Faith
Hebrews 11:1-40
Faith goes beyond mental assent; it is an active confidence in what God will do.
SLIDE #1
Introduction
• We have been on our Journey of Faith Series through Hebrews over the past few weeks.
• Remember the context of the book of Hebrews.
• As a result of the pressure they faced since coming to Jesus, some of the Christians that had a Jewish background were considering going back to Judaism.
• The book of Hebrews was meant to help encourage folks not to do go back to Judaism.
• This brings us to one of my favorite chapters of the Bible, Hebrews 11!
• Hebrews 11 covers the subject of FAITH.
• How do we define the word FAITH? The dictionary defines it this way, “CONFIDENCE OR TRUST IN A PERSON OR THING.”
• What Hebrews 11 shows us the results of faith, in other words, what faith LEADS on to do.
• Our BIG IDEA today is, FAITH GOES BEYOND MENTAL ASSENT; IT IS AN ACTIVE CONFIDENCE IN WHAT GOD WILL DO.
• Hebrews 11 shows us how faith been demonstrated in the lives of those the chapter memorializes.
• The author of the book of Hebrews goes on to list example after example of people in the Bible who lived by faith; even though their circumstances were not comfortable.
• The phrase “by faith” is said before each example.
• So, “by faith” Abraham was called and went to a land he did not know (v. 8)
• By faith, Sarah was able to bear children, even though she was old (v. 11).
• By faith, people passed through the Red Sea in the Exodus (v. 29).
• Over and over, we see that people were given a promise by God and had faith that it would come to pass, even when they could not see it in their circumstances.
• They had high confidence in the Lord and in what he could do despite their situations.
• Today we will spend our time together in Hebrews 11!
• Let’s turn to Hebrews 11:1 to begin our journey today.
SLIDE#2
Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:1 (CSB)
1Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
SLIDE #3
1. I. The essence of faith.
Explanation
• Many times when we look at verse 1, it is easy to think that verse DEFINES faith, when, in fact, verse 1 gives a description of what faith DOES, how faith manifests itself.
• A good Biblical definition of faith is suggested by E.J. Carnell in Gareth Reese’s Commentary on Hebrews.
SLIDE #4
Quote
Faith is whole-souled trust in God’s Word as true because of the sufficiency of the evidence.
Hebrews Commentary, Gareth Reese
Explanation
• What this definition tells us is that we know that God’s Word is accurate, and then we trust Him, which in turn leads us to be obedient to Him.
• A simple definition of faith is “Faith is doing what God says!”
• What Hebrews 11 displays for us is FAITHFULNESS, which is faith in action!
• Back in Matthew 23:23 and Hebrews 10:39, a better translation of the word FAITH in verse one would be FAITHFULNESS.
• Remember that God requires us to be FAITHFUL until the end or Jesus returns, whichever comes first!
• We see when Jesus spoke in Matthew 7 about the servants who told Jesus that they did all these, what they thought were wonderful things in His name.
• Jesus told them to depart from Him because He never knew them.
• In verse 21 of Matthew 7, Jesus says only those who DO the will of the Father will get to Heaven, in other words, being FAITHFUL!
• Verse 1 tells us that faithfulness is the REALITY of what is hoped for!
• This word REALITY is translated many times as ASSURANCE. The best way to catch the flavor of the original text would be TITLE DEED.
• A TITLE DEED is a certificate of ownership. When you have the deed, you own the property!
• Faithfulness is the TITLE DEED to all that God all that God has promised us!
• You can choose to not be faithful, you have the free will to do so; however, faithlessness will not lead to blessing!
• Revelation 2:10 reminds us that when we are faithful until death, and when we do that, we will receive the crown of life!
• We also see that faithfulness is the PROOF or better word, CONVICTION of things not seen! This verse is the only place in the New Testament, where this word is used.
• Our CONVICTION or PROOF of things we cannot see drives our faithfulness to God. We do not see God, yet we believe in Him. We have such conviction concerning our faith that we can drive unbelief out of our system.
• If one is to be faithful to God, they HAVE to be convinced of things not yet seen.
• Throughout the rest of this chapter, the Hebrew writer will layout examples of what FAITHFULNESS looks like!
• Let’s look at verses 2 and 6.
SLIDE #5
Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:2 (CSB)
2For by it our ancestors won God’s approval.
Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:6 (CSB)
6Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
SLIDE #6
2. II. The implications of faith.
Explanation
• Notice is was not FAITH that won God’s approval; it was FAITHFULNESS.
• O.K., I am going to thread the needle a bit for you concerning FAITH and FAITHFULNESS.
• We have to have faith; without faith, we have nothing to build our foundation. The foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ.
• In the book of James, James addresses this issue of FAITH, versus FAITHFULNESS when he tells us that faith without works is dead.
• In other words, when we consider faith as merely a body of knowledge of which we hold in our heads, we are not on the right track.
• What we are called to is to be FAITHFUL.
• Verse 6 should be translated, WITHOUT BEING FAITHFUL, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.
• I can win all the Bible Trivia contests; I can have a Ph.D. in Theology and the Bible.
• If all of that knowledge does not lead one to get off their backside and do something, they are not faithful.
• True faith leads to being faithful. Sitting in Church does not do that. Sitting in Church should HELP build our faith, which in turn should help one to become more FAITHFUL.
• Let me ask you this. What does your faith lead you to do? The answer is your TRUE faith actually drives your life.
• If your faith leads you to the reality of things hoped for the CONVICTION of things not seen, your life will be different.
