A RESPONSE Of SAVING FAITH-III—Hebrews 11:3-40
Attention:
Faith’s response to life’s challenges
Dan Cathy—CEO of Chick-Fil-A—made the following statements to the SBC’s Baptist Press on July 16, 2012:
"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, & we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.
"We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values & operate on biblical principles."
It created a firestorm among the LGBT community, who are now obviously aligned against the truth of Scripture. As a result, certain mayors(Chicago, Boston, et al.) declared that they would not allow Chick-Fil-A restaurants to operate in their respective towns.
This, in turn, led Mike Huckabee(formerly a Baptist minister, former Presidential candidate, & present Conservative talk-show host) to establish Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day on August 1st.
Admitted many are on the bandwagon for Chick-Fil-A for political or economic reasons. but the fact remains that the FAITH of both the Owner(Truett) & CEO(Dan) is key to the manner in which their restaurant is run.
We indeed bring something of value to the table when we are saved!
Need:
The Hebrews writer sought to encourage & exhort his readers(hearers) by recounting the very practical responses which faith had wrought in their forebears/ancestors.
Saving faith yields practical responses to life, which encourage others.
What are some practical responses to life by saving faith?
How does saving faith respond to life?
Previously in Hebrews, we found 5(6) responses to life’s challenge afforded by saving faith.
Saving faith meets life’s challenge with...
1. A PARTICULAR WORLDVIEW(:3)—Concept presented 05/20/2012 with 10:39—11:3 as FELLOWSHIP
2. OFFERINGs Of PECULIAR QUALITY(:4)
3. DESIRE For GOD’s PLEASURE(:5-6)
4. CONDEMNING TRUST(:7)
5. A PARTICULAR PLACE(:8-10)
6. A PARTICULAR OUTLOOK(:11-12)
7—Saving faith meets life’s challenge with...
A Particular VISION(:13-16)
Explanation:(:13-16)
:13—“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them & confessed that they were strangers & pilgrims on the earth.”
All the previously mentioned saints of God(:4-12) including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Sarah all “died in faith.”
“Faith” does not guarantee eternal life in the flesh on this earth. Faith absolutely secures eternal life in resurrected flesh on the New Earth(Rev. 21:1-2).
Rom. 5:17—“For if by the one man’s offense[Adam] death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace & of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)”
“All these” “died in faith” without receiving what was promised. This fact was evidenced by two things...:
1)They all envisioned the promises & they welcomed what was promised from a distance—i.e., they knew they were future, were absolutely convinced of their occurrence & found joy in knowing that they would occur. They knew the promises would be fulfilled & This fact caused them to live in view of the promises as a certainty.
2)They all confessed/lived as if/ they were “strangers” & resident foreigners on the earth.
Jn. 17:13-16—““But now I come to You, & these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; & the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
“Died”—apoynhskw—1) To die—1a) Of the natural death of man, 1b) Of the violent death of man or animals, 1c) To perish by means of something, 1d) Of trees which dry up, of seeds which rot when planted, 1e) Of eternal death, to be subject to eternal misery in hell. Strong—To die off (literally or figuratively).
“Received”—lambanw—1) To take; 2) To receive(what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back. Strong—a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; To take(in very many applications, literally & figuratively[properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas decomai is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while aireomai is more violent, to seize or remove].
“Promises”—epaggelia—1) Announcement; 2) Promise—2a) The act of promising, a promise given or to be given, 2b) A promised good or blessing. An announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good).
“Seen/Saw”—oida—1) To see—1a) To perceive with the eyes, 1b) To perceive by any of the senses, 1c) To perceive, notice, discern, discover, 1d) To see, 1e) To experience any state or condition, 1f) To see i.e. have an interview with, to visit; 2) To know—2a) To know of anything; 2b) To know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive, 2c) To have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (1Th 5:12). Strong—properly--To see(literally or figuratively); by implication(in the perf. only)--To know.
“Afar off/From a distance”—porrwyen—1) From afar, afar off. Strong—From far, or by implication--At a distance, i.e. Distantly.
From—porrw—Forwards, i.e. at a distance. Used 2X.
