SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING
Hebrews 11:1-6
Preached on 19 July 2009
at Shiloh Baptist Church
Waukegan, IL
by Rev. Kelvin L. Parks
Let us open up our hearts and our Bible to Hebrews 11:1-6
(v.1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(v.2) For by it (Faith) the elders obtained a good report.
(v.3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
(v.4) By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
(v.5) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
(v.6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Subject: Seeing is not Believing
Our text this morning is What some call ... the Hall of Faith. In fact, many scholars refer to this chapter as that Westminster Abbey of Scripture, and the list it goes on and on, all different kinds of names and titles have been given to this wonderful chapter. However, I like to think of it as an honor roll of Old Testament saints.
Now day’s parents put bumper stickers on the back of their cars to demonstrate how proud they are of their children’s accomplishments for making ... honor roll. Yet, notice that God also recognizes His children’s accomplishments and has places each of their names not on the bumper of a car but in a book. Yes, even the “BOOK OF LIFE”
Notice however that everyone mentioned here this chapter received an “F” as their final grade. You look confused ... so allow me to explain...
You see, I need to let somebody know that the “F” that these OT Saints received does not stand for flunking ... oh nawl, it stands for FAITH.
In fact this is the only grading system that I know of whereby the grade “F” is a good thing.
You see ... one of these old days, we are all going to be graded and I’m looking to get ... not an “A” but and “F.”
You see, I don’t want an “A” because an “A” stands for apathy, and apathy means impassive or indifference, and that is certainly not a position that I want to find myself in when it comes to me and God. Apathy is not a grade that will gain you entrance into heaven.
You see, I don’t want an “A” because an “A” represents apostasy. You see, apostasy is the abandonment or defection from what you use to believe. You see apostasy is going back to your old time way.
Nawl, nawl, I don’t want an “A.” Why, because I don’t want to be considered an apostate you know a traitor; a runaway; fugitive or a renegade against God’s will or way.
No that certainly is not a grade that I want. I’m looking to get an “F” you see one of these old days, when this dusty life is over, I’m looking for Jesus to say to me...
Well done, my “F” servant. Folks talked about you. Called you everything but a child of God. They said that you would not amount to anything. But I call you mine.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)
Seeing is not believing....
So lets us examine our text... Hebrews 11:1
Notice the first word in (v.1) NOW. Small word yet it is significant, if it were not so, it would not be here. So let examine it shall we.
The Greek word for Now is de, pronounced (deh) ... and this word serves as a marker of a summary statement. (Repeat)
Simply put ... what follows the word NOW (deh) summarizes what was just stated before it.
In other words, you will not fully understand what comes after the word NOW unless you fully understand what preceded the word NOW.
How about this ... you ain’t gonna understand what I’m about to say unless you fully understand what the writer of Hebrews has already said. Believe that!!! Ebonics yes, but it still works the same!!!
Well, what proceeded this summary statement? What came before the NOW, what came before the (deh) of our text?
Good question, if we where to put into context, we would notice that the author of Hebrews goes through great lengths in the first ten chapters of this book to describe the superiority of Christ.
You see ... many of the Jewish believers of that day, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity were straddling the fence. Some wanted to reverse their course in order to escape persecution.
So in the first 10 chapters the writer of Hebrews exhorts them to “press on” to maturity in Christ. His appeal is based on the superiority of Christ over the Judaic systems. The writer of Hebrews points out to his readers that
• Christ is better than the angels, for they worship Him.
• Christ is better than the Aaronic priesthood, for His sacrifice was once for all time.
• Christ is better than the Law, for He mediates a better covenant.
• In short, the author tells his readers that there is more to be gained by suffering for Christ than by reverting to Judaism.
• In particular, he encourages them to pressing on ... and reminds them (10:38) that the just shall live by faith.
However I think that it is important for us to also understand that apathy and apostasy are still real in our society today. Yes it is true, you may not be on the verge of reverting to Judaism, but some of us are on the verge of reverting back to our old time ways.
Hence, why it is also important for us to be encouragement to keep the faith...
So now that we understand the WHY ... let us examine real quickly the WHAT of our text.
WHAT is faith? Well scripture tells us in (v.1) that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I would argue that this is one of the single most import scripture in the Bible. For in it, we receive the definition of why we believe what we believe.
Let’s examine it (v.1)
Now (de, deh). We now know that what is about to follow is a summary of what was just said.
Faith Greek Word: pis-tis: Assurance; Assure; Assuredly; Belief; Believe; Believers; Faith; and Fidelity
It is also important for us to understand that this Greek work pis-tis is derived from the Greek word peitho (pi-tho): persuasion, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation.