• Why is it that polls show a significant number of people say they are Christians, yet our country is embracing things WAY off of what God would want?
Illustration
• Study shows 10% say they believe in God sometimes
• Researchers from the Association of Canadian Studies and Carleton University in Ottawa found an interesting anomaly about faith in God.
• Typical responses and percentage of belief and unbelief were stretched all across the continuum, but the most telling portion of this study came from 10% who said they believe in God “sometimes.”
• Their response seems laughable, but it reflects a human tendency as old as man. More often than many are willing to admit, Christians notwithstanding, we vacillate back and forth about our convictions regarding God. Houston Chronicle, 9/10/10, p.F11
Explanation
• Verse 6 offers us an implication of faith; without faithfulness, it is IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD!
• Hebrews 11:6 (CSB) — 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
• IF I am to draw new to God, I have to have a faith that leads me to be FAITHFUL.
• Revelation 2:10 does not tell us, have faith or believe until death, and I will give you the crown of life, we are to be FAITHFUL.
• Our faith should drive us to do what God says. We do what God says because we are convinced of the truth of the Word.
• Let people see the sermon you preach by being faithful to God!
SLIDE #7
3. III. The actions of faith.
Explanation
• This chapter is filled with examples of how faithfulness was displayed in the life of a number of the saints of Old.
• The Jewish audience would have been riveted to this chapter.
• We use Halls of Fame to celebrate the lives of great people.
• For football players, no honor goes beyond being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
• The greatest NFL players are invited to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
• The tradition involves the players waiting in a hotel room with family and friends until the president of the NFL knocks on their door to invite them to be in the Hall of Fame publicly.
• The night of the induction involves speeches and being presented with a golden jacket in front of every one, along with other Hall of Fame players.
• I love baseball; I LOVE EVERY ASPECT of the game.
• As a boy, I dreamed of hitting the home run to win the World Series, to be in the game in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded, and me striking out the final batter.
• I dreamed of being immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. I was never going to be in the Hall of Fame, one day I hope to visit.
• Many call the eleventh chapter of Hebrews the Faith Hall of Fame.
• There is one Hall of Fame I can enter. When we live by faith, we are a part of that Hall of Fame as well.
• In verses 4-32, we see the actions of the faithful.
• Abel offered a better sacrifice because of his faithfulness.
• Enoch was taken away and never faced death.
• Noah built the Ark. Moses left Egypt.
• Abraham was willing to offer up Isaac because he KNEW that God was going to keep His promise no matter what!
• Abraham was so sure as the knife was about to penetrate the chest of his long-awaited son, that Abraham KNEW that God would raise Isacc from the dead!
• Abraham left his cosmopolitan homeland. Sarah gave birth way past her prime.
• What drove them to be faithful? Their faith!
• They knew what others did not know; they trusted in what others did not trust.
• Those wonderful Saints found in the first 11 verses of this chapter achieved greatness in God’s eyes because they did what God asked them, even when it did not make sense.
• Which at the time, what God wanted them to do did NOT make HUMAN sense!
• Then we move to verses 35-38, where we see a shift from the achievements to the sacrifices that folks went through because of their faith.
SLIDE #8
Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:35-38 (CSB)
35Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
36Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment.
37They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.
38The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
Explanation
• These martyrs died for what they believed in. How can you do that unless you believe?
• The 11 remaining Apostles were afraid to die; they were locked in a room. They thought it was over; they thought that they were next.
• Then a few days after the resurrection, they were boldly proclaiming Jesus in the streets of Jerusalem! How? They saw the risen Jesus!
• People are dying for Jesus at an alarming rate.
• According to Open Doors in the top 50 watch list countries, 11 people die for Jesus EVERY day! That number is conservatively low!
SLIDE #9
Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:39-40 (CSB)
39All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised,
40since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
SLIDE #10
Bible Verse
Hebrews 11:13-16 (CSB)
13These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.
14Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return.
16But they now desire a better place?—?a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
SLIDE #11
4. IV. The blessings of faith.
EXPLANATION
• This point will be short and sweet!
• The ultimate blessing is heaven!
• According to verses 13-16, all of the folks mentioned in this chapter died without receiving the things they were promised, but they saw them from afar, and now God they are enjoying what God promised!
• Verses 39-40 tells us that at the time of their passing, they did not yet see the fulfillment of the PROMISE relating to the personal coming and reign of the Messiah.
• They lived and died without knowing the Messiah, now they know Him.
• The Hebrew writer is telling us that we are on the other side of the Cross, we know Messiah we have the full revelation of God!
• Christ’s sacrifice opened the door for these Saints of old to be glorified and be in the presence of God!
• So why would we abandon God with the more significant revelation we have!
Conclusion
• What do we have faith in?
• Maybe it’s having faith that God will provide a financial way when you can’t see how the ends will meet.
• Maybe it’s having faith that your loved one who doesn’t know God will become more aware of the love of Jesus and find salvation.
• Maybe it’s for physical healing in your body.
• Faith is not an end but is always directed at the living God who is faithful.
• However, faith isn’t just about dreams coming true and walking easy roads.
• There is a section of the Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11 that lists people who were tortured, imprisoned, and put to death while remaining faithful.
• They persevered in their persecution and trials, never losing faith in God and the future reward of eternal life.
• “Their faith shines all the more brightly when we realize that they carried on throughout their lives without seeing the story come to its proper conclusion” (N. T. Wright, Hebrews for Everyone [Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003], 146).
Application
• We must walk by faith in our daily relationship with Jesus.
