of the world listen to God.

(Psa 33:6) By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

b. Abel’s Faith Compared to Cain’ lack of Faith (4)

i. “More Excellent Sacrifice”

ii. “He Was Righteous”

iii. “He Being Dead Yet Speacketh”

c. Enoch’s Faith (5-6)

i. “Translated” (5)

ii. “Was Not Found” (5)

1. His friends must have looked for him just like Elijah’s friends did in 2 Kings 2:17.

(2Ki 2:17) And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

iii. “Pleased God” (5-6)

1. In the LXX Genesis 5:34 is translated “well pleasing to God” instead of “walked with God.”

2. Those who please God, can walk with him by faith.

d. Noah’s Faith (7)

i. “to the saving of his house”

1. This ought to be the greatest goal of any Christian parent.

2. Happy is the man who saves souls, and how much happier is the man who saves his own family

ii. “condemned the world”

1. Our faith should stand out in stark contrast to the disbelief of our neighbors and should theirfore convict them of their guilt.