So what is Faith?
Well, I think that it is safe to say from this that Faith is the
• Assurance
• Belief
• Persuasion
• Credence
• Moral conviction of the truthfulness of God’s promises
• Especially as it relates to the reliance on Christ for salvation
Allow me to help you.
Illustration: In Mark 4:35 Jesus said to His disciples “Let us pass over to the other side” ... so they set sail and during the midst of their voyage a storm arose and the disciples panicked and feared for their very lives. So they awoke Jesus and accused Him of not caring about them. Jesus calmed the sea but before doing so He chastised His disciples for their lack of faith.
You see ... the disciples looked at their circumstance and forgot about the promise that Jesus said in Mark 4:35 ... “Let us pass over to the other side”
You see the disciples in the storm tossed boat, lacked the:
• Assurance
• Belief
• Persuasion
• Credence
• Moral conviction of the truthfulness of God’s promises
• In essence they lacked faith
Now that we understand the
WHY: deh (NOW)
WHAT: pis-tis (assurance) and pi-tho (the absolute reliance on Christ for salvation)
Let us now examine the WHERE
So WHERE is your faith?
(v.1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Well, let’s deal with this word substance real quickly. You see...
Substance: Greek word hypostasis (hoop-os’-tas-is). And it is derived from the compound of two Greek words. The first word is
hupo (hoop - o (hoo-pa)): under, or beneath
and second word is
histemi (his’-tay-mee): to stand, abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).
So what are you saying ... I saying that the word substance found here in our text have nothing to do with what most prosperity preachers are talking today.
Contrary to popular belief, this is not a name it and claim it passage. The word substance ... in context has nothing to do with a wish list of materialist goods.
Nawl - substance here (hoo-pa, underneath); and (his-tay-mee, stand) is simply the foundation upon where I place my faith.
And what is faith. Well, faith is the assurance or should I say confidence of my salvation. And where does this confidence come from ... well, my confidence comes from my foundation and my foundation is Jesus Christ, my High Priest, who after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.
I’m a firm believer that the reason why so many people in our society are filed with despair, because they do not have true understanding of what faith is.
I also believe that people often find themselves perplexed and troubled ... because they have placed their faith in the wrong things.
...and the very foundations of their faith are not stable and unsure
Some place their faith in friends and family, while others find faith in their occupations or their abilities.
But the question is ... will faith in these things deliver you in times of trouble?
You see ... I am a firm believe that there is going to come a time when your faith is going to be tested.
In fact ... a faith not tested is a faith not trusted. And in this life you will be tested.
And when this test comes, it does not matter what somebody else is doing. On that day, when you are tested it will not matter what somebody else has promised you. You see ... when that day comes, when your back is against the wall....
• Husband can’t save you ...
• There is going to come a day when the only person that you can depend on is ... JESUS!
I need to let somebody know this morning that man, and woman, occupation, status, and riches will someday fail you.
I need to let somebody know that ... only faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient to uphold us through life’s trials!
It is one thing to sing the song ... we come this far by faith, yet it is another when thing when you are in the storm. The question is will your faith hold us when trouble rise. Or do you go blaming other folks for what they did or didn’t do?
So when contrary winds are blowing, when the billows of life seem to be raging ... I encourage you to put your faith in Jesus, because He will see you through.
Well ... what is your Hope? What did you HOPE for?
My hope is:
• In God. Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21.
• In Christ. 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1.
• In God’s promises. Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2.
• In the mercy of God. Ps 33:18.
• Is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5.
• Obtained through
o Grace. 2Th 2:16.
o The word. Ps 119:81.
o Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. Ro 15:4.
o The gospel. Col 1:5,23.
o aith. Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5.
Well ... that brings us to the very important question of HOW. How do I know? Let’s examine the evidence, shall we...
(v.1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Evidence here in our text is the Greek word elenchus (el’-eng-khos), which simply means a proof that by which a thing is proved or tested; a conviction.
Walk with me (v.2)
Let is example the object (purpose) of our faith...
(v.2) says for by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.
Well ... what about your report. Will you get an “A” for apathy and apostate of will you get an “F” for faithful.
Well ... let’s examine my report
Well ... I was not there when God formed the foundations of this world as we know it. However, the foundations of my faith tell, me that God spoke, and out of darkness came light.
The foundation of my faith tells me that Seeing is not believing
Well ... I was not there when Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain... but I am sure of this one thing, that it was the foundation of his faith that caused Him to do so.