“Assured”(TR only)—peiyw—1) Persuade—1a) To persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe, 1b) To make friends of, to win one’s favor, gain one’s good will, or to seek to win one, strive to please one, 1c) To tranquillize, 1d) To persuade unto i.e. Move or induce one to persuasion to do something; 2) Be persuaded—2a) To be persuaded, to suffer one’s self to be persuaded; to be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing, 2b) To listen to, obey, yield to, comply with; 3) To trust, have confidence, be confident. Strong—To convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy--To pacify or conciliate(by other fair means); Reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely(by inward certainty).
“Embraced/Welcomed”—aspazomai—1) To draw to one’s self—1a) To salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to, 1b) To receive joyfully, welcome. Used of those accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way (even not in the East, Christians & Mohammedans do not greet one another); a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture & a few words, but generally by embracing & kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting. Strong—To enfold in the arms, i.e. by implication--To salute, figuratively--To welcome.
From—spaw—1) To draw; 2) To draw (one’s sword).
“Confessed/Admitted”—omologew—1) To say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent; 2) To concede; 3) To profess; 4) To praise, celebrate. Strong— To assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge.
“Strangers/Aliens”—xenov—Adj.—1) A foreigner, a stranger—1a) Alien (from a person or a thing), 1b) Without the knowledge of, without a share in, 1c) New, unheard of; 2) One who receives & entertains another hospitably—2a) With whom he stays or lodges, A host. Strong—apparently a primary word; Foreign(literally--Alien, or figuratively--Novel); by implication--A guest or(vice-versa) Entertainer. Used 14X.
“Pilgrims/Exiles/Strangers”—parepidhmov—Adj.—1) One who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives; 2) A stranger; 3) Sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner; 4) in the NT metaph. in reference to heaven as the native country, One who sojourns on earth. Strong—An alien alongside, i.e. A resident foreigner. Used 3X.
:14—“For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.”
Those who have a faith which accepts & applies God’s promises for their future, as if today’s reality, do not keep their mouths shut about such matters. If they truly believe the promises are theirs for the future, they will show it.
Those of faith who are satisfied with welcoming promises from a distance & who consider themselves to be “strangers” & “pilgrims,” make it plain to all that they are still in process of “seeking” their “homeland.” They do not accept that their “homeland” is present or even in their past.
“Say”—legw—1) To say, to speak. Strong—properly--To "lay" forth, i.e. figuratively--Relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas epw & fhmi generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while rew is properly--To break silence merely, & lalew means an extended or random harangue]); by implication--To mean.
“Such things”—toioutov—1) Such as this, of this kind or sort. Strong—Truly this, i.e. Of this sort(to denote character or individuality).
“Declare plainly/Make it clear/Show”—emfanizw—1) To manifest, exhibit to view; 2) To show one’s self, come to view, appear, be manifest; 3) To indicate, disclose, declare, make known. To manifest to the sight, make visible. Strong—To exhibit(in person) or disclose(by words). Used 10X.
“Seek/Looking for”—epizhtew—1) To enquire for, seek for, search for, seek diligently; 2) To wish for, crave; 3) To demand, clamour for. Strong—To search(inquire) for; intensively--To demand, to crave. Used 14X.
“Homeland/Country/Country of their own”—patriv—1) One’s native country—1a) One’s fatherland, one’s own country, a fixed abode or home, 1b) One’s own native place i.e. a city. Strong—A father-land, i.e. Native town; figuratively--Heavenly home Used 8X.
:15—“And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.”
In truth of fact, if the truly faithful had in mind the “homeland” from which they were called, they could have easily “returned” to it. But as it is, their homeland is nowhere upon this sin-sick earth. Thus the truly faithful see no sense in “returning” to the way they had come, & thus refuse to return to the things of this earth & the ways of the world.
“Called to mind/Been mindful/Been thinking”(See :22—“Made mention”)—mnhmoneuw—1) To be mindful of, to remember, to call to mind, 1a) To think of & feel for a person or thing, 1b) To hold in memory, keep in mind; 2) to make mention of. Strong—To exercise memory, i.e. Recollect; by implication--To punish; also--To rehearse.
“Come out/Went out/Had left”—exercomai—1) To go or come forth of—1a) With mention of the place out of which one goes, or the point from which he departs; 2) metaph.—2a) To go out of an assembly, i.e. forsake it, 2b) To come forth from physically, arise from, to be born of, 2c) To go forth from one’s power, escape from it in safety, 2d) To come forth (from privacy) into the world, before the public, (of those who by novelty of opinion attract attention), 2e) Of things. Strong—To issue (literally or figuratively).