Well ... I was not there when Enoch took a walk with God. But the foundations of my faith tell me ... that one of these old days, I am going to be where Enoch is ....walking around heaven all day
You see ... seeing is not believing... we got to have faith.
Well ... I was not there when the earth was flooded. But my faith tells me to believe in (elenchus (el’-eng-khos), the evidence of faith. You see every time I see a rainbow, I can’t help but to believe that it did in fact rain 40 days and for 40 nights.
You see ... I was not there to see it rain but my faith (pis-tis, pi-tho) tells me that seeing is not believing.
Well ... I was not there when Joshua marched around Jericho for seven days ... but my faith tells me that one of these old days, I will be there ... when we shout the victory over
Now ... these folks name may not be listed here in the hall of faith ... yet, I still believe that it was the foundations of their faith that keep them.
You know like Job ... a man that I never met ... but I am sure that it was his faith, his foundation, his assurance, his belief in God that made him say ... “all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” Job 14:14
Seeing is not believing...
Now ... I was not there when Job was being tested, but my faith tells me that it was his pi-tho, the foundation of his faith that caused him to say “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” (Job 13:15)
I never met the Psalmist that penned Psalm 30, but I am sure it was the foundation of his faith that caused him to declare that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Well ... was not there when King Nebuchadnezzar had Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael(Meshach); and Azariah (Abednego) thrown into the fiery furnace. But my faith in the absolute truth of God’s holy word tells me that he did.
You see, seeing is not believing, and I am sure that it was the foundations of these three Hebrew boys faith that caused them to say ... “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” (Daniel 3:17)
Shiloh ... I never met a leper, and I never met the women who had an issue with blood for 12 years ... yet, my faith in God’s word, tells me that the same God that healed Simon the Leper; is the same God that healed the women with an issue of blood, and is the same God that can heal you and me.
Now, I never met Paul, who was once called Saul. But I got faith enough to know that the same God that knocked him off his beast on the road to Damascus is the same God that can put repentant sinners like you and me on a street called straight
I know some of you are probably saying, well preacher you don’t understand, I’m going through some stuff. I have been struggling with this thing ... for a long time.
But I stopped by to tell you that you are in the right place and at the time ... to receive your breakthrough.
Well ... I don’t know what you are going through. You don’t know what I’m going through ... in fact we are all going through something. I’m a firm believer that ... if it ain’t one thing it is another.
I want to let somebody know that you are in good hands now. I’m talking about life insurance; I’m talking about life assurance which is a promise that can only be found in faith in Jesus Christ.
Seeing is not believing ... you see I never seen the invisible God. But my faith tell me that the same God that spoke this world into existence ... is the same God that sent His sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for you and for me.
My faith ... .my pis-tis; tells me that Jesus died one Friday Night.
You see ... I never seen Jesus, but my faith, my pi-tho, tells me that early one Sunday morning He got up with all power in His hand.
My faith ... my
• Assurance
• Belief
• Persuasion
• Credence
• Moral conviction of the truthfulness of God’s promises
• Especially as it relates to the reliance on Christ for my salvation
• Is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
• I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
I need to let somebody know to stand.
1. When trouble rise ... STAND.
2. When the contrary winds blow ... STAND
3. When family or friends forsake you ... STAND
• On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.
• When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
• In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
• His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.
• When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
Shiloh ... when you have done all that you can ... STAND
STAND on the Promises of GOD, because He will see you through. The same God
• The stopped the mouth of lions
• Raised the dead ... is the same GOD that can raise you from your situation.
I don’t know how? I don’t when ... but this one thing I know ... somehow, someway, things are going to work out.
• I know somehow
• I know someway
• We’re going to make it
• No matter what the test
• Whatever comes our way
• We’re going to make it
• With Jesus on our side
• Things will work out fine
• We’re gonna make it
• We’re gonna make it
• I know somehow
• I know someway
• We’re going to make it
• No matter what the test
• Whatever comes our way
We’re going to make it
• With Jesus on our side
• Things will work out fine
• We’re gonna make it
• We’re gonna make it
• Invitation
Closing remarks
So what kind of faith pleases God? Certain a
• Worshipping Faith ... like Abel
• Walking Faith ... like Enoch
• Working Faith ... like Noah
• But also a waiting faith like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
This is the kind of faith...
a. In those who believe to the saving of the soul (He 10:39)
b. In those of whom “God is not ashamed to be called their God” (He 11:16)
May the Lord grant us grace and mercy to develop this kind of faith!
Benediction
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25