“Opportunity”—kairov—1) Due measure; 2) A measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time. A definitely limited portion of time with the added notion of suitableness. Strong—An occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.
“Return”—anakamptw—1) To bend back, to turn back; 2) To return. Strong—To turn back. Used 4X.
:16—“But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” ”
The reality is, the truly faithful reach for a “better” homeland than the one from which they initially arose. They indeed “desire” that which is entirely “heavenly.”
For the very reason that the truly faithful crave a “heavenly” homeland, God is “not ashamed” to be “called” upon as their God.
It is obvious that “God is not ashamed” of the faithful because He has “prepared a city” specifically “for them.” By means of saving faith, The truly faithful have knowingly & intentionally moved into the homeland of the “city” which God has seen fit to “prepare.”
“Desire/Longing for”—oregomai—1) To stretch one’s self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something; 2) To give one’s self up to the love of money. Strong—To stretch oneself, i.e. Reach out after(long for). Used 3X.
“Better”—kreittwn—Adj.—1) More useful, more serviceable, more advantageous; 2) More excellent. Strong—comparative of a derivative of kratov[1) Force, strength; 2) Power, might: mighty with great power; 3) Dominion]; Stronger, i.e. figuratively--Better, i.e. Nobler.
“Ashamed”—epaiscunomai—1) To be ashamed. Strong—To feel shame for something. Used 11X.
“Called”—epikaleomai—1) To put a name upon, to surname; 2) To be named after someone; 3) To call something to one; 4) To invoke; 5) To call upon by pronouncing the name of Jehovah. Strong—To entitle; by implication--To invoke(for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.).
“Prepared”—etoimazw—1) To make ready, prepare—1a) to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready; 2) metaph.—2a) Drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads & make them passable, 2b) To prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception & secure his blessings.
From—etoimov—from an old noun eteov(fitness); Adjusted, i.e. Ready (CONT...)7—Saving faith meets life’s challenge with...
A Particular VISION(:13-16)
“City”—poliv—1) A city—1a) One’s native city, the city in which one lives, 1b) The heavenly Jerusalem—1b1) The abode of the blessed in heaven, 1b2) Of the visible capital in the heavenly kingdom, to come down to earth after the renovation of the world by fire, 1c) The inhabitants of a city. Strong—A town(properly, with walls, of greater or less size).
Argumentation:
Gen. 47:8-9—“Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred & thirty years; few & evil have been the days of the years of my life, & they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.””
Ps. 39:12—““Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.”
2Cor. 4:16-18—“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding & eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Jn. 12:24-26—““Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground & dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, & he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; & where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
Lk. 14:27-30—““And whoever does not bear his cross & come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first & count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--lest, after he has laid the foundation, & is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, “saying, ‘This man began to build & was not able to finish.’”
Jn. 8:51-59—““Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, & the prophets; & You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ “Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him & keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, & he saw it & was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, & have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself & went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, & so passed by.”
Rom. 8:23-25—“Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
1Pet. 1:17-19—“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish & without spot.”
1Pet. 2:9-12—“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners & pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Ps. 119:54—“Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.”
Illustration:
My Mom & Dad kept their important papers in a lockbox/The lockbox was fireproof/They possessed an understanding of the importance of those documents for their children’s future & beyond/A Particular VISION
I began saving money as a small child/I understood the potential need for such a cushion in my future/I honestly did not have a clear picture of how it would be used but I did know that it would be vital/I bought a car with some of it!/Then I got married—What a God-send!/A Particular VISION
Application:
?Does your life speak of A Particular VISION in God?
?How do you Respond to life’s challenge?
?Is yours a Response of Saving Faith?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Dan Cathy’s Chic-Fil-A commitment.
Action:
Saving faith meets life’s challenge with...
7. A Particular VISION(:13-16)
1. A Particular WORLDVIEW(:3)—Concept presented 05/20/2012 with 10:39—11:3 as FELLOWSHIP
2. OFFERINGs Of PECULIAR QUALITY(:4)
3. DESIRE For GOD’s PLEASURE(:5-6)
4. CONDEMNING TRUST(:7)
5. A Particular PLACE(:8-10)
6. A Particular OUTLOOK(:11-12)
Presented 08/19/2012am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